challenge CHATTER - 2013

C. Brown wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 2:26 PM

Pear study #1 on 140lb. Arches rough, cold press at aprox. 6x10 inch. I'm probably not doing anymore to this but am going to use it for experimental paintings of the same pears. The scan lightened it up just a bit but you get the jest.

Kim513 wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 7:18 PM

Catherine - Your pears have such delicate texture and realistic coloring. Very nice. The pears seem the same value as the background, so something to keep in mind if doing a ptg. based on these. I'll send you something in black/white to really see what I'm talking about. Again, lovely washes on the pears. Experimental ptg.? Sounds intriguing.

C. Brown wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 8:18 PM

Thank you Kim. :) The scan lightened up the entire painting as the original has a slight value difference between the background and the pear colors. I know what you mean though as I did darken the background some what in order to adjust for the values. The problem I ran into was not having a more direct light on them so the entire composition is cast in pretty much the same light. I was a little unsure about making major value changes in the background and not adjusting the value changes in the rest of the painting. I suppose I could just imagine the background was not the color it was because I actually imagined the background idea as I didn't have a background when I set the pears up. My biggest issue was the dark ring that occured when I put the wash in for the pears and then added the background after. The edges on first pear on the left side is what I'm trying for and will keep working on that.  For me experimenting means painting something that isn't beige. I felt I was being radical mixing up such a green for the background but I really like it now that I did it. lol

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 8:54 PM

Catherine, nice study of weeds and grasses.  It's good to see you painting again.  I like the textures on the pears and table top.  Nice colors, too.

wetpaperfan wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 10:09 PM

Cath, I like the idea of documenting each sketch,  its like having a diary.  Your pears are really nice,  I look forward to the end painting that you made these studies for.   A complimentary background color could be considered as well.   the pears themselves are wonderful.  like your weeds and grasses.

Stock piling for fundraisers is a very good idea.  I will take advantage of that suggestion. Flower paintings are always a good bet.   Thank you Kim

Fred,   Great job with the Alcohol (hic) and credit cards.   hope you didn't spend tooo much...  and I see you did some blending on the path just outside the cave/crevice openings.  and the water blending on the sky.... great job.   I just put together a Duke Ellington Band.   They are in rehearsals now and plan the primere performance for March 30.  

Jim Great job with the  Appoloosa horse

my Eastern friends, I wish you all well for the next couple of days.....

Kim513 wrote

on 25 Feb 2013 10:14 PM

Catherine - The edges of your pears look great. "...experimenting means painting something that isn't beige."  Funny.  Look fwd. to seeing more of your work, experimental or otherwise - it's all lovely.

Berkenstock wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 12:12 AM

This is suposed to be my St Patties day card.  I am not too happy with it.  Face needs work, too much shadow under his neck and the sky is splotchy looking.  This is5 1/2 x 8 1/2  WC, Ink, and acrylics on bristol.  I guess I will send it off to my sisterinlaw and see if she likes it.  She was wanting to send out cards.

Berkenstock wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 12:20 AM

Nice shoes Marsha.

wetpaperfan wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 2:09 AM

Thanks Geri,   I changed my facebook avatar and someone suggested I take a picture of my shoe since they are my trademark.   everyone know I wear them everywhere.  no matter if I'm dressed up or not.   they have little glitter rhynos on the side of them   ...

OH so it was Cath that made the suggestion of "on hand paintings for fundraisers"   thanks to Catherine. 

Geri,   interesting Lephrechan ... is that supposed to be a shillelagh stick behind him?   

To All:

I don't know what is happening, but my email has quit alerting me when there are comments on either of these sites,    Artist Daily Challenge for February and Artist Daily chatter.   I have checked and I don't know why it is happening.   Is this happening to anyone else?

wetpaperfan wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 2:10 AM

Geri,   I see now that it is a tree.   sorry about that.   I love the gold coins coming out of the rainbow... how how I wish....

C. Brown wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 6:16 AM

Thank you everyone for you feedback. I just want you to know that I actually like the color beige I just don't like feeling beige. I guess I should have been more specific but I instead was again being "beige".  Been a long winter.

Geri I like you St. Patties Day painting very much. Do you like Bristol board?

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 8:06 AM

I almost missed these two paintings by Fred and Jim. 

Fred,  you are doing so well with those pastels.  I thought that the rocky ground had been done with your credit cards but I guess not since it is pastel.  It looks really good in pastel, too.

Jim, nice painting.  One can feel the motion of the horse expecially since he is kicking up dust.  This is a nice, bright painting.

Kim513 wrote

on 26 Feb 2013 9:29 AM

JIM & FRED - Sorry I missed the last pg..

Fred - looks like you're really enjoying varied techniques while your bear gets to enjoy a stroll. Speaking of techniques, I have a watercolor ptg. by an artist/friend who did not use a brush for the entire ptg.. I enjoy it for the sake of the ptg, but it is interesing how varied tech. can be used as a means to accomplish diff. textures.

Jim - Your Indian/Horse ptg. is a departure from your usual themes, and you did very well with it. The colors go together nicely.

Jen & Marsha - I'm relieved you found who to attribute the great idea to! I did look back to see if I could figure it out, but I must have missed it. Yep, an idea worth noting - I'm just not that clever to have thought of it.

Catherine - Speaking of ideas...you've given me one based on our exchange about values in a ptg's background. I sometimes don't plan ahead as much as I should, etc.. So, I'm thinking of scanning a ptg. and then printing several times on a lightwt. watercolor paper to try out diff. sorts of backgrounds just to play around. This is provided my printer will handle the paper and the copy is suitable. Of course re-doing it vs. copying woud work for an exercise, but I'm much too lazy to re-do things. Getting a rough idea in Photoshop may be helpful too, but it's just not the same as playing with the actual watercolor for its unique washes or textures. I think for practice, the idea of printing copies to play with may be fun to try...thanks for the idea starter.

Marsha - Do you have a bunch of those shoes? I'm wondering how fast they wear out if you wear them so much. They look snazzy so a good choice, and it's great to see something that you are known for.

Geri - I love this card! Your sis-in-law is bound to love it too. Hope you make many copies and save some for yourself. I think the leprechaun is adorable as is - wouldn't change a thing. Your grass is lovely too.