Big Cat Three

Here's the photo and a preliminary study, and what it looks like now.  I have more to say, but I am putting it into a comment so as not to take up too much space.

Big Cat Two

I darkened the log, put some sienna into the face and put in a little more background.

elaine t., Apr. 18

I was more productive this week, both in painting and other activities. As always, a videochat with my son and grandson helped a lot.

I'm very happy with my eye studies. I managed to stop each one before it got overworked or lost the sense of spontanaity in the brushwork. One of the tutorials I watched urged using the largest brush possible, even for details, to keep that spontaneous feeling. It's working for me! Now I have to finish the commentaries on the right side.

It was a bit creepy working on this; I felt like the paper was looking back at me as I progressed. I guess that means the studies are sucessful!

Hope everyone stays well and sane in the coming week!

elaine t's work, Apr. 11

I didn't realize how much I count on little day-to-day contacts with people, passing them on the streets, smiles while shopping, seeing neighbors in my building. I got into a major funk this week, and wound up watching my Flash Gordon DVDs, napping excessively, and watching too much tv. I've also had some intense fears about catching the virus and needing to be intubated. I've watched too many Alien films, I fear. I had a videochat with my grandson on Thursday that rescued me. That boy has a black belt in peekaboo!

I will try to keep some kind of record my view of the pandemic. The plan for this sheet will be my eyes on the left, reacting to paragraphs that will be on the right, describing the first couple of weeks.

Sara’s work

 Spent a lot of time this week making a foldup paper Easter basket and a mobile for Nora, which we mailed to her. Unfortunately I forgot to take pics. So I did a few sketches one in pencil, pencil and watercolor and brush pen. The middle one is from a photo; the other two from life.

Also did this little watercolor and a marker sketch. These are both from life.

I did this sketch earlier this week and did the painting today, from life, direct without a drawing. I actually like the sketch better than the painting, altho I might do it again. The flowers are a swirl of yellow, which I’m not sure I captured. And the sketch looks better here than in person. It’s a little overworked....

Happy Spring!

April 11, 2020 — Elaine O.

I think I'm finished. I may look at it over the next few days and tweak, but nothing major.

I've been working on the above for much of the week, with some breaks for sketchbook action. For those of you interested—and I think you'll be sorry you asked—I've done color and value studies like these...

...along with some quick portraits, both in pen and wash...

... and in direct watercolor.

Then, there's my quarantine project. I'm doing a quick daily sketch looking out each of my windows (there are more to come!). I've used various media, but I've been partial to my fountain pen with the fude nib. Maybe because the lack of control with that pen mirrors our current existence... or maybe I'm just overthinking things.

I've also interspersed the window project sketches with some life points of interest, probably because I was trying to avoid the uninspiring brick wall views above. We don't often open the blinds on those windows—is it any wonder? Besides last week's bread sketch, I documented things like the first daffodils of the season...

... and my stack of mask-making supplies.

the king of the beasts in repose

He is resting his head on a log I think, the kind of thing Buddy likes to do all the time.  I am mostly interested in the mane, but I think that log might get itself some glory, mostly the siennas with sap and peryleme green, and some quinacridone gold and burnt yellow.

April 4, 2020 — Elaine O.

Still concentrating on hands... around a few other distractions. Here's the felt-tip pen and water version from last week, to which I added light watercolor washes. I like the complex colors and shadows that result—and the energy.

I've begun a more formal work after the study above, hoping to keep the energy and the focus on the hand.

What has been distracting me? My sketchbook. I've been doing a quarantine project (sort of). Each day, the plan is to sketch the view out a different window—an "inside, looking out" thing to document my experience. And I've even been distracted from that! I've interspersed sketches of highlights, like a vase with the first daffodils of the season and this.... the first loaf of homemade bread I've made in years.

Yes, it was delicious; so good that I'm off to make another one today. For ye doubters, I can provide a photo of the actual bread upon request.

Sara’s work

Did some sketching the early part of this week. This first one is a self portrait from life done in 20 minutes.

A little severe but apparently that’s what I look like these days...these next two are another portrait at 20 minutes and 40 minutes. (Also done looking in a mirror)

Gotta say, I kind of impressed myself! I didn’t totally follow the Loomis method but I adapted parts of it to place the features. Yes one eye is bigger than the other, but I managed to get some volume in the face around the mouth, which is what I’m trying to do - create volume so the features don’t look pasted on...
Using a photo reference, I spent a couple hours on one and about 20 or 30 minutes on the other.

Not a great likeness in either, but it’s bizarre studying a face for that long...

I worked on this double portrait again! Clarifying the moms face and painting and painting the background. Ken, I have new respect for your background planning and painting skills. It’s really hard...

And finally, I’m working on a landscape tree painting. Here’s a prelim sketch and my pencil drawing.

Gotta say, I’m not as upbeat as I felt last week, but working on these projects helps a lot. They’re totally absorbing for a few hours each day.And obviously I’m happy for the chance to share —it gives me a sense of progress. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Big Sue