Today I chose a complicated scene way out of my comfort zone - trees, roads, buildings, etc. (photograph above) and reduced it to a two-hour oil sketch en plein air.
It was a wee bit stressful but I did it. Sometimes it's good to step outside of the comfort zone and to tackle a subject that one wouldn't normally paint.
I liked the repetition of the windows and pickets - two, two, four, four....and the pavement of course.
As exercise it's worth it. I don't think it's the greatest painting since sliced cheese, yet it taught me a lot.
Midway through my painting did I see a badge on Diane's jacket that she is a recipient of a new heart, an operation she had in 2004. The badge invited questions. What a great idea.
Anyway, I was in the company of at least a dozen portrait painters at Goward House today and I chose to do a profile.
These red chillies have a curl at the top of their stems, so in composing my arrangement I twirled them around until I saw that they made a heart shape. Voila.
The image is clickable should you want to see a bigger picture. As usual your COMMENT is invited (see below).
Drawing with a finger on a tablet is becoming the must-do art thingee these days. Here's my iPad2 rendering with an ArtRage app.﻿
Technology apart, I'm still moving within the bracket (whether in oils, acrylics, w/c or pencil), still striving to nail a personal style, a recognizable signature....
You can click on the image to see a larger picture - it's Nicolle at today's session of the Goward House Portrait Painters -- I chose Conte pencil 'cos these sessions are a wonderful way of experimenting with different media without offending the sitter. I mentioned the deal in an earlier post - you sit and then you get to take home the portrait that you like best.
We never see ourselves in profile, but others do - if the likeness is reasonable our friends and family may just recognise us.
Anyway, our sitter at the Goward House Portrait Painters Group was Maria, our second Maria. (Scroll down to see my first Maria).
I like contre jour 'against the light' lighting even though I was running the risk of her not recognizing herself by me choosing her side view.
The purpose of the group is to stretch and practise - and I found the benefits of these exercises visit upon all my other media - drawing, still life, wildlife (!) and landscapes. Accuracy and interpretation is what I aim for.
The painting time was just over an hour. Click on it to see a larger view. Add a COMMENT which is great feedback, good or not good...
As the seasons turn, the garden waits for us to sit a while. Busy bees need a breeze out in the open - if only for a couple minutes or so. I liked the contrast between the turning leaves and the new Spring grass. Maybe I'll take time to go and sit and ponder over the positive points of life...
A flourish of color at the Cookhouse Theatre on Maui - I think I responded to the old-style building with its corrugated roof and top vent for the Hawaiian heat. Great stuff.
Click on't for a bigger view and your COMMENT (link immediately below) will guide this emerging artist, thanks!
It's TINY - only 6 x 8 inches and it took me 39 minutes to sketch in in oils. Why so quick? Well, there was a chilly little wind a-blowin' at Willows Beach in Victoria BC this morning.
Danish-born Canadian David sat for the group of Goward House Portrait Painters today and charmed us all with his gracious persona...
I bought this bottle from a thrift store for three dollars (empty) because I like the way that light filters through the glass. All I had to do was to add the two brass goblets to complete the composition.
The funky Blue Ford is the third in my series of old cars. I believe it is a 1934 model but you Fordies can put me right....
I learnt to spread my colours so that there are little spots placed here and there, adding I think to the harmony.
As you know by now, you can click on the image to see a bigger picture - also drop me a comment should you have a thought about this piece...see the COMMENT option below.