4″ x 6″, charcoal, pastel pencil
Outburst – in progress
This one started out relatively smoothly until I realized that the background was anything but what I wanted it to be. Several attempts to solve the problem were unsuccessful, and for about a month I used every excuse to work on something else instead in hopes that the solution materializes in my head on its own. Before that happened, help came in the form of a demo by a very talented watercolorist, Terri Hill who gave a demo at FALC earlier this week. Just watching her do her magic got me out of the fog. The background is far from being finished, but at least we are moving again:
I am not sure how I ended up with the painterly background. It certainly was not a conscious decision, but I like the look:
Almost there:
Updated January 17, 2010
And I am going to call it done, nothing else to add to it:
January 6, 2010 sketch
4″ x 6″, pastel pencil, China marker *SOLD*
Today’s small discovery: China marker works way better as a highlight preserver than white charcoal or pastel (I made trunks and branches with it). Also, some Dervent pastel pencils of earthy variety act more like colored pencils then pastel. Since this sketch was done mainly by blending colors with a dry brush, the second discovery was not pleasant. Moral: test on scrap paper first (yeah, fresh idea, I know).
January 5, 2010 sketch
6″ x 4″, charcoal *SOLD*
I wanted to see how Prismacolor charcoal pencils will play with the mysterious cardstock that I got at Michaels long time ago. I say”mysterious” because the package is long gone, and I have no idea what the brand is. It turned out better than I expected – apparently, the paper is quite durable and allows for many layers of blending and crosshatching.
Krismas Party at KALEID Gallery
It was Cherri’s and Brian’s idea to gather KALEID artists, their friend and families together and help everyone put names to faces. That really worked out great while I was there, but now I look back and realize that in many cases all I remember is faces. Oh well, hopefully all I will need next time I walk by someone’s display there is to see the name and my memory supply the face.
It was so much nicer to walk around without hurry and take time to see who is doing what. When I come to make changes to my display there is never enough time for that.
The best part of the party was the gift exchange between artists. Every artist was asked to bring a wrapped artwork made for the occasion, and everyone got a tag with a number as they arrive and put their gifts under the Christmas tree. Then Cherri called the numbers one by one, and artists came to the tree and picked whatever they wanted. Note to self: come earlier next year. There will be more choices.
This was my gift, and it was picked by a horse person, Jessica Beerli:
Way cool. I had my doubts about making another horse – after all, not everyone would appreciate a gift like that. But since I was not in the mood for anything else, a horse it was. We had a nice chat with Jessica about almost everything after the gift exchange. I really like her portraits that she now has in the gallery.
And this is the gift I got:
Linda Ritter of Visual Confections made these pretty little ornaments. I should have the Christmas tree up tomorrow, and all three of them go right on it!
Graphite Pencil Drawing Tutorial: Female Eye
Graphite Pencil Drawing Tutorial: Female Eye
A step by step with large images. Yes, it’s photo realism that I am not crazy about, but there is something about that gaze that makes me want to take another look and then yet another one. I wonder: if the whole face was there, would the effect be lost?
Colored Pencil: The Only 4 Tips You Really Need
Colored Pencil: The Only 4 Tips You Really Need
All four tips are what works wonderfully for me: work slow, keep your pencils sharp (and may I add, if you don’t need sharp use Prismacolor art sticks), layer colors, work on colored paper. And the author is a Prismacolor person too 🙂
Colored Pencil: techniques & tutorial
It’s a very simple tutorial, but the final image is charming: Colored Pencil: techniques & tutorial
Reception and awards ceremony at the Fall Fest Art Show 2009
This Friday, September 18th, Fall Fest Art Show’s reception and award ceremony were held, and my Fortitude received Honorable Mention:
Something fascinating happened during the reception: Nava Attia-Benoit’s painting just happened to look like a gentleman who walked in. Not only the face, but the hat and shirt looked about the same! He was asking for the artist who did the portrait and was finally introduced to Nava who never met him before. What a surprise for both of them!
Congratulations to winners Kim Newell, Karen Mumford, Jim Burns, Nina Uppaluru, Nava Attia-Benoit, Nancy Near, Jane Kwant, Janki Chokshi, John Perez, Belinda Lima, Slava Shabrov, Grace Seidman, Yao-Pi Hsu, and others.
Many thanks to everyone who organized this show and helped to make it a success.
Fall Fest Art Show, 9/19/2009 and 9/20/2009
Fine Arts League of Cupertino is having their annual juried Fall Fest Art Show on September 19 and 20, 2009.
Reception: September 18, 2009, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FALC will be conducting a Silent Auction during the reception. The proceeds will be donated to the West Valley Community Services – a non-profit community-based agency that provides many community services in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and West San Jose. If you would like to participate, New Spring I will be a part of the auction:
Three artworks will be a part of Fall Fest Art Show: Mom & Son, Truckee River, and a new piece, Fortitude:
Show open: September 19-20, 2009, 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.
Show location: Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014
On the Racetrack III
On the Racetrack III – 11 3/8″ x 8 3/8″, pen and ink on drawing paper
The third and final part of three drawings inspired by Bay Meadows, a racetrack that, sadly, does not exist anymore. We used to visit it regularly, and it was always a pleasure for us and our kids to spend a day there. Now the long stretch of stands, the smell of the paddock, the turf and the sight of stables and horses everywhere are all gone to yield space to houses and office buildings.
Scinthia
Scinthia – 4″ x 6″, charcoal on drawing paper
This is what I hope to be the return of my long lost love for portraits. I mean human portraits. Horses were always fine and still are. But I haven’t draw a single human face in more than 15 years except for an occasional sketch here and there. It’s coming back now an feels like slipping in old comfortable shoes. “Scinthia” is not a real person, it’s my guess at what the name might look like.
Fortitude
Fortitude – 9″ x 6″, colored pencil on drawing paper
“Fortitude” is an ode to the plant that grows in our patio. I can never remember what it is called. But whatever it is, it survived a serious frostbite last winter, had to be completely chopped out, and in a few months came back as lush and healthy as ever. Right now this plant with an unmemorizable name is taking over the patio despite the heat. I keep hoping that it will stop on its own and I won’t have to trim it. It would be difficult to decide which parts to take away.
Rose Shenson Show at the Triton Museum of Art, 9/5/2009 till 10/4/2009
Campbell Artists Guild of which I am a member will have their annual art show at the Rose Shenson Gallery from September 5 till October 4, 2009.
Rose Shenson gallery is located on the grounds of the Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050.
The show will be open on Saturday and Sundays.
Come to see my new piece, On the Racetrack III, and previous works: On the Racetrack I, On the Racetrack II, Running Free, and Russian Ridge View.
