STRETCHING TO SKETCH -WEEK #5

I am a little late with this one.  The results from other who participated can be found here.  I started out collaging patterned tissue paper onto my journal page and used acrylic paint. inks and drawing pencils.  It was difficult to get the foreshortening on the legs and hands to reflect a bit of distance from her back.  Oh, well, that's what practice is for.

Stretching to Sketch-WEEK #4

For this week's challenge, I decided to change things up.  I had my guy take a picture of me copying Kelly's pose (somewhat) and printed it on cardstock to make a stencil.  I cut out the image and chose to use the mask (positive) instead in a painted page in my journal.  It is finished off with stenciling, writing and a collage piece of fabric at the bottom.  Check out Kelly's blog.

Stretching to Sketch-WEEK #3

I decided to participate in Kelly Berkey's "Stretching to Sketch" challenge.  We start out viewing a photo that she has taken of herself or one that her husband has taken of her.  The idea is to stretch, draw and paint the human form.  Kelly mentions: "I was always the photographer NEVER the subject".  Boy, does that feel familiar.  This is my response to Week #3.  I started out on a 4x6 card with the image that was painted using acrylics.  I painted and stamped a page in my journal then pasted the card onto that page.  Also used inks, pencil and a little bit of pastels.  According to the rules, there are no rules.  You can do whatever inspires you, which could be charcoal, pencil, sculpture, wire-work, watercolor, mixed media...  You can check out the other entries here.  Come over and join in on the fun if you are so moved.

How Do You Measure A Life

I am not quite done with this.  I'm thinking of adding a flower on the side of her head.  Around her neck, on the edge of her top it states "how do you measure a life".

How does one measure a life?  With family and friends and memories?  Time shared with people who are interesting?  I guess. I am thinking about this lately because the woman who lives next door recently celebrated her 100th birthday.  She is fun and interesting and sharp.  She and her husband (who has been deceased for a long time) didn't have children (she calls me her "little girl").  She is living by herself but I know she is not lonely.  She a has wonderful family that comes and visits.  I say the because I see other older people that live in my building and I know no one comes to see them.  I find that very sad.  Like my neighbor, I hope to measure my life with happiness. 

Here's To Golden

"Pink" re-do in my journal

After seeing that Golden has developed digital grounds, I got very excited, so when they first came out I bought white (matte) then had to tried clear (gloss).  There are caveats to these products.  One being to allow it to thoroughly dry after application to your chosen paper as to not mess up your printer.  I read the literature and really wanted to give it a go.  I experimented with an older drawing with strong lines.  The paper I put through the printer was slightly shiny with pictures and text.  I brushed on the clear (gloss) ground like the bottle says, held my breath while it went through my printer.  Naturally, I didn't leave it as is.  Once glued in the the journal, I decided to paint the face so it would stand out a bit and then paint around the print.  I like the idea of these digital grounds and plan to do a lot more playing around.

Joy?

Okay, so she doesn't look very joyous.  I do like the way the word looks and the colors I used.  In the dictionary, it says joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.  I see now that I need to work on her joy as well as mine own.  It is a great word.  It makes my insides smile. 

Pink Haze

from my sketchbook

 

Blue Haze

From my sketchbook

Almost Me

I am getting better at painting what I see and not what I know to be there.  This is taking some adjustments for me.  As I look in the mirror, I notice the nose and its shape, the eye straight on, how the lips seem to curve and dip, the widow's peak...

I am free...with paint

I like trying different things.  This was fun, to get a feel for shaping a face.  I find myself really looking at someone's nose and eyes and the shape of their lips.  I am also less and less afraid of making adjustments and not giving up.  If I want I can put some more paint on and cover something up or add something different.  I am free to do just about anything.