Max--a Portrait in Pastels

Max the Puppy
 

As I gift for my friend Joe's retirement from a career as a US Airways pilot, I decided to make a picture in pastels of his beloved dog Max.  Joe's wife loaned me some photographs, and I selected one of Max as an adorable puppy. Now the problem I faced with this photo was that the dog is a very light beige Golden Retriever, and he was lying on a beige mat on a beige floor.  The LL Bean boots were the only contrast. So, I took artistic license and made the floor mat teal green to contrast with the light-colored dog.  Looking at the picture now, I see that I might have used a darker piece of paper too for more contrast. 
I think that pastels are an ideal medium for depicting pets because a variety of colors can be mixed to achieve the final result.  Max's color was especially difficult to reproduce.  I used a lot of white to represent his fluffy puppy fur.  I see a lot of room for improvement in this portrait of Max, but I am satisfied that I captured the "spirit" of Max as a puppy.  The boots show how small he was at the time.  I just hope that Joe likes it!

Portraits in Pencil

Kate Middleton, Portrait in Pencil

I took a four-evening art class through Hempfield Adult Education.  I lasted two evenings.  I found it to be very helpful in focusing on drawing faces, and I learned some nice techniques in shading, highlighting, and getting the correct proportions. The instructor could not have been nicer.  I did not go to the last two classes because I didn't like the subject he chose--two eyes, a nose, and a mouth which were disembodied from anything else.  I also had artistic differences with the instructor--his idea of excellence was as close to his work as possible.  Additionally, I do not see myself doing portraits in pencil.  I would prefer using pastels or watercolors to add color.

I was interesting to see that ten people wanted to take this class.  The instructor did an amazing amount of prep work to facilitate our learning, and he showed us quite a few portraits that he had done that demonstrated a lot of talent and persistence.

Eight Spoonbills

Eight Roseate Spoonbills

 

I finally finished another wate color painting.  This is only my second one since I returned from Florida in April.  I am happy with the finished product and have matted it already.  I plan to take it to Florida in December.  Although the painting has a pleasing overall effect, the upper right hand corner is more stylized than the rest of the painting.  This is somewhat incongruous, but the style is something I'd like to do more of in the future. I think that the water actually looks like water thanks to some brush techniques I learned from Bob in my Pines watercolor class.

Painting Again

Joe Maker sitting on the Dock

 

Well, it took a while, but I am finally back on track with doing my water color painting.  The above painting is one of my Dad based on a photograph of him taken when he was in his forties.  I have never tried painting a person before, so this task was definitely a big challenge.  I have the painting matted and framed and hanging, but I'd like to get some input on it next winter from my water color teacher.

 

 

Color print from new printer

 

I convinced Neil to buy a new color printer so that I can print out photos from my Facebook page from the photographers at Wakodahatchee Wetands and Green Cay.  The photos are wonderful, and I'd love to make some of them into paintings. The new printer really helps.

 

                                                  Roseate Spoonbills WIP

I'm working on a painting of this photo of roseate spoonbills that supposedly was photo shopped.  I think that means it is not a legitimate photo, but rather it has been enhanced.  Who cares?  I think it is beautiful.  It feels good to be back in the groove of painting.  All it takes is time and motivation.

Going in Circles

 

As you can see, I am not moving forward, but rather I am still doing more of the same.  I need to break out of this rut and try something new.  A bout of laryngitis and pink eye has kept me at home for a week. No excuse for not doing some art work this time.

The second attempt at painting my Dad is even worse than the first.  It looks like Steve Martin, not Joe Maker.  Back to the drawing board on that one.  Or maybe I should take a break and do something a little easier.

Baby Arrives & Weeks Fly By

Once again I have excuses for not doing art work.  My daughter had a baby--a second boy.  I was the designated babysitter for her #1 son.  It was fun, and Eli and I did lots of art work during the days we spent together with play doh and cardboard.  I brought large sheets of white cardboard for coloring and placing stickers for Eli.  For myself, I brought a set of oil pastels.  It's not much but I liked the chance to try a different medium.

Today my golf game got rained out.  I came home and did some cleaning and sorting in the cellar.  Then I got around to working on my Dad watercolor.  I added more color intensity, but I am still not satisfied with it by a long shot.  I will title this painting.  "Dad on the Dock #1."

Dad Looking Like Ted

I worked a bit on the sea turtle wine holder design today, but it was difficult to simplify the coloring enough for mass production.  I will let my sister-in-law Joyce worry about it. She paints the wine holders that Ted makes with his jigsaw.

Next I worked on a watercolor painting of my Dad from an enlarged photo.  I refined the drawing, and then I painted in the color areas fairly lightly. I was shocked to see how much the painting of my Dad (at age 42) resembles my 58-year-old brother Ted.  Now that I look at it again, I think I made the head too small.
This is my first portrait of a person, and it isn't easy.  Back to the drawing board.  And back to reading Putting People into Paintings.

Art "To Do" List

Today I allowed 3 hours for my art time because I had a list of things I wanted to work on:

1. Touch up flamingo card
2. Work on sea turtle design
3. Do right-brain exercises
4. Work on Dad picture

Because I am working without a class or an instructor, I am trying to give myself a little structure and direction.  Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a book suggested by a friend.  I found it at the library, and I am using its exercises.   My first exercise was to do 3 drawings: a self-portrait using a mirror, a portrait of someone from memory, and a drawing of my hand.

I am also working on a series of Florida designs--sea turtle, fish, alligator, and conch--for my brother's wine-amals business.  He makes holders for winebottles and wine glasses in the shape of animals to sell in tourist traps.

Beginnings and Endings

Last Friday I worked on my watercolor notecards and today I finished them.  I plan to make color copies of the ones I like to use on other types of cards as well.  The good thing about doing these cards is that I am learning to work quickly and to be more minimalist.  I did not have time to write in my Art Journal last week as we were heading out of town for the fourth weekend in a row.

Today I started working on a sketch of my father based on a photo taken in 1962.  He would have been 43 at the time.  He is sitting on the dock at his camp in the sun, looking very relaxed.  I hope to make a water color painting of this sketch one day. This is my first attempt at painting a person.

My other beginning is designing some Florida critters for my brother Ted's wine and glass holders in the shape of animals.  I am working on a sea turtle, a fish, an alligator, and a lizard--all done to his specific measurements.

Drawing of Dad on the Dock

Three Weeks Later

So....the purpose of this blog is to make me accountable for the time I devote to art. It has been three weeks since I have done anything. On Friday, April 12, Catherine and Eli were staying with us, and we went to visit her friend Meghan and the enchanting Quinn and baby Will. On Friday, April 19, I made a sour cream coffee cake and packed to go to visit friends in Lewes, Delaware that afternoon and over the weekend. All good things. Perhaps I should have a back-up time if Friday morning doesn't work. Hmmm...

Today I finished painting the iguana sculpture as a green iguana. I plan to take it back to Florida with me. I also worked on some watercolor notecards which I had already finished drawing. I think these are a great way to experiment with new techniques before I try them on actual paintings. My new painting spot is the kitchen table with its sunny bay window overlooking the back yard.  It is just a pain to get everything out and put it all back.

Just getting started

I decided that I would never evolve as an artist if I did not keep painting and doing other art work on a regular basis all year round. So today I set up a corner table in my dining room because it is far too cold and dark in the cellar. I started with an easy project: painting a plaster iguana given to me by my friend Mary Anne. I think it will be fun to try painting something in 3-D for a change. Sad discovery--many of my acrylic paints have gone bad. Happy discovery--I like painting in the sunny and warm dining room while listening to music. I have created this blog in an attempt to keep myself on task.