UGH!!!

Today I set time aside to update my sketchbooks, website, blog, etc. I'm getting a lot of work done but I am now banging my head up against the wall! How could I have made such a huge spelling error...right in the title?!?

This page was already the most frustrating one I have ever done. I had a few hours to sketch on a business trip. I was miles from my hotel when I realized I didn't have my pencil or pen. I pulled out a ball point gel pen and decided to "go with the flow".  Well, it started raining and the pen ran! I found shelter in a gazebo and continued sketching. I was joined by a couple would were smoking and I almost croaked. I had been enjoying the power of the storm and then the quiet was disturbed. 

Here is the corrected page...

Thank you for taking a peek into my sketchbook!

Practice Make Perfect?

This weekend I spent time practicing painting a camellia. I painted these over and over again. Here are 4 examples:

First, the flowers were flat. I did a little research and added shadows in the flower. Then the middle of the flower became muddy. I lighted the shadows and liked the results much better. I learned about layering the watercolors. I worked on a scrap piece of paper and finally applied what learned to the camellia. Finally, I left white spaces and liked it even more. It still doesn't look like I want it but I can see improvement.

Maybe it would look better this way...

The bee turned into a wasp! 

This little bee died right outside my door and sat on my desk all weekend as a prop.  Poor little guy!

Thanks for peeking in my sketchbook!

A Day in the City...

I had my own little sketch crawl yesterday. I boarded the Marta train and rode the train into Atlanta.

I drew a few of the passengers as they were heading home from work, to the airport, or into the city for fun. I got off the train at Arts Center and walked to the High Museum of Art. On the way I saw the most interesting house Named Fort Peace or the Castle. It is interesting the way it is still standing in the midst of the skyscrapers.

 

I sketched for a few minutes while sitting on a wall by the street. The problem with going on a sketch crawl by yourself is that you are by yourself! Sitting on an empty street by yourself may not be very smart. So I took a picture and walked on to the museum.

 

On the lawn of the High there were a bunch of little girls having a birthday party. They were so cute running around a playing on the big lawn.

 

The High has a special exhibit Go West! Art of the American Frontier from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. It was very interesting. They only had a few watercolors. Most of the paintings were oil on board.

 

I bought a few little things in the gift shop. Check them out!

 

 

I bought a pin (a High Museum pin), a pen (a High Museum pen, LOL!), and a brush. Funny thing is the brush is a pencil! imagine and brush and a pencil together, what a great idea! Afterwards, I went to Binders and picked up some supplies.

 

 

Here is my page in my sketchbook...

 

What a fun day. I enjoyed spending time in Atlanta!

 

Thank you for peeking inside my sketchbook.

 

First Day of Vacation and I've Finished a Bunch of Paintings!

I am so excited to be on vacation! On my first day, I grabbed an Arches' block and was heading out to do a little plein air painting at Brenau University. 

I have been doing a few preliminary sketches and I was ready to start a painting. Unfortunately, I didn't realize all my blocks had unfinished paintings in them. So, I changed my plans and decided to finish up the paintings in had in progress. 

First, I finished my Chuck Taylor painting. 

Then I finished a painting of vintage cameras. The cameras are from a work by Christine Berrie. I loved the colors and the designs of the cameras. Please check out her work. It is amazing. I bought a little pencil pouch at my local art store with the print below on it.  I can't believe the level of realism she can achieve with colored pencils. 

Here is my "shot" at her print.

Mine looks a little wack-a-doodle compared to hers! 

Here are a few of my very own sketchbook entries...

I think I'm getting better! Thanks to all the artists who show me the way.

And, thanks to you for peeking in my sketchbook.

Chuck Taylor's...

Recently, I've been working with washes and playing with the paint. Instead of adding white to lighten a color I've learned to add water.  I saw this ad for Chuck Taylor's and thought it would be a good thing to paint and try out my new skills. 

Here is the work in progress...

Thanks for peeking at my little painting!

A Study in Blue...

I purchased a couple of new colors at Binders Art Supply in Atlanta. Little did I know that I have driven by this art store many times in the last month. The day was beautiful and it was nice to visit a cool store and stock up on supplies! Plus, I loved playing in the city!

I purchased Holbein Peacock Blue and Horizon Blue. I have tried 5 different watercolor brands and Holbein remains my favorite. I won't list the brands I don't care for because I believe I'm still too much of a novice to be an expert on brands. I'll leave that to the pros! 

The ceramic egg holder is one of 2 I picked up off a clearance rack for a couple of bucks (an after-Easter find). These work great for paint!

The finished products...

Thank you for peeking at my study of the "blues".

Wisteria in Georgia...

This year the wisteria is gorgeous! I don't remember a time where the wisteria was this thick and pervasive. With all the terrible events in the news lately I had to take the weekend to get out and enjoy what God has created. Sometimes it is hard to see God through all the sin in our world. 

Thank you for peeking at my painting!

Bartow Motel...

I love vintage signage. At one time, arrows pointed toward all the "best" places. Neon and twinkling lights dotted the roadways. Every time I see a vintage sign I must get a pic!

Note: These are not my pictures. I've credited them when I could find the photographers' info.

from Dooby Brain

from Retro Roadmap

This week while I was in Cartersville, Georgia I spotted the old Bartow Motel and knew I must pull over for a quick pic.

The only thing I love more, is painting vintage signs!

I was traveling and wanted to paint on larger paper than I had. I found some cheaper on sale at a local hobby shop. I hated it!!! It pilled up when wet and then wouldn't lay back down. It was very frustrating! Live and learn. 

Thank you for peeking at my painting!

Decisions...

What a weekend! Rain, storms, sunshine, cold, the weather kept me in the house. It was a great opportunity to get a few things finished. I cleaned out my closet and found so many neat things I had forgotten about. I worked on 3 paintings at once. I would do a little work on one and while it dried I would pick up another one. I got stumped on a little painting I've named "Decisions". I wanted a vintage look to the luggage and then I felt I needed vintage shoes as well. I don't think the bag on the top has the "vintage" feel. 

A couple of other projects I finished were a custom "girl" palette and a unique workspace.

This palette is centered around Holbein's Opera. I can't wait to dream up a project so I can use it!

My second project was a painting board. I wanted something I could put in my lap to work. I found a board at the Restore Store that would be perfect to tape down my watercolor paper. I had a small magnetic sheet with adhesive on one side. I cut it into 2 pieces and stuck them to the board. The magnets hold my wonderful palette I purchased from Kremer and a child's watercolor box I use to hold pencils, brushes, an eraser, and a small sponge. I have a paint cup  from Home Depot to hold water and I slip the handle through the binder clip. This is not a perfect set up but it is nice to have to paint while I listen to a program on TV or watch a movie.

What is the project I'm working on? I am starting, what I hope will be a long-term project to paint the buildings in my town, Gainesville, Georgia. This building is the train depot. It is a large station which is now used for special events and for the Smithgall Arts Center. I chose to start with the back of the building. I believe the beautiful park and atrium area might have been added in the 1980s. 

I hope you had a great weekend. Thank you for peeking at my work!