I thought I would keep working on trees now and then. It’s similar to studying the figure, except they vary more, and have a more random element added to them, but they do have limbs. This is the first step of the underpainting.
Now I’ve added the clumps of leaves. The underpainting helps me work out the shapes, and negitive space.
We went Museum hopping in Minneapolis this weekend, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and Weismann Art Museum and Bell Museum at U of M.
“Frank” Chuck Close
Best of all was the MIA, I enjoyed seeing the German Expressionists, the Cubists, Surrealists, and the French impressionists, but what left the biggest impression on me was this painting by Chuck Close. He is so imposing and 3d dimensional in person. I appreciate the difficulty, having painted heads that size on billboards in Detroit when I was a young adult. For billboards though we never painted them with that degree of realism because the images were seen from hundreds of feet away. Drips were not even visible. In this painting each hair and skin folical was articulated. I would love to see one of Chuck Close’s later works with the broken color, and be able to view it from different distances.
A Self portrait by Chuck Close
I’m recharged and ready to get home and make my humble art. It’s all about the process and the journey. I do it for myself, and it brings me joy!
I played with a new tool today! It falls between a palette knife and a brush. They are most similar to painting with a spatchella. They are called Mini Blades. They have a little bit of a lighter touch than a palette knife.
I’m satisfied with the outcome, but look forward to practicing with them more and doing a bigger painting. A nice heavy bodied paint is best.
They’re used like a palette knife, but have more give. Apply or move paint from the top, side, and back of the blade. The edge is not actually like a blade it’s very blunt and flexible.
The full name of the product is Princeton Catalyst Mini Blades. Dick Blick sells them.
If you are interested in palette knife painting, I highly reccomend them.
Oil on Stretched Canvas 16″x20″
This is another painting I did with light through the trees. They are more translucent, and sparse. It’s challenging, I had to do it a couple times before I was satisfied. It’s all about the negitive space, the holes, trying not to create patterns, and making it random. I think it would be beneficial to do more of these in the near future.
I finished “School Under the Trees” this afternoon. 12″x16″ acrylic on stretched canvas. Will be auctioned to help raise money to build a school in South Sudan.
Detail of foreground.
Blocked out where there was too many leaves. Put in some of the background elements. Reworked the sketch in of the people. Might have to do more with all of that. Then I will work on the ground, and the picture has gallery edges.
Close up of detail
My little nature girl turns sixteen today! I painted this when she was little. 12″x 16″ oil on stretched linen.
I painted the tree, the most challenging part of the painting. Painting the holes to shape the negitive space of the light coming through the trees is the final step of this part.
Here is part of the detail.
An underpainting for “School Under the Trees.” I illustrated a book about the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” used to raise enough funds to a build school in South Sudan. Construction will begin soon. 🙂
This is a painting I’m creating for their annual auction. Underpainting made with fluid acrylics, 12″x16″x1.5″ stretched canvas.
My dog ate my watercolor painting! (See innocent dog below) I have very few watercolor paintings, because it’s not the medium I’m accustomed to using. At least I have a good scan of it. “Baby Portabellas” (size unknown) I kept the remnants, maybe I will think of something to do with them.
“Good Ol’ Ace”
'Art should serve a purpose other than itself.' Kath Kollwitz. 'Painting is drawing on canvas and engraving is drawing on copper and nothing else. Drawing is execution and nothing else'. (Blake,c.1809)
Wildlife and Travel Photography, Filming and Production, News
Discovering the joy of art
Exploring the 'Everyday' through Art.
Kunst- und Projektraum / Mommsenstrasse 8, 10629 Berlin
The journey of being an artist.
Dawn A. Grider Art Able - Artist and Private Art Teacher
Emma's Art and Artistic Explorations
Born a Yaad | Adventuring Abroad™
Submit the first 10 pages of your script, get feedback from professionals, and get your screenplay performed by professional actors. At least 2-5 winners every single month.
We’re just inviting you to take a timeout into the rhythmic ambiance of our breakfast, brunch and/or coffee selections. We are happy whenever you stop by.
Just your average PhD student using the internet to enhance their CV
Poetry by Valeria Castellanos
Showcasing the best of female talent. Filmmakers and Screenwriters
Writing, Books & Authors News
God, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji, Dr. Harbhajan Singh, Biji Surinder Kaur, Kirpal Sagar, Unity of Man, Spirituality, Love, Compassion, Peace, Non-Violence, Right Understanding, Consciousness, Togetherness, Religions, Mind, Maya
TracyB.art 