Tag: painting

Day 25: more blue studies

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For this submission, I followed a youtube video by Alphonso Dunn, here, studying how to create shape and depth with a single color in watercolor, and ending with a quick daisy done all in blue. I definitely learned some things, including start with the darkest shadowed areas, but with vague broad strokes in an extremely light wash. Add pigment with each layer, finishing with darkest details… also that with watercolor you can suggest shadowed areas, don’t need to finish them accurately like you do with pencil. I then painted my own monochromatic flower, trying to employ all of the things the video taught me. I’m very happy with my poppy. It’s better than I could have done last week, and I like it better even than the daisy I did following the tutorial. I can see things in it that could be executed more professionally, and it took me longer than I anticipated… I’d like to be able to sketch more quickly in watercolor. (since that is one of the strengths of the medium!!) But I am pleased that I can already see a lot of progress in just three and a half weeks.

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(Also developed some pretty little flowers using salt, and practiced a couple other watercolor bits in the extra space)

My poppy:

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Day 22: three painted images

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I saved the best for last (in my opinion.) So read all the way through.

I colored in one of Day 21’s drawings. It wasn’t my favorite drawing, and I think it does look better with color. Maybe? I learned today that the pink salt in my grinder doesn’t lift paint the same as our regular table salt. Because of the type of salt? I doubt it. I suspect it was just ground too fine. Hard to remove once dried. I had to scrape it off. But I still like what it did in the background. Also, I tried the masking fluid and really liked it. Dipped my brush in soap first, and had no trouble removing the fluid from the brush afterwards.

I did this dandelion a few days ago and didn’t like it enough to post it. But that’s the wrong attitude!

And the bird was yesterday. I copied a page from my devotional (thanks, Rachael!!) but mine ended up bloodied looking, and his beak, oh poor guy. But even with his faults, I love him. He’s better than I thought I’d do. I gotta learn to do it without COPYING.img_3314

PS: I’ve now finished two full art journals!!! (well, sketch books) A huge accomplishment for me. I generally do a few pages, and put it aside. To fill up two (even small) books makes me feel really good.

 

 

Day 18: Acrylic painting

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So I thought this was my strength, kinda, as far as painting goes, but so far this is the submission I have enjoyed the least. My daughter asked me to try my hand at this poster, and make my own version. I like the way the painting looks here, but in person I kind of want to burn it. And I definitely like more mountain/less sky like the original.

What I learned:

  • Wet palette better than dry palette. It DOES make a difference. A big one. At least now I KNOW. (note to self: buy the refill paper already. It’s worth it)
  • Brush choice matters. And I need more choices.
  • Cheap acrylics paint differently than expensive acrylics.
  • I like taped edges.
  • I need to do a nicer signature. Work on that this year.
  • Better lighting is really important. I need to make that a priority.
  • The newest New Girl season (6) isn’t their best. And I probably shouldn’t have my computer on while I’m trying to paint. Unless I’m following a tutorial.

(edited: Season six got better as I got further in)

 

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Day 16: watercolor practice (flowers)

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Comparing my prima watercolors to the winsor & newton, I decided to try a few youtube “easy flower” tutorials, and a few of my own doodles. I love both sets of watercolors, but the prima are brighter and bolder, and easier to pick up color. Flowers will take more practice. 🙂

Day 5: lettersets, kind of

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A little watercolor, some tiny notecards from Target’s dollar bin, and poof! Adorable mini lettersets. I plan to use these painted cards for a swap I’m mailing out tomorrow.

I got the idea for the design here, although I didn’t actually use the same method she used, instead adapting her idea to the supplies I wanted to use.

I kept the masking pieces, which are about 1 1/2″x 2″…. must be something they’ll be good for?

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(I often keep interesting-things-which-should-be-trash, and I feel good about repurposing them. But I tend to forget about them once they are out of sight, so I end up with a studio full of actual trash. I’m trying to break this habit… I’ll really need to find a project quickly for these, or decide to ditch them!

 

I wish I had worked more carefully with my lettering, but they are cute. I’m happy.

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Here’s the finished product… happy mail off to Costa Rica! (it’s cheaper to send two letter sized envelopes than sending one fatter one. Maria will be receiving the notecards, the cherry tree from Day 3, and some Christmas ornaments I should have photographed before I packaged, which I made from the weathered pages of an 1806 Bible) And look- I already found a use for some of the extra pieces, covering the address so InternetWorld can’t see it!

 

Day 3

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Watercolor cherry trees (one to keep, and one for a swap) (from a youtube tutorial Fine-Art tips with Leonardo Pereznieto… splatter painting technique “How To Paint a Cherry Tree in Watercolor-Splatter Painting Trees-Paint a Tree-Sakura” 

It took him three minutes. It took me… longer. But it won’t take you long, and it’s easy and fun. I’ll try these again another day and see if I can get them any better!

Prep your work area… paint gets everywhere. My table is tile so paint wipes right off. 🙂

 

my 365 days in pencil…

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(…or paint, crayon, watercolor, ball point pen, marker, lipstick, scrapbook paper, restaurant napkin… whatever is handy.)

My goal is to make one little piece of art every day for a year. Big or small, simple or detailed. 365 days of practice. What is it that keeps me out of my studio now? It is simply the rest of my life crowding in and convincing me that I don’t have the time. Ridiculous, but I always fall for it. And my life is not that complex. I DO have the time. You can tell what truly means something to someone by watching how and where he invests his time. And so, a twofold purpose to this 365 project…

The first: to see improvement in my work, improvement that only comes through practice and experience. I’m no artistic genius… even a small throw-away scribble can teach me something, and I’d rather try to be as good as I can be myself, than just continue to avoid knowing how limited I really am.

And the second: to develop and improve a positive state of mind and body, and develop consistent habits. Focusing on a small project can be so relaxing for me. It is nothing but healthy. And I think trying to undertake a big overall project with a commitment like this will help develop much needed strength and focus in other areas of my life as well, even if I am less successful at it than I hope to be.

I welcome constructive criticism and advice. Consider this an open forum, and please participate. And invite other people to follow… I don’t plan to chat, just to post my pictures and be held accountable. If I don’t post, ask me why!!