Watercolor Still Life WIP

I spent much of yesterday cleaning house and then watching the Tigers clinch the American League Pennant. Afterwards I began the task of choosing a still life to paint. I chose the top left even though more of you liked the bottom right. Something about the angle of the rectangular books and the trio of rounded fruits.....here is the beginning sketch,

I began with the background in a purplish color and added salt to it. I was expecting magic, but I got ugliness. But I persisted. I added a bit of color to the books - as it turns out, not the color they really are. Then I added a bit of color to the fruit. It is not at all like I pictured it, but it is not done yet. I need to add more contrast to the colors and shadows.

At this point I cannot decide whether to add shading and then do a glaze overall with plastic over it to create interesting texture. Or whether to begin to add interest with pastels or colored pencils. Comments/suggestions are more than welcome.

This morning I am getting my teeth cleaned and then have to take a camera battery back to Best Buy. It will not power my camera. I probably should have insisted on the Canon battery, not a generic. I then have the middle of the day to play in my art room. In the afternoon I have a chiropractor visit followed by my personal training workout. When I get home Miss Z will be here for the weekend.

What about you? What do you have planned for today and the weekend? Does it include family time? art time? baking or homemade soup making? Do tell....

xoxo

Still Life Sketches and Blog Links

So I played with the still life set ups a bit more yesterday and then got out my sketchbook and gave it a try. I did these fairly quickly to get an idea what it is I want to start with on watercolor paper so I can try to paint one of these.

I think I like the one with the three pieces of fruit and the empty pitcher better than the second one. I like the fit of the pitcher behind the books better than in the other one. Perhaps today I will get it onto watercolor paper and get the paper taped onto my board so I can begin painting.

I don't know for sure what else I am doing today, besides cleaning. On Sunday when three of the grandgirls were over for dinner, they were playing with cardboard boxes making houses with them. Apparently one or more of them had some styrofoam packing material in them and there is a mess of little white pieces that really need to be swept and vacuumed before the baby arrives tomorrow for her stay.

I made a quick bratwurst soup the other day, but it is too thin. Today I will doctor it with either barley, rice, or more veggies and cabbage. I haven't decided yet, but I must rescue it. I really don't like thin soup and neither does the hubster.

Later today my daughter and I are planning to go to the gym and work out. There is a gym in Jackson that is $10/month with no contract. They are open 24/7, which works really well for the daughter as she works late several days a week. It will be interesting to see what they have to offer for this ridiculously low price. And speaking of gyms and workouts, yesterday at my personal training session, I was actually able to balance on the ball on my knees for several seconds. Now just to get it so I can stay on indefinitely. 

Some time ago I was talking about all the wonderful blogs I read and that I should provide a few links once a week and I did once, but I've forgotten about it, so today I would like to do that. Here are a few links to blogs that I look forward to each day.

View From the Oak - Lin Frye

Dandelion and Daisy - Daisy?

The Fading Rose - Gillian Mowbray

A Painter's Year - Susan Abbott

Art Hearts Place - Barbra Joan

So, what are you doing today? I can hear the rain beating down outside my windows, so a morning walk in the yard is out of the question. I can't decide whether to get started on the housework and be done with it or procrastinate here in my art room for a bit.

xoxo

Art Journal, Still Life, and Quick Sketches

It was wonderful to be back at the conditioning class yesterday morning. It is funny how I miss my routines when I go away for awhile. I'm a bit sore and tight this morning, but don't know how much of it is due to the conditioning class and how much is from my yoga class last evening. I am planning to try Pilates this evening and hope it is all I hope it is. My core definitely needs a good workout.


I did spend some time in my art room yesterday and am pleased with some of what I accomplished and not so much with others. I was planning to do some value studies in contemplation of a new watercolor, but then decided to go with a still life of pears. My thought was that I couldn't mess up with pears - not so. I am not at all pleased with how these turned out.

My friend, Nancy, mentioned that she was working on a portrait when I saw her yesterday, and it made me realize that I haven't done anything with faces in a long time. I found a couple of photos from our visit to the beach earlier in August and tried one and then did a quick sketch of the girls at play on the water's edge.

I also spent some time in my art journal. There is something so freeing about this. I don't have to think too much - just grab the gesso, a bit of paint, wasi tape, stamps, gel medium, and play.

I think this one is way too light and may go in with some pen and do some writing before I call it done.

It was so fun to grab a Neocolor crayon and make a pear that I could really like.

Today I am going to go into town and get an oil change in my car, then pick up some coffee and head over to my daughter's for a short visit. I should have lots of time this afternoon to work on some art and may actually make a landscape in watercolor as I was planning to do yesterday. I do have to remember that the US Open has started and find some time to watch a bit of tennis. Maybe I will try sketching some of the players.

What about you? What do you have planned for the day? Are you watching tennis? Are you finding time to play a bit and is your muse cooperating? Do tell.......

xoxo