Waichulis Long Distance Mentorship Program...

Here's my big, big news...

About 15 months ago I purchased the Ani Art Academies' Language of Drawing Program (LOD)...and have been working on it ever since. I must admit, I worked on the lessons sporadically...certainly not the way it was intended. I was anxious to sketch and paint and draw something that actually looked like something. But the more sketching I did, the more frustrated I seemed to get. I knew my values were wrong...and that transitions between values were patchy. So, after a couple of months' break from the Ani work, I pulled out my charcoals, program book, and DVDs...and set to work in earnest.

After a couple of weeks of working for several hours 3-4 days/week, I decided that I wanted/needed more support...so I contacted Anthony Waichulis (creator of the LOD program and founder of the Waichulis Atelier in Pennsylvania) and asked about possibly working with one of his instructors long distance. And...the answer was YES! I'm so thrilled I could burst! I'll be working long distance with an amazing artist named Rodney O'Dell Davis...and will have an opportunity to travel to PA to spend time with him in the Waichulis studios!!

Later...

Back from Vacation!!

Well...I must admit, I had every intention of sketching something every day while were were in St. Maarten on vacation...but...didn't happen! I did, however, get one sketch done...the second day were were on the island...here it is....a seashell filled with decorative balls...from the lobby of our hotel....

We had a great time...the weather was heavenly, the sun was intense, the sea was stunningly clear...and the adult beverages were delicious as always!! And now I'm back...and ready for some serious art work!! Oh...big, big news...more on that soon....

Watercolor & Gradations...

Just a quick update on what I've been up to this past week...

I've been working on finishing my first watercolor portrait...just a bit more to do and I can add my signature. I will admit, I'm not totally thrilled with my drawing...reinforcing (once again) the need for solid drawing skills...and the need for measuring!! And, of course, I only see the flaws! But, all in all, I think this is not terrible for a first effort!

And then I've also been playing with another watercolor "study". I decided to punch up the background a bit and am completely dissatisfied with the results. The work had started out as a very transparent piece...but then when I added the greens to the background, it began to look muddy to me. I am not at all happy with the results...so, I plan on repainting the entire piece...keeping it more transparent. Ahhhh...lessons learned!

And finally, I am continuing my work on creating seamless transitions between blacks and whites with the Language of Drawing "Gradation Patterns." I've sent it off to the master trainers for feedback. I'm so hoping I can start on the second pattern soon!!

And that's what I've been up to...oh, and I've been playing a bit with my new oil paints...and looking forward to Anthony Waichulis' Language of Painting Program which is supposed to be available early 2014!

Wine tasting...and more LoD Gradations...

Just a quick sketch today! My hubby and I went to Barboursville Vineyard yesterday and did a little wine tasting! And while we were waiting for our lunch reservation, we had a glass of wine and I did a little sketch with some fake mini pears!

And here's what I'm working on now...a Language of Drawing "Gradation Pattern". My objective is to create a seamless, air-brushed-looking, gradation between white and black. That's a lot easier said than done, let me just say! But I'm moving forward, I think! We'll see...I'm waiting for feedback from LoD Master Trainers....

So, that's it for me! Have a great weekend!

Sophia...

Oops...I nearly forgot to post an update of my watercolor...I worked on her hair and facial features yesterday. It's coming along...and I'm pleased with my progress. But then, painting the grandkiddos is such a joy!!

Shout out to my very encouraging and patient watercolor teacher, Donna Campbell Allen; my "idol" Mary Whyte; and, of course, my inspiration and artist-in-the-making granddaughter, Sophia!

I still have work to do on her eyes and nose...but hopefully will finish this in the next week or so!! It is going to be such fun selecting a frame for my very first watercolor portrait!!

Until next time....

Gradation Patterns...

I've been working on The Language of Drawing program (Ani Art Academy - Waichulis), which takes an artist through a sequence of drawing exercises. I have "graduated" to something called "Gradation Patterns."

8/25/13 - Here's what the first "Gradation Pattern" looks like... I thought I was done. But, after receiving feedback from Ani Art Academy Master Trainers, I went back to the "drawing board" so to speak!

8/26/13 - Here's my "revised" version. This one has a more "air-brushed" effect. Pretty cool since I only used charcoal & white pastel pencils!

8/27/13 - Here are some sketchbook "doodles" that I did while watching TV...

8/28/13 - At my art lesson today...we worked on applying lessons learned from the "Gradation Patterns" exercises to creating a sphere...many more of these yet to do! But I'm feeling much better about my value transitions. This is going to be so beneficial with portrait work...well, with just about anything really!!

That's it for now. More to come!

I'm back to "Daily Sketching"!!

Sooooo...after several days of vacationing with my husband and some very dear friends of ours, I'm back to daily sketching. I'm shocked at how rusty my drawing skills became after just a few days!! Anyway...here's what I've done in the past several days...

8/21/13 - I found a photo of this fun sculpture on www.PaintMyPhoto.com. I have no idea what it's called or who the artist is...I just wanted to sketch it!

8/22/13 - My birthday! I spent the day doing fun things...including sketching this Bargue Plate! Then, a scrumptious birthday dinner with my handsome hubby!

8/23/13 - My sweet friend and incredibly talented artist - Carter Stuart - invited several friends and fellow artists to the river for an "art day"!! Can a day be incredibly relaxing and stimulating all at the same time? Because that's exactly what this day was for me! I discovered this antique water pump tucked in a backyard garden...and decided I needed to draw it! So, I sat down in the grass with my tumbler of red wine and began sketching. Unfortunately, my sketching session was cut short when it started raining! I rather like how the sketch turned out, though!

8/24/13 - I decided to set up a little still-life. (These are fake!) Eggs and tomato and green pepper...hmmmm...sounds like an omelette in the making to me!!

And that's it for me...see you soon.

Days 53, 54, & 55...plus a couple of updates...

Well....I've been so good at keeping up with daily sketches...until last week, that is! We had a bit of company in town last week so, with cleaning and partying, and the Jimmy Buffett concert...I've fallen a bit behind! But here's what I've been up to...

8/12/13 - Day 53 of the sketchbook challenge...my first "animal" sketch...

8/13/13 - Day 54...also from a book photo...

8/14/13 - Day 55...from "Paint My Photo.com"...

8/16/13 - Back to working on my Language of Drawing exercises...I've "graduated" to shading spheres!

8/20/13 - Update on my watercolor of Sophie...

I'll be back soon with more sketches....oh oh oh...and I'm spending Friday at the river with several of my very talented artist friends...so more fun art to come!!

Day 52...Isla Bleu

I can't seem to get enough of sketching our sweet little grandkiddos! This one is our youngest...Isla Bleu! She's 14 months old now...but was a bit younger when this photo was taken. She's showing off her two new teeth, I have no doubt!!

And that's it for now. I'm off to figure out what I'll be sketching today!!

Days 49, 50, & 51 - Summer Sketchbook Challenge

Back again with a few new sketches...

Day 49... I completed my sketch of my head model "Amy"... (I'm so glad I have her...she's fun to draw...and she rarely blinks!!)

Day 50...I should be practicing sketching shapes that are "noses"...but decided to sketch something from www.PaintMyPhoto.Com instead.

Day 51...So, I decided I work on sketching shapes that are noses...and found a darling photo of our handsome grandson, Brody. So I started with shapes that are his eyes and nose...and just kept going! Unfortunately, since I had initially intended on practicing sketching the shapes that make up Brody's nose and eyes, I didn't leave any room for the top of his head! But I finished it anyway! I plan to re-draw this on nicer paper...preferable centered on the page so I can include the top of his head!

Oh...and I should just mention here...in case you missed it...those shapes that make up the things we commonly refer to as "noses"...still baffle me. It looks like I have more practicing to do!

So...that's what I've been up to. I'll be back soon...plus I should have a watercolor to post (or at least part of one!) later this week!

Watercolor Update...

Just a quick post...I started taking a watercolor "portrait" class this week from Donna Campbell Allen! She promised me that she'd teach me how to paint portraits in watercolor! I'm so excited...because portraits move me...especially portraits of children! And most especially...portraits of our six delightful grandchildren! So, at my sister's suggestion, I've decided to show my progress on "Sophie"...this week I worked on eyes and her mouth...and added another layer of skin tone over areas of her face....

Am off to make some more art!!
Life is good...and I am truly blessed!

Days 46 - 48 Sketchbook Challenge

Back again with a few new sketches...

Day 46 - I started sketching "Amy" (head form)...here are 2 pics...in the first one, I stepped back and realized her facial proportions were a bit off...so in the second photo, you can see that I lengthened her face a bit...now it reads better (I think)....

Day 47 - I decided to do another sketch of Sophie (in my watercolor sketchbook) so I could practice some watercolor techniques....

Day 48 - This was a pretty weird day...I started to sketch a poppy while at the doctor's office...but didn't quite have time to finish it, since the doc came in! Then I trundled off to the lab to have some blood drawn...and decided to sketch one of the lamps in the waiting room...but was called to "donate" some blood...so didn't get a chance to develop that sketch. After that I went to Starbucks for a latte...if you look closely, you may be able to see the latte foam that I accidentally smudged onto the page!! Then...once I got home, I sketched a couple of body parts...an eye...and a baby's smiling mouth!

And that's it for now...but I'll be back soon!

Days 40 - 45 of Summer Sketchbook Challenge

Still sketching away...and learning the value of measuring over and over and over again!! I've been drawing some from my Bargue Plates...and just had to throw in a couple of faces!

Days 40 & 41...Feet, feet...

Day 42...And more feet!

Day 43...The beginnings of "Garrett"...I'll post another pic of him as it develops...

Day 44...Sketch of a photo in Mary Whyte's "figure drawing" book. This painting of hers is titled "Red Umbrella". This girl's eyes look huge...but I measured...I really did! Hmmmm!

Day 45...Our youngest granddaughter, Isla Bleu. This was sketched from a photo I have of her. I can't tell you how many times I measured the space between her eyes. It looked so wide...but, measure I did! I measured the size of each eye (width and length)...as well as the space between them. And...it's accurate. Unfortunately, I was so focused on the eyes that I forgot to measure the length of the nose...until I was almost done!! So...not surprisingly, her nose was about 1/4 inch too long! arrggh! I had to erase the lower part of her face and completely re-do her nose and mouth. The measurements are correct now. And I think she's a cutie!!

And that's it for now. See you soon.

Day 39

Sketched yesterday (7/29/30) using a photo in Lessons in Classical Drawing by Juliette Aristides. It's actually a hanging towel (although it's a bit hard to tell in the photo.) Folds have always been a huge challenge for me (kind of like noses and eyes and feet and...well, the list goes on and on!) So I decided I'd give this a try...next I need to sketch an actual cloth!! Well...I'm taking baby steps!! I'm thinking it's not too bad...although it really does look better in real life!

Hope you're all having a great summer!!

Day 30...plus...

I attended a watercolor workshop yesterday with Donna Campbell Allen. I know this...I LOVE drawing and painting children!! I had so much fun...here's my little Sophie in the very early stages...I used Yellow Ochre, Cad. Red, & Quinacridone Rose for a base skin color...adding a mix of Ultramarine Blue & Raw Sienna for the shadows...

And here's my Day 30 sketch... taken from "Paint my Photo" website...

Back soon with more art....