Revised, final version of Gray Pastel Portrait

I really like this 100# bristol paper because you can scrub & rework areas. So far I haven't overloaded the pastel. This is a much improved final picture of yesterday's portrait.

Gray Pastel Portrait

Trying a new technique with portraits. Using 100# Strathmore windpower vellum bristol, a smooth paper, I covered it with gray pastel then rubbed it in for a medium tone. Then I sketched in the darks with the gray and pulled out the lights with a kneaded erasor. then since that was not enough contrast for me I hit some areas with black pastel and put in a couple of hightlights with white pastel. I used a homemade tortillon and paper towel to blend and add pigment dust to areas also. I may work on this portrait some more later as this paper allows me to do a lot of scrubbing and application of pastel.

Pastel Portrait Sketch at Milwaukee Sketch Club

Here's a sketch I did last Tuesday.

Milwaukee Sketch Club Fall 2008 Schedule

Milwaukee Sketch Club
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
7929 w. Lincoln Av. West Allis, Wi
Meets Tues nights 7:30-9:30pm

Sept 9: Demo
Sept 16, 23, 30, Oct 7: Sketch
Oct 14: Critique
Oct 21, 28, Nov 4: Sketch
Nov 11: Demo
Nov 18, 25, Dec 2: Sketch
Dec 9: Critique
Dec 15: Sketch
BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Golden's Open Acrylics Workshop by Sandra Bacon at Artist n Display on 9/21/08

I attended this workshop on open acrylics and it was a lot of fun. Learned a lot too. Got a lot of information and Golden has more on their website. http://www.goldenpaints.com/ . I signed up for their Just Paints newsletter. Their artist, Sandie Bacon, who led their workshop was very nice and knowledgeable. http://www.goldenpaints.com/artist/wap/artist.php?uid=47

Here's a picture of an apple that I did. Had fun working the paint. Met some great people. Did you know that stampers like to use acrylics? http://www.ssreflections.com/suzanne_jun05.html Signed up for this newsletter.

I have a shopping list of things I want to buy. I figure I will use molding paste on either paper or museum board to make a bunch of 9x12 (or smaller) studies. (Ordered a matt cutter that is on sale to make it easier to cut things at home. I have a regular paper cutter but it's not big enough for artwork so I've been using a stanley drywall knife.) So far my list: Golden modern open acrylic set, molding paste, open thinner, paint brush, palette knife, color shaper. It's really fun how you can push the paint around on the substrate with tools, paper towel, paper, plastic. Plus I really like the molding paste how you can make texture. Open acrylics are more transparent than regular acrylic. Got 3 paint samples, blue, red & white, that we worked with in the workship along with Open Acrylic Medium (Gloss).

Got to go. Nice out today. Got the window open & can look across the street at the neighbors tall orange flowers. Did hard physical labor this weekend so am a bit sore.

Ripple Afgan Baby Blanket about 36" x 48"

Spent all my free time this week crocheting this blanket to give to my brother and his wife for their baby yet to be born. Used crochet hook size "h" and did half double crochet instead of single crochet.

Alic Struck watercolorist's demo at Milwaukee Sketch Club

Last night Alice Struck, an award winning watercolorist, art therapist, etc. gave a demo in water colors. She uses 300# arches cold press because she likes how paint puddles on it among other things. She wets both sides and places her large sheet on a piece of plexiglass. She works flat. She started with quite an extensive line sketch. Worked from light to dark. Started with large 2"? 4"? brushes. Used a white candle and some masking fluid to preserve some light areas. Others she painted around. In places used salt. Some foliage was sponged. Used a flexible palette knife for tree trunks & branches, even for mixing paint. She says sometimes she uses a rigger. She also tilted her paper to make runs. Used paper towels for blotting. Cleaned her palette frequently. Looked like a lot of fun. Makes me want to do some watercolors.

A drawing from Up North over Labor Day weekend

Here's a quick picture I drew during a drawing session with my nieces up north. The weather was perfect. Sunny, dry and 80 F during the day then cooled off to 50 F at night.