tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36515254807011947792024-03-13T16:14:10.954-07:00Dusty DungareesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-25149984038458997282014-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:002014-12-16T08:42:43.292-08:00Beyond known science...Recently we watched the latest Christopher Nolan movie, <i>Interstellar. </i>Quite a thought-provoker, and some of it a little beyond my mental grasp, the film deeply inspired me with its otherwordly scenes.<br />
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One that stood out to me in particular, was near the end where the main character seems to have entered a fourth/fifth timeless dimension, and is attempting to communicate by gravity to his daughter who is in actual earth time. He finds himself behind an infinite replication of his daughter's bookshelf, and uses the books to send her messages that will impact future human civilisation.<br />
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I just had to draw this, it was such a fascinating scene, especially as he sees her on the other side, distressed and confused at how things has turned out (I'm trying not give too many spoilers!), yet he cannot make himself heard to her.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YHBVopN4_4/VJBbgPOnvVI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/PWfrlJzDJhI/s1600/Interstellar%2Bbookshelves%2BBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YHBVopN4_4/VJBbgPOnvVI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/PWfrlJzDJhI/s1600/Interstellar%2Bbookshelves%2BBLOG.jpg" height="710" width="890" /></a></div>
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Do you think the spaceman looks like Matthew McConaughey? As distinctive as his features are in all the photos I could find, I spent a lot of time erasing and tweaking, and still it did not seem to quite match! Let me know what you think.<br />
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I will be framing this piece shortly, and post a photo of it in its final "housing" here soon!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-69515579013689629032014-08-10T08:20:00.000-07:002014-08-10T08:22:34.756-07:00Portrait doodle...I somewhat sneakily saved a friend's photo off Facebook, for a rainy day when my fingers itched to draw something doodlish and I had the time...<br />
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So, the rainy day came, and I sketched out the features in pencil, dabbed with the putty rubber to lighten, and traced over with brown pen. I wanted a more bold, conceptual feel to the drawing, so I used heavy contrast (ie. a large dark area with no detail, and then a very "lit" area for the focus point). Then I thought some colours would spice it up nicely, which I think did the trick on her right shoulder.<br />
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What I loved about this girl's face is the purpose in her expression, something soft yet strong. But most of all - the hair! You've got to love such naturally expressive hair... :-) So cool...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-91685374919480155822014-08-06T06:43:00.000-07:002014-08-06T06:43:03.379-07:00Delving into Myths...Recently, I noticed an exciting art competition being held by <a href="http://tinypencil.com/drawathon/" target="_blank">Tiny Pencil</a> (<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Metrophobic; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">#DrawAThon)</span>, and after thinking about it far too much, decided to give it a try.<br />
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So the brief being based on Cornish folklore, I found myself attempting a more surreal type of subject to what I am used to - it was pretty awesome! The submission had to be completed in graphite alone (which suited me very well!).<br />
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It never occurred to me to document the progress for you, but here be the finished work below:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGenGU2dJWc/U9zCkf3GhrI/AAAAAAAAA2M/usA_3NFzC0I/s1600/King+Arthur_Low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGenGU2dJWc/U9zCkf3GhrI/AAAAAAAAA2M/usA_3NFzC0I/s1600/King+Arthur_Low.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Arthur's lucky day!</td></tr>
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As you can see, I chose the old tale of beloved King Arthur receiving his enchanted sword from the Lady in the Lake. I imagined it to have been a breath-taking moment, like a time long-awaited by the Lake spirits (not that I believe any of it for a second, mind!). It isn't clear exactly which culture these tales originated from, but Tintagel Castle in Cornwall is said to be Arthur's birthplace, so that makes it Cornish enough for me.</div>
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I enjoyed playing with contrasts and lighting, as these are two strong manipulating elements in grayscale art. I still feel I could have increased the darkness around the outside of the drawing, to enhance the sense of light emitting from the water.<br />
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Meanwhile I wait with some excitement to see how my drawing fares in the prize-winner selections - 10 draws, plus 3 special (mouth-watering) prizes for the top three starring artists. I'll let you know if there's any good news!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-12513775991332578742014-06-03T05:49:00.000-07:002014-06-09T07:29:26.390-07:00En Pointe...This painting was made for a friend's birthday, using Acrylics and charcoal. One of those pieces you just feel inspired for, and it comes together so quickly!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewFsmYVCCKU/U42_qywehKI/AAAAAAAAAyo/_KXlXAdJa0w/s1600/Ballet+shoes+STEP+1+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewFsmYVCCKU/U42_qywehKI/AAAAAAAAAyo/_KXlXAdJa0w/s1600/Ballet+shoes+STEP+1+BLOG.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, starting with a pencil sketch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shading the ribbons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6_iUQ3no9c/U42_wTai36I/AAAAAAAAAzY/3Stoeeq3KhU/s1600/Ballet+shoes+workspace+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6_iUQ3no9c/U42_wTai36I/AAAAAAAAAzY/3Stoeeq3KhU/s1600/Ballet+shoes+workspace+BLOG.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes something pretty must come out of a bit of a mess!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCb0Zyi9x3c/U42_uZH48XI/AAAAAAAAAzI/CkPoKE5i7-M/s1600/Ballet+shoes+background+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PCb0Zyi9x3c/U42_uZH48XI/AAAAAAAAAzI/CkPoKE5i7-M/s1600/Ballet+shoes+background+BLOG.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">decorative finishes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done! Charcoal shading added</td></tr>
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For the dust effect, I grated soft brown pastel (using my sandpaper block) onto wet paint. The mottled paint effect was done simply by applying water to the paper and adding thinned colours of choice to the wet areas, without spreading or mixing the colours together. I tilted the page to make some of the paint run down for a more striking effect.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-60668438431289648442014-04-15T00:01:00.000-07:002014-04-15T04:49:09.801-07:00Cool stuff I work with...For the next few months (as with the past few), I will be very busy in completing illustrations commissioned for a story book. As beautiful as the drawings are turning out (if I may say so!), they are of course, sadly, not mine to share. So instead I would like to share with you some of the fabulous art materials I work with...<br />
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As far as pens go, I have found the Faber Castell Artist PITT range so delicious - a set of four, from Superfine, Fine, Medium to the thick soft Brush tip. With firm felt-tips, they are great for comic line work, quick sketching, monochrome and very detailed pointillism (to name a few!). They are also waterproof, which allows for watercolour washes over the top. I love the precision of the pens, giving very clean lines for a stark effect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4KmB0QaQA/U0zXL_BJVVI/AAAAAAAAAvM/2KUAtG8k1og/s1600/pens+black+demos+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4KmB0QaQA/U0zXL_BJVVI/AAAAAAAAAvM/2KUAtG8k1og/s1600/pens+black+demos+BLOG.jpg" height="370" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have only two of the black PITT pens in my collection!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of pointillism for hair, using the Superfine Black</td></tr>
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In addition to black, the range also comes in brown, which I think are superb for sepia drawings or simply a softer effect than the hard black.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown range</td></tr>
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Graphite is just such a joy to work with! Recently, I bought a set of four graphite pencil sticks. In other words, they are solid graphite, shaped just like pencils, with no wood, and a thin plastic coating around the stems. This allows for wide, loose strokes as well as fine sharp lines. They have proven great for creative doodles at home, though they'd be just as lovely for facial portraits, landscapes, stills and really any study you'd like to have a go at. Great all-rounders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h1QhZKcDgH8/U0zYcljJeaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/JB7bkM3yh9g/s1600/pencils+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h1QhZKcDgH8/U0zYcljJeaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/JB7bkM3yh9g/s1600/pencils+BLOG.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coolest graphite I've ever worked with!</td></tr>
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Just one word of advice: Don't visit The Deckle Edge with any large sum of money in your pocket! Or at least, I shouldn't.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-51609945135921029622014-03-08T06:13:00.000-08:002014-03-08T06:13:36.528-08:00Going astray...Well, here we have a beloved brother about to wander off across a barren rocky scape. All it takes is an observant, caring friend to reason, maybe intervene. I found this picture on the great wide web, and instantly this analogy came to mind. So I have named the drawing "Brother please, not that way".<br />
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I know. They're just ants. But ants are pretty amazing. They make you think of yourself - we who are so much more complex, equipped and capable, yet so lacking in the same urgency of life, and dedication to service and wholeheartedness. They are an example in so many ways, and testify of the Greater Being they obey.<br />
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I stand all the more in awe of these tiny creatures, having attempted drawing their exquisite bodies. There is no single object or part that is simple, all work together beautifully, and are most aesthetically pleasing. The form reminds me of some incredibly sleek sci-fi sports car, finished to a high gloss and gorgeously designed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I25zjtFiYls/UxsjY_DvpUI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QeBxvCt9FjU/s1600/ants+2+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I25zjtFiYls/UxsjY_DvpUI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QeBxvCt9FjU/s1600/ants+2+edited.jpg" height="628" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished artwork: "Brother Please, not that Way"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I applied a Black & White photo effect, which I rather liked</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PtmnjRZ1Mk/UxsjdawWGsI/AAAAAAAAAqY/JD5EvjPBx7E/s1600/ants7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PtmnjRZ1Mk/UxsjdawWGsI/AAAAAAAAAqY/JD5EvjPBx7E/s1600/ants7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My inspiration</td></tr>
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What amazed me further, was these two ants, contrary to casual observation, were not exactly alike. Take the abdomens for example. The one on the right has clearly defined narrow black bands, while the left-hand ant has evenly sized segments of the same colour tone. The detail is mind-blowing. What else can I say...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-20364337234679811392014-03-01T00:54:00.001-08:002014-03-01T00:57:37.788-08:00Trigger happy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Faces are so interesting to paint or draw. It is extremely satisfying to carefully study a photo and begin with those first tentative swoops and circles to determine the position and basic shapes of the face... and within a few hours have the person's eyes gazing at you from the paper.</div>
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In the case of this portrait, I have the benefit of knowing my subject personally. I say that is a benefit, as I feel I can slip in parts of the person's nature that I have observed, or tweak the expression <i>very </i>subtly to best express how I have come to know him/her. Of course, I do my best to accurately capture the picture, but always keeping in mind the character, the heart of this person as I draw.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj4xohVXNc8/UxGZWWuchkI/AAAAAAAAAj8/nbQWpw3iLR8/s1600/Joshua+low+res+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj4xohVXNc8/UxGZWWuchkI/AAAAAAAAAj8/nbQWpw3iLR8/s1600/Joshua+low+res+BLOG.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acrylic watercolours (starting with a light pencil sketch)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-49123537979945573222014-01-12T11:58:00.002-08:002014-01-12T11:58:52.003-08:00DOG: Drawn on the Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looking at this drawing now, I am once again reminded to rather use the grid method than copying by eye only! But I so badly want to get it right without such help! Surely it must be possible...</div>
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These are the sweethearts owned by my parents - two individually endearing characters. Let me introduce them thus: On the right, Baxter, the palest shade of grey from the tip of his nose the the end of his tail, capable of developing thoughts on extremely memorable occasions, and highly dependent on his masters for uplifting his ever downward emotional spiral with encouraging sweet-talk. He is the most loyal dog my parents have ever owned, and to crown it all, a purebred Weimaraner. Simon, on the left, a purebred Red Irish Setter, and of the softest silkiest pelt ever known to the canine kingdom. It to this we owe his sombre and regal demeanour, draped in many layers of nobility and wisdom (from the very hour he was born). </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXVGt7GL40/UtLhy1zaZiI/AAAAAAAAAik/uBJfyepMt8o/s1600/Dogs+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXVGt7GL40/UtLhy1zaZiI/AAAAAAAAAik/uBJfyepMt8o/s1600/Dogs+BLOG.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScD9HycZFNA/UtLh2nhvDgI/AAAAAAAAAis/z6F52lE3saU/s1600/Baxter+&+Simon+-+Dec+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScD9HycZFNA/UtLh2nhvDgI/AAAAAAAAAis/z6F52lE3saU/s1600/Baxter+&+Simon+-+Dec+2012.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sadly, Simon is no longer alive. RIP sweet Simon; you were a delight to all who knew you!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-82828826795342783682013-12-31T00:56:00.002-08:002013-12-31T00:56:31.504-08:00The people of Rohan...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I always thought I wouldn't mind being a member of that horse country in Tolkien's tales of Rohan... The horse people... </div>
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Well, here we have Eowyn - ahem, actually Miranda Otto - do forgive me! I liked the tenderness in her face in this photo, and found the design of her face so sweet. So I attempted a sketch, <i>without </i>a grid, and now you see what the results look like without some sort of map to aid your eye. It is strange - you compare and compare til your eyes hurt, and yet you can't figure out where the facial differences lie between your image and the photo!</div>
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One feature I can definitely pinpoint is the eye size and positioning - my copy has larger eyes, positioned a little too high.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHdQnDq56BM/UsJ5ZbHVgdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/shvS2B3M3k0/s1600/Miranda+Otto+LS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHdQnDq56BM/UsJ5ZbHVgdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/shvS2B3M3k0/s640/Miranda+Otto+LS.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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Another artist suggested I add a background gradient, which I must agree makes the person stand out a lot better:</div>
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It is somewhat addictive, you know, copying faces... you start looking at people differently... * what a cool face to... draw* *love those wrinkles, they'd look so cool in a painting...* *such sparkly eyes... wonder how you'd get them on paper*<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-51444901716599386572013-12-19T10:05:00.002-08:002013-12-19T10:05:25.872-08:00Swift strokes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lately I have been trying my hand at some linework and quick shading in black-and-white. It has been an encouraging phase for me, for as some of you will know, completing time-intensive artworks can become trying, especially when the results are disappointing!</div>
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Doing a few minute-long pieces has been quite fun therefore, simply copying any photo I fancy, without bothering about too much finesse. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some actors from Tree of Life, graphite stick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNPMUOYEdkU/UrMyH5doAAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/kD_Ui9_VENM/s1600/legs3+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNPMUOYEdkU/UrMyH5doAAI/AAAAAAAAAcU/kD_Ui9_VENM/s640/legs3+BLOG.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband's legs! Charcoal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copies of random photos in graphite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA5VGd2c1fs/UrMywekOoII/AAAAAAAAAc0/aqVJhOs05BY/s1600/Testerhuizens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA5VGd2c1fs/UrMywekOoII/AAAAAAAAAc0/aqVJhOs05BY/s640/Testerhuizens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copy of the photo below, three delightfully beautiful young ladies who happen to be my friends too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see why I was inspired to draw them!! Such beauties!</td></tr>
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So, I believe this is improving my hand at mastering strokes with ease and drawing what I see more accurately...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-87122801611518435672013-11-27T03:53:00.001-08:002013-11-27T03:53:33.923-08:00Horses in striped pajamas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A little friend of mine loves those fascinatingly decorated wild horses that roam our African plains. So I painted a pair for her birthday:</div>
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I was copying it from a picture I found online, and only realized halfway through that the image I was referring to was actually a painting!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original (artist uncertain)</td></tr>
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As always, I began with a pencil sketch, outlining the body shapes and even the stripes. If you look more closely at my painting (please don't!) you will actually see some stray graphite lines on the necks where I didn't erase enough. I could have actually spent a lot more time on shading the bodies to enhance the fine hairs and slightly off-white discolouration (they are wild beasts after all!). But this is what happens when you start preparing someone's gift on their very birthday!</div>
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The background was pretty fun, watching those gorgeous colours flow on the wet paper and swirl together all of their own accord. This is the joy of watercolours! They have a mind of their own, always an artistic flair to contribute as you paint, I daresay... I heavily wet the background around the zebras (doing so in about four sections, otherwise the water dries out before you reach all corners of the artwork). Then I selected and mixed several pretty colours, and very delicately dabbed them on the wet paper in several areas, maybe giving a flick here and there to aid mingling. The paper must be wet enough to cause the colours to start flowing spontaneously the moment they touch the paper. Tilting the page can also help intermingling. Using the brush to help mingling is not ideal as this tends to result in the colours mixing and forming more solid (and usually brown!) colours.</div>
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If you have watercolours, you might have fun just playing around on various sheets of heavy paper, making colours swirl together, and colouring in basic shapes/leaves/flowers, etc. It can be very rewarding, and it's a great way to get started, without expecting yourself to come up with some stupendous masterpiece...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-31041523046989898042013-11-14T02:00:00.001-08:002013-11-14T02:00:37.215-08:00Little things...If you have noticed a lull in my blogging, it would be due to my occupation with illustrating a friend's book. It is proving an absorbing, highly creative (and time-intensive!) learning experience, not only in art, but also history, geography and culture. I feel really blessed to have such an interesting, beautiful story for my first project!<div>
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Naturally these illustrations are not mine to share, so I have decided to give you a peek at some other gentle and little things I have drawn over time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A birthday card</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6U8azFJbFQ/UoSaonojhZI/AAAAAAAAARI/FPLxYZN3VwI/s1600/dove+in+graphite2+LS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6U8azFJbFQ/UoSaonojhZI/AAAAAAAAARI/FPLxYZN3VwI/s640/dove+in+graphite2+LS.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copied from a photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to illustrate a children's story book soon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4WQ0WJk58E/UoScYVCbssI/AAAAAAAAARU/LFmHkn1A-U4/s1600/old+shoes+LS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4WQ0WJk58E/UoScYVCbssI/AAAAAAAAARU/LFmHkn1A-U4/s640/old+shoes+LS.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of old shoes - don't leather items just have their own kind of ageless beauty?</td></tr>
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These "small" subjects tend to be quick to draw (20 minutes to half an hour), and make great adornments to gift cards, or a starting point to get yourself drawing. Using a photo or drawing from real life is very handy, as you will be able to physically study such things as the way light falls and reflects on your subject, or what elements compose the texture, or exactly what the silhouette shape is... and so forth!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-34036277732408058922013-11-01T08:20:00.002-07:002013-11-01T08:21:13.505-07:00The oldendays...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Currently I'm finding delightful challenge in ink drawings, influenced by the historic line-shading technique, the type usually depicting scenes from the 18th century and earlier. Two particular favourites of mine are by Albrecht Durer:</div>
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Well, they are not exactly line drawings - perhaps only pen outlines used - but here is a better example of what I am referring to:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierre de Fermat, great French mathematician of the 17th century</td></tr>
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Though I haven't exactly translated this style in the image below, I am still incorporating the technique to some degree. It is surprisingly difficult to accustom your hand to the neat flowing strokes and keeping the same width between them all the way!</div>
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What really captured my attention was the beauty of motherly devotion and a touch of wild independence carried in their demeanor. This is why I am not entirely happy with my rendition - it doesn't quite capture their spirit. Here is the original:<br />
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I used a bit of charcoal for the pattern of her skirt, as well as shading the darker side of the wall, just to soften the stark pen lines.<br />
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A new technique - what can I say! Learning stroke by stroke...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-87741694458004257952013-10-18T03:17:00.000-07:002013-10-18T03:17:35.740-07:00Effervescence!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Do you know a sparkling character, with shining eyes and fiery spirit, delightful and fascinating as a kaleidoscope in its swirling colours? I know a sweet darling much like this, and upon finding a beautiful picture of her, I stowed it away for a quieter time when I might attempt capturing that lovely smile...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little bridesmaid: The photo that inspired me<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">As you can see above, I began by using a grid, as is often done in portrait copying. This is a tremendous help in laying down your lines and proportions (providing both your grid and the one on the photo are identical!!) </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Another piece I'm busy with: example of the gridwork phase<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think I've learnt a lot simply through copying by eye, with the help of the grid to guide me. It definitely will improve one's unaided copying skills, and grasp of shapes from different perspectives.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DOBOo_bI60/UmEIXFE942I/AAAAAAAAAO4/n41lKhVmjos/s1600/Bella+sketch+BLOG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DOBOo_bI60/UmEIXFE942I/AAAAAAAAAO4/n41lKhVmjos/s640/Bella+sketch+BLOG1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As you can see, my grid must have been slightly stretched, as Bella's features are somewhat elongated in my rendition. A sure sign to be more precise with my grid copying!!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-12996724833916658042013-10-07T07:26:00.001-07:002013-10-07T07:30:48.114-07:00A beloved face...About a month ago, equipped with my graphite pencil trio, an eraser and a ruler, I embarked on a sketching journey that unrolled before me in many miles of woven textile, as you will see below. (Or at least, so it felt.)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHhvlWhvYDk/UlKvbQcvkbI/AAAAAAAAANw/oGhBAoQqOJk/s1600/eqt+pencils+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHhvlWhvYDk/UlKvbQcvkbI/AAAAAAAAANw/oGhBAoQqOJk/s640/eqt+pencils+BLOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">It was the first time I was beginning to capture my husband's facial to some degree of accuracy, and I was elated! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My husband found a mind-blowingly exhaustive website for art techniques, covering all topics from beginner's workspace and material recommendations, to mini courses on every classical drawing medium. You can find it <a href="http://www.drawspace.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. He downloaded a PDF package which we have both been working through, and the material is undoubtedly very helpful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One of the tips I picked up from those notes, is sharpening your pencils on fine sandpaper or similar coarse surface. Apparently, and I can understand why, sharpeners wear down your pencils much too quickly. As I didn't have sandpaper, I hunted about for a stray brick, and found this grey one to be the perfect texture for working down my graphite tips to the desired shape. This is the other advantage of sanding over sharpening: you are able to fine-tune the exact shape and sharpness you are looking for.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPs94AtyFDU/UlKvfi4tXHI/AAAAAAAAAN4/kL8soaVOFU0/s1600/sharpening+3+BLOG+LS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPs94AtyFDU/UlKvfi4tXHI/AAAAAAAAAN4/kL8soaVOFU0/s640/sharpening+3+BLOG+LS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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As Jonan my husband, loves textures, (especially when overlaid on photos and video animation!), I decided to draw in a woven textile in the background ("negative space", in fancy terms!). I looked up a nice strongly-defined fabric texture online, downloaded it, zoomed in <i>very </i>close and carefully studied the shadows and twists of each strand. Then I set about my long journey... It's been quite rewarding... But I must add, and most will understand, there is a certain point where your strongest desire is to see it finished!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final result: My wonderful, creative, kind-hearted husband!<br />
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So, at some point, I would like to be making beautiful life-like portraits, capturing those delightful special nuances of each character, just like <a href="http://www.drawspace.com/lessons/w01/karin" target="_blank">Brenda Hoddinott</a>...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-18736478324999171532013-10-03T05:29:00.001-07:002013-10-03T05:29:20.810-07:00Sowing and harvesting<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something I'm very passionate about - coaxing tasty delights out of the earth, from the early days of putting a small seed just beneath the soil's surface, to that breath-taking moment of plucking off a succulent reward, and transforming a plain meal into something bright and flavoursome...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my current veggie crops (I do realize the radish is oversized, but it's such a beautiful creation to me!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In this piece I used my Superfine Faber Castell pen, combined with watercolour Inktense pencils. As you can see, I am experimenting how to make water droplets and shadows, which are somewhat tricky. Please give suggestions if you have any!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">My first garden harvest! So proud of them!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-9983686532171111462013-09-19T01:31:00.000-07:002013-09-19T01:31:01.221-07:00An imagined scene...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sketching must be the most relaxing drawing style (for me, that is).</div>
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There seem to be three types of art subjects that I can think of right now: a) an art piece captured from a real life setting/image ; b) an imagined scene, yet true to real life ; and lastly c) a <i>surreal</i> imagined scene. Please comment with any other ideas you may have - I'd be very interested! I guess to that could also be added, d) graphic design art.</div>
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The below sketch is a type B art form. I made something from what I had in my mind, however unclear initially, and crystallized it on paper. At first, I couldn't exactly "see" it in my mind's eye, but I had a feel for what I wanted, and incorporated architecture and furniture that I have observed in the past and really liked. As this is all done from memory, there are bound to be technical errors in my designs, as these are purely from my perception of what I saw, without guidance of an image to correct what I thought I was seeing. </div>
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I believe the keener an observer you become of the physical world, the more accurately you will draw and paint. Just take more note of what things <i>actually </i>look like<i>,</i> as you go about your day. I have so often been stumped, when I set myself to draw something from my mind's eye, and discovered I really did not know what it looked like! On the other hand, there are no doubt creative people who are able to conjure very detailed and specific creations in their minds, for conversion to art.</div>
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I combined many different snippets of elements I have picked up visually in the past - cracks in tiles, large tiles, old-fashioned windows, heavy wooden beams, pure cotton cloth, simple pitchers, fields of waving grasses... the list goes on. Things I really like!</div>
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Please comment if you have anything to contribute to these ramblings, I'd be delighted to hear...</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-68744718536287322682013-09-13T02:19:00.001-07:002013-09-13T02:21:33.470-07:00Planted by the Rivers of Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My first inspiration from Psalms...</div>
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The book of Psalms has been a close friend to me over the years, rich in nuggets of encouragement, personal emotional conflicts experienced by the great psalmist himself and how these matters tied in with his spiritual journey. In some way it deals with issues on a very fine level and just unravels a knot in one's heart with a single breathtaking line or shared experience.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planted by the Rivers<br />
<i>"He" (the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord) "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." Ps. 1:3</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As you can see, this man is bearing a variety of fruits in different parts of himself. Some of us specialize in one kind of fruit of the Lord. This is treasured just as much! I think even <i>wanting </i>to bear fruit is the beginning of having "life more abundantly".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I used my INKTENSE pencils (and water for blending) to create this image, first sketching the outlines in pencil, and then gradually building up the colour. I laid down very soft general washes or each colour region, ie. shades of green and yellow over the river banks, blue and indigo in the river (leaving lots of white areas), and of course various browns for the tree bark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once the first layer had dried, I detailed the leaves, fruit, grasses, exposed earth and water using the same pencils. I enjoyed experimenting with different colours to create shadows and nuances and even used some Fuschia in the tree trunk! And Peacock Blue in the shady grass... Sometimes such splashes help bring a picture more to life, just using an unexpected colour where most people would agree they are seeing, say, brown only.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">More to follow soon...!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-20780393215858243042013-09-12T07:35:00.001-07:002013-09-12T07:35:51.268-07:00Dots and crosses...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been thoroughly inspired by Albrecht Durer's works, after a friend mentioned his sketching style to me. What an engaging pen technique! I wanted to try my hand at it immediately after scanning through rows and rows of these masterpieces.</div>
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I know this particular artwork has been prolifically reproduced into countless forms since its creation, and might perhaps best be given a breather to simply be appreciated in its original loveliness. But what can I say - I fell into the same temptation of so many before me, eagerly reached for my Superfine Faber Castell and 4B Staedtler, and before I knew it, the lines were weaving together on my page... and yet another rendition of this work was born. All I can say is, it was a wonderful experience, and I was a little sad when I had to persuade myself it was actually done, any more might spoil it... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A study of Albrecht Durer's "Praying Hands"<br />Superfine Faber Castell PITT Artist Pen on 120gsm sketch paper<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSmqYZfQevw/UjHPh7XKSsI/AAAAAAAAAMI/u_EjSzt6RR0/s1600/Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer_-_Praying_Hands,_1508_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSmqYZfQevw/UjHPh7XKSsI/AAAAAAAAAMI/u_EjSzt6RR0/s640/Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer_-_Praying_Hands,_1508_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original by Durer - thank you Wikipedia!</td></tr>
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Those hands really speak to me of the person they belong to - something tender and simple in his heart intermingled with the weathering and humility brought by hardship. Well-used hands too I would say, judging from the "milking muscle" next to his thumb! I'm sure he was a vegetable gardener too...<br />
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There are a few more artworks lined up for sharing, so have a peek again tomorrow!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-91972009571760775862013-09-05T03:27:00.002-07:002013-09-05T03:46:56.333-07:00Dust in the dusk...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is something I've wanted to try for a while - the great equine creatures fighting! I think these ones are prancing around each other, looking for the moment to attack...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire at Sunset - you could say the ground is aglow with their fury!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLZAsxwjUu0/Uihg6FnZBVI/AAAAAAAAALs/J2nvNBzMFZs/s1600/horses+fighting+b&w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLZAsxwjUu0/Uihg6FnZBVI/AAAAAAAAALs/J2nvNBzMFZs/s640/horses+fighting+b&w.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And very exciting news!!! My Derwent Art Academy pencils arrived in the post! You should have seen me, so ecstatic! These are gorgeous Inktense pens - specially designed for being blended with a wet or damp paintbrush. I shaded the above image with them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eighteen marvelous colours, with delicious names like "Thistle", "Bark" and "Baked Earth"...</td></tr>
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Just this morning I had the idea to work through the book of Psalms, my most loved book, bringing its imagery to my pencil and paintbrush tips. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you...<br />
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This may take a while, as I am also engaged with illustrating my children's story book, Pobble in a Pickle. So far I have sketched the storyboard, as well as the first few images, which await the embellishment of watercolour!!<br />
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Ah, just the thought of those Inktense pencils make me happy!! Excuse me, I must go draw...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-1236401093503273822013-09-02T02:54:00.001-07:002013-09-02T06:55:32.717-07:00Rustling in the leaves...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aren't watercolours just delightful?</div>
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I simply used a downloaded photo that I really liked and outlined the facial features and leaves in pencil. I actually took a bit of time on this stage, to be sure I was happy with the kitten's expression, as I kept coming up with an endless variety of naughty faces! The kitty in the photo actually looked a little scared and vulnerable - but that is the beauty of interpreting an image in your own way. Every person will produce something quite unique from anyone else, and which only that person can put onto paper.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustling in the leaves - watercolour acrylics</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-13362025996854612282013-08-24T10:50:00.003-07:002013-09-02T02:42:18.425-07:00Clippity-clop...I've always loved drawing horses... When I was a little girl, my dad gave me a charming slender hard-cover booklet on "How to Draw Horses", somewhat worn from previous use, and softly pencilled in the inside cover with that trademark booksale price. I loved it so much, and pored over it endlessly, absorbing the energy of spirited horses in action caught in those wild graphite strokes all the way to those peaceful lines of the creature at rest... the intensity in its eye...the swish of its tail...the shaggy winter coat... And so you see, my pencil was much inspired by that book.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HamPjyqrSrY/UiRcChiKsuI/AAAAAAAAAKo/3pqJSnUQ2hA/s1600/horses+sketched+grayscale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HamPjyqrSrY/UiRcChiKsuI/AAAAAAAAAKo/3pqJSnUQ2hA/s640/horses+sketched+grayscale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So far, the hoof has been the most challenging part for me - how the shape of the ankle merges into the foot and how to obtain the most pleasing proportions to the rest of the horse. Having a picture at hand is very helpful.<br />
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The below artwork was inspired by my husband, a little while ago when he suggested I try a horse on fire. He is unbelievably creative. So here it is - I first sketched it lightly, then blocked in the flames and finally the horse's body. The landscape evolved around the creature, as my own imagination took flight! So I dub it the Flaming River Horse, who is rarely glimpsed galloping down its river in this remote majestic canyon.<br />
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I used pastels chiefly, then used my pencils for finer details and also in the shading of the canyon walls. I intend to give this one another go on my large A2 sketchpad (got some better ideas for it!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flaming River Tashunke (Red Indian for "horse")</td></tr>
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The other night Marius little daughters organized us mature adults for some drawing competitions (of which they would be the judge and the prize, a giant slab of chocolate). We had 20 minutes for each round, and I won't post my sketch here as I feel ashamed of it, but below is one I completed afterwards in my own time. This was the photo my husband and his contestant were given for the challenge, and I really felt like trying myself. It posed some real challenges because of its particular angle and the horse's funny expression. But I liked that face...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1It4v8Voo24/Uhjsdqv_EII/AAAAAAAAAKM/HkhsfL25Uhs/s1600/yawning+horse+angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1It4v8Voo24/Uhjsdqv_EII/AAAAAAAAAKM/HkhsfL25Uhs/s640/yawning+horse+angle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbKVcOh3ID4/Uhjsdk6JgZI/AAAAAAAAAKI/lBJfbkkE490/s1600/yawning+horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbKVcOh3ID4/Uhjsdk6JgZI/AAAAAAAAAKI/lBJfbkkE490/s640/yawning+horse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>My tip for the week</b><br />
Creating depth of field/perspective - By working in lots of fine detail and strong colours in the foreground, gradually fading to less detail and lighter application of colours in the background, will create the sense of greater distance. Also try to imitate the effect of a camera lens, crisp and in focus in front, fuzzy and undefined towards the back.<br />
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Happy doodling!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-69478619988593137372013-08-20T07:57:00.000-07:002013-08-20T07:57:43.309-07:00Skritchy scratchy...And here we are - I've finished the last step of my Derwent Art Academy course! Step 6 was particularly fun, an exercise in pastel sgraffito... crazy enjoyable!<div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Starting off with some of your favourite colours, or colours you would like to have shining through in the end product, scribble two or three fairly solid layers, from light to dark. You can even have the shades of colour vary from one part of the page to another. Then finish off with a very dark colour ( I used black), being careful to press lightly so as not to disturb the layers underneath.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't have a sgraffito embosser tool, use a toothpick!</td></tr>
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To begin drawing, simply "scratch" out the outlines of your picture. Special tools are available for sgraffito, but a toothpick worked pretty well for me! These cats were taken from a photo of them sitting on a tiled floor. I preferred to have them sitting on a windowsill, so sketched in window panes and a sill instead. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product...</td></tr>
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Below is an example of something quick if you'd like to try this technique with your pastels. Sgraffito is a great way to decorate home-made gift cards and very gratifying.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkHJ4P8a0T8/UhNzOZQ7RjI/AAAAAAAAAHo/v2iAnJlga8E/s1600/sgraffito+simple+samples+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyOtNSHcCHI/UhNzNoAOo8I/AAAAAAAAAHg/gtmIAg9VD9o/s1600/sgraffito+simple+samples+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyOtNSHcCHI/UhNzNoAOo8I/AAAAAAAAAHg/gtmIAg9VD9o/s320/sgraffito+simple+samples+002.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkHJ4P8a0T8/UhNzOZQ7RjI/AAAAAAAAAHo/v2iAnJlga8E/s200/sgraffito+simple+samples+001.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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Pastels are pretty awesome...<br />
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Let me know of your experiences in sgraffito, and of course feel most welcome to share any thoughts and comments!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-29989337974567800402013-08-18T07:37:00.002-07:002013-09-12T07:42:21.242-07:00Working in circles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes you get this wild feeling to try something out of the box, or an idea that just popped into your head. It wa a moment like this when I envisioned a picture composed entirely of solid circles!</div>
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It was very exciting I must say, getting to work, and every spare minute was fervently used to complete the drawing. I grabbed my sketch pencil and outlined the face and hair, then began colouring hundreds of dots from my twelve-colour pencil set. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFuySTYaX1c/UhDVGdIDS8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/iSM0nmJKQ-c/s1600/lady+in+circles+step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFuySTYaX1c/UhDVGdIDS8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/iSM0nmJKQ-c/s640/lady+in+circles+step1.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-isnGwQjVL78/UjHShao9DMI/AAAAAAAAAMU/I_V-xm87FdQ/s1600/IMG_20130912_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-isnGwQjVL78/UjHShao9DMI/AAAAAAAAAMU/I_V-xm87FdQ/s640/IMG_20130912_0001.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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I loved the soft effect created from the gentle even pressure applied by the pencils, and how colour tones fade from one to another. I pressed a little harder for shadowy areas, and for lighter areas, used a combination of lightening the dots, as well as spacing them further apart. Some bright areas are virtually untouched. This is often what makes a picture stand out - contrast of shadow and light, and areas fading to nothing. A picture featuring little contrast will generally look a bit flat (very broadly speaking!).<br />
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There were many stages with this drawing, I felt I might destroy its delicate appearance, which caused me to hold back on stronger expression and defining the face better.<br />
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Let me know your thoughts on this piece, I'd love to hear!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3651525480701194779.post-11131466587267116942013-08-12T04:39:00.000-07:002013-08-20T11:21:33.483-07:00Colour splashes and some more graphite...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've really been enjoying a mini online course by Derwent Art Academy - it's free, only six simple steps, and at the end Derwent sends you a wooden box filled with 18 pencils of your choice! I was delighted to find their website (<a href="http://derwentacademy.co.uk/">http://derwentacademy.co.uk/</a> ; go to the "Art Academy" section for the course), especially scrolling through myriads of sketches and colour art on their Art Prize website (<a href="http://www.derwent-artprize.com/gallery">http://www.derwent-artprize.com/gallery</a>) You can also vote for your favourite three pieces!</div>
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Below is a recent cockerel study I finished as part of the course. To start off, I used very light pencil strokes in the general shape of the head, neck, body, legs and tail, just to lay down the correct slopes and proportions. Later, these lines may need to be erased in places, so they must be very light. I then used a light pencil, in the general colour of the cock, to outline details such as basal neck feathers, beak, eye, wing and tail feathers.</div>
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Then, colours!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gP0X7ZS624/UgddLBaBwwI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ZTH21se7ZM0/s1600/cockerel+step+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gP0X7ZS624/UgddLBaBwwI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ZTH21se7ZM0/s640/cockerel+step+1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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The entire cock is composed of quick curved strokes of colour, some longer than other, to imitate the effect of many feathers lying together. I used a purple and dark blue to lay down the darker feathers, and then overlayed with black for the darkest shadows.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQrcXw7d38I/UgddKWsvLaI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Q7G7wswiab8/s1600/cockerel+step2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQrcXw7d38I/UgddKWsvLaI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Q7G7wswiab8/s640/cockerel+step2.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
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Eyes are tricky - I find every dot and stroke counts, so imagine something in your mind's eye (!) before detailing the eye. And usually less is more - just a dot, leaving a bit of white page for the twinkle, and a soft curve will do. Maybe a bit of soft background colour...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOqFuksaV2U/UgddL1W6SeI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/qFVrbHM83xU/s1600/cockerel+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOqFuksaV2U/UgddL1W6SeI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/qFVrbHM83xU/s640/cockerel+finished.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockerel sketched from a photo</td></tr>
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The tail was surprisingly hard - just capturing that stunning sheen, while also incorporating the shapes and texture of tail feathers. Because the shine is so crisp, you need to create starker light and dark contrasts - blacks and purples surrounding whites and creams. You can circumvent this challenge though, using only long curved strokes of various colours for the tail, leaving white strips for the sheen. This will obviously create a different appearance, while still looking realistic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQzcIdh28LI/UgjG-AYhYAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/sJzgh6iZyGg/s1600/Leaf+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQzcIdh28LI/UgjG-AYhYAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/sJzgh6iZyGg/s640/Leaf+sketch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London plane tree leaf</td></tr>
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I've always loved the shape of the London Plane's leaf stalk, the way it comes to such an elegant end. If you are thinking of something to draw, I'd recommend trying something you really <i>like</i> - the shape of a guitar, the feeling of the wind high up in those pine trees, the sound of crunching gravel, the texture of leather... anything you've always just loved - if you draw it, the love for it will show.<br />
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And others will see what you are seeing!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900145125166590613noreply@blogger.com2