Hi again - me back for the 3rd time this week!
It's OK, it really is me again! Another couple of things that have crept into my head recently, and I had forgotten to pass on are these 2 little items.
Firstly, I read a few months back about primarily American artists who like to use heavy brown paper for using watercolours, and Gouache paints on. If I recall correctly there was some kind of debate as to how easily acquired these painting booklets were - they were becoming somewhat elusive. The deep and mid-toned browns this sort of paper provides gives a unique base for some wonderful works, and it needn't be expensive.
Some purists prefer to buy ready made booklets of this paper to carry out into the field with them or wherever, and it is possible to track some of these down, but, for a fraction of the outlay, you can still buy the good old fashioned wrapping paper - primarily from the post office that will do just as good a job. You can use this paper in your own individually sized pieces, or if feeling crafty can make them into your own personal booklets. If you want to be even more adventurous - then why not use the inside of some cardboard boxes found in everyday use? My gouache paints imparticular are being tried out on this method.
My second thought concerns acryilics. Since I have been back painiting and have discovered acrylics which were never around "when I we're a lad!" I have always used Reeves Acrylics, even after trying several other brands, and been very pleased with their results on my work. All of my finished acrylics on my web pages are done using them. Results on my style of work have been so good that I recommend them, as at the top of the blog. But recently I have seen another brand which seems to have revolutionised this form of medium, so I have bought a small set and am going to have a go with them. Once I have had a couple of attempts with them, I will let you know my thoughts on them.
There is no way that I would jump ship purely for the sake of it, or for "fashionable" reasons, but if something really improves your work, or the way you work, then it would be foolish not to have a try with it and find out for yourself.
So, whatever your style of art - then please enjoy it.
Paul
Friday, 12 February 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Pen & Ink
Good morning to you all across the World!
I hope you are well, and while I have not been able to post for the last 2 weeks, I hope your sketching is coming on leaps and bounds!!! You have been doing some - I hope?
The last 2 sessions of the Life Drawing Group (LDG) I have been to I have taken my ink pens, using just them for the first Monday, and in a combination with some watercolours for the second Monday which was this week. Having gone through quite a selection process of deciding which materials etc to use since joining the LDG, I thought I had all the final decisions made - but alas no.
The initial poses are very short, but it's good to get loosened up, ready for the longer ones. This now means only one thing - and it does not include mixing paint for a 1 minute pose! So pencil or ink pen for these it is then. In addition I have decided not to draw the full body instead deciding to mainly go for the top half of the body, which will give me slightly more time to try and get a decent sketch done. When a pose has been done to my liking, and there is time to spare, I use this time to practice the bits we normally miss or take for granted like ears, hands and feet. Hopefully these will pay off and I will see an improvement over the weeks and months.
My longer pose time was taken with a combination of ink and watercolour, some coming out OK and others not so, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not every session will be a good productive one in terms of quality of work, but it is never a waste. As long as you can see your own faults, and think about how to correct them, then it has been a good session, and that's a big part of what counts.
Whatever your art, until next time - enjoy it.
Hopefully some scans of my recent works will appear over the weekend.
Paul
I hope you are well, and while I have not been able to post for the last 2 weeks, I hope your sketching is coming on leaps and bounds!!! You have been doing some - I hope?
The last 2 sessions of the Life Drawing Group (LDG) I have been to I have taken my ink pens, using just them for the first Monday, and in a combination with some watercolours for the second Monday which was this week. Having gone through quite a selection process of deciding which materials etc to use since joining the LDG, I thought I had all the final decisions made - but alas no.
The initial poses are very short, but it's good to get loosened up, ready for the longer ones. This now means only one thing - and it does not include mixing paint for a 1 minute pose! So pencil or ink pen for these it is then. In addition I have decided not to draw the full body instead deciding to mainly go for the top half of the body, which will give me slightly more time to try and get a decent sketch done. When a pose has been done to my liking, and there is time to spare, I use this time to practice the bits we normally miss or take for granted like ears, hands and feet. Hopefully these will pay off and I will see an improvement over the weeks and months.
My longer pose time was taken with a combination of ink and watercolour, some coming out OK and others not so, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not every session will be a good productive one in terms of quality of work, but it is never a waste. As long as you can see your own faults, and think about how to correct them, then it has been a good session, and that's a big part of what counts.
Whatever your art, until next time - enjoy it.
Hopefully some scans of my recent works will appear over the weekend.
Paul
Monday, 25 January 2010
A Starry Night?
Hello everyone - how's things?
First off, a new follower who has taken time to join since the last post is - Freya - whom I welcome and thank, appreciating your efforts, plus the cheeky threat that you may even get round to reading the blog. That just fills me with encouragement - hahahahah!
After my last post which featured a Van Gogh, I thought about making the dubious link between a second work of his - Starry Night and tonight's Life Drawing Group. This is the second of his works that I have done, and is also on a 24"x18" stretched canvass, wrap-around painted and is not framed or mounted etc. I did it using acrylic paint, maybe 2 years ago at the time of writing, and must readily admit - it was a lot harder to work on than I imagined!
On first looks, this seemed a reasonably straightforward piece to do - few swirls etc, but with all truly great Masters, they are a lot harder and more complex than you ever initially thought.
First off, a new follower who has taken time to join since the last post is - Freya - whom I welcome and thank, appreciating your efforts, plus the cheeky threat that you may even get round to reading the blog. That just fills me with encouragement - hahahahah!
After my last post which featured a Van Gogh, I thought about making the dubious link between a second work of his - Starry Night and tonight's Life Drawing Group. This is the second of his works that I have done, and is also on a 24"x18" stretched canvass, wrap-around painted and is not framed or mounted etc. I did it using acrylic paint, maybe 2 years ago at the time of writing, and must readily admit - it was a lot harder to work on than I imagined!
On first looks, this seemed a reasonably straightforward piece to do - few swirls etc, but with all truly great Masters, they are a lot harder and more complex than you ever initially thought.Nothing worth it's while is ever easy, and that is exactly what I discovered working on this, but I also learned how to understand his style of painting a little, and now appreciate this type of work that much more.
So there you have it - two great paintings by one truly great artist (his - not mine!), but I hope you have anjoyed my attempts at his work.
It is something that anyone can actually have a go at. You don't have to be an expert at anything artwise - just find a work you like (hopefully a simple one to start with), look very closely and study it before you attempt anything, then just go for it - nothing ventured nothing gained is the phrase. One saying a TV artist always used - "If you get a painting or sketch wrong, what does it matter, what have you done except waste a piece of paper?" I am sure you will enjoy it, and learn into the bargain.
Oh - and the link with tonight's Group? - I hope it's a "starry night" as far as my sketching goes!
Whatever your art - enjoy it. Until next time,
Paul
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Van Gogh
G'Day (I'm in Australian mode!)
No new followers of the blog since last time, so none to mention ............................
Earlier this week I posted that recently I made a sale of one of my works - and seeing that the photograph of it has now been located, I can now tell you a little more about it, so please read on below.
It is one of my acrylics, painted with Reeves Acrylic paints on a pre-streatched canvass measuring 24"x18", un-framed or mounted, except with the sides being painted in sort of a wrap-around style. The whole thing was one of the first I hade done using my now much beloved Rosemary & Co Shiraz acrylic painting brushes, and as such, has a sort of special sentimental appeal to me.
But I paint to enjoy, and hopefully sell one or two to go buy some more paint and maintain the cycle - so away it goes.
Although all I basically did was try and have a go at copying the Master - I really did enjoy working on it, and had a great time looking, trying out and working in the ways of a great painter.
No expert as I am at all, but looking at Van Gogh's use of colour, and the way he uses his strokes etc really appeal to me and to millions around the world. As you may have read on other pages on here - I love the use of big, bright, bold colours. Maybe this bloke goes some way to accomplishing that!
Last piece of this blog is also good news - just how much can we all stand? As an addition to this sale I have also received two commissions; one to paint a scene of Whitby Harbour, the second to include Whitby Abbey for a "Born again Goth". How's that for a challenge and a bit of variety? There are no stipulations as to size or which medium to use, but be sure you will all be among the first to hear once it is decided!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
No new followers of the blog since last time, so none to mention ............................
Earlier this week I posted that recently I made a sale of one of my works - and seeing that the photograph of it has now been located, I can now tell you a little more about it, so please read on below.
It is one of my acrylics, painted with Reeves Acrylic paints on a pre-streatched canvass measuring 24"x18", un-framed or mounted, except with the sides being painted in sort of a wrap-around style. The whole thing was one of the first I hade done using my now much beloved Rosemary & Co Shiraz acrylic painting brushes, and as such, has a sort of special sentimental appeal to me.
But I paint to enjoy, and hopefully sell one or two to go buy some more paint and maintain the cycle - so away it goes.
Although all I basically did was try and have a go at copying the Master - I really did enjoy working on it, and had a great time looking, trying out and working in the ways of a great painter.
No expert as I am at all, but looking at Van Gogh's use of colour, and the way he uses his strokes etc really appeal to me and to millions around the world. As you may have read on other pages on here - I love the use of big, bright, bold colours. Maybe this bloke goes some way to accomplishing that!
Last piece of this blog is also good news - just how much can we all stand? As an addition to this sale I have also received two commissions; one to paint a scene of Whitby Harbour, the second to include Whitby Abbey for a "Born again Goth". How's that for a challenge and a bit of variety? There are no stipulations as to size or which medium to use, but be sure you will all be among the first to hear once it is decided!
Whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Brushes
Hi there.
Not long since the last post (a day or so), therefore no new followers to welcome. I have been lucky having reached so many up to now, therefore I'm not downhearted.
What I am upbeat about though, is that after working my first children's art group of the year, I also got to enjoy my first adult group meeting too after an hours break for tea etc. YESSSS! - it felt good to pick up the brushes once again in anger - so to speak. It's alright using them whilst "home alone", where you can practice or potter about, but to use them properly in the company of other artists - amateur or not, is always a good thing.
One of the main benefits of being part of an informal group is the friendly banter that goes on, helping to lift and lighten anything that you may be nervous or uneasy with. There are times when you need to be alone, working solitary to ensure your maximum concentration, but also times for the help that you receive from people who see things you are working on, or perhaps struggling with, from a different angle, but still with an artisitc "eye". Last night was one of those nights, and I received help from everyone in the group, they all contributed positively to my latest project - a real team effort. Never be afraid or shy to ask!
My current project is an acrylic, and invloves me using my favourite brushes for this medium - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz - a really nice synthetic bristled brush that holds good quantities of colour but is responsive enough to your every touch. I like using these a lot, and amateur as I am - I highly recommend them.
Not enough time for me to post about my recently sold work, but I promise it will be in the next one, I just need a little more time to sort one or two bits out, so, whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Not long since the last post (a day or so), therefore no new followers to welcome. I have been lucky having reached so many up to now, therefore I'm not downhearted.
What I am upbeat about though, is that after working my first children's art group of the year, I also got to enjoy my first adult group meeting too after an hours break for tea etc. YESSSS! - it felt good to pick up the brushes once again in anger - so to speak. It's alright using them whilst "home alone", where you can practice or potter about, but to use them properly in the company of other artists - amateur or not, is always a good thing.
One of the main benefits of being part of an informal group is the friendly banter that goes on, helping to lift and lighten anything that you may be nervous or uneasy with. There are times when you need to be alone, working solitary to ensure your maximum concentration, but also times for the help that you receive from people who see things you are working on, or perhaps struggling with, from a different angle, but still with an artisitc "eye". Last night was one of those nights, and I received help from everyone in the group, they all contributed positively to my latest project - a real team effort. Never be afraid or shy to ask!
My current project is an acrylic, and invloves me using my favourite brushes for this medium - Rosemary & Co's Shiraz - a really nice synthetic bristled brush that holds good quantities of colour but is responsive enough to your every touch. I like using these a lot, and amateur as I am - I highly recommend them.
Not enough time for me to post about my recently sold work, but I promise it will be in the next one, I just need a little more time to sort one or two bits out, so, whatever your art - enjoy it!
Paul
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Recent Events
Hello - quick tea-break for you!
A new member since last time is Rosemary - and I thank you Rosemary for taking the time to register as a follower - I appreciate it. There are a few other people who are also trying to join as followers, but seem to be having trouble registering, so we may have some new friends in a few days time. I am trying to do what I can to help them, but I hope they are patient, persevere and my "help" pays off!
Last Monday the Life Drawing Group was not on, so that was that, and I was not well enough to go to the 2 kids groups and the adult group I attend locally. So, no art groups - no genius to work that out!
Yesterday it was unsure if the same Life Drawing Group was on or not, and I was the only one from our group who could make it, so I decided not to go, especially seeing as I'm not in possession of a phone number. This afternoon I start back at the kid's art group, and tonight I am looking forward to the adults group too!
So there you have it - short and sweet, so to speak. Don't worry though, I will get down to the next posting soon, with news of a sale! Yes - I do sell some of my works now and again.
Until next time - whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
A new member since last time is Rosemary - and I thank you Rosemary for taking the time to register as a follower - I appreciate it. There are a few other people who are also trying to join as followers, but seem to be having trouble registering, so we may have some new friends in a few days time. I am trying to do what I can to help them, but I hope they are patient, persevere and my "help" pays off!
Last Monday the Life Drawing Group was not on, so that was that, and I was not well enough to go to the 2 kids groups and the adult group I attend locally. So, no art groups - no genius to work that out!
Yesterday it was unsure if the same Life Drawing Group was on or not, and I was the only one from our group who could make it, so I decided not to go, especially seeing as I'm not in possession of a phone number. This afternoon I start back at the kid's art group, and tonight I am looking forward to the adults group too!
So there you have it - short and sweet, so to speak. Don't worry though, I will get down to the next posting soon, with news of a sale! Yes - I do sell some of my works now and again.
Until next time - whatever your art - please enjoy it.
Paul
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Sketching Part 3 Then!
Hi everyone - hope you have a few moments to spare!
Luckily the blog still continues to grow, and I'm really excited about it, with new followers who have taken the time to join since the last posting being - Bailey, JackT and Jenny - thank you all for joining and I really do appreciate your support.
The last couple of posts I have been, to be honest, a little worried about, thinking that they might have been a bit on the long side, so this one is going to be shorter - on purpose. By making it a little shorter it will give you all the chance to get your sketching practice well and truly running, and for one lady who is lagging so far behind already, to eventually get started (she knows who she is, but we don't mention names to purposely embarass folk, do we J.. whoops, almost let slip).
So all I really intend doing on this posting is to further show you what I mean by the use of shading, and how it can enhance your sketches. Below I have posted 3 sketches - done as I have told you before - light pencil, then ink pen over when you are happy with them, then lift off the pencil with the soft putty eraser. These are not my originals - I never lay claim to anything that is not completely mine, but they do show what I mean quite well. Simple lines can help dramatically, but also note the lack of a background leaves them "floating".
Well I hope this is enough to help guide you along what I am trying to explain. A simple line can show, on this occasion, the woodwork of the handles, and then the criss-crossed lines showing differing levels of shading, tone and texture all go to complete the subject. Now imagine these done with a background, be it on the floor as if they were standing upright, or with back shading, as if leant up against a wall etc.
Just in case you were wondering, they are old style peat cutting tools - now you can sleep!
Until next time, whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
Luckily the blog still continues to grow, and I'm really excited about it, with new followers who have taken the time to join since the last posting being - Bailey, JackT and Jenny - thank you all for joining and I really do appreciate your support.
The last couple of posts I have been, to be honest, a little worried about, thinking that they might have been a bit on the long side, so this one is going to be shorter - on purpose. By making it a little shorter it will give you all the chance to get your sketching practice well and truly running, and for one lady who is lagging so far behind already, to eventually get started (she knows who she is, but we don't mention names to purposely embarass folk, do we J.. whoops, almost let slip).
So all I really intend doing on this posting is to further show you what I mean by the use of shading, and how it can enhance your sketches. Below I have posted 3 sketches - done as I have told you before - light pencil, then ink pen over when you are happy with them, then lift off the pencil with the soft putty eraser. These are not my originals - I never lay claim to anything that is not completely mine, but they do show what I mean quite well. Simple lines can help dramatically, but also note the lack of a background leaves them "floating".
Just in case you were wondering, they are old style peat cutting tools - now you can sleep!
Until next time, whatever your art - enjoy it.
Paul
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