challenge CHATTER - 2012

Berkenstock wrote

on 1 Dec 2012 8:51 PM

Jen your fall scene was nice but it needed a focal point.  To me it looked like your eye followed the water and it lead you out of the picture.

I thank all of you that made comments on my feather.

Berkenstock wrote

on 1 Dec 2012 9:02 PM

Bob nice work on your lion.  I don't know if i could do something like that in such a public place.  I would feel too self conscious .  I have just recently began taking my sketch book to the Dr. office and to get my tires changed.  I set back in a corner and observe and sketch away.  So far nobody has noticed and if the did they didn't say anything.  I have been thinking about going to our hospital and sketching.  They have a big aquarium in one waiting room and a small averiy in the lobby.

Bob in SF wrote

on 1 Dec 2012 10:20 PM

Thanks kindly Jen and Geri.

Geri - glad to hear you are out and about with some art media.  In 50+ years of drawing and sculpting - mostly out of doors - I can't remember a discouraging word from anyone in a public place.  But I'll admit that I spend most of my time with adventurous souls.  I could never figure out why art is so often a solitary pursuit, and so unlike ensemble music.  I get little heads-up emails from the SF Mission District muralists when they are out doing their huge and beautiful "team renderings" - pure joy to behold.

- Bob

PS:  Finished the gourdophonium/gourdinet - made 2 different adapter-receivers for euphonium and clarinet mouthpieces; had to lathe-turn and interpose a walnut wood spacer to pitch correct for the clarinet mouthpiece; could not integrate the foil leaves without unwanted resonant frequencies, but will use them for kalimba, drums, etc.;  here's the gourdinet (? clarigourd) version:

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 12:06 AM

Bob, what fun!  The gourdinet/clarigourd is certainly interesting and creative.  Wish I could hear its sound.  Enjoy making music with this conversation piece.

C. Brown wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 11:01 AM

Very cool Bob! I love those colors too.

I've been working on this watercolor. It's taken me two weeks just to paint the cement black bird and the antique watercolor box. I'm hoping to get out of this funk I've been in and at least get the leaves on top of the box started today. It's still wet from the last glaze color on top but the top is a darker reddish brown and the bottome is a lighter color wood.

Bob in SF wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 11:09 AM

Sam - many thanks!  When the instrument set is complete, I'll multi-track record them and post a link to a YouTube video. 

Further water and fire explorations:

Going back into mixing watercolor and "firecolor" this AM, still intrigued by the heat/fire-driven pigment/color shifts; steps:

1)  loose saturated (homemade) watercolor washes on well-sanded birch wood

2)  pyrography with small ball point sized tip

3)  creme brulee torching to further the color shifting

(respirator mask, exhaust fan, little fire extinguisher handy)

I hadn't heard of this technique, but there must have been scores of cave people doing it without benefit of cameras.

Happy Sunday to all.

- Bob

Bob in SF wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 11:11 AM

Catherine - thanks!  Your bird is looking good - subtle modeling!

- Bob

C. Brown wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 11:23 AM

Thanks Bob. The bottom of the box looks crooked but it's not. I just can't take a good picture. lol

I really like the butterfly you've done. What an interesting way to get to the final result. I haven't experiment much with the watercolors yet but will eventually.

bernof wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 1:16 PM

Hi all, I have to visit my Eye Doc. next week so I painted this to go with another I done that's hanging in his reception room. Mixed gouache and watercolor 11x14 140# arches CP

Fred

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 2 Dec 2012 1:58 PM

Catherine, the blackbird and wooden box painting is looking good.  I like the textures on the bird.  The box has a nice wood grain.  I'm eager to see what color the leaves will be.

To get a photo that is not distorted the painting has to be level.  If you put it on an easel or lean it against the wall, it won't be level.  I take my paintings out to the porch and put it on the ground in the shade.  I like it best if the shade is real close to a sunny spot although I never put it in the sun.  I straddle the painting, focusing at the center of the picture.  Then I move the top of the camera up and done until the image in the view finder is not distorted.  I usually take at least half a dozen photos and choice the best.

Bob, the butterfly is beautiful.  I love what the firing did to the background colors and the butterfly.  Wonderful colors.  Excellent drawing.  This is so brillant since the orange and yellow are against the complement blue-purple.  This is a little treasure.

I'll be eagerly watching for the YouTube video.

Fred, now that's a bug eye!!!  Really cute painting.  The doc will love it.