It's been quite awhile since I let you peek into my art studio. I've been busy!
Let's start with the "Sentinels" painting from my "Warped Nature" series. I was unhappy with my first version for several reasons. First, the birch trees looked too cartoony. I have nothing against cartoons, but it was not the look I was going for. Second, I didn't like the outer area. So, I put it on the back burner for awhile, letting my brain work on it when I wasn't looking. Don't you love it when your brain does that?
One thing my brain suggested was to create leaf prints from my birch trees in the yard. I just felt like playing around with leaf prints - remember doing them when you were a kid? Then, I decided to play with masking techniques, trying some new ways of using a liquid frisket after I had applied paint. This was the fun result:![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lSCFNSZN1lA/TLdzcx9m0xI/AAAAAAAAAa0/4blsqgSQfuo/s320/leaves.jpg)
One thing my brain suggested was to create leaf prints from my birch trees in the yard. I just felt like playing around with leaf prints - remember doing them when you were a kid? Then, I decided to play with masking techniques, trying some new ways of using a liquid frisket after I had applied paint. This was the fun result:
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lSCFNSZN1lA/TLdzcx9m0xI/AAAAAAAAAa0/4blsqgSQfuo/s320/leaves.jpg)
My brain suggested trying the "Sentinels" painting again using leaf prints as the outer area, clustering the birch trees rather than spreading them apart, and painting them a little more realistically, but still emphasizing the human quality of their "eyes".
I've also started painting my Centennial Trail pieces, starting with this one:
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lSCFNSZN1lA/TLdxt5sQw_I/AAAAAAAAAaU/kiX0VoOKGh8/s320/rose+hips.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lSCFNSZN1lA/TLdx6Nw-qWI/AAAAAAAAAac/yjNDmisR_IM/s320/close+up.jpg)
I used my new masking techniques on the background. This close up shows the background a little more clearly. I'm very happy with this little painting.
I'm working on a couple of Centennial Tail pieces right now. These pieces are all from September/October, between mile markers 9 - 13. My plan is to visit the trail at different times of the year. One of the blessings of this project is that I have grown to appreciate the complexities and color of even the most mundane plants.
I like this version of the Sentinels a little more, too - those leaves are beautiful. And that first Centennial Trail piece is exquisite. Look at all the texture in the background!
ReplyDelete(that was Kate, by the way - signed into the wrong account)
ReplyDeleteYour new version of the "Sentinels" reminds me of a quilt, with a center panel and a large border. Now if I could just find material like that!
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