Deep Freeze

It's been so cold the last few days! This morning when I left for work, the temperature was -24 C (-11F). By the time I got to my building my fingers were so frozen it was difficult getting my keys out. lol! Seems a lot of you bloggers are in the midst of the same weather pattern from what I've read :-)

 This past week I've been in a rut. With Valentine's Day coming I was hoping to make more ACEOs of my whimsical owls to sell, but everything I touched  turned to crap! What do you do when you just can't get it right? I've done hundreds of owl ACEOs, but nothing was working last week. At least 6 or 7 were thrown out, after spending so much time to get them right. That's not including the many drawings that just weren't working.  It's frustrating, I feel like a beginner, lol!

So I got out my sketchbook and worked on my faces.  I've neglected my girls, and it's time to bring them to life again. The above was drawn on good quality paper, she is not done yet, but once I finish,, she may find her way into my Etsy shop.

 I finally got out my Pan Pastels to try on the background. They are fabulous! They are a nice creamy pastel, which you add with an applicator that looks like a makeup sponge, and I can't believe they'd been sitting on my shelf for months before I finally opened one up. You can't see it well in the picture above, but they truly give such wonderful, soft color. Remember, this is the year to pull out all your good supplies, and stop saving them for when you are a 'better' artist.

I have a question for anyone who draws on paper with pencil, do you spray your finished work? I know pencil smudges, but spraying it makes me nervous. I've gotten spotted results before...there must be a better way.

thanks for reading, and stay warm :-D

Alice and the Cheshire kittys

yes, kittys, as in more than one...look inside her basket and you will see two smiling cheshire kittens, and the proud papa peeking from behind her dress. What the heck, I have painted so many girls over the years carrying their tiny pets, so why shouldn't Alice have some too?
Sorry for the poor picture, I had to photograph it because my stupid scanner is a fraction of an inch too short.

If you haven't worked on wood, you don't know what you are missing! I love woodburning, and painting goes on so much smoother than on canvas. I have seen some artists work on watercolor paper, but I have found it difficult to paint on paper. The brush seems to drag, and feels dry all the time. I will have to do a bit of research to see how to get around this.

I know a lot of you love art supplies just like me, have you heard of Pan pastels? Oh my goodness, I really want these! I want them all! they are so pricey though...Click on the 'techniques' and check out the video. Smooth like butter! Right now I have a shelf full of various pastels, which I have rarely used, and yet, a new product shows up and I'm dreaming about it. No wonder I'm running out of room, lol!