Coal Miner's Spring continues

My fractured thumb has finally gotten good enough for me to begin "Coal Miner's Spring". I began by applying the layers of green in the background and then worked on the large trunk to the left. The next layer was the yellow leaves, followed by dabs of a color called "Linen". Final dabs of lavender and turquoise were then applied to the leaves. The last thing I worked on was the large trunk on the left again.

When I first started this technique, I was not sure if all of the complimentary colors on the base layer would be covered up or if I could successfully visually blend this layer into the layer placed on to of it. I like the results.
In the photo to the left (click to enlarge), you can see some of the base lavender showing through the layers of the leaves.

Coal Miner's Spring

This photo was taken years ago during an early spring day near our local coal mine relic.

This image is going to be used as the basis for an experiment. The painting will be completed in acrylic on a 30" by 40" canvas.


I began the painting with a very simple pencil sketch of just the landmarks in the photo.

The experiment part is that a layer of complimentary colors will be applied first and then covered with the natural color. It is "iffy" as to whether this will work as acrylic "covers" the under-layers without blending. I have tried using various colors other than white as the base for acrylic paintings with some success.

The image above shows the beginning of the painting where orange is applied instead of the natural blue colors.

Below is the final version of the under-painting. It is intentionally detail sparse.

The next step will be to begin the natural colors starting with the background and building up layers.

"Reflection" Partially Done

"Grape Juice" Continues

This drawing is taking SO long but I am pleased with the results. Unfortunately, today I am fighting vision so bad that i can not read or even see the TV. Tomorrow is another day...

Progress on "Grape Juice"

I feel good about the progress on my latest drawing although it is slow. I doubt if I will end up doing four pieces during January!
Above is the beginning of the third stage for this piece. [The white pieces at the top are tape.] The first stage was to do the pencil drawing while the second stage was to apply watercolor in select areas. Then I began the colored pencil portion. This piece has plants, but not the pot, on the right finished. The rest of the colored pencil are has been begun but still needs detail and color making appear more 3-D.

The above here is just a bit further along than the one above. The plants and pots in back are finished, and the back of the baby's chair is partly finished.

Mixed Media

Right now I am completely enjoying doing mixed media pieces. I have sent for some new materials and will follow up with articles on them. Many of the art materials companies are developing new products all of the time and it is exciting. The new products are usually safer (many art supplies have heavy metals in them like cadmium and cobalt) and longer lasting. Many are eliminating solvents and using water instead so clean up is easier.

Pastel Journal Oct. 2009

I finally got around to reading the October issue of Pastel Journal. On article I found very interesting was on why you should paint the same scene 100 times. It was about really stretching yourself as an artist to go way past what you typically paint.

Another article covered a pastel painter who does semi-abstract pastels Frederick D. Somers - really gorgeous pastels.

Meadowdale Show

Meadowdale library is brand new. As my son and I approached it for the first time, I looked around to see where the Vivaldi was coming from and then realized it was coming from the library. My art is hung in their large conference room -- nice display area!

People are voting there today so maybe there will be sales!

Building a Base

I am using the gouache as a base upon with I will apply hard pastel along with pastel pencil.

Earlier today, I was speaking to a fellow artist and she was not familiar with this being tried before. Although artist have used gouache in its watery form with pastel on top, she id d not think anyone had tried using it thick and then using pastel. interesting. I tried to research what she thought on Google and she might be correct.

Progressing

It's progressing.....

Ugly Stage

this is such an "ugly stage" in painting. I have now added the yellow base color in areas.

Photos for Painting

Yesterday, I wne through photos for potential paintings. I have many to use but I also need to do a road trip with my son at the helm again so I can take shots out of the window while moving.

Here are some I already have.

Hay Cow Resting

I have begun a new piece. It will be gouache with pastel on top. I am trying using complimentary colors first as a wash, then the thicker layers of gouache on top.

Approach to the Economy

The Economy is awful. This was not a good time to begin an art business.

I am already offering prints that are less expensive than the originals. The next step is to alter the production of my originals to reduce their prices and my costs. I am going to do more pieces that are the size I can mat and frame myself. I am also going to do more canvases as framing those is less expensive, too. I am going to do one large piece a month that has to be professionally framed. This should keep those costs to $200 or less.

Hope the economy turns around soon so there will be sales.

June Hay

Watercolor and Ink

12" by 16"

2009

Speed

Everything is happening so quickly. It is good but sometimes overwhelming. When I dropped the three pieces off for the Louisa show there were probably over a hundred entries and there was still an hour for work to be submitted. I was doubtful that I would get all three pieces in as they were so big, too. I was disheartened. But alas.....all three got in!! Hooray! Wow. It is all going forward with such speed.

First Sale

I have made my first sale! A "Willa" print sold from the Central library show. Nice to have money coming in instead of so much going out for framing!

Sand Pattern 2

Watercolor and Ink

12" by 16"

2009

Happening

It is all happening so quickly! I just got a one person show at Montpelier Art Center in March 2011! The place is huge so I better get busy!!!

Next Show

For my next show I have the entire display area at Powhatan library -- 78+ feet of wall space!!! i also realized today, that I can also display originals that are not for sale, such as pieces that are owned by my hubby! I am very excited. This is terrific.