Elaine O.—November 14, 2020

 I've been busily playing with new materials all week. No masterpieces, but lots of sketching, swatching and interesting discoveries. Here, for instance is my second try with markers. It's only about 4.5" x 3.5." I've learned that the marker colors aren't as "blend-able" as watercolors. (Also, that the reds are a little garish in the set I have). Definitely better for sketching than for painting, but I'm intrigued enough to have put a small set of brush pen markers on my Christmas list. I think the bigger, softer tip will suit me better.

I spent a lot of time this week in my yard, taking out the overgrown thicket that started life as three tiny Fairy shrub roses. Too late, I realized I didn't get a "before" photo, so I decided to document my War of the Roses from memory. I used the markers at bottom and broke out my watercolor pencils at the top to draw a few leaves in detail. Overall, I still feel I have better control with pure watercolor, but the markers do intrigue me and I see potential using the pencils for sketchbook drawing.

Now, as promised, the oil pastels. Here—don't laugh!—is my first oil pastel (about 8"x5"). My first impression: Oil pastels are like crayons but with a more adult smell. Despite this start, I'm intrigued and plan to do some more. So far, it seems the key is layering to get enough coverage and then blending to smooth the texture.

I spent a lot of time swatching and playing and realized I'd been lied to by my pastel box. The box claims that "when brushed over with a wet brush, colors can be blended and shaded." While this didn't seem logical (oil and water?), it did sound exciting, so I gave it a try. The box lied—I can blend with my finger, with a q-tip, with my finger wrapped in a cloth and even with a q-tip dipped in olive oil; but NOT AT ALL with water.

This is 9"x12" and is really only a study. I'm starting with watercolor and I intend to finish up with oil pastels. Originally, I just wanted a watercolor base for the pastel, but now I'm not sure when I'll switch over. I think I'll keep going in watercolor and just add deep values and white (I know, sacrilege).  I also think oil pastels might work as a resist in more intricate paintings instead of masking...I'll have to try that too.

the 6th fish

Finished the background and did more work on the big fish

And here is the new guy.  I spent three or four days editing the photo and drawing sketches and doing various treatments of paint and pencils, and I realized that it was mostly wasted time because in this painting, like in all my paintings, those big plans are crumbled up into a ball and into the wastebasket within the first ten minutes.  I hate hanging around in the architects office and I feel like I am treading water (to mix a metaphor) until I get to the site and am helping the mason put down bricks.  You know what I mean? 

 

Catching up. I think.

 I don’t know if I already posted this pic but it was a very interesting plant in Mississippi. Landlord said that it was a ginger plant. Watercolor on 140 paper. 

While I was happy with that one I was not happy with this lake at sunset. I’ve been trying to do this for some time now. 

This is part of my drink series. How to make an Old Fashioned. I was not happy with the straightness of the different elements or most of the background but I liked the colors and the glass stuff. Watercolor on 140. 

The Wedding Guest

 Today's painting is inspired by a  wedding dance in a garden reception in the bride's home. Nephew Willy, @ 10 years old took advantage of the occasion to pose mischievously at the camera inside the bougainvillas while the couple nervously danced. No one noticed him except the camera! The primary celebrants remained  faceless in this composition & the young boy  became important in a fleeting moment! Sidebar: The couple migrated to Chicago as accountants to begin a new life! Nephew Willy, when he became a father with 3 kids became an overseas blue collar worker at Dubai & worked for almost 20 years, sending remittances to his family in the Philippines. His family settled in a farming town where the main road is a national highway used by provincial buses. Inspite of the financial benefits, the enforced separation of the family of OFWs or overseas Filipino workers for a long time  gave them heartaches & emotional scars. Two years ago, Willy returned to his family for a proposed retirement. In one of the usual family disagreements, Willy left the house, unhappily to clear his mind, & while walking was hit by a  provincial bus! I wondered before about the reason I kept the

photo with faceless faces, now I realize it is about our Wedding guest all along!

Sara’s breathing again

 So here’s two tiny (4x6) studies of my yoga teacher. I like the second one best. It just looks more painterly. I’m not sure what that means but I know it when I see it. 

Apparently I’m not done painting trees...the time change has  intensified the color in the morning...and I have spent a lot of time this week just gazing out the window, wondering what if...

Oh, these are maybe 5 x 7. I am really enjoying painting small these days. Believe it or not, it slows me down because it doesn’t require as much time. But it also frees me up to try new things. I’m thinking more about color choices, Mark making, etc.

Here’s my sketch/watercolor portrait of the week. It’s a weird angle but I was drawn to the “Tough baby” expression and the hand/head foreshortening. I didn’t really get the expression but I like the hand in the painting. The sketch looks like a baby Brian Dennahy to me!

November 7, 2020—Elaine O.

So, this is the watercolor/watercolor pencil painting. I think it's final. I may go back and add some defining darks, but not many. The paper is tired and so am I. It's served its purpose as a learning tool. And here's what I learned—pencils aren't paint. I find I need to dip them in water and use the side of the lead instead of the point to get the richness I want. And for me, the pencil just isn't as expressive or versatile as a brush. I can see adding a detail here or there at the end of a painting, but that's it. So far, I'm just not in love.

Chicago, View from Bobby's Window        9"x12"

I actually did try! Here, for instance, is a rough sketch of me, just before retiring my seasonal Halloween mask. It's mostly a pencil sketch, with some benefits. Adding water moves the color around (on the walls and blinds). Also, I've drawn into pre-wet areas on the skin and I've used the dipped tip on its side on the shirt and mask. I've come to the conclusion that pencils are drawing tools, not painting tools. And as such, I'll probably be using them in my sketchbook, not so much in final paintings.

Halloween Mask    ~ 7" x 5"

But that's not all! I also lucked into a set of fine line watercolor markers and had to try them out. Previously, I tested the Winsor & Newton Water Colour Marker sample we received from Johanna Silva. Just a Thalo blue marker and a water brush.... 

Picasso        6"x6"

Here's my first quick go with the new set. Remember, these are fineline tips, unlike the W&N marker above. Here are my thoughts so far. The colors are more vibrant and fluid than pencil, but they dry fast and don't move too much with water. It's more like drawing than painting (but it's closer to painting than the pencil). It's kind of like sketching with water soluble ink and dragging out the color for shading. I'm planning to play with them some more but wonder if I shouldn't pick up a set with dual tips or brush tips. That might just suit the way I paint more.

Steve at Larch    ~8"x4"

And playtime isn't over yet. Next week, I'll be experimenting with oil pastels! See you then.

fat fish 3

 Added more fish to the school.

Strangely, I call this one the Big Blue House.  Got this walking in one of many small towns in Michigan during this mess.  Painted on 140.

I didn't like these dirty martinis, although I did really enjoy drinking them.  So I fixed them.  This is on stretched canvass with a coating of white Gesso.  It was easier to modify than regular 140 lb. paper but not as easy as Yupo. I like this surface but it also has a mind of its own so sometimes you just have to go with it and modify your original intent.

This is the Yupo version of the early Autumn scene at the lake.

A reflection in my friend's lily pond on Yupo

 

Sara’s ready for change....

 Here’s the finished portrait of Quinn, 7x7. It turned out well, but I might do it again on better paper. I’ve been using this Canson Montcval paper. It’s 140lb, but it’s just too smooth & doesn’t seem to absorb water well.  Plus it ripped at the top when I removed the artist tape. ...I bought a bunch of small blocks of different paper to figure out what I like best.

 Here’s a fall study without the windows! 6x8, watercolor and watercolor pencils.Fluid 140 paper- maybe a Blick brand.

Here’s a portrait study of my yoga teacher, from a B & w photo, my pencil drawing and watercolor in progress on Fabriano paper 3x5. I’m trying to slow down in drawing & painting to try to see the shapes, especially in portraits.

This week I did a direct  sketch self portrait and then did the watercolor from the photo I took while I was posing. Both kind of interesting, but amazing the difference in feeling. I was trying to make the watercolor a more closeup face portrait. Half my face was in shadow and I was drawn to the dark shapes the shadows made, 12x12.The watercolor is kind of spooky...but it was Halloween...

And lastly, I did this double portrait a while ago, and I’ve been fussing with the baby’s face and their arms for a while. I just love the look on Nora’s face and Quinn looks less like an alien now, so I bought some mat board, cut a mat and framed it. It hangs in my living room. I think it’s 10 x15. It’s called Baby on Lockdown...

Okay, think positive thoughts, stay off Twitter, and paint.

Some of Greeta’s watercolors

Michigan Peaches (my first work on Strathmore #140 paper—the paper without much help from me made the peaches fuzzy😊)

Fisher Tomb/Graceland Cemetery

Lily in the Victory Garden