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?



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



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. 

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.  

Keep Walkin’…..Ballerina

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



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

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!



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.



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!

2013 Review…by Body.Mind.Spirit

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…

• 2012 Review
• 2011 Review
• 2010 Review

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.

• 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

• 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!

• Blonde Beauty- a Pinterest Pin that inspired me.

• Manicure- lovin’ that nail art

• 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.

• Ballet in Watercolor- stayed in watercolor the entire time and realized how very far I have to go!

• Oscar Poses- all watercolor again!! 

• Walk On Ballerina- in progress

BODY CARICATURE




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



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

• Swirly Alphabet- the building blocks of thought!

 

• Review- two blog posts.  Marker Review and Print and Pattern 2 book review.

 

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

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

• Blog  Banners- blogging keeps me mindful
• January thru April

• May thru August

• September thru December

 

• 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!! 

 

• Interviewed at jennibelliestudio- if you want to know what I think…..good luck…I don’t even know what I think sometimes

SPIRIT

• Moo Cards- these take guts for me to give out!

• Facebook Contest- this made me get out of my comfort zone.  Had to self-promote.

• In the Spirit of Friendship- my bloggie-bud Janet at jkbees.blogspot.com let me color her Pixie girls in.  Janet draws the prettiest portraits!

• 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!!

• 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.

• Fruits of the Spirit Rocks- need this gentle reminder

 

• In the Spirit of Play- marker time with Freehand Florals and WaterCircles

 

• In the Spirit of Christmas- my Ugly Sweater caricature!  Love each and every one of these guys!  Family!!

• In the Spirit of the Happy Home- uncluttered and updated a few rooms.

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!!