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!