Uncle Bud's Art Colony

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

This old snapper was just minding his own business. then I saw a turtle in the drive way, lol.

I've used this picture before but It made me think of an Idea today, One I need a haircut and two, Take more pictures of things.

I want to do a close up of a giraffe, and some roses. No not together but two different paintings. One for my friend and another (the rose one) just for practice and because I can.

The giraffe will be on a wildlife canvas and have the African plain behind it. The Rose or maybe a lily will be on an 18 inch by 24 inch canvas painted black with the flower blown up huge!

In my files I have pictures of roses, and flowers, and turtles, but no Giraffes. I could go to the library and get a reference book or the zoo. Oh what about the Internet? Well I have choices.

So its of to poke a turtle and get my brushes wet!

Don't Poke the Turtle!

2:31 PM

Kathy

Add Comment

As you look at this picture of Burnside's bridge in Sharpsburg, Md. at the Civil War Battlefield of Antietam, your eyes can only focus on one subject at a time, yet you see the whole picture. You either see the trees, or the bridge, or the water but not all three. ( In focus)

The same way in painting you should see the details of the main subject clearly, or the background but not both.

When the Impressionist realized this it changed painting forever. I know other artist were doing similar things if they painted from nature but still others like the old masters were painting every detail in still life paintings so we saw each bug or drop of water. ( Photography changed everything in 1880'S)

The more we suggest the more the eye tricks the mind and says that must be a tree with leaves. So then the mind believes that and we go on to the more important subject. The Main subject or the "thing" we want them to see.

I did a location painting of this and a watercolor also. This bridge is so famous to history buffs like myself because of the battle fought here. As well as the graphic design of the whole scene.

Well kids keep your brushes wet a paint on!

Amazing Eyes - Focus

10:08 AM

Kathy

Add Comment

This is in the Columbus Art Museum, I think I have it labeled as Berthe Moriset. I may have miss labeled it, sorry, but look at how the artist drew out the darks and laid in the detail as she was going through the process of finishing this painting.

This woman in the painting is doing a mundane chore yet the artist wants to tell us some thing of this chore.

In writing people want to read about travel or people doing a job or making a discovery. As it is in art, we as artist we need to tell a story as well.
Let your art tell a story no matter how simple. Or for that matter complicated.

Notice also the eye stoppers she employs on the right side it is the big curtain and on the left it is the pillows. Thus keeping our eyes traveling inside the painting. Like an old time video game of pong.

Well its time to clean up the studio and get ready to dip my brushes in some paint!

Lets keep 'em wet and paint on.

Unfinished Masterpiece

8:51 AM

Kathy

Add Comment

When I see the flower pix I have taken in the past I think how great spring renewal will be. The freshness of mother earth, ( with out art earth is eh) birds, and grasses and more new things to paint.

These flowers even in there imperfection are perfect. I like to see the old master paintings with bugs and water droplets and a brown leaf here and there. Sometimes when we paint we want perfection in our painting and yet nature is not that way.

As artist we need to study nature, and translate it on the canvas. To be faithful to what we see, not what we think we see.

Cezanne said of Monet, " He is all eye, but what an eye!"

Oh for to be that kind of eye, and to do so one must paint everyday and all day. Monet always had two or more paintings going at once. Different times of day and different kinds of light, and weather, and atmosphere.

Come Spring, Lets go get these brushes wet and keep them in the paint!!!!

45 Days Till Spring

3:43 PM

Kathy

Add Comment

This is the oval painting with light leaf patterns I like better. Also I added a few light accents on the left side as well.

Sometimes when you paint others love it but you may go for a special effect and just can't reach it. It is so frustrating but as in all things keep reaching and you will get your goal!

I will work on another painting yet this week, so much to paint and so little time.

If you have a chance to get a set of Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" do it and jump in you may just like it!
I hear people say that they are afraid to start but as someone said, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step." What is your first step? The desire to do something? If so go for it!

Well lets get our brushes wet!

Oval Finished - Better

8:51 AM

Kathy

Add Comment

So... yesterday was chemo day so I didn't get to post. I thought I would give you two today. I may stick with this guy for a while because It didn't just go right. Most of it is just fine. The leaves in the trees to the right were not what I wanted them to look like.

So lets do a postmortem, (play Taps)
The trees and bushes on the left look good they have dark and light, the path leads the eye into the painting. But the Right, well now those trees in the back I like, yet the tree in front is not showing enough contrast and the leaf pattern doesn't show the high lights to my liking.

I will take it back in the studio and rework those areas that need it. I will use my fan brush to bring out those highlights. I will take Indian yellow and yellow ocher for a mix with white and liquid white to do a lighter yellow and cream leaf pattern. look for the Repair tomorrow or look for smoke where this is burnt in disgrace.

Well I gotta get these brushes wet See ya! PUT THOSE MATCHES AWAY!!!!

Oval Painting or Happy Accident?

8:33 AM

Kathy

Add Comment

High hopes is how we start most paintings, I think its that new adventure into what could be.

This Painting is a 18 inch by 24 inch canvas with a 16 inch by 20 inch oval cut out out of contact paper and stuck on to help me stay in the lines.

The sky is pthalo blue and a touch of pink on the distant trees and clouds. The brown in the foreground is the shadow and dark for the next layer of trees to come.

So far so good .... I am happy with the plan and Idea. The shape is pleasing and the colors are working.

My brushes are working with me not against me - smile.

In the next post we will see what happens, do I pull it off another decent painting? Or will our hero battle the the forces of "Happy Accidents " ? Will it all go bust? That and more to come.

Keep your Brushes wet, and your mouse pad clean!