Pastels and Watercolors (and a few other art media)

[snowbear]

Use a light wash of color or neutral grey for the background and leave the white of the dog unpainted.

 

[snowbear]

I finally got started on the acrylic of the stone bridge. I've blocked in the main elements with pencil and hit the base coat of sky. Terrible phone snap. I'll try using the real camera tomorrow.

 

[terri]

I finally got started on the acrylic of the stone bridge. I've blocked in the main elements with pencil and hit the base coat of sky. Terrible phone snap. I'll try using the real camera tomorrow.

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I do this a lot - get my work-in-progress (WIP) photos as fast as I can, which usually means a phone snap, close in. I always seem to throw shadows like this!

But that's ok, I can see the graphite sketch just fine, and I like the lines you left after starting the sky. The treeline?

Looks like a good start to me!

 

[snowbear]

Thanks.

Yes, the approximate tree line. Although I'm thinking about details, at this point I'm not planning them. I was trying to go with some washes first, as a foundation. Instead of water, though, I'm using a retarder media - basically a thinner that extends the drying time of acrylic. I'll try the same thing with the other elements, then build up colors and texture from there.

I ordered a 6-tube set of the artist quality water colors (Daniel Smith), but haven't opened them, yet. I also bought some empty half pans and an empty pan tin, then put some of the tube color into each pan - made myself pan set (once it all dries).

 

[SquarePeg]

I went to Rockport this weekend and went in all the galleries and am feeling very untalented right now.

 

[snowbear]

I went to Rockport this weekend and went in all the galleries and am feeling very untalented right now.

It's just practice - the same as photography. I think your stuff is fine.

 

[waday]

I went to Rockport this weekend and went in all the galleries and am feeling very untalented right now.

That’s like going to the batting cages and then watching the Red Sox (shudder).

Or like throwing the football out back and then watching the Patriots (blech).

Or like shooting a basketball and then watching the Celtics (yuck).

Or like hitting a puck in the street and then watching the Bruins (eeeh, ok).

 

[snowbear]

Continuing with underpainting / base coat. The three white areas along the top are now a very light green. Hooker's green with traces of titanium white and primary yellow for the lighter areas, and mixed with a little primary red for the darker areas (all Liquitex Basics). The bridge and tunnel need to be underpainted, then I'll start on the top layers. I'm debating on adding or omitting the two people in the photo, looking over the bridge wall, and whether or not to tone down the sky with a lighter blue. I'm also not sure what to do with the sides of the canvas - probably a solid color.

Canvas size is 18x24.

 

[terri]

Coming right along! I appreciate these WIP photos. I like that you're building all these layers, too - should end up with lots of texture. Sounds like you're going nice and slow here, with a few decisions still to make.

Canvas size is 18x24.

Wow - nice sized canvas!

 

[snowbear]

Thank you. I have some modelling paste so I can really build up the textures. I may try some knife work on this one.

We bought lazy lobster a new chair that they picked out but it seems it's hurting their back. I really like the one MLW made me get, though I wish I had gone up a little in some of the adjustments. L-L has agreed to try mine over the weekend, and if it is better for them, they can keep this one, and I'll upgrade.

Since the desk chair will be MIA for a couple days, I guess I can forgo the usual time wasters and paint, paint, paint.

 

[SquarePeg]

Having a good desk chair is essential for working from home. I have a nice one with good lumbar support that I was allowed to take with me when I started working from home permanently many years ago.

I had a long painting session last night. I think this one needs a little something else but not sure what. I wish I had gone lighter on the trees initially. It’s based on a photo (not my own). And the bottom one is a bookmark I made for Princess. Tonight we’re painting some Christmas cards.

 

[terri]

Ha! That bookmark is adorable!

I like your mountain landscape. Your trees look great to me - as they recede in the distance you start thinking about adding gray or purple to help with that, but dark green in the foreground is fine.

Any more thoughts on adding something to it? If you wanted, the path winding into the scene could be the focal point, to me that works just fine. Just need to call attention to the path, maybe deeper in color?

 

[snowbear]

Love the bookmark.

The bridge has been underpainted.

 

[SquarePeg]

First round of Christmas cards are done! I bought some watercolor card stock from Amazon and decided to make some cards this year.

 

[snowbear]

Those are fantastic, Sharon. I've made some tags for Christmas presents the past couple years. I got a package of tie-on price tags from Staples or Office Depot and drew a small seasonal item on each with markers: a wreath, holly, a snowman, a Christmas tree, a snowflake; nothing as elaborate as your cards.