Implied and Applied Texture

This past week in my Acrylic Toolbox class we learned about implied and applied texture.

  

Implied Texture is when you are painting an object creating the illusion of the texture through an invented system of marks, or patterns.

Applied Texture is when you literally create a texture from the application of paint, including the addition of mediums to the acrylic paint.

Here's my attempt at the implied/applied texture assignment:

Implied Texture (top row) and Applied Texture (bottom row)

For this assignment, we were to choose 6 objects each with a unique textured surface.  We then zoomed in on an area of each object and rendered the texture we saw on a much larger scale.  We were required to use only white, ochre and chromatic black paints and our choice of other mediums (molding paste, pumice gel, etc)

For the assignment (above), my implied textures were (top row, l to r): a curved glass surface, a piece of coral and a piece of accordion folded and cut paper; my applied textures were (bottom row, l to r): the edge of a towel, a seashell and a beaded earring.  The one I had the hardest time with was the beaded earring.  It's rather difficult to create the flat sides and straight edges of a polyhedron with molding paste...at least the first 16 are  : )

Complementary Apples

Just sharing results of a recent class assignment.

Assignment:  Pick 2 complementary colors.  Pick a single fruit or vegetable.  Arrange a still life with the piece of fruit/veg.  Slice if desired, but use no more than 2 slices.  Using white, chromatic black (made from ultramarine blue and burnt umber) and one of the complementary colors, create and paint a value scale at the top on half of the canvas, then from observation of the still life paint  it using the values created.  When finished, using white, chromatic black and a complement of the first color used, create and paint a value scale on top of the other half of the canvas and then paint the still life from the first painting not from observation of the actual still life.

Below are my paintings of a red apple.  I found it to be difficult focusing on the values (highlights, midtones and shadows) and not the color of the apple.  I also did not do a good job of matching the values from one color to the other, i.e., the inside of the green apple is darker than the red apple.  If I wanted to spend more time on this assignment, I could do more to make them look more alike, but I don't want to : ) I'm moving on to the next assignment which is due in a day and a half and I've got a ways to go...

Organized Chaos - Paint Shelf

Here's a little organization project I recently completed.  It was super simple to make from pre-cut 1 1/2" x 3/8" boards from Home Depot (in 2' and 3' lengths).  The shelves are are 2' wide and 3' tall and hang from a couple of nails underneath the top board.

This one was perfect for craft paints and small tubes of paint.  I like being able to see everything I have available.  I need to make a couple of more for taller tubes of paint, glue and other products I use frequently.

Inspiration Book

I decided that alot of the small clutter on my studio walls belongs elsewhere.  I had put it on the wall because there's something about each little piece of paper that I like, and I wanted to keep everything out there to inspire me.  Well, that didn't work, it was all too distracting. So distracting that I couldn't think when I wanted to come up with ideas of my own. 

To the rescue -- an Inspiration Book.  I decided to pull all of those little pieces of paper down off the walls and put them in an book where I could go for inspiration whenever I wanted it.  The book (11" x 14" spiral bound mixed meda paper) has the added benefit in that I can save and display more there than on the wall. Side benefit?  It gives me a place to use some of the many roles of washi tape that I have collected...they are inspirational too :)

Looking at it so far, I can see how it will help me identify common themes, colors, etc that "speak" to me.  How do you collect inspiration material and ideas?

What's In A Name?

The photo below is of a piece I recently acquired.  It is by Judith Meyer, a collage/assemblage artist.  I was immediately attracted to this piece when I first saw it.  It's hard for me to put my finger on exactly why, sometimes I just like something because it "speaks" to me.  In this case,

• it is blue - there is either blue or red or both in most works that catch my eye.  There's even some red in the cord attaching the key to the lock.  
• I like locks and keys -  and the location here is close to the heart 
• the use of an x-ray image is unexpected
• I like maps - woven in and over the x-ray

I still can't say what exactly it is that I intuitively like about this piece; however, when I first saw it, I didn't know the title, but I was definitely interested in the piece.  Then, I went to a showing of Judith's work that included this piece, and I saw the title which made me want it more,"And How Shall I Answer You, and What Shall I Bring?"...I'm happy to say that I bought it.

And How Shall I Answer You, and What Shall I Bring?  by Judith Meyer

One thing this incident made me think about was the importance of naming a piece of artwork. How many times have you looked at a piece and started to move on, but you then read the title of it and went back for a second look? I have done it many times. Unless the piece is Untitled or just some vague number in a vaguely named series or the name of some unknown person being portrayed, the title can add something to the piece. At least it does to me. Usually, I'm looking back to see why they might have named it what they did. If it is a portrait, is it describing what the person was doing or preparing to do or a situation they are in or an emotion they are feeling? With many pieces, I look back wondering, "what is the artist trying to say that I have missed?"

The importance of the title has not really occurred to me before; thus, I have named works simply Masque I, Masque II, ....Masque VI....vague, unimaginative titles. Now, I will put more thought into them. Maybe this is something covered in an art appreciation class or painting 101. I don't know. I have taken neither of them.  But, I have done my research now and found that there are many good reasons for naming your baby something other than "Untitled", among them these 5 reasons.

I haven't had a chance to ask Judith how she came about the title of her piece, above, and what the work represents to her, but I will.   I'll share it here when I find out.

Acrylic Ink Play

On my way to the studio today, I was listening to an episode of RadioLab on NPR entitled "Me, Myself and Muse".  It was pretty interesting.  I really liked Elizabeth Gilbert's idea of externalizing inspiration, talking to it, making friends with it, arguing with it, giving in to it.  It was a good thing for me to hear today.  I was originally planning on just stopping by real quick to pick up something I needed for a class assignment, but after listening to this piece, I decided to stay at the studio and see what Inspiration had in store for me.

I sat down with black Sumi ink and water and started playing.  I enjoyed watching the ink as it spread out from the marks I made on the wet paper. After playing for awhile, I decided I wanted to play with color, so I grabbed my acrylic inks and started making my marks with them.  You can see the result of my playing, below.  It was such a meditative experience, so peaceful and relaxing.  I definitely need to do this more.  If I do, maybe Inspiration will decide to join me :)

Acrylic Inks and Water on Mixed Media Paper

My First Tych and a New Class

I've finished my first "tych".  It's a triptych entitled "Blah blah, I don't know....gibber". I used the same drawing with masking fluid technique that I used before.  Until I have any grand ideas, I think I'm finished with this technique for awhile. 



2/3 of Masking Fluid Removed

Painting in progress

Final Product - Blah blah, I don't know...gibber, 2014 

I've started a new class at the Houston Art League.  It's called "Acrylic Painter's Toolbox - An Intro To Acrylics".  Laura Spector is the instructor (check out her websites here and there).  I've only attended one session but I can already tell that I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this class.  Laura is an interesting person, from the little bit of personal history she has shared with us, and as an instructor, she's very thorough when explaining things and is very patient and encouraging.  I'm miffed that I was sick this week and had to miss the second class, but hopefully that won't cause me to fall too far behind.  The first assignment is a basic still life value study.  Hopefully, I'll post it soon...but I have to do it first : )

I Need a Makeover

Help!  I have only been in my studio 8 months and already it (or maybe I) need a makeover.  I really need to rethink my space...maybe not the space so much as my stuff.  I am totally overwhelmed when I look around and it's hard to think/create.  I have so many materials and tools and books at the ready for whenever "inspiration" hits.  Well, I find it hard to feel inspired in this space.  I have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and this space isn't helping me. 

The first photo below is of my work surface and my "Inspiration Wall" to the left side of the photo.  The idea was that while I sit and work, I would be able to see and be inspired by images hanging on the wall facing me.  Well, they don't inspire me, they distract me.  They are too small for me to really see and draw inspiration from if I'm looking at them from across the room, and there are waaaay to many of them...it's just a lot of visual clutter.  So those are going to have to come down. 

What else do I need to do to bring order to this confusion?  I'm not sure.  I need to have things where I can see them or I will forget that I have them and they will go totally unused...as they do now : /  I suspect that over time, I will weed out alot of stuff related to media and techniques that I thought I was interested in, but really don't have the inclination to try or to take the time to learn about.

I'll post any ideas I have.  If you have any suggestions, by all means let me know : )

"Inspiration Wall" to the left, my favorite work spot on the right

Stuff everywhere!  How could anybody think in here?

Even the sofa (for relaxation?) is covered with stuff.   Aaaaggghhh, Calgon take me away.

If this isn't nice...

I've seen this hanging in a display at Urban Outfitters  each time I've stopped in the store over the last few months.  I didn't see it for sale anywhere in the store so I just assumed it was a prop.  Last time I went there, it was on a shelf for sale and I knew I had to have it and that I had the perfect place for it...in my studio :)  I put it on the wall opposite from where I usually work.  Something about it just makes me smile.  It's how I feel about my studio.  Not that the studio itself is ultra nice or anything, but having the studio and my own space in which to create is really nice.  It reminds me to be grateful for what I have.

Glassell Student Art Show 2013

Each year Glassell has a student art show around the holidays.  It's a great time to find some one of a kind gifts, or if you're like me, it's a great time to acquire a few more pieces of art for your own personal collection : )


I went to the show last month and WOW! there was a lot of art to look at.  I didn't show any of my art, but if I am enrolled in Glassell this year, I will give it some serious consideration.


I was immediately attracted to one of the first paintings I saw.  As I walked along,a couple of other paintings caught my attention.  Each turned out to be by the same artist, so it's fair to say that I appreciate this artist's work.  Since the pieces were fairly large, I told myself that I would keep them in mind and, if after looking at the rest of the art, the first one was still there, then it was meant to be and I would buy it.  Later, after I had finished looking at the paintings, ceramics, drawings, jewelry and mixed media, I hurried back over to where we started and the painting was still there.  I walked away with it while some people were there looking at it...they didn't appear to be discussing whether or not they wanted to buy it, so I don't feel too bad :)


The painting is called Snow by Sabine Juery and I'm happy to say it looks beautiful hanging over my sofa.

"Snow" by Sabine Juery

Sumi Ink and Brush Drawing

For my last Fundamentals of Drawing class, we were free to choose what we wanted to do using techniques we had learned in class.  My first Sumi ink and brush drawing was not stellar and my instructor, let me know, in a kind way, that it wasn't very "interesting", i.e., I didn't let the ink flow.  So, rather than attempt the self-portrait again, I thought I'd give ink and brush drawing another go.  I drew what apparently is called a "brain" coral (I didn't know what it was called till my instructor said that was what it was...to which I was relieved, since it meant that my rendering was recognized as the thing it was intended to portray :)  Below, is the result.

Coral - Sumi Ink and Brush Wash

 

Photo of "Brain" Coral

I was not very pleased with my results, but it's not too bad for a 2nd drawing.  The instructor indicated that I had demonstrated more mastery of the skill with this drawing.  So, I got credit for improvement. 

I do enjoy the brush and ink drawing since it is more expressive to me. I'd like to learn more about it.  The quick 15 minute demo we had in class was not enough for me to learn and remember the various applications of the medium and technique.  Maybe I can find some good tutorials online.

 

Paintings from Masking Fluid Drawings

I recently created a work for a friend and thought I'd take pictures to illustrate the process I've been using to create my recent works.

In this case, I first looked up some pictures of prayer flags on the internet to get some ideas for composition, then I made a sketch.  Sometimes I just start drawing with no particular image(s) in mind.

 

Next, I paint the surface of my canvas with black gesso.  For this painting,  I taped off a 2 inch border after the gesso dried.

Next, I "draw" an image with masking fluid and let it dry, then paint over it with a layer of off-white paint:

 

After the paint dries, I begin rubbing off the masking.  I've found that  gum eraser makes the job go a little faster:

Here's what it looks like after all the masking has been removed:

 

Next, I begin painting in the areas of the painting...

 

Here's my finished painting, I scattered lines for a loving kindness prayer throughout:

 

May you be filled with lovingkindness

May you be happy

May you be well

May you be peaceful and at ease

May you feel safe and secure

May you feel loved and cared for

Class Assignment: Charcoal Self-Portrait

My assignment is due in two days.  Fortunately, I had the foresight to take a day off to give myself plenty of "last minute" time to complete my assignment.  Here's how my work progressed today:

After 1 hour, I had my facial features roughly laid out:

But something wasn't right with the eyes, nose and mouth.  I could see "me" in this drawing, but something wasn't quite right. 

6 hours later...it was me!!  Well, sorta.  Hey, with a facelift I could resemble this drawing...at least the mouth was more like mine.

Time to recheck my proportions, positioning, etc.  My nose isn't that long and thin and, after a little analysis, I realized that the eyes weren't quite right either.  The one of the left (my right eye...I'm looking at a mirror image) was proportioned differently from the one on the right (my left eye).  There is a slight difference between my eyes for real, but it isn't like this:

I realize what's wrong with the drawing...I resemble a Siamese cat.  I'm more like a Tabby ; )

Eye tweak 1 - I made the eye on the left closer to the width of the one on the right as well as increasing the height near the middle:

 

 

Eye tweak 2 - line refinement:

 

 

After 7 hours, I have tweaked the eyes and fixed my nose, this is where I stopped for the day:

 

 

 

It looks a lot more like me, but I still see that something isn't right.  I need to recheck the eyes again.

 

After taking a break and asking others what they see, I realize that the cheek on the right looks too concave.  That side of my face is shadowed, but I need to figure out how to indicate shadow without caving the cheek in.  I also realize that I need to remove the "apple" of my other cheek.  It was more appropriate earlier when I first started drawing with my mouth in a smile.  It looks too youthful.  Looking at the photo above, I realize that I need to revisit the neck area too.  It looks like I'm wearing a turtle neck...if only I were : )

 

One other thing I need to work on is the my hair.  After looking at these pictures, the hair looked pretty good at one point, but by the time I stopped, it looked terrible (boxy and fraid on the ends).  I have curly hair and I'm not sure how to render that.  I'll play around with it a little more tomorrow.

Faber Castell Pitt Pen Demo

I went to a Faber Castell Pitt Pen demo by Don Colley at Texas Art Supply this past weekend.  By letting us have a peak into the contents of his sketchbooks, we were able to see a variety of effects that could be obtained with Pitt Pens.  He shared a few tips and tricks for achieving the effects, such as applying a layer of white grease pencil as a base for an area where you want a color to be brighter than it would be if it was applied directly to the paper. Apply the Pitt Pen over the grease pencil then smear or smudge to create various shaded/textured effects.  He discussed layering pens and putting ink on your fingers and then using them to apply the ink to the paper.  He also shared with us how he has perfected the ability to draw people without them knowing he's drawing them. If you set up your drawing surface in front of you at such an angle that all you have to do is move your eyes up from the paper to see your subject, you will not attract as much attention as you would if you had to move your head up and down to see them and then your paper.  You can move your eyes down quickly, when necessary, to avoid the person(s) seeing you looking at them.  

I admire people who  spend a lot of time drawing and sketching the scenes around them.  It's been long time desire of mine to sketch on a regular basis.  Maybe I'll make that my new year's resolution, but I'll have to learn to draw a lot faster if I want to be able to draw people or animals.  Maybe I'll just start with landscapes and buildings first :)

Check out Don's website www.buttnekkiddoodles.com.  And watch this video:


BTW, the demo was very effective as a means for selling product : ) I bought several new Pitt Pens in basic grays to practice value drawings with.  The friend who went with me also bought products mentioned during the demo. 

One other thing, anyone know where I can find an old ledger?  Used is okay. Don uses them a lot.  He said that in the old days they were usually made of rag paper so the ink from the pens they used would not soak through them.  Pitt Pens won't soak through them either so you can draw on both sides of a page without worrying about the ink soaking through.   Just another excuse to indulge my love of used old books?

Houston International Quilt Festival

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Phyllis and I braved the elements (torrential rains and flooding) in my little Mini Cooper convertible to attend the Houston International Quilt Festival.   If you've never been to the Quilt Festival, then you might not understand why we would have done this; however, if you have been to one and you're a quilter or crafter, then I need not explain.

We were in crafters' heaven for 8 hours straight.  All but 15 minutes were spent roaming the vendor aisles and having lunch.  Yes, tis very sad, but we only spent 15 minutes looking at a tiny little fraction of the beautiful quilts that filled over half the George R Brown Convention center.  The first 3 hours we were there we averaged 1 aisle per hour in the vendors section :)  After refueling, we hit the aisles again only this time we kicked it into high gear and covered many more aisles, but ran out of time, which was just as well since we were each already several hundred dollars poorer.  We didn't get to see a few of the aisles, but we were okay with that since, after awhile, it all started to look the same and, though we would have enjoyed seeing and buying even more, we were really tired.

Here are a few of the quilts we saw:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are some of the goodies I bought:

Beautiful baskets from Ghana, Sachiko pattern and supplies, ceramic hearts,
fat quarters, quilt board and pattern, i.e., a no sew quilt square

I also bought some felt balls and a felt pin cushion project from Handbehg Felt. The sellers in this booth were really nice and helpful and I fell in love with the projects they had on display.  I bought an assortment of felt balls with which to make a necklace, fringe for a scarf and a topiary like the one pictured below.  If you like felt projects, check out the free projects page on their site.  They have some really cute ones that would make great gifts.

 

Not pictured are the clothing items I bought, of which there were several :)

The Art of Drawing by Bernard Chaet

The Art of Drawing by Bernard Chaet (2nd ed.)

I'm so excited!  I love books.  I love art books.  I really love well-worn old books that have been loved by someone.  So when I got this old 2nd edition of The Art of Drawing by Bernard Chaet, I was in heaven.   It's been so loved and used, that the binding is coming apart!

"A well worn volume in nearly every artist’s library, The Art of Drawing, communicates how the basics of drawing are, in fact, the basics of seeing, and how seeing underpins visual invention in masterworks from the Renaissance to modernism". 

Almost every week in my drawing class, my instructor gets up from her desk, mid-lecture, to go to the cabinet in the corner of the room and start rummaging through her vast collection of art books, searching for one or more containing images that illustrate the concept she is talking about.  This past week, she pulled out a book to show us what we can do with ink wash.  She pulled out this wonderful book containing a section on student projects in which the students explore a theme for a period of time.  I was intrigued by the idea of studying the same subject for an extended period of time and exploring it in a multitude of ways.  In addition to this, I could see also from the age and condition of the book (binding coming undone) that this was a favorite book of hers.  I asked her the name of the book and when she told me "The Art of Drawing",  I knew from the name of the book, the condition that her copy and the few pages she shared with us, it was a must-have for me.  So, that night I went out searching for the book and found that it was no longer in print, but luckily I was able to find a copy on Ebay and I promptly bought it. 

So far, I've only perused the book, but I'm looking forward to delving into it further.  In the Preface, Mr. Chaet states  that the purpose of the book is "...to share with students and the general reader experiences I and my classes at Yale have had in resolving certain "problems" encountered in drawing."  My instructor frequently discusses our homework as "solutions" to the assigned problem.  I can't wait to dive into this book and see what "problems" are discussed and how the students and masters resolve them.

"The Window" project - effects of changing light

"One Tree" project - charcoal drawings of one tree

 

New Addition to My Art Collection

I'm so excited and can't wait to hang this painting.  I just bought "Market Day" from artist Brenda Furman.  I LOVE the colors and texture.  They made me say "WOW!!" the first time I saw this and Brenda's other paintings.  She uses such a bright and cheerful palette and her subjects are so lively.  This particular painting was inspired by her daily experiences from the time she lived in Cape Town, South Africa.  Brenda says she has yet to see anything here in the states that compares.  Brenda is a very nice lady with a lovely South African accent.  I love listening to her talk. 

As is the case with most of my art collection, I not only love the piece I have purchased, but I also have fond memories of the artist, and some place and/or time associated with each one.  This one will always bring me joy and remind me of my South African studio neighbor at Art Square Studios.

Packages in the Mail

I love getting little packages in the mail! Today, my order from Cathy McMurray arrived.  I had ordered one of her paintings online through her Etsy shop.  "One Fine Day" is a serene and cheery piece.  It came with a Certificate of Authenticity, a little gift card, thank you note and Cathy's biz card, each was a mini-print of her beautiful artwork. Opening this package was a perfect way to start my day :)

"One Fine Day" by Cathy McMurray

My First Open Studio

How did it go? Not bad...at least I didn't come away from it feeling like a big flop or anything :)  The five hours flew by because much of the time I spent catching up with dear old friends who stopped by to show their support for me. There's nothing like looking up at the door to see who is coming in and then realizing that the face you're seeing belongs to that of a friend you haven't seen in awhile.  It's a really good feeling.   

I owe big thanks to my friend Phyllis.  She was there by my side for the whole 5 hours.  She kept watch when I needed a break, helped with the pouring of tasty beverages :) and brought my attention to  potentially interested parties that I might otherwise have missed.  Thank you so much Phyllis!

I sold one painting to a really sweet friend and had an inquiry as to whether or not I was selling a piece of my student art.  I had been told to be prepared for such inquiries, and I was, sort of, but not really.  Next time I'll answer "yes" or "no", not "it could be".  Lesson learned : /

The day was definitely not a loss.  I had a good time, was able to catch up on the latest news with friends I hadn't seen in a while, met some new people, made a sale and took away a number of lessons learned. 

One lesson learned...take pictures for posting.  I was so busy, that I forgot to take pictures or ask someone to take pictures, so I have no pics to share with you : (  Oh well, maybe next time (that will be in April 2014).

Cindy 

Charcoal Drawing in High Key

The assignment from last's weeks drawing class was to draw a still life in the High, Medium or Low key.  Key being a term which describes the value range (light to dark) of the work.  We were free to setup our own still life and given suggestions as to what items to setup up under what lighting conditions provide conditions which would provide us with the proper items and light conditions to create the setup for our chosen key.  The pumpkin I drew last week was definitely in the medium range, so I wanted to try something difference.  I chose a rabbit figure( (in off-white) a white egg on a white bed of cotton inside a white cup.  I was aiming for high key and my instructor confirmed that I made it.  What do you think?

18" x 24" - "Easter Bunny?" by Cindy Jackson Griffin