Blood and Vapor:Threads

Watercolor, Oil Paint and Thread on Watercolor Paper I’ve packed this little painting with symbolism.  Another very personal piece. *A new series, “Blood And Vapor”.:   Who lingers within you?   Have you ever felt an ancestral presence?  The inescapable tie of family:hundreds of individuals, yesterday and today, here and gone.  A powerful resonance or …

Blood and Vapor Series Sketch

Pastel Pencil 8″x10″   Although I enjoyed making this sketch, I wasn’t really going anywhere.   It’s too literal, so I’m leaving it behind.  I’m working on lots of other solutions. So far, not much is really hitting the mark for the series*. *A new series, “Blood And Vapor”.:   Who lingers within you?   …

Two Sides

Two variations of K. There are so many ways to portray a subject.  Even when the portrait is figurative, a straight forward depiction of likeness; a literal likeness of an individual, it’s a challenge to decide which aspect of your model you want to highlight or capture.  That said, I’ve been playing with “sets”.  These …

A Slight Tint

This portrait was created with thin layers of oil on watercolor paper.  It was monochromatic (green hues). Later I tinted slightly in Photoshop. Happy Graduation L!

Watercolor Wednesday

This is a larger watercolor than I usually paint, at 15″ x 22″.  The color is also far more restrained than my usual watercolor experiments.  There is also a touch of acrylic in this mostly watercolor effort. Upon completion with the watercolor paint, I felt a need to lighten areas of the figure but found …

Little Weirdies

The bunny dancer from Watercolor Wednesday and the frog from Photo Friday chat in the forest under a shooting star.  

Watercolor Wednesday

Yes, you see a little white watercolor. Couldn’t help myself;)  

Experiments In Oil#3

I LOVE to paint portraits, people, figures, gestures.  In the hands of a skilled and thoughtful artist, Old Master or contemporary, there is no subject more compelling for me  than a portrait.  But, paintings of people can sometimes leave me less than satisfied.  They can sometimes appear to me, too pretty, or too gimmicky, too …

Experiments In Oil #1

I’m without a commission at the moment, so I’ve been pushing into “what if” territory in oil paint.  I’ve played with three paintings, all handled differently.  The subject is the same, though posture and expression vary greatly.  Above is the first.  I applied many more layers of glaze than I normally use, to see if …

Watercolor Wednesday

I’m just an amateur photographer, so sometimes great opportunities for marvelous shots are lost due to my inexperience.  This was the case recently when a spectacular heron modeled for me, but all my shots alas, came out blurry.  A photo disappointment for sure, but grist for some watercolor sketches.  Step 1 and 2 below.

Watercolor Wednesday

For those interested in process, above is the finish.  Below is the entire composition before I worked to my satisfaction.  I enjoy lifting the color to refine the painting. I may refine the finish a little more, but I will wait a day or two to see it with new eyes. The only downside of …

Watercolor Wednesday

It’s no secret that I very much enjoy painting drippy watercolor figures. Most of you also know that I don’t much enjoy painting figures in a scene.  Clearly, I need to push myself a bit, so here’s a comfortable compromise.    It’s a drippy magical creature (below) digitally manipulated to soar within a scene…of sorts.

Reflection On Reflections:A Collaboration

                                                                                               ©Karen McRae, 2012 Gifted artist/photographer Karen McRae  honored me …

Watercolor Wed. 15

Only had time for one this week.  Fantasy has been the theme lately so here she comes, a drippy fey.

Watercolor Wednesday 14

This week’s Watercolor Wed. was fun!  Approximately two minute sketches.  Simply a dip into color, a smash of brush tip and drag to get the drawing down.  Add color into wet and it’s done.  This is the order in which they happened.   -The last one is my favorite-

Watercolor Wed.13

Watercolor Landscape my way. I became so frustrated working traditionally with watercolor landscape, that I decided to make the experience mine and make peace with the fact that I don’t have the time/energy/interest in making it work. You can see the progression below including a quick and dirty Photoshop intervention.   Still no masterpiece, but …

Sketchbook:Early Fall

                       Sketchbook          Watercolor Pencil, White Gouache I adore the forest just before the leaves begin to turn. The greens begin to transition into varied shades. Some leaves have already fallen; brown and crunchy.  As the leaves thin, vines are on display. …

Watercolor Wed.12

I’m pushing a little farther into watercolor world with a figure + back round.  While I’m not absolutely thrilled with the outcome, I’m sort of pleased that I’m getting braver with the medium. Frankly, there are still a few stumbling blocks for me. Over -noodling is certainly a problem . I sometimes don’t know when …

Pause Series Addition

                                                                          Oil Study on Wood Panel I’m back to work on the Pause Series.  This time I’m disclosing the …

Watercolor Wed.12

My friend’s dog Hershey here. Hershey is a good doggie and the paint quickly became form, except for the right ear, which required definition. Alas, I feel back upon opacity.

Sketchbook-Two Natured

Graphite Some creature study inspired by Nitzus’s photo. There was something in the eyes of this babirusa that appeared both feral and docile to me. The cat and crow are weighing in.