Day 2 of "Autumn's Treasures"

Well, today is day 2 on this painting.  I am amazed that I have spent the entire day finishing up the gravel and painting one leaf.  Guess that's what happens when you use such a large canvas.  I am thrilled with how it is turning out.

"Autumn's Treasures" started...

What a wonderful day!  Spent it in the studio painting.  Around noon, the UPS man came and brought me my Christmas present from my husband - a new flat screen TV for the studio.  He set it up this evening for me.  (Thank you, Darling.)

Here is the painting I started today - 24" x 30" - done in oils on canvas.  It is the biggest one I have ever painted.  The reference photo is a picture I took several weeks ago in our driveway, when the leaves were still vibrant.  I plan to finish up the gravel tomorrow morning and begin working on the leaves. I see there is a bit of glare in the picture...sorry.

Busy in the studio...

I spent yesterday in the studio working on a pen & ink illustration for a children's book.  The author and his family are missionaries in Asia.  It is a delightful story of a little boy and a clever tree.  They sent me photos of their son and I used them as a reference.

After completing the drawing, I sent it by email to the other side of the world.  Needless to say, I was nervously waiting for a reply.  I don't know about you, but I put so much into my artwork that my creations are a part of me.  I worry that they aren't good enough, or won't be well received. 

I finally received the email this morning.  The author is delighted!  Praise God!

I hope to be able to work on the next illustration later this week.  However, our Thanksgiving festivities may interrupt my time in the studio...  We are celebrating Thanksgiving with friends this afternoon, then again on Thursday with some other dear friends.  This year I have so much to be thankful for... friends, precious family in Florida, Ohio, and Alabama, and a new studio in the mountains of NC where I can create to my heart's content.  God is so good!

By the way, I won't be posting pictures of the story illustrations... Sorry ot be such a tease, but you will just have to wait for the book.

If I don't post again before this Thursday...  Happy Thanksgiving!

Great is Thy Faithfulness - finished

I completed "Great is Thy Faithfulness" today.  I have to give much of the credit to my husband Bert, for allowing me to focus on my art.  He made me lunch and brought it out to the studio so I could keep working.  Now that is a supportive husband....

I had been concerned about how I was going to paint the violin strings, since they were supposed to be white.  The area was too narrow to easily apply masking fluid, and I don't paint straight enough lines to adequately free hand them.  Hmmm, what to do?  I ran across some graphics tape that I use when making my sewing patterns, and knew I had found the answer. I applied the tape to the string locations and painted away.  They worked really well, and I am pleased with the finished painting.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I started a new watercolor today.  It is of a violin and bow laying on top of some sheet music.  I wasn't familiar with the music in the original reference photo, so I pulled out my trusty hymnal and instead wrote out the notes for "Great is Thy Faithfulness" - my favorite hymn.

After drawing it all out with pencil (including each note and line placement), I laid down several layers of wash to achieve the color gradations in the paper, background and shadows. Then I traced over the notes and lines using a micron pigma pen in black.  I chose to do the wash first, because after testing it on a piece of scrap paper, I discovered that the pens ran when painted over... not a good thing. Thank goodness I had the forethought to test the pens first.

Here it is so far...

Bend in the Stream - completed

What a fabulous day!  It rained all day, and I got to spend the time in the studio painting.  God is so good!

Here is the completed "Bend in the Stream".  I am very pleased with the results.  Hmmm... wonder what I will paint tomorrow???

Bend in the Stream - in progress

I started a new watercolor this morning.  It isn't finished.  Hopefully I will get to work on it some more after dinner.  The working title is "Bend in the Stream".  It is 11 x 14 on Arches Aquarelle cold press paper block. 

New Watercolor Completed - "Autumn's Jewels"

I completed a new watercolor painting tonight.  It measures 6" x 10" on 140 lb watercolor paper.  I used Susan Harrison Tustain's technique of underpainting it in yellows.  I do think the underpainting helped it achieve a certain glow that I would not have seen otherwise.  I have named it "Autumn's Jewels". 

I am certainly enjoying working with watercolors, more so than I anticipated.  I do have another painting that I want to start in the morning in watercolor.  This time it will be a winter scene. After that, I have a couple of paintings in oil that I want to do.  ... so looking forward to my time in the studio tomorrow.

Busy Week...

Last Saturday was Day 2 of my watercolor workshop with Lorelle Bacon.  It ended up that I was going to be the only student attending on Saturday.  Rather than make both of us drive another 30  minutes to the studio, we decided to hold the class in my new studio.  What fun!  I took down my sewing machines and rearranged the furniture. Tada!  Instant art classroom. We painted in the morning, then in the afternoon watched a watercolor DVD by Susan Harrison Tustain.  I have never seen anyone put so many layers on a watercolor painting.

I had promised to do a portrait of my pastor's wife, so decided to work on it during the morning of the class.  Here is the result.  Both Lori and Pastor Bruce seem thrilled with the results.  I think it turned out well, and certainly does look like her.

Since Sunday I have been working on another quilt pattern.  This one is a baby quilt with three variations.
It will be called "Simply Baby 1".  I already have the ideas for "Simply Baby 2".  Here is one of the variations of "Simply Baby 1".  I have already completed the other two tops... just have to baste and quilt all of them now.  However, that will have to wait until next week.  I've already decided that I need to paint tomorrow.  ... time to take down the sewing machine again.

Watercolor Portrait Workshop Day 1

Today was the first day of a 2-day watercolor portrait workshop taught by Lorelle Bacon in the River Arts District in Asheville.  I was able to complete 2 paintings, and I am quite pleased with the results.

This morning we did a painting of an American Indian painting some pottery.  The original picture was in grayscale, so each of us colored him a bit differently.

This afternoon we did another painting.  This one was from a color photograph.  Just looking at this precious face made me smile. 

To be honest, I did not think I could successfully complete a watercolor portrait.  Just the thought of attempting it seemed daunting.  Now I am looking forward to attempting another portrait tomorrow.
I will be sure to post the results...