2013 ALL MEDIA PHOTO CHALLENGE---January #27

NZJen wrote

on 27 Jan 2013 8:09 PM

Sam, love that zentangle, a whole new world! Does it really need more detail? I liked the variety, and the way you kept the form.

Berkenstock, if all else fails you could photograph your blue jay with your camera at an angle :-)

Good tip about the beer..!

Turps245 wrote

on 27 Jan 2013 9:12 PM

Well I had a go at the chicks. Pencil in my sketchbook.

I got tied up with their feet so put them in the grass!

B.J. Bailey wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 12:34 AM

A nice sketch of the chicks Jen. You gave them lots of personality and I like the grass under their feet.

NZJen wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 12:40 AM

Hi - I've had a further play with my blue jay,  after the feedback.

The first photo is the update and the second is the original.

NZJen

NZJen wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 12:46 AM

The reason for the rather evil look on the face of my bird is I cant get the pencil to rub off on this postcard-sized watercolor paper :-)

So maybe he could be the 'old' part of the challenge...

wetpaperfan wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 1:28 AM

 Jen:  It certainly cheered me up.   hic !

 Jen:  I love your wee chicks...  and the seeds and weeds give it realistic life.  they are sooo adorable.  you and those pencils sure get a work out,  when did you find time with the little Ones ...?    

NZ Jen:  I like your new Jay, great job with the watercolors.    I don't think he had a mean look, more of a placid look like he is thinking about something...

Sam:  Thank you about the avatar...  someone took it at the club when I was making an announcement.    I did a  Blue Jay this evening as well...  I used my new color shaper... will post

wetpaperfan wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 1:33 AM

Alex:  thank you for the paper.   here is my Blue Jay on Wallis paper 4x6 with Mungyo soft pastel the back ground I did a new technique with water color, it works great on wallis paper.   I LOVE The paper LOVE IT!   it is so yummy....   and Sam, I got the color shapers and what fun to use them.   This will be a trip working with pastels....  

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 2:49 AM

NZJen, thank you.  No, the blue jay does not need more detail.  It isn't meant to be realism.  Your updated blue jay is looking good.  I like the bright blues.  I also don't think that his face looks evil.  He looks alert.  It doesn't brother me that the pencil lines are still visible in some places.  I like that look.  Did you try to lift them with a kneaded eraser?

Jen, yes, where did you find the time to sketch with family visiting?  That shows real dedication.  Your chicks are adorable.  Good example of light against dark.  I particularly like the two chicks on the left.  You captured their baby plumpness.  They look like they are intrigued by us.  You grounded them well with shadows and grasses.

Marsha, you're already a pro with those pastels.  That is a stately looking bird with great colors.  I love the spread tail.  The nice, bright highlight in his eye gives him life.  The post looks good and the transition between bird and post is artistic.  The watercolor background is beautiful.  I often paint a watercolor background first.  That works best with pastel, oil pastel and colored pencil.  Your background has a nice, fresh, free feeling.

wetpaperfan wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 3:15 AM

Thank you Sam,  I wish I had tried the Oil Pastel, but these are the soft pastels very powdery and messy.  I just got them and thought I would give them a try,  I will wait until the weather turns better before I try the oil pastel.  I did consider warming them up but where I sit its kind of chilly.  I wear long leggings and have a blanket over my lap all the time.  and I am wearing a jacket.   AND ITS LAS VEGAS!!!   and the desert.... and the southwest....  you'd think I could warm up a little bit.......  hmmmm kinda went crazy with that description hmmmmmm....    oh we cross posted,  I see you corrected the OIL in pastel,,, tee hee.... lololololo

B.J. Bailey wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 7:27 AM

Very nice blue jays, NZJen and Marsha. NZJen your update is good and I didn't notice the pencil until I read your comments. Marsha, love the pastel jay. You have certainly captured a jay with the colour and stance. I like the water colour background as well.

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 7:32 AM

Marsha, did you do your watecolor background on the blue jay painting using wax paper or plastic wrap or some such?

jm7445 wrote

on 28 Jan 2013 7:34 AM

Jen - Great job on the chicks.