"Lunch in the Garden", WIP #5

After a nice weekend, I am back in my studio, ready for the challenge ahead.  I did manage to peak at my WIP--to make sure it was still there :). bit really to see if anything jumped out that didn't look right.  My main work, now, is the background.  Found the left side of my brain arguing with the right, saying…"you know you've got to paint all those leaves, and in detail…", with a response from the right…"no, I don't--just make it look like I have."  That's an accomplishment for me, since I am a very detailed person!

I want to say that practice makes perfect, but let's keep it at better.  Starting to get a hang for the background.  I think I could do a BlueMist flower blindfolded.  I put a photo of the WIP in my ValueViewer app. and, to me, it looks good, but I'm still learning about how to apply Notan--so, I will say "based on my knowledge".

To Be Continued….

"Lunch in the Garden", WIP #4

I decided to do background from top to bottom.  I can keep track of my color trail and put the flowers in where I want them.  The flowers are named "Gregg's BlueMist" and have been told they are like a "high" for the butterflies.  They can, also, have a blue violet cast to them.  The day I took the referance photos, the garden was full of butterflies and they were all over the flowers.

I have decided to plant a butterfly garden in the spring and will be sure to include the BlueMist.  Have also read, they like zinnias and dill.  Just think of all the referance photos I can take!

To Be Continued...

"Lunch in the Garden", WIP #3

Did 2nd. butterfly.  So far, so good.

Did 3rd. butterfly.  A little harder to do because of flowers in front of it--bits and pieces.  Now for the background---WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?!!  Who's idea was this, anyhow?  Oh yeah--mine!!

Next day--It is a good thing us artists have to sleep at night.  It gets us away from what we're working on and there is a fresh perspective when we view it the next time.  I saw that the butterflies needed more shading and highlights, to give them volume/form.

To Be Continued…..

"Lunch in the Garden", #2

After I did some of the top part, I decided to do the main butterfly--to get a feel for how the colors of it would go with the background.  I was pleased.  The first pic I took showed the rock a blurb, so I worked on it, tweaked some flowers, and took another pic.

I then decided to do the other two butterflies, so I could do the background to accent them and include my color trail.  Will post the second butterfly, soon.

To Be Continued….

I'm Trying Something New--for me.

I love posting to my blog, but have not finished anything, recently.  So…..I have decided to do a W.I.P. (work in progress).  Usually I don't show my paintings until they are finished.  Any one else do that?  This one is titled "Lunch in the Garden".  Our local library has a butterfly garden and I just happened to check it out one day when the monarchs were all over the place.  Luckily, I had my camera with me and took quite a few pics.

On my computer I zoomed in and cropped three of the butterflies and flipped one because it was facing the wrong direction.  I decided on my format, 12"x24", paper--velour board(sand color).  Did my drawing on tracing paper, putting in only the butterflies and a few placements for flowers.  I am going to do the background as my creativeness inspires (that scares me).

The main butterfly was put in the focal area, and I used harmonic armature to place the minor monarchs, then transferred the drawing to my support (paper).  I try to remember that some of you are not artists--and, yes, we do have our own language/terminology.  One of my apps. I have started using quite a bit, is Adobe Photoshop Express, on my iPad.  It is really easy to use.  One of the features is called Looks/Premium Looks.  I took my original photo and applied Spring.  I gave me a more vibrant color for the butterflies.  I thought the foliage was too vibrant, so will change that.  See comparison below….

Original photo

Enhanced

To Be Continued……..(need to go work on it)

"A New Beginning"

Back in May, I ordered two DVD sets from Eric Wilson (see My Favorite Links on side bar), and fell in love with his technique.  It is so much like how I am trying to work.  I have watched both sets, which are quite lengthy, but so thorough.  You are able to see almost every stroke he makes.  I will be watching them again and again and again.  The painting below is my first attempt at applying his technique.  I could feel the integration of his technique with my style--I've heard that's what we are suppose to do.  Enjoy!!  And be sure to check out his website--you will love it!!

My referance photo was taken a couple of years ago, while Jon, Fancy, and I were doing our morning walk.  We happened upon this little fawn, way too close to the side of the road.  I wish I had taken more pics, but was afraid of scaring it.

"A New Beginning", Pastel on pastel mat, 7" x 5"

A new award and a new friend

On June 30th., I entered the "Texas" Show at the New Braunfels Art League and Gallery, sponsored by Heineken Premium Light.  It is a beautiful show and we had a great turnout at the reception.  Texas was well represented by some outstanding art work.  I am happy to announce that I received an Honorable Mention in the water and drawing media category, for "Ready to Work".  Cheers to Fancy (my border collie who posed for the pic)!!

"Ready to Work", Pastel, 12" x 16"

I have also made a new friend and fellow artist via the internet.  Upon posting a comment on my Lesley Harrison website, Kay contacted me, and we discovered we had a lot in common.  I have added her website to my Favorite Links, www.wildwolfportraits.com.  She does beautiful work!!  I think it is so great that we are able to communicate with others so far away (WVA), however, I wish I lived closer so I could take a workshop from her.  Enjoy!

"And God Provides"

I didn't even have to think on a title for this one--it just came to me.  The butterfly is a symbol of new life in Christ, and God provides for us (all creatures), abundantly.  Just look at all that lantana.  The butterfly is definitely having a good meal.

I used several photo references(all I took), and also used my creativeness, changing leaves and adding lantana, and coming up with my own background.

reference photo

reference photo

This painting is quite different from my "Worn Traveler", posted May 19, 2012.  I wanted it higher keyed, lighter.  I have an app on my iPad that I use more and more.  It is called ValueViewer.  As I come to certain stages in the painting, I take a pic with my iPhone, it goes to my iPad via Photo Stream.  I import it into ValueViewer where I can see my grays, Notan or levels of black, white and grays.  I love it!!  There is, also, the red acetate that helps me see the values.  I haven't automatically learned how to see or remember how each color is on the value scale.  I still see light green as a light value, but it is still darker than even some darker yellows.

 levels

 Notan

 grays

This is where I decided to stop--I kept pickin on it--so easy to do.  When I cut the mats, I messed up and reversed the dimensions, so will have to recut.  Guess what--I will be doing another different butterfly painting, to use the first mats cut.  Maybe it wasn't an accident?!

Enjoy!

"And God Provides", Pastel, 8" x 10"