Photo of the Day, Molly Murrah's WC Class, and Sketches

I have what I think is a very interesting photo for you today. It is one that explains to me why some children are afraid of frogs. I particularly like frogs and spend lots of time with the little girls in the backyard along the creek spotting them. I don't think I've ever seen teeth before, though.

Doesn't he/she look a bit menacing?? I told the girls I thought it was a parent with babies nearby.

I've had a couple of requests to share a bit of what I learned in last Friday's Creative Techs free online WC class with Molly Murrah. Here is what I learned:

- her favorite WC paper is Arches 140# cold press

- she prefers to paint on the smoother side (I've always used the rougher side)

- she showed a beautiful portrait she did years ago of her son on something called Aquaboard and said it is a dream to paint on      

- she also likes to sometimes paint over a thin layer of acrylic gel medium

- she talked about brush care (basic) and did a few washes, both flat and graded

- she brushed across several different kinds and weights of paper, including Yupo to show how the color looked on each one.

I have a question about what side of the paper you paint on - rough or smooth?

I intended to get some painting done yesterday, but between visiting my grandgirls, going to the dentist and grocery shopping at two different locations, I only got a few sketches of ideas done. I could have painted in the evening, but the Tigers were playing the Yankees and I really got caught up in the game. And the Tigers won - go Tigers!!

Here are some of the ideas I am thinking of trying in watercolor:

I actually drew the blues with a fountain pen. I've been playing a bit with them lately - actually since I got the Rhodia Webnotebook and they write like a dream. I had a couple of Shaeffers that I had gotten on sale long ago and really like them. I now also have a Lamy Safari and a dip pen with some chocolate colored ink. I would like to teach myself to make better lettering and am practicing to that end. I'll share as I go.

I am going to Ann Arbor with an art friend today and hope to get some "live" sketching done. I am hoping I won't feel so strange and intimidated this time. This will be the second time we do this. I will share my efforts with you tomorrow.

For now, I need some coffee and then I'd like to spend some time reading the many (sometimes it seems like too many) blogs to which I subscribe before getting a wee bite for breakfast and getting ready to go.

xoxo

Attempt No. 2

First thing this morning I started in with a fresh eye and decided to change three things - the distance from her nose to the back of her chignon (I'm not sure this "hair in a snood" qualifies as a chignon, but I've never before had a chance to use that word in a sentence and couldn't help myself.); the eye; and the nose.

The first one wasn't too difficult and I am pleased with the result, but still don't like the hair that is free near the front of her head. I am actually not too displeased with the new eye. It appears to be a bit more defined than the original, but is certainly an improvement over the first attempt. The nose is still bothering me a bit, not so much for itself, but for how it required a redraw of the mouth and chin. That is my biggest disappointment at this point, but I am going to walk away from it now and maybe try again later in the day.

 

Today's version

Yesterday's Initial Attempt

The Original

I would sincerely appreciate any comments or suggestions you have for me, and a big thank you to all who left comments yesterday.

I need to spend some time today gathering the supplies I need to take to Hollander's on Sunday for the 

Found Book Concertina class and in the process clean up my art room (it is quite a mess). I also need to prepare for the watercolor class that begins on Monday through the A.R.T. Yahoo! group.

The second Molly Murrah free watercolor workshop at the Creative Techs site is today and I am hoping to watch and learn. I don't have the supplies yet (there is lots of overlap between her list and the list in the Claudia Nice book), but am anxious to watch anyway and take notes.

I have an Algebra student coming over after school today and am looking forward to working with him again (I tutored him in Geometry last semester).

Sounds like a busy day, but I also have to find time to get on the treadmill. I am trying very hard to give about 1/2 hour a day and am becoming addicted to it.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

xoxo