Challenge 28. February, 2013

This is my failed experiment for this evening.  I had an idea, tried it and blew it.  The closer swan's beak got out of shape.  Anyhow, if you are going to laugh, don't laugh loud enough for me to hear because my feelings will be hurt.

This is about 4x5 with ink (Micron and Gelly Roll pens), some graphite (actually I just rubbed my dirty blending stump on it) and red colored pencil.

Sammy, Not laughing at all. the water looks very realistic and the swans look great. the only thing I might smile gently at is their beaks. Looks like they put on their lipstick and went on the town.:) Not sure I could manage jelly pens for these. Actually not really sure what Jelly pens are but their sound dificult! I guess they sound wobbly!

It seems we both had the same thought tonight as I did the swans too! I found a bit of slightly bent black canson paper and I dug out my CP's and came up with this. It was a challenge to get enough white on even with the white crayon but I think there is enough. It was fun playing with CP's I haven't used them in a while.

Sammy I had trouble with the bill of the front swan too.  I like your water and its texture.

Jan I had the same problem getting my swans white enough.I FINALLY WENT WITH ACONT'E CRAYON  that seemed to work the best

Jen, what a nice swan painting.  You got plenty white enough with the crayons.  The water looks very good.  Just those few lines behind the birds and the reflections is all that was needed.  Very nice.

The Gelly Roll pens work just like any other.  I don't know why they are called gelly roll or why they are spelled with a "g."  The ink rolls on very easily and they were more black than the Micron pens.  Maybe it has something to do with something like gelaton.

Sam nothing wrong at all I like the water and the reflections the shade of red might be a little bright but thats all good painting

Jen your swans are great you took the minimalist approach on the water just right for your painting good work

Made a bit more progress on the Small One today. I only had about an hour at art group today but did some on his eyes and nose. His  mouth is still not right and his left (our right eye is still not quite right) I think I need to lengthen the space between his nose and mouth and change the angle. I can see it more now it is up on the computer! Still adjusting values but some progress.

 

I thought you might (or might not) like a look at me at the art group space. We each have a space with table cupboards and drawers for our stuff and can go whenever we want. It's in an old Barracks. It's really nice.

 

Sarah, your water colour paint box ptg is very nice, love how it gives you all the colours. It must hold many wonderful memories of all your painting  trips.

Sam, I love your swans, the water looks shimmery and the swans look very white and very elegant.

Jen, the swirls in the water behind the swans makes them look like they have just arrived and they also look like they are talking to each other. They look good and there doens't seem to be any problem with enough white.  Your ptg of Small One is coming along nicely, I like what you have done. It's nice to see how you are developing this ptg and I love to see you in your work space. You must enjoy having a place to go and paint with other people.

Jen, the portrait of the Small One is shaping up.  You are getting some excellent skin tones.  I enjoyed seeing your work space at the barracks.  It's great that you have storage space for your equipment.  It's always so nice to work where other artists are working.  Thanks for sharing this.  

Jen you are Lucky to have a nice place to go and do your art.  I go to SICA (southern Indiana Center of the Arts) on Wed. and paint once a week.  I am the only male member of the painting group but it is nice to have others to do your art with.  We also have shows and other events at the center that makes it nice too.  I am going to bring up how you do your fund raiser and maybe we will be dong it too.

Sammy, Bonnie and Gerri, thanks . Yes it is a ideal place to paint and having the freedom to go whenever you want for as long as you want is really great. It is a wonderful use for these fine old buildings most of which are, sadly, just falling into disrepair and having to be pulled down.Gerri you are brave to share with a bunch of women!! Our ratio of men to women is about the same. We used to have a couple more men but they either moved or their health got too bad to come. I wish more men would come as they add new voices and ideas. I love painting with other artists and seeing and sharing ideas. Some in the group struggled at first without out lovely teacher, but everyone is finding their feet and realizing that she taught them more than they knew. She would be so happy for us and we feel her presence with us every day.

Sorry Jen I missed your post earlier I really like the way his eyes are done I don't see anything wrong before I read your comments I liked the eyes best I see you're working on your husbands painting at your painting site. I'm not lucky enough to have one near the closest is to take a course at one of the collages so mine is in our laundry room pantry combo

Thank you Kim, nice to hear from you. Looking forward to seeing your ptg Geri's Grandson.

I've attempted the kingfisher. I have had to laugh at all the confusion about the kingfisher really being a kingfisher because when I first saw it I thought it was a mistake because it is not like our kingfisher at all. I realized from comments that it was a kingfisher so I looked up on the internet and discovered there are many different kingfishers, you learn something new everday. This is a pastel on suaded paper 7 X 9.

 

Bonnie, wow you did a beautiful job with those pastels. Not easy that small. I love the soft back ground colours, and good detail on the trunk too. His tail looks a bit unfinished but overall very nice. These birds to vary a lot from place to place. The English Robin is the size of a sparrow so I was rather surprised at how big they are her in America.

Bonnie, this is a lovely rendition of the kingfisher.  I like the soft colors and the background.  The kingfisher is very nice and stately.  I'll have to try some of this paper.  I wonder if it is suede mat board?