30 Paintings - Day 20!

I am calling today's painting a representational abstract! It wasn't supposed to be the way it turned out but I quite like it.

#1085 - Red Sky at Night - 7 x 10 acrylic on watercolour paper

BTW - I have decided that I am too old to become famous as an abstract artist - 4 seems to be the preferred age!

Last night on the news there was a segment about a 4 year old boy from New Brunswick who is currently having his own show in a gallery there and who will also be showing his paintings in a gallery in New York some time this year. The boy's name is Advait Kolarkar and here is one of his paintings.

Apparently his work is selling very well - in the thousands of dollars.  And the world goes round!

Check out Leslie's Blog sometime today to see what other artists are doing.

Thanks for visiting.

30 Paintings - Day 3

I am sure 'not sure' about today's painting! I woke up in the middle of the night and started thinking about what I could paint and I think I jinxed myself.

Day 3

Is it good? Is it interesting? This started out as something else, then transitioned to another something and finally end up as you see it. Whatever I had in my mind was obviously confused - lol.

I will have to let this sit a bit before I decide if it is worth keeping or if I should just paint over the whole thing. Good thing it is only an 8 x 10. I haven't even given it a number or a name as I am so unsure about its worth.

I hope you will let me know what you think of this one and whether I should save it.

Remember to pop over to Leslie's Blog to see what the other artists are doing.

Lucky Demonstrations

Once again I was very lucky with my demonstrations for my students this week and completed a few paintings that worked very well.

#1010 - Yellow-rumped Warbler #2 - 5 x 7 watercolour

Ed wanted to work on a piece that had more detail and to have a more realistic painting. This piece involved using finer brushes and a nib pen for the smallest lines. Because of the detail Ed didn't get his painting finished during the class but he was doing a super job. I hope he brings his painting next time and I hope he will let me take a photo.

#1011 - A Quiet Place - 5 x 7 watercolour

"A Quiet Place" was a very lucky painting. A few weeks ago my student, Heather, and I worked on a scene from the Creston Valley. Heather had problems with a few elements of her piece so I grabbed a discarded piece of paper to show her how to make some corrections. The trees on the hill in the middle ground were painted first to demonstrate how to blend them together and set them down on the hill. Then, I quickly painted some evergreens to one side so I could show her how to lift the dark colour to make bushes in front of the trees. While she was making these adjustments on her painting, I just sort of doodled in the rest of the scene. I really liked the finished painting which is why I say it was lucky.

#1006 - Erickson Orchards - 7 x 10 watercolour

This is my painting of the valley scene that Heather and I were working on and you can see the locations that involved the demonstrations. Again, I hope to be able to get photos of her painting at her next lesson.

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment.

30/30 January Challenge #25

After doing Autumn Rain, the painting in yesterday's post, I thought I should try the technique again to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

#1002 - A Summer Walk - 5 x 7 watercolour

It worked again!! And, it was just as much fun as the first time. So, to make sure the technique is cemented in my brain and fingers, I already have a plan for another piece along these lines. I did have a bit of trouble with the people in this; I think my proportions are off a bit. Although I can fix many things in my watercolours, I figured this was better left alone.

Only five more days and five more paintings - where has the month gone!

Take some time to check out Leslie's 30/30 page and stop by tomorrow to see what I have been doing!

Thanks for your interest and your comments.

30/30 January Challenge #22

I am on a roll! The weather has been such that I just wanted to stay home which gave me a lot of time for painting and that means I am ahead of the game.

#999 - Autumn's End - 5 x 9 watercolour

The painting was roughly based on a piece in "Perspective Secrets" by Phil Metzger, one of the Watercolor Basics series. I have given a number of lessons on perspective using this book as my reference so I am usually pretty good at it. However, I like to paint old buildings, so if I goof I can always say that the building is old and falling down - lol.

I am very happy with this piece, although the colour in the original is more vibrant than the photo so the purple really pops. I also like the looks of the leaves scattered on the ground which was achieved by rolling a #6 round brush lightly over the paper using a number of different colours.

Now, I just have to add this to Leslie's 30/30 page and then I have to go out and - you guessed it! - shovel more snow!

30/30 January Challenge #18

In spite of spending most of the morning shovelling snow, I have managed to get two paintings done. I now have three pieces to choose from for today's post.

#996 - to the Meadow - 5 x 7 watercolour

This piece was done following a step-by-step tutorial in one of my books - "Painting Shapes & Edges" by Hazel Harrison. The instruction painting was "The Spinney" by Alan Oliver. I don't use my books nearly as often as I should and keep telling myself to make use of such a valuable resource - maybe this time I will listen.

I am just going to post this to Leslie's 30/30 page and a few other places, then I have to go back out and shovel more snow.

30/30 January Challenge #4

Another cold day but the air is crisp and clear; it would be a great day to get some good winter photos if, of course, I took good photos and wanted to go out in the cold - lol.

I did the basic drawing for my fourth piece early this morning then started on the painting at Art Club.

#982 - Beyond the Walls - 5 x 7 watercolour

I finished the painting this afternoon and I have to say that the bricks got a little boring. However, I like the concept of this piece; that beyond the walls, whether physical or mental, lies a wonderful world.

Now I just have to add my link to Leslie's 30/30 page - don't forget to check it out!

So Much Fun!

We had so much fun at Saturday's Watercolour Painting Party and all of the paintings were wonderful (I think).

Carrie, Lynne and Vicki

Eleanor, Ed and Cheryl

Although most of this week's participants had some painting experience, the style of the paintings or the medium was new to them so they were challenged. One of my biggest concerns is people who are unhappy because their painting doesn't look like mine. I try to remind them that each of us sees things differently and paints differently AND if you don't normally paint this way you can't expect perfection the first time. Actually, you should never expect perfection because often it is the 'mistakes' that make paintings live.

Here are some close-ups of this week's paintings:

Carrie's Path to the Lighthouse

Vicki's Bright Sky

Lynne's Rocky Shore

Eleanor's Autumn Tones

Ed's Old Barn

Cheryl's Pastel Gardens

I did take a few photos of the party goers at work but when I picked up the camera they all pretty much just stared at me - they weren't going to let anyone know that they had been laughing just minutes before. So, I decided not to share those photos lest people call me a liar when I say we had so much fun!

More than I can chew!

For the last two days I had a display at the local Trade Show, sharing a booth with a friend who is starting a new business. For both of us the idea was to promote our businesses.

Over the Valley and Mellowood Studio display

I had a number of pieces to show the variety of art that I do but my primary focus was promoting the "Watercolour Painting Parties". I am very pleased with the response as I ended up with about 33 names on the sign-up sheets. I am beginning to wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew - lol

Although the chances that a number of those who signed up will drop out are pretty strong, I am going to assume that won't happen. So, I have to plan more parties: instead of 2 dates I will be offering 5 - 3 in June and 2 in September. I am going with 5 dates because I feel that a maximum of 8 people works well for instruction purposes and once I post on FB I might get more people interested in participating.

#948 Derelict #1

#949 Derelict #2

#947 Lakeside Living

#911 The Old Red Barn (sold)

#946 A Veranda for Summer

#950 Flowers by the Sea

#951 Beached

As I really don't like classes where everyone paints the same thing, I have a number of scenes prepared and everyone can pick the one they prefer. AND, they will have the option to choose their own colour scheme too. Participants will take home an 11 x 14 painting with a 16 x 20 mat and a clear bag to protect their work. I think we will have a blast!

No Photos Again!

I just can't seem to get my head around the need to take photos when I give a class. This afternoon I again spent some time with the TAPS people and the students from Wildflower. I was so busy talking and teaching that taking photos completely slipped my mind.

I can, however, show you the pieces I did to prepare for the 'class' and outline what was done.

When I first started teaching beginner art, I used the 'basic shapes' method to show people how to draw. People seem to get bogged down and I often heard things like 'I can't draw a circle' or 'I can't draw a straight line'. My response? "Can you print the alphabet?" Thus was born my version of "Alphabet Art".

Life on the Prairies

 Except for the rolling hills, everything in the above picture was drawn using these letters: H, L, B, V, O, T, A (with out the cross bar) and I.

Life in the Valley

For this picture I added a row of K's to make the mountains in the background. I also took an unfair advantage when drawing the barn because I couldn't think of a letter that would give me the right shape. For those of you shaking your head's, in some cases you need to turn the paper sideways to get the right effect.

Life in the City

Today I started by showing everyone how they could draw certain subjects - houses, trees, bushes, windows and doors. Once they all had the idea I invited them to draw a picture of where they grew up or the best place they ever lived and to share their stories with the group. I spent the rest of my time visiting, listening to their stories and offering suggestions of things to add to their drawings (it surprised me to see a few outhouses in some of the pictures- lol). Everyone seemed to have a great time and it was nice to bring back some memories to some of the seniors.

After seeing that some of the kids put stick figures in their drawings I added a few more letters to the lesson.

Not the best photo but I hope you get the idea. The boy starts with an H for his body, V's for the arms, O for the head, and W for the legs. The girl starts with an X and the rest is the same.

Of course, the letters get a bit distorted and the final result is tidied up but the basics are simply letters that we use everyday. I hope this encourages you to think up your own drawings based on the alphabet and if you do please share them!

2016 January Challenge - the end!

To finish off the 30 Paintings in 30 Days most of us will do a collage of our work. It is a good way to see where you have been and what progress - if any - has been made.

January 2016 Collage

My plan for the challenge was to work primarily in acrylics with a few quilled pieces added for variety - mission accomplished. Over the month I revisited an number of subjects that I haven't done for a few years -  flowers and birds. I also reaffirmed my dislike of still-life paintings. One of the things I learned is that I can create a similar look with a brush that I create with the palette knife and it is easier - lol.

It has been great following the work of some of the other artists in the challenge and having them follow mine. The support and encouragement from such talented people is wonderful and so greatly appreciated.

I look forward to seeing more wonderful art from these new 'friends'. I want to thank Leslie Saeta for hosting these challenges that help to inspire us to greater  heights.

2016 Day 22

I am really happy with today's painting - it all just seemed to flow. I love it when that happens!

Fall Reflections

I use a modified stay-wet palette and a pretty limited number of paints, so I am often 'using-up' whatever is there. Today I was finishing some Thalo green and getting some interesting colors by mixing in ultramarine, burnt sienna and alizarin crimson.

"Fall Reflections" is a 5 x 7 acrylic on a gallery wrap stretched canvas.

Don't forget to check out Leslie's blog to see some of the wonderful art shared in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge - http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

2016 Day 7

I did NOT feel like painting today! But I did it anyway - lol.

This morning I attended a "Values" workshop hosted by the Creston Art Club and instructed by local artist Eileen Hirota. It was very informative but tiring (all that concentration!) Then, after lunch my husband and I moved a ton of snow that had come thundering down off the roof of the house.

At any rate, I am very tired and achy so this painting is a 'quickie'.

Snow on the Mountains

Another 5 x 7 x 3/4" home made canvas board painted with acrylics and a palette knife. Now I just have to sign it and seal it and it will be done!

I don't know if it has been the rough canvases or the fact that I have been using gesso instead of white paint but I have found these little canvases so easy to photograph. I haven't had to worry about the flash glare which has been a blessing because the last few days have been pretty gloomy and the light outside has not been optimum for photos - at least not for me - lol.

Don't forget to check out Leslie's blog to see art from the other participants in the 30 Painting in 30 Days Challenge -  http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/blog

September Challenge Day 14

It is back to simplicity again today as I still don't feel well. Just a little winter scene today, nothing very complicated but I hope you enjoy it!

Winter Snow

September Challenge Day 13

After a few days of not feeling well I decided I needed some color in my card.

Lakeside

A simple little pen & ink sketch with watercolor washes on Strathmore Watercolor Card.

I tried something more complicated today and really messed it up - straight to the garbage it went! I guess it takes good health to concentrate; maybe tomorrow.

September Challenge Day 11

Today was the first day of the Creston Art Club's Annual Fall Show & Sale and I missed it because I got sick - bummer! Fortunately, my husband, Bob, was kind enough to take my art in and a few of my friends set up the display for him (and me). Good friends (and husband too) are wonderful!

It was good that I had done a few cards in advance as I certainly didn't feel like doing art today.

Falling Apart card

Now back to bed for me!

Painting Day #2

Last week my friend Linda came over again so we could paint together. When we painted in March, Linda supplied the subject; this time I did. I found a tutorial in an old Watercolor Magic magazine - 'The Elegance of Untouched Paper' by Tony van Hasselt and we both were keen to try the vignette idea.

It doesn't seem to matter that we work from the same instructions when we follow a tutorial -  we always end up with very different paintings.

Linda's Painting

Linda chose to loosely copy the subject from the tutorial while I chose a different building.

My Painting - The Old Red Barn

  Most of the elements are the same in both paintings; a barn type building, a silo, a crooked fence, a few trees and bushes and, of course, the same palette of colors. But, our approaches are quite different. Linda often uses a layering effect with blended washes on top of dried washes while I mostly use wet-in-wet techniques. We did try to follow the guidelines in the tutorial but I am not sure how good a job we did.

Here is a synopsis of the vignette guidelines:
-Between 30 and 40 % of the paper should be untouched
-The painted area should touch the edge in 3 or 4 places but not in a sustained way.
 -The untouched areas should have and interesting, interlocking shape - not proportional or equal
-Hard edges should dominate ( I think Linda was more successful with this aspect than I)

We had just started thinking about doing a second painting when I realized that I needed to start dinner so Linda went ahead and painted a second piece.

Linda's Tree Silhouettes

I think our total painting time that day was about 2 1/2 hours. Between eating lunch, visiting, checking out new home improvements, doing dinner and just talking about our lives we don't have a lot of time before Linda is on the road back home.

It doesn't matter how short or how long the time is, painting with a friend is great and well worthwhile.

Rainy Day Painting

The last few days we have finally gotten some much needed rain. While enjoying the cooler weather and the sound of the rain on the roof, I managed to get a new painting done.

In the Eye of the Storm

Last week a friend gave me some old art magazines and as I looked through them I was struck by the paintings of Michael Atkinson. His ability to showcase sun-lit subjects is wonderful and I decided to try my hand at something similar. My painting is based on his painting "Abiquiu". I did not manage to achieve the look I was aiming for unfortunately so, although I am reasonably happy with my piece, I will be trying for this effect again.

"In the Eye of the Storm" is a 10 x 21 unframed watercolor on Arches 140 CP paper.

For those of you who followed my posts during the Summer of Color, here is my painting 'Feathery' completed (remember that I left the bottom right empty and wasn't satisfied?).

Feathery

Let me know what you think of my paintings AND what YOU are up to in the studio this week.

Summer of Color #5

Once again the participants in this year's SOC were set a considerable challenge. Two greens and a pink - where does she come up with these combinations?

Because I had more time this week, I decided to paint some fabric. The colors weren't really inspiring me so I just played. I used some GAC 900 and fluid acrylics, mixing cyan and yellow to get two different greens and just going with primary magenta for my pink.

painted fabric tote bag

other side of tote with pocket showing

I painted two pieces of fabric because I mixed up too much paint (I still have some left - lol). I made a nice large tote bag: perfect for carrying a couple of 11 x 14 paintings or some binders. The bag is lined with a pocket inside and one outside.

painted fabric in greens & pink

I will probably make another bag with the second piece of fabric but who knows?

While I was thinking about greens & pink, I decided to try something with my watercolors. The best thing about painting is being able to mix your colors so I started experimenting until I got some shades that I liked and then I did a simple little landscape. It is hard to believe that I just used the three colors stipulated - hooker's green, thalo yellow green and permanent rose.

At the Lakeside 5 x 7 watercolor

There is just one week left in the SOC challenge - what will Kristin come up with next? You can read more about the SOC here - http://www.twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.ca/2015/07/the-summer-of-color-5-week-5.html

Summer of Color #3

My first reaction on learning this week's colors was 'How on earth will I do this'. I just couldn't get my head around 2 purples and a yellow; I felt that I had never worked in those colors before.

Anyway, I went off to my studio and started my assignment. I began working on a card because until the pieces are glued they are just a number of separate elements that can be used for other things if they don't work together.

I used one of my home-made stamps and my own painted papers for the flowers and the quilling. Okay, not bad, but I just wasn't satisfied!

I glanced at some reference photos that are lying on my table to be used in another painting and thought, "oh no, that will not look good in purples and yellow'. BUT I decided to try it anyway.

Sun Shadowed 5 x 7 unframed watercolor

All right that worked out okay, AND before I had worked 5 minutes I realized that I had painted this color combination before - more than once! The colors are, of course, compliments and so work together quite well.

I often work wet-in-wet and I wondered what would happen using that approach. Would I end up with a muddy gray mess?

Purple Mists

 As you can see, I added another shade of purple just to make a change. I wet the paper, threw on my three colors (in no particular pattern) and left it to dry. I really liked the end result - no gray mess - but added some misty trees to give it a more finished look.



So, there are my results for week #3 of the SOC. What will she have for us next week?

If you want to know more about this challenge go to http://www.twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.ca/2015/06/the-summer-of-color-5-week-three.html