January 29, 2014

Walk don’t Run….Ballerina



I finally realized why I was having so much trouble with this illustration board.  Well…..it’s a drawing illustration board that can handle light washes and I’ve been doing pretty heavy washes.  I forgot!  Ugh!



Since I needed to walk away from this ballerina myself…..I had to start another watercolor figure…..albeit on a different type of board.



I erased as best as I could some of the splotchy-ness of the watercolor and pencils.



Then I had to salvage what I could…if I could….of this ballerina in the only way I knew how and that was with good ‘ole colored pencils.  It was like coming home!! What a relief!



Sketching is just like sculpting with these pencils….I have not figured out how to sculpt with watercolor….don’t even know if there is a way?

walk23

Had to tone down some of that orangey-ness to her skin, so I brought in a light blue/green pencil.

Walk25

It’s very hard to notice any progress once the figures get this large.  And for the record there is a bit, as seen from the early figure on the left (majority watercolor only) to the later shot (colored pencils over w/c) on the right. 

January 19, 2014

Alphabet by Watercolor



After a bit of research I thought it best if I get some decent watercolors and some decent w/c brushes.  I bought a bunch of transparent w/c from dick blick last week.  I’m under the impression that the more transparent they are the better they are…..Of course, I’m gonna have to figure all this stuff out by trial and error.



Since the tube color and the color in the palette can be very misleading.  I made a little grid so that I know what the colors will look like once applied.



I numbered each pallet circle to the number on the color grid.



Taped my watercolor paper to a board with painters tape.  And defined the edges of the letter with the tape as well.



Then it was experiment time.  I am purposely trying to create different water effects here.



Looks kind of like a patchwork quilt.



As is my habit….I outlined with black once done. 



I’ve been watercoloring on a flat surface….well, most people have a slight incline to their paper, so that the watercolors will blend with each other.  So, I’m trying out different easel inclines.



I got a little more daring with my watercolor application after the “A”.  The first one looks too washed out for my liking.  But at least I can see how they will dry.  The intensity of the color when wet to once dry is very different.  It dries much lighter than you’d think.  I’m also learning that a lot of the vibrancy has to do with layering. And it's the layering that is tricky.  

January 16, 2014

Keep Walkin’…..Ballerina

walk11

This is where we left off at this Ballerina’s last post!  And…..I’ve got a lot to learn!

walk12

This paper is not playing nicely.  I’ve probably done everything wrong in the making here….for instance:
  • I like sharp pencils (apparently the board doesn’t…makes it flake later)
  • I put detail in too early with colored pencils then went over it in watercolor
  • I didn’t pre-wet any sections first….wet-on-wet watercolor makes for a more even application
  • Watercolor doesn’t like to be tinkered with….I’ve been a-tinkering

Walk14

Almost trashed this piece last weekend…then I thought “what the heck….just work it…so what if it’s got problems, get to know your watercolors your way”.  It was experiment and push the limits time, and I was finally ready!

Walk16

I got rid of that w/c pencil stippling with brush watercolor….I upped the vibrancy in the slippers with Opera Pink!  This is my favorite pink!  It will not be ignored.

walk17

Took m’lady outside in natural light, so that I could see just what that pigment was doing.  I’ve decided from here out it is best if I don’t refer to the picture so much anymore….it confuses me.

Watercolor is it’s own animal!

January 1, 2014

2013 Review…by Body.Mind.Spirit

BodyMindSpirit1

Happy New Years!!  It’s time for me to review what I’ve done art-wise and to figure out what direction to continue with.  Similar to my…
The above drawing was done in 2009 when life started to get easier for me…..read more time for me to indulge in whatever….whenever!!

BODY

Since I’m drawn to the Body….pun intended, haha!….I thought I’d show you what I’ve drawn body-wise this year.

HandJeansReview
  • Hand Jeans- absolutely wanted to give up on this, what saved me was the piece had so many different elements….
    • when I was stuck on the jeans-  I did the arm
    • when the hand frustrated me- I worked the belt
    • when the design overwhelmed me- I did the buckle

FlyReview
  • The Fly- must’ve been missing my kid!! This one is a worker!  So….I had to work the water which was way more than I’ve done before.  Would’ve preferred no water!

Blonde21

ManiReview

HorseReview
  • This one was the Biggest-Surprise-of-All.  I liked it!  And it looks like I learned a thing or two about drawing with watercolor and colored pencils in the last year.

Ball20

OscarReview

IMG_20131231_104622

BODY CARICATURE

Cari4
Cari5

Sometimes I overthink….imagine that!!  When that happens it’s best for me to find something fun to do.  These are FUN to do!!



BODY  ILLUSTRATION

IllustrationReview

So many different illustrations styles, very fun to see the variety.  So many interpretations!  I liked doing these and they can be done rather quickly.



MIND


 Review

 

MandelaReview

  • Mandelas- these are kind of like crossword puzzles in art. Did three last year and I want to do more!


Plein4

  • en Plein Air- tried some on-the-spot painting.  I have no clue what I’m doing Smile

Banner1
  • Blog  Banners- blogging keeps me mindful
  • January thru April
Banner2
  • May thru August
Banner3
  • September thru December

 

intuos
  • Purchased this Wacom Intuos digital drawing tablet this year- I have not taken the time to be comfortable with it.  I lean toward my older simpler tablet that lacks the extra functionality of this bigger model. I’m a bit intimidated!! 

 

[TAT-Ivebeenafeaturedartist-button%255B4%255D.jpg]
  • Interviewed at jennibelliestudio- if you want to know what I think…..good luck…I don’t even know what I think sometimes Smile

SPIRIT


  • Moo Cards- these take guts for me to give out!
dessiner
  • Facebook Contest- this made me get out of my comfort zone.  Had to self-promote.
PixieReview
GlassReview
  • Glass Bottles- I am so uninspired to do finish this glass-photo-realism…but what I found was, I am very inspired to draw the picture-in-picture of my table with the glass bottle picture in progress…..Gotta find what talks to you!!
WarholReview
  • Warhol- in the Spirit of Andy Warhol.  I did my daughter and myself.  Have 2 more to do.  It is best to keep the face detail to a minimum.
Spirit6
  • Fruits of the Spirit Rocks- need this gentle reminder Smile
 FunReview
Ugly9
 
  • In the Spirit of Christmas- my Ugly Sweater caricature!  Love each and every one of these guys!  Family!!
DecorReview
Well, there you have it.  I want to Thank all of you for supporting me thru your comments, your questions, your likes, and your etsy purchases.  It’s nice to know someone is listening! 

Happy New Year 2014!!
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About Me

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By day...I work in the Healthcare field, where every .. i.. has to be dotted and every ..t.. has to be crossed. This blog is the place where I can let myself go and have some fun. I am on a journey. A journey I started a long time ago, but it has been a bit sidetracked with Navy Wife relocations and raising kids. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I have got some time for me. No, I will not be one of those moms walking around the house with Empty Nest Syndrome, I have got way too much to do, to learn, to create. Sure, once the kids are gone I will miss them....but hey, there is always the phone, the email, the texting and the Plane tickets! I love my life and my family and It is fun moving into this new stage. I am into Digital Scrapbooking, photography, journaling, Art Journaling and Drawing. I am a do-it-yourselfer and I am trying to teach myself to draw. I am finding that it takes a lot of patience, lots of practice and a good eraser! And if you're really curious there's a 3 part Interview by Eileen: HERE All the best, Eden