Under the Same Sky Artwork and Frog Painting Update

Not a YouTube Post!

 

I have been making some ACEO's (Art Cards Editions and Originals).  They are trading card size 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches.

They are all 'one offs', hand painted and NOT prints.  I have listed them on eBay if you would like to see them.  Just copy and paste on the link below to take you there.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/4265simone

How Did My Gouache Painting Turn Out?

Thinking out Acrylic paints vs. Gouache paints

Practice Makes Progress

I try to make time for art every day.  I'm not where I want to be yet but I can see progress little by little. 

Tiny Watercolour paintings

 I am struggling to complete eight 'Crystal Healer 'paintings by the end of the month.  I'm just not 'feeling it' at the moment.  To add to my procrastination I decided to paint two tiny flower girls. 

 I enjoy painting small especially when I hear voices telling me to go larger - paint bigger.  No person actually telling me what to do but the little self sabotaging voice that most of us hear from time to time.

I added some sparkle with gelly roll pens just because I could!

Aquamarine

Another crystal healer painting.  The throat is said to be the main chakra for the aquamarine stone.  Aquamarine is expressive, cleansing and companionable.  It is blue, blue/green.  It is part of the Beryl family of gemstones.

She was very calming to paint.

I'm on track for completing 8 paintings by the end of the month as long as I stay focused.  I am sorry if I haven't been commenting on blogs as much as usual.  I am finding it hard to read blogs where there is a lot of information to absorb.  It is difficult for me to concentrate. 

I know these paintings aren't everyone's cup of tea but I enjoy doing them.  After this set of crystal healer paintings I will move on and pick another theme.  I may stick to this style of painting or try something else!

Citrine

Citrine is one of my Crystal Healers set of paintings.  Citrine is comforting, uplifting and happy! 

I had set myself a goal of painting 8 Crystal healers by the end of July using gouache paint.  I painted three: rose quartz twice, and then amethyst and then I decided enough was enough!  I hated painting with gouache!

Yesterday I went back to my watercolour paints and I am so glad I did.  I was miserable painting with gouache and with smooth hot press paper and multi-media paper.  The painting above is done on paper almost older than me!  It is vintage watercolour paper made in Somerset, England in the 1960's.  It was a pleasure to work with and I still have many more sheets to use.

My next character will be Aquamarine......................unless I change my mind!

Rose Quartz

Started a new target of eight pieces of art work in four weeks.  This time my theme is crystal healers and the first one is Rose Quartz.

Rose Quartz is the stone of love associated with the heart chakra. Its energy is emotional, loving and sensitive.

This series of paintings will differ from the last ones as I am using gouache paint (much more chalky than traditional water colours) and smooth hot pressed water colour paper. 

I had a large piece of rose quartz stone present when I painted this to get the love vibe! 

*Edited:  Was about to pull this post as I really am not happy with this painting.  The paper was cut too small and I lacked concentration whilst I was painting.  My son said I should leave the post here to see my progression and that is what I am going to do.  One step forward, two steps back.  That is how we learn! 

Painting Number Eight

I am happy to say that I completed my challenge of eight paintings within a month.  Just goes to show what can be achieved when plans are made.  I've never been much of a planner and feel that I have wasted a big part of my life drifting.  I can't honestly say that I will be this organised in the future but for now I am enjoying having a stucture and goals to work towards.

I've noticed that most of my characters have a dream like state.  This image is my favourite out of all the previous ones.  They can be found here and here.

Painting Number Seven

Painting number seven.  Flower girl with butterfly.  Just have to do one more before the end of the week to reach my target.  Still planning what to do next.  Shall I paint a series of landscapes or animals or something else?  Hmm........

I know that I am going to move on to gouache paints from the water colours I am using now and changing paper from textured cold press to smooth hot press. 

The paintings I have been doing are much larger than what I am used to.  They have all been on A4 size paper and I am more comfortable painting on a smaller A5 scale. 

I am looking forward to exploring more with paints and paper.  It has been most enjoyable so far.

Eight Paintings in Four Weeks Goal

I'm on track to have completed 8 pieces of artwork before 28 June.  My target is to get this done and then review what I have and the next steps I need to take.  What I have produced is not perfect but at least it is done.  I am fulfilling this part of the exercise.

In the past I have given up when a project hasn't gone to plan.  Years have passed when I haven't picked up a paintbrush.

I am beginning to feel happy drawing and painting again.  I enjoy creating characters and bringing them to life.  Two more to do! 

Painting with Gouache

I thought I would give collage a miss today and try out some gouache paints.

This is my first attempt at trying to reproduce a painting inspired by Dutch flower paintings of the 17th century.

I think it is the first time I have painted straight to paper without having penciled a sketch in before hand.

 It's OK.  It's a bit raw. I just have to practice now.

I may even try to make a collage one!

Which One Do You Prefer?

I've not had any time for art last week but managed to catch up this week with finishing off two fish collages.  These are just experimental works and I would appreciate feedback on these questions.

Do you prefer the picture on the left or right of the screen?

What is it about this picture that you prefer over the other one?

That's all! 

Painting Paper

I've wasted an awful lot of January so far.  When I finally have time for 'creativity' I am either too tired or not in the mood.  I got up at 6.30 this morning and it took until 10.00am  before I could finally set aside time to paint some papers for a project I want to do.   I spent about one hour on this from preparation to clear up and then the guilt set in.  I have a pile of ironing yet to do and I never catch up with household chores.  Nothing ever seems to get completed.  I am frustrated to say the least.

Anyway.  I will continue to set aside time for 'wasteful' activities because I need time away from the monotonous and mundane life I am currently living.  I need to experiment and practise with different paints and paper if I am ever to progress in the field of art and craft.  I will find a way to slot it into my daily activities and just accept that I am going to feel guilty. 

More Painting Practice

I painted this in between preparing dinner today.  In fact, I painted two but preferred this one.  I followed a simple tutorial on skillshare.  The video was simple but assumed that the painter was already familiar was certain techniques.  I enjoyed doing this one and look forward to doing my own versions on a theme.

Multiple Landscapes

I've been trying out something different today - painting multiple landscapes at one time.  I painted straight onto paper without sketching first which is new for me.  I am the world's biggest critic when I look at what I have produced but know that many artists have a lot of work that they reject before putting their best work forward.  I am hoping that the more hours of practice I put in, the better my work will be.

I enjoyed the process of painting today - despite the outcome and time completely ran away from me.  Time to make tonight's evening meal now and put the paints away for another day.

Christmas Tree Girl, Angel Cat and a Dog

 My Christmas Tree girl looks a little snooty!

Wasn't so pleased how angel cat turned out but I am sure I will develop my skills the more I draw and paint.

The top two paintings took quite a bit of time to do over the weekend, however, the doggy sketch and quick watercolour over the top took minutes.  Guess which one my husband liked best?

Another Angel

I sketched another angel today.  I need to add some further detail but this is as far as I got.  I like the serene look on her face.  I shall probably keep on drawing and painting angels until I no longer need to practice them!

Painting in the Dark

I never seem to have good enough lighting.  Today was cloudy and overcast and I resorted to working under lamplight.

I am looking at my photos on here and feel embarrassed about showing my work.  I wanted to make an angel Christmas card and sketched a few 'cute' images.  I painted her using water colours and used a fine liner pen for detail.

I always feel let down that the image I want to present isn't the one that I end up with.  I think she has 'character' even if the painting skills are a bit wobbly.