More Daffodils - contented artist?

So, another day another dollar! OK pound, I’m British! I’ve had another lax drawing day but what I have achieved has been more to my liking- better than yesterday’s efforts.

I might touch up the background in daylight. I might switch the picture as well as the flash makes it more blue than I thought it was. That’s the trouble painting in artificial light, the colours aren’t always as you expect. I used the velour paper again. It works really well.

Oh Yuk!

Warning, do not read this if you are at all squeamish!
Hopefully, by the time I post this I will have a creation, of some sort. Might entitle it “child vomiting all over you whilst giving him a cuddle” which is what happened as I walked my youngest to school. The title might need some work but you can’t say children don’t inspire (rolls eyes and sighs!) It’s a new style of experiential pictures!He was scooting along on the way to school, I was walking the dog. When he stopped suddenly and said he had a “tummy ache” he looked cold and burst into tears. I picked him up and gave him a cuddle, then he was sick! I won’t go into more detail but it was horrid!!!!
After walking home with a child and myself (covered in it), a scooter and a dog! Removing all soiled garments with the dog shut outside and cleaning up and changing…I consequently spent most of today cuddling a sick child. He was too fidgety for that me to be able to paint. Hopefully tonight! Is it me or am I finding too many excuses at the moment? I spent a little time on an abstract but not sketching – didn’t have my book handy, when will I learn??????
Update: Not quite finished with the abstract so it will have to wait until tomorrow, I’m learning patience! Yesterday I found out via Linked in about a website that does artist interviews and promotion free. I thought I’d give it a try, nothing to lose and it might be worthwhile. I’ve had a reply to say they’d like to feature me, so I’ll keep you posted! Watch this space.
As I have no new pictures, I thought I’d share an old one. This is a sketch I did outside the Smithsonian in Washington in 1994. It’s A4, I’ve since discovered pastel is easier when it’s BIG!

reconsidering the zombie look. yes, with pastels.

I'm getting the hang of this

I did it! The live caricaturing went well. I could do with speeding up but I wasn't nearly as nervous this time! As last time, things were slow initialy but then they desended! I even enjoyed myself so maybe I'll be doing more. I must work out some stock body poses though! Practice, practice!

Today I decided to paint lilies. This is my second attempt in pastel on velour paper, a first for me. (Before you ask it is technically painting, although that still puzzles me!) It's an interesting surface to work with and doesn't smudge like regular paper.

OK, so what is a monoprint?

I've been gaily publishing monoprint images assuming people knew what they are. Until yesterday when a friend asked me to explain what they were. So, for the sake of my friends and non arty people, I'll explain, shall I?

Firstly, the monoprint term refers to one print image being taken from the plate although, in reality, 2 or 3 more prints may be taken but these will not be as good as the first. They can be one colour (monochrome) or coloured. There are a few techniques which can be used: - 

1 - Using a very smooth surface, such as a glass plate, ink, oil paint or acrylic paint (with a drying inhibitor) is applied using a roller. 

a- A sheet of paper is placed gently on top and an image drawn using a pencil or other tool on the paper. The paper is then removed and the printed image will be seen on the reverse of the page.

b- The design is wiped away using a cloth, cotton bud, palette knife etc. Paper is then placed on top and rubbed gently before being removed to reveal the printed image.

2- Ink or oil paint is applied to the plate directly to form an image on the plate. Brushes, palette knives or rollers can be used. The paper is then applied directly to the plate and rubbed lightly to transfer the image to the page.

2nd and 3rd takes are often used as a base for mixed media work and are worked on more to produce a "finished" picture.

Obviously, this is a very brief description and there is a lot more I could say but I'm not going to. Try looking here for more information. OK, I'll will now come out of teacher mode!

I'm not happy with any of my scribbles today so I won't add a current picture but I'll show you another monoprint. A second take that has been worked on.

This is a working of the Fish image seen earlier here. I used iridescent pastels which never show up well when scanned! Pah!

I've had the green light for my latest commission so that will probably be the focus of tomorrow. That and shopping for school shoes - ugh! At least I only need to get one pair this time!

Mono prints

Today I've been working up some on my mono-prints and continued with an acrylic painting I started about a month ago and stopped to do a commission. I should be able to post that soon!!!!! Here's one of the pieces I was working on -"Poppy". It's not my favourite of the mono prints but it was improved by the pastels.

It looks better "in the flesh" as I used iridescent pastels which don't show up when scanned. In fact, I'm not sure I like the scanned version... Oh well! I'm going to spend the evening on my painting, which won't be ready to post for a while.

The dog picture is still awaiting approval but as we're in a semi quarantine at present it will have to wait a few more days. I'm still happy with it.

Inspiring day!

After yesterday's non starter today was much better. Wednesdays is always an active day, relatively speaking where structured activity allows little time for portraits and caricatures. Not surprising that I didn't get much done until this evening's life drawing class. Not my best work but there are some good bits. This was a 20 minute sketch. It's a bit blotchy because I overdid the fixative.

I've also had some ideas for new pictures - all duly noted. I've learnt the had way that you should always write your ideas down when you have them, and still I get ideas in bed at night that I don't write down and now I can't remember what it was..gnash, gnash, gnash!!!

Averting disaster

Now, you may need to sit down before you continue...

But...

I've actually...

Done a portrait!!!!!!!!!

(Firework display overhead , lots of cheers and champagne corks popping)

So here it is, Blue boy (Adam) mark 2

I left you yesterday heady from solvent fumes after spray painting and I greet you today heady with fumes from pastel fixatives. I may possibly have mentioned entering some pictures into an exhibition at Stowe school next week. Well, yesterday I went to frame the pictures and discovered I'd inadvertently put one of my pictures onto a recently oiled paint palette. The picture is effectively ruined. As I had already specified the picture details on the form I am not able to submit any other picture, so I've had to redraw him. Actually, to be honest and though it pains me to say this... I think I prefer this one to the original, (below).

I might need to touch it up a little, but me likey!

I decided to take a break from the RA entry as I'm feeling more than a little resentful of the time it's taking, and jaded with constantly looking at it. That and I had illness issues with children, well child to be more precise, but nothing that a pep talk and calpol couldn't fix!!!! The drive to and from his school ate into my painting time quite severely.

I have 4 pictures framed! Only 3 more to go!

Self portrait

Last night we took part in the Earth hour. If you haven't heard about it the idea is to improve awareness about climate change by everyone turning off all electrical devices for one hour - all at the same time. There didn't seem to be too many people supporting it locally, and we still had street lights.

Anyway, between 8.30 and 9.30pm we were plunged into candlelight. To pass the hour I decided to try a candlelight portrait. Apart from the fact I hate the way I look and never like self portraits, this is a good likeness. The speed is improving as well. This was virtually done in an hour. (And all managed without singing the paper.) When I started this blog I was dubious about it's value, but looking back over past posts is helping me to keep plugging away.

Progress on the Royal academy entry continues 9 days to go and counting... The end is in sight and I might even finish the picture. I've never done a picture this large (76x120cm) and ambitious before and it's my first acrylic. Consequently, I've had several technical problems to iron out.

Blue boy #2

I'm beginning to think I should rename my blog "Drawn to Portraiture" as I seem to be posting more regular portraits rather than the funny ones. This is another of my nephews, the likeness isn't quite as good on this one but there is some similarity. My son, Dominic, thinks they're creepy because they're blue. I quite like them - but I'm biased. I've mixed feeling about this one. I like the effect but the likeness isn't too hot probably only a 4 out of 10.

Mixed sums up today on the whole. This morning the forms for the Summer exhibition arrived -now I've just got to complete the picture. The painting, however, didn't go well and I've decided to paint out what I did today and start again - sigh!

We were also celebrating Andrew's sister Judi reaching 40 - so generally in a good mood. Then we had news that their elderly aunt died this morning - she was in her nineties. It was expected but she will be sorely missed. RIP Doreen.

Let's hope tomorrow will be better

Blue boy!

I'm going through a blue phase. This was a quick sketch of my nephew Adam. I decided to keep it monochrome blue mainly due to the restricted drawing time. That and it's good practice to stick to one colour from time to time. I've managed to get a likeness. I was after a sketchy style and it's worked.

Lots of time to paint today - I finished my big caricature with 4 people in it. I should be able to post it later on in the week. Don't want to give any details for the usual reasons. I'm really pleased with the likenesses. Marks out of 10 for the day? Oh I think it's an 8 or 9.

Spot the difference

The observant will notice that this is the same drawing as yesterday - but not quite the same. I touched up the pastel of Kirsten from yesterday. I thought I'd post it to show the importance of highlights - I think there's a latent teacher lurking in me somewhere, ooooohhhh scary! I still like it! The picture I mean ,not the latent teacher tendencies.

Plenty of painting time today. I've been busy working on a new oil painting and a multiple person caricature but neither of them are ready to post yet.

Kirsten Dunst in colour

I fancied a portrait today. Another attempt at Kirsten Dunst. The colours are not quite the same as the photograph but I liked the effect early on and decided to keep it in the pale colours. I also wanted to keep the look sketchy as the image appears more dynamic. Sometimes when you're faced with a stunning picture copying it slavishly seems wrong, it needs an "arty" slant. Hark at me I'm going all "Art critiquey" - I always hated art history - I like the pictures but not all the waffle that goes with the descriptions and analysis. Art is subjective and personal- unless you can read my mind you don't know what I'm thinking. As a child I did lots of people in pictures but never any faces. My mother was concerned until I started doing portraits. The reason why I didn't put faces on was because I didn't think I could do them! I think I might have got over it now! So, I shall cease the waffle immediately. I did it this way because I wanted to and that's all I need to say!

To sum up - I'm very happy with this one - yes you read that correctly - I LIKE this one.

Matt Damon at last

I think I might have found Matt, though Arny's still lurking somewhere in the background. Am I happy with him? Pretty close to happy, and that's as good as it's gonna get. Which is a oodles better than my last attempt. You know, the more I look at Sunday's picture the more I see the Joker, it's creeping me out!

Slow day for drawing - half term is lovely but it's not condusive to productivity. I've seen lots of inspiring stuff though, took the children around the old gaol - yes it's spelt like that! It's an 18th Century building with lots of intriguing objects. Spent much of the time stopping my youngest from running off. Perhaps I shouldn't have joked about locking him in a cell!

Matt Damon - emerging

Attempt number 2! Getting there. The eyes aren't quite right yet, needs a bit more work and the left moving slightly but at least it's not as comical as yesterday's effort.

Looks again.

Hang on, do I see a bit of Arnold Schwarzenagger today? Or have I finally lost track of reality? Probably both, I definitely need to move that eye.

Pastels have to be one of my favourite mediums, if not the one! I just love the feathery effect, the way the image can be sculpted and the creamy texture which allows for smooth blending with a satin finish. Not to mention the speed with which the image is created.

Yeah, that might be it? Or maybe it's just the after effects following the inhalation of all that fixative that's the reason?

Do I thinks so? Not really!! But I have to confess to a certain light headedness following fixing.

I don't like the way my hands resemble pickled walnuts when I've finished. And I defy any preschooler to make a bigger mess on their way to the sink than me!

So it's time to head to bed. Be warned though, "I'll be back!" Oops, I think Arny's finally taking over!

Looks over shoulder.

Does anyone know where John Conner is?

John Krasinski

I have a confession to make! When asked by Reeta if it was bad that she saw John Krasinski in the  Leonardo Di Caprio portrait (see comments), my initial thought was "Who He?". After very little research my ignorance was removed. He's one of the cast of the American remake of "The Office. " Being UK based we haven't seen the American remake of "The Office." Fans of Ricky Gervais beware, their cast is much better looking! How it compares comedy wise, I know not, but they've made 81 episodes of the US version whereas Gervais did a "quit while you're ahead" stopping at a mere 14.

Anyway I managed to get my pastels out after yesterday's fiasco and did John, as promised. He still needs a little touching up but he's virtually there. As you work on a picture you develop blind spots - often you need to leave it for a while and come back. Then you can spot where it needs more work. He's got quite a lopsided face and it was tricky not to go too far with the nose, mouth and chin. Trying not to think of "The Joker" was also a problem, you know how it is, like when someone tells you not to think of elephants...

I also suspect at least one of my pictures was distorted - hope I've got the face in proportion. Sorry John if it isn't.

Oh yes, and I seem to remember when I drew Drew Barrymore (cringe) the first time in pastel, I said I wouldn't do a portrait in pastel on A4 paper again, I wish I'd remembered that when I started!

Kim Bassinger

I've spent some time today copying pictures and uploading them onto the yessy and saachi sites. Otherwise it's not been a productive day. I've been unable to print some new pictures off - ran out of ink and didn't feel inspired with the others I already had. Rather than publish nothing I thought I'd put this one of Kim Bassinger up. You can see from the date that it's a very old one but I've always been pleased with it, I like the looseness and freedom of movement. I've always loved the way strokes of pastels of 2 or more different colours merge when viewed from a distance. In a more vibrant way then when the same colours are blended by rubbing. Of course , I can always find flaws...

Some more good news, I've had another commission, a fantasy portrait with Robbie Williams. As it's for a Christmas present I wont be able to publish the finished pictures until then, but it's a commission. I'm also planning to enter a local art competition, got the details today and have been working on some ideas in sketch form.

Lots of ladies

Didn't get time to post yesterday so here's yesterdays efforts. Emma Thompson and Marilyn Monroe. Both of these were quick sketches directly into ink-I had a lot of goes at Marilyn but Emma was the second attempt.

Today's project was to do a better pastel image of Drew Barrymore and I think I've succeeded, I'm much happier with this one!

A man in black

Today's offering is a pastel of Will Smith. Sorry, but I had to go for the obvious!! Any "Men in black" fans shouldn't pay too close attention to the weapon, which is entirely made up from my own, probably inaccurate, memory. If I was a man I'd probably remember it, but objects don't hold that much interest for me. Well, not when I've got someone like Will Smith to look at instead! Give it to Angelina Jolie and I'd have not problems. He has a bit darker skin tones than the original but I think the colour hues are accurate. I like the larger format, it's a pity I can't scan in A3 though, the photographs just aren't as good quality as the scanned images. Sorry, I'll stop going on about it and accept the limitations. Ha Ha Ha!

Return to Pastel

This is today's effort. I thought I'd try some pastels, haven't done any for a while. I think I should have done A3 as getting fine details proved difficult on A4. I think I have a likeness of Drew Barrymore but I'm not happy with the overall effect, it's a bit crude for my liking. I can do better so I'll probably have another go tomorrow.