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
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21 comments:
awww.. Betty.. she is so pretty.. and so soft.. looks as if she is saying exactly your sentiments.
YOur heart shows through on this one.. ♥
Oh man, I can't imagine living in that much COLD! I'd bury myself in quilts and never get anything done...haha!
Your sketch is enchanting...she reminds me of Alice...probably her little blue bow :)
Pity about those ACEO's, though :(
Hi Pink.
I like this drawing a lot! She is SO pretty - love her eyes. Maybe that is all you needed - to get away from the owls for a while and concentrate on something else. I bet when you go back to the owls, you'll do just fine.
Sorry you are having such COLD weather. I hope it warms up for you soon.
♥ audrey
I love your girls and this one is amazing. :) As for your question on my latest blog post, I do tend to be careful what I write and how I write it. :) Usually I get my feelings down first then I start turning words around so it doesn't sound so negative or "insulting" :)But I definetly avoid certain topics.
BRRRRRR.....how cold!!?
I hate it when things don't go right with sketching, I was talking to hubby about this topic last night, it's like i'll be sat trying to draw a girl and all of a sudden I can't remember how to draw legs, I mean how many legs have I drawn before?...er thousands, grrr at silly mental blocks!!
Usually I just go and do something else none art related for a bit and that sorts the issue, but it is so frustrating when it happens.
I haven't tried pan pastels before, I am curious about them as they look so yummy and creamy to use but they are soooo expensive, i'm not sure whether to try or not!!?
Warm Hugs
Micki x
Love your girl!!! She is fabulous!! As for drawings...I spray mine with cheap-o hair spray. And I don't have a problem with spots.
I have those blocks too. I am like the others...I just do something else for awhile until I feel like I just have to try again.
Good luck
Hugs
SueAnn
Hi Pink, I know the feeling. Sometimes I go to work on something and just can't quite grasp an idea or a composition, very frustrating. Sorry it is so cold for you. We are lucky that it is not that cold and just wet. I also have heard of spraying your drawings with hairspray, but would like to find out if it yellows over time before I try it.
SueAnn and Marlene, I've wondered about hairspray too. In highschool art classes they told us we could use Final Net hair spray, but does it yellow over time?
I guess we should test the spray varnish that is meant for drawings, and see if it spots. I tend to jump in and spray my originals before testing, then end up with a disaster, lol!
First, Betty, I love the drawing!! She is adorable!! And, second, I believe everything happens for a reason ;o) You were suppose to stop your owls for awhile, to do this lovely drawing and use those art supplies, you haven't been using ;o)
She is fabulous!! I love her! I know what you mean about feeling like a beginner . . . I have recently been frustrated with getting stuck with my creativity! Hate when that happens. I feel like I have lost all my progress! lol
I have tried regular soft pastels and they were too dusty for me and have wondered about the pan pastels. Sounds as though you like them! Do you find them less "messy" than the soft sticks?
Beautiful work!! :)
What a beauty! Owls, schmowls - you were meant to do this lovely girl!
I have a fixative that I use for graphite. I clean the nozzle after I use it (and before just to be sure) and start with a test spray off to the side to check the flow. Same with varnish for my watercolors on canvas.
So pleased you got your art happy again. It's so frustrating when it doesn't go right.
At art college we used a fine mist of hairspray to fix drawings.
Love your pretty girl face!
lovexx!
Julie
Oh reading your blogs post messages. I have drawings I hairsprayed at college in 2000 and still ok. Haven't gone yellow.
We're cold here, but not THAT cold. Stay warm!!!! I happen to think your owls are very sweet. ;) And this girl is absolutely stunning. You did a great job with her. :) Take care and talk to you soon...Theresa
She is beautiful, if you hadn't told me I would have never known she wasn't finished. And the pastel is beautiful!
Yikes, that is COLD. I live in southern California so I never wake up to that cold. I might never leave the house. :)
I love your girl. SO pretty...and I love her big eyes.
Thank you so much for posting link to the PanPastels... I went there and it looked so cool, that I had to buy some to try!
I spray my pencil work that I want to save. Mostly just to keep the smudges down. And DON'T throw away those aceo's!!! Put them in some sort of "scrap" box. YOu may be able to recycle them into something wonderful later!!!!
She is stunning! Her eyes captivated me immediately. I really like your style and how your capture the emotion of each character within your art.
Happy Sunday! :)
I get frustrated too at times...I have been painting for a long time but there are days I feel like it is my first go at it...that is when I do what you did...sketch...easier to erase and make changes too...:)
she is so very very lovely.
I have not sprayed pencil art yet, I have wondered the same.
Wonderful to hear that you love the pan pastels, I have heard others say the same. wishing you a lovely week.
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