June 14, 2013
June 12, 2013
Lessons day three and four with Miles Hermann
Miles asked dh if he'd pose for us and he was game.
Ok but not what I wanted. Our classes ended and my sister Lucy, her daughter Meghan (Miles's wife) arrived by Amtrak from Sacramento, CA. We enjoyed several days of visiting, eating, adoring our grands, etc. On the last day I woke up with an idea of how to finish my portrait.
WIP but happier!
"Crow at Rest"
June 11, 2013
Plein Air....Field Trip
The following day Miles and I went on a field trip. He had scouted a perfect spot at the intersection of Domimion Road and Foxen Canyon Road. We sat on cushions and spent hours working.
You can see how the scene changed with the day's light.
WIP
June 10, 2013
Starting to Oil Paint!
I made arrangements a few months ago to have my niece's husband painter Miles Hermann come and give me oil painting lessons. Back in the last century that was my medium but I hadn't lifted a brush with oil in 40+ years. He sent my a supply list so I could get ready. He came last week and away we went.
He set up a "simple" still life.
Round One: Geraniums on a cigar box lid.
Second one is still a WIP.
May 31, 2013
Paint Like a Kid
I know all grandmothers have wonderful grandchildren that are talented, smart, clever, funny, beautiful and blah,blah....
And I am no exception to the delights of mine!
Here is the work of Henry age 7.
Dragon's Fire
Pacific Northwest
Some observations...see how the entire page is filled right to the very edge and you suspect even outside the paper. Color and line tell the story. Symbols also work into the plan. Look there is a plan...nothing randon here. Henry is a story teller, loves conversations and can talk to you for as long as you are willing to listen. Love that boy! Have a creative weekend.
May 28, 2013
My Mini Vacation
Actually I didn't go any where but I felt that this painting experience was a virtual vacation.
Testing out Twinkle H2o's (watercolors with mica) I did some quick pieces of just blotches of color. The colors are so beautiful and I love their bling!
A few days later I am guided to a site Biocacolors and fell in love. So went ahead and added some line (first I fixed the watercolors and used gouche paint) and got these:
"Aloha"
"Surf's Up"
Unfortunately the bling of the colors doesn't translate to the photos. You will just have to imagine! Enjoy!
May 24, 2013
May 14, 2013
Superimpose iphone App Fun
Dipped my toes into iphonography this weekend and bought an app, "Superimpose".
First try.
My first effort was great and then I couldn't do it again so now I am actually looking at a few net tutorials to see really how to use this app instead of fooling around. Loads of fun.
This was done in my sketchbook and then a photo taken of it. Next I superimposed another photograph and made this.
I love the idea of a woman's face makeup done with pastel flowers.
May 06, 2013
Berta Bray: artist, friend, supporter, fan...I Could Go On and On!
There is way too much to say about Berta Bray to do her any justice but let's just say I am a big fan of her art and she's a supporter of mine. I am so lucky to be her friend. She makes me laugh! I spent last Saturday with her and caught just a few photos of her work. Enjoy!
April 29, 2013
Mini Tutorial of Water Transfer
I watched a youtube tutorial of "water transfer" and thought I would give it a try. Recently I was "gifted used watercolor paper" (lucky me to have a generous friend, watercolor artist Karen Young) and decided to make a photo series to share.
First I will show you the final result. Completed work.
Photo of home grown roses..converted into black and white.
This picture shows the jet ink copy of a photo. Look carefully and you can see the first "water transfer" print in the upper left corner (woman's face).
Directions called for wetting both front of ink jet printer copy and the watercolor paper surface. Don't make the surfaces too juicy! The video tut showed the water being applied with a paint brush (probably a good idea).
The copy has been placed face down onto the watercolor paper. The spoon is for burnishing. (a bone folder would have been nice).
Notice that the image is reversed (if text were involed, that would be important). The image on the watercolor paper was enough for me to make something of my liking. This has to be the very easiest method of photo transfer I have tried so far. No gel medium, no rubbing off paper, no chemicals. Easy peasy!
