Regina was working on an Austin skyline and clouds painting she had started. She is specializing in clouds and skyscapes. She will be demonstrating at the Texas Pastel Society meeting on November 19 in San Antonio. If you get a chance to go, you will enjoy seeing her approach to painting beautiful skies.
It is difficult to just paint after a lay off. At first I can't even decide what to paint or what to paint on. I only took an 11 x 14 inch piece of Pastelbord, so I wouldn't have a chance to change my mind.
I prefer to work from life than from a photo. I was looking around Regina's studio and her old French horn was sitting on a bookshelf. I decided to work on that. Maybe a mistake as it has many ellipses and those are a bane to my comfort zone, but I had a good time and was pleased with the start of my painting.
I always enjoy painting with Regina. It is good for me to paint with someone, especially a friend that will critique honestly and gently. It inspires, encourages and relaxes me. If you never paint with friends you should try it!
I started with some pastel on the board and spread it around with alcohol for an underpainting. Then just started in drawing and putting in the basic shapes. I start with harder pastels for the underpainting. You don't need to use so much of your "expensive" pastel if you do an underpanting. I am trying to have a lighter touch so I can build the layers slowly and it worked for the most part.
This is the painting as I developed it some. As I look at it now, I think the bell of the horn should be a bit more elongated and not quite so round. It seems to be facing me directly which it shouldn't. It is easier to see those types of mistakes by looking in a mirror, upside down or with the camera. It is good to check as you go along.
I probably have about two hours work in this, so it will develope and change as I go along. I doubt I will get to work on it again until we get settled in the new house, so a couple of weeks at the earliest! Sometimes it is good to let the painting "age" anyway without looking at it for a while. It will have to be so, this time.
I sketched on Halloween for Scavenger Hunt 243 and today for Scavenger Hunt 244. I will post them both here. Join the Scavengers for some sketching fun and practice. I sketch for homework!
Number 6, stuffed - the RV across the way must be stuffed as they have a storage shed on the side!
Number 2, landscape - with the challenge of drawing with my non dominant hand. (By leaving it small, you may not be able to see it is very rough.)
Number 3, open - the Escape while we were tailgating. Gene was listening to the news and I was sketching while we had some wine and coffee. Did the wine affect my view and perspective? I will blame it on that. Hmmm.
Instead of a sunrise, I thought you might like to see our temporary home at sunrise. Pretty quiet still, the traffic hasn't begun to swoosh by at a rapid pace. There will be zero traffic at the new house. We may have trouble sleeping!
We went to the last fall ball baseball game at Disch Falk Field. The Longhorns won over the Texas State Bobcats. They played 14 innings and play many of the players. They bat 10 instead of 9 and allow substitutes to go in and out. It is fun to see the new teams and was a superb day for baseball. In February when the season starts we will be wishing for such a day!
I forgot to say that you should look at Joanna's blog post. You gotta love those boots!
8 comments:
You are so right about painting with friends. It makes for an incredibly excellent painting day.
You would have a hard time choosing a more difficult subject! My ovals, circles and other such shapes that look 'off' with the slightest wrong move are usually blaring their deficiencies with a megahorn. Hmmm.... this piece doesn't own a megahorn. It's really lovely and all the more so, considering your comment about the comfort zone.
I agree with the last comment Jo, having a pal to paint with is great. We sort of nudge each other and help along the way.
Regina is a great art buddy for you.
You got a good GLOWING start to the painting too, can't wait to see it finished.
Hugs always
Rae
B, thank you for stopping by. I was pleased to visit your blog and see the painting of the horse! You had fun with your friend, too. I am sure my French horn will change before it is over. Ha.
Thanks, Rae. Good friends (like you) are an inspiration for sure.
It is hard to start painting after an extended break. Maybe you need to come get me started, too. I would think the French horn was pretty difficult with the curves and such, not to mention the reflections.
I saw a pastel workshop in Jan. at the Fredricksburg School of Art. It sure looks tempting, but kind of expensive.
Bag Blog, it does take some sort of jump start to get us going. Wish we could paint together once in a while. I think I will forego any workshops this year and just practice. The last two workshops I took, I learned a lot but haven't put it to use. Workshops are expensive now.
It was a lot of fun that day, Jo - and I can't wait to see the finished French horn. My parents both played in high school in the early 40's, and it belonged to one of them. Your painting looks great!
Quote: "There will be zero traffic at the new house. We may have trouble sleeping!"
Heh. Made me laugh.
Well, looky here, as Joanna says. I didn't answer Regina's comment. That is a nifty French horn. That is one instrument I never tried to play. Seems difficult.
Joanna, we do need a laugh and I do think the "quiet" will be hard. Maybe we will find out on Saturday or Sunday night!
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