Playing with Watercolor

This weeks images are from an experiment.  Not being very familiar with watercolor paints, I decided to play around with them a bit. This first attempt I let the watercolor flow and be organic in some areas, such as the wings. For the background I used a technique I learned when working with dyes on silk, which is using salt to absorb the moisture, leaving a texture behind.
 

I was not satisfied with the out come of this first layer because the colors were too muted and pastel.  After some time, I decided to go back over some areas with gouache.  Since I have a little more experience with gouache, I was a little more successful in achieving the bold colors I was after.

I am slightly happier with the outcome with the second layer.  I player around with complimentary colors to make it pop a little more.  I still do not think the image is completed though.  I think I might go into it yet again, this time maybe with colored pencil or water color pencil.  Something to add a little definition to some areas, like the head and legs.  I feel those are lacking something.



 Maybe I will be more successful with the gargoyle on my next try.  For the time being though, I think I will set this one aside and go back to what I am familiar with for the next post. So come back soon and see my next pencil portrait!

Finished Work

Here's the finished commission I was working on.  Very pleased with the outcome! I've added the original photo I was working from for comparison.  I really enjoyed working on this piece.  I hope it's just the start of many more!

Sneak Peak!

I apologize in the lateness of this weeks post. I am working on a commissioned piece, and should have a final image to post soon. In the mean time, here's a teaser....

This is just a scan of the rough sketch on the canvas. The final is acrylic on a 11 x 14 canvas.  As I was prepping the canvas, I was brought back to my days in college, spending late nights stretching canvas and painting on many layers of gesso. I had forgotten how relaxing I found the methodolical task of stretching a cavas! It's a good way to start off the relationship with the painting, one staple at a time. And the sound of the thump the taught cavas makes when it's done is so satisfing, just like a drum!

Besides using this piece for my portfolio, I am also using it as a test to get an approximate time on how long a portrait takes me.  I am building my portfolio so that I can someday put it up on Etsy and commission portraits that way, and by have a good idea of what I can do in what length of time I will have a good grasp on a pricing scale. Where the painting stands now, including the work that went into what is pictured above, I am roughly about 3.5 hours in, and doing well. Should have it completed this evening or tomorrow.  At this point, I am very excited about it and can't wait to finish up to share with my customer and all of you! 

Check back in a few days for the final image!

Drawing Poe



                             Poe                       2012

When brainstorming for who to draw a portrait of for this week, I thought back on stories I have recently read.  Not so long ago, I read The Murders in the Rue Morgue , by Edgar Allen Poe, which is the first contemporary detective story to be put onto paper.  This story went onto inspire Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write the Sherlock Holmes series of short stories, which I have also read quite a few of.  I figured since Poe inspired me to spend endless nights reading these stories, the least I could do is draw a picture of him.   

Since Poe has some dark and slightly exaggerated features I decided to work in charcoal for his portrait.  This lead to both good and bad elements to the finished piece.   The charcoal worked well in the eye area because there was more drama and contrast.  I was able to achieve the dark shadows I wanted using the charcoal, therefore ending up with more detail and realism in the eyes.

Close up of eyes

However, when I moved to the chin area, I encountered an issue.  I was not able to blend the charcoal as smoothly in the mid-tone grey.  It left some harsher looking lines within the shaded area.  It is a minor issue, but a pet peeve of mine.  I think with a little more practice, I will be able to avoid this issue in the future.

Close up of chin

Next week I'm going to change it up a bit from my recent work.  I have a fun drawing of a gargoyle that I am going to be adding some fun colors to with watercolor or gouache.  Also, my portrait of the week will be a pet portrait in acrylic paint.   Please tune in and see how it's going!

As far as this week goes, I would love to hear what your favorite art medium is and if you have any pet peeves with it.