The Story of a Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

"How long did it take to paint that picture? "

This question is often asked at my Art Shows.  People don't really want to know it was 16.5 hours or something like that.  They are really asking how did you do that.  How were you able to take your idea and produce this wonderful picture.  What is the story of its Creation.

Every picture have a Creation Story? 

The Story may be long or short, full of intricate details and thought provoking moments, reaching a Climax when you finally put the brush down.  

Hitching a Ride is on the Easel and well underway!!

"Hitching a Ride" is on the Easel right now.  There is excitement in the air, I just want to paint. I had a hard time tearing myself away from it to write this blog.  Now that is it underway, I just want to paint!!

Here is the Story of "Hitching a Ride"

Inspiration:

Our local Art Center was advertising a Call for Artists this spring called "Paint the Train" in partnership with the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway.  I wanted to support this event but wasn't sure how I could.  Trains and equipment are not my thing.  I settled on an idea of having a bird, hitching a ride on the train.  My working title became "Hitching a Ride". 

Lots of places for a little Bird to sit and hitch a ride on a train

Resource Material:

I didn't really have any train pictures so when I was in Agassi I stopped at the Heritage Museum and checked out their train.  I wondered around the train looking for a place to put my bird. I wanted it to be a place that 'looked like' a train not just a piece of machinery.  It wasn't till I started really taking the pictures that I began to see how my idea would work.  I put my camera case in the picture to give me a sense of size and shadow pattern for my bird.  

This little Stellar Jay came often to our Feeder.  He has a nice stance to fit into my scene

Once I had my train picture I needed a bird in my resource file. I decided on the Stellar Jay.  He is local to the area, he would look great with the oranges and yellows on the train, he is big enough that he would not get lost in the chains and bands of colour.  And he is also one of my favourite birds to paint.  Going through my files I was looking for a pose that had his tail up so I could place him on the hitch.  I liked the idea of him sitting near the middle chain.

I liked the spot by camera case for my bird - the lines and shapes all seemed to point to him.

Cropping and Prepping: 

Once I had my pictures, it was off to photoshop to crop and play with the images.  I decided not to use the picture on the steps as once I cropped it, it wasn't as interesting a place for me.  I really liked the chains, lines and colours in the picture around the hitch.   I the jay was similiar in size to my camera case so it made it easy to see how he would fit in.  (sizewise that is)

My little jay just fits nicely around the chain to really give him a 'settled' look. 

The finished painting was going to be 12 x 16 so I printed the picture out the actual size in black and white.  It took 4 pages of 8.5 x 11 paper which then had to be cut and taped together.  I like the actual size as it is easy to draw it when I can see the correct scale.  I also printed it out in colour on  8.5 x 11 photo paper.  Having a black and white gives me a good look at the values and the colour photo gives me colour info and good back up info.  I needed this for my train and for my bird.  

Drawing/Layout

I do my drawing first on a large paper and then transfer it to the watercolour paper.  That way I can make any drawing changes and erasing without causing any damage to the watercolour paper.  I am using Arches 300 lb paper and although it is tough, erasing can damage the fibers. 

Once I was happy with the drawing I used tracing paper to transfer it onto the watercolour paper.

 (To Turn your tracing paper into a graphite transfer paper:  First trace the picture, then turn the tracing paper over and using a soft graphite pencil (I use a 7B or 8B) and go over all the lines.  This leaves a layer of graphite on the back of the tracing paper where your design is.  Then turn the paper back to the right side and place it on my watercolour paper, now go over the lines. )

Once I have checked over the transfered drawing I am now nearly ready to paint. Yipee!!   (Sorry no picture, I was too excited to paint and forgot to take a picture.)

Some ideas as to how to change the lighting on my Steller Jay 

A Setback

As I worked on my layout, I realized that although my Stellar Jay fit into the picture really well I needed to do more work on him.  He is back lit in my reference photo but in my train picture the light is from the front.  I needed to make some changes to him.  First I drew him with a new value scheme that reflected his new lighting.  I decided I wanted more help so I looked online for pictures that would give me more of an idea on his colour changes.  Finally I was ready to Paint!!

This little guy looks good with his new value plan

Next post, "Hitching a Ride" comes to life.  

My Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

Plein Air Painting Festival - August 17-19,  KilbyHistorical Site, Harrison Mills, BC

Great Opportunity to Paint on an Historic Site with costume models, farm animals, farm scenery, old store and more.  Painting Friday and Saturday, & Sunday Morning,  Prizes, Luncheon, and Sales on Sunday Afternoon.  Great Prizes for all levels - Beginners to Advanced Welcome.

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  

This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Only a few Sessions left till Summer
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Monday, June 4 & 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook  Ready for You - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Turn Your Sketchbook into Your Own Personal Treasure Part 2 - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Have you ever really looked at the cover of a Sketchbooks?  The ones with the really good paper that really works for you? 
Moleskins, Stillman & Birns, Stathmore's MultiMedia, Arches Watercolour Book, . . .

I MADE IT MINE - The cover of my Sketchbook is ready to roll - see how below

As sketchbooks go they are great.  Durable bindings, hardback covers, open flat, multi-sizes, paper takes water, graphite, ink and laughs and asks for more.  But their covers are boring, plain, not inspiring even on a good day.  This wont do, Your Sketchbook is your best Friend.  It is there to inspire and support you.  Make it Yours.

My Moleskin Travel Journal - Love the size and shape

Meet one of my friends.  My Moleskin 5 1/4 x 8 1/4 inch book.  I love the horizontal shape, it makes for really great full page spreads but also big enough that each page is great for a picture.  It lies nice and flat when opened and the paper takes everything I throw at it and doesn't buckle.  There is no bleeding through to the next page either.  My kind of book.

But very boring solid black cover.  

After I have used my book a bit, I like to 'Make it Mine' by painting my own cover using Watercolour. Acrylic painters can just apply gesso and paint away, but to use Watercolour there is more involved!!  You know, nothing about Watercolour is easy, right.

Prepping your Book:  

In my last post "Turn Your Sketchbook into Your Own Personal Treasure" I explained how to prepare you cover for watercolour.

My Plan: 

Mermaid Cover - My Reference for my Cover Picture

My plan is to put my picture of Mermaid Cove onto the cover of my book.  This little Cove is located at the Saltery Bay Campsite, near Powell River on the West Coast of BC.  It is a real treat to walk along the shore early in the morning and watch the sun come up over the mountain.  This little cove just lights up, always making me feel happy.

As part of my design I used green painters tape to save a portion of the cover so I could border my picture and put some writing on the cover.

My Set Up - Note that I am working in several parts of the picture as I wait for areas to dry

Let's Paint: 
As part of my prep, a light outline of my design has already been done in pencil so I can now jump in.

Secrets to Painting on Absorbent Ground

*Like any watercolour surface there are a few tricks to get the best performance of your paints.  I am using my trusty little paint set up that is in my travel kit as I like to practice with it.  My colours: Hooker Green, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Aureolin, New Gamboge, Permenant Rose and a little Winsor Blue (Green Shade) in the water.

*Wait at least 24 hours for your Absorbent Ground to set

*Keep your brush wet but not too wet.  As soon as you touch the surface your water/paint will be grabbed and seems to bleed out onto the surface.  Lots of water, big bleed, almost dry like dry-brushing means you can capture the detail

*Paint can be lifted off by lightly wetting it and using a paper towel to lift it.  Do not work it as you might cause your ground to break down. Let everything dry and repeat if needed.  I repeated the lifting process several times to make a corrections.  (I found Golden Absorbent Ground was pretty durable but I have seen others lift when too wet.)

I blocked in the colours for the rocks - just one stroke, and leave it.  

*Paint your stroke and leave it.  Don't keep reworking an areas with a wet brush.  You will lift the colour underneath and create mud or worst you might cause you surface to break down.

Once the blocking in was done, I glazed over the rocks with different colours.  Each layer was applied after the previous layer was dried. 

*Paint in layers.  Like regular paper the colours will dry lighter than they are so block in your colour and go back when dry and add the darks.  The rocks have several layers as I blocked in colour and then blended with my glazes.

Painted the water last - note the lowlands in the distant.  First layer painted in previous picture and darks added later.  

*The chalky nature of the surface seems to make it dry quickly so if you work on several areas at a time you should be able to continue without waiting for paint to dry.

*Make sure everything is "REALY" dry before removing the tape if you used it. (24 hrs)  I rushed mine a bit and the surface did break off a bit when I removed it.

Taped removed and final check before signing and sealing. 

*Sign it - I used my Micron Pen on my painting

*Signed my Cover with a Molotow White Acrylic Pump Marker.  It seems to cover well and takes a bit of punishment.

Seal Your Cover
Give it a light layer of Fixative to seal everything up.  Once this is dry apply 5 or 6 layers of Spray Vanish.  I used Krylon Kamar Vanish,  (Golden has an archival spray vanish that I didn't think I needed for this project.) Most of the spray varnishes are for Acrylic and Oil only so always check it it is good for watercolour.

See completed Journal at the top of the page.

Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

Plein Air Painting Festival - August 17-19,  KilbyHistorical Site, Harrison Mills, BC

Great Opportunity to Paint on an Historic Site with costume models, farm animals, farm scenery, old store and more.  Painting Friday and Saturday, & Sunday Morning,  Prizes, Luncheon, and Sales on Sunday Afternoon.  Great Prizes for all levels - Beginners to Advanced Welcome.

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  

This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Only a few Sessions left till Summer
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Monday, June 4 & 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook  Ready for You - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Turn your sketchbook into Your Own Personal Treasure - Painting and Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

 Make that Sketchbook YOURS!

To really keep that sketchbook habit growing you need to really OWN your book.  Make it your best Friend.  

 I do that by designing my own cover.  

I make it MINE.

My Sketchbook Before and After I designed the cover

Picking your sketchbook is a difficult thing. See my last post "How to find the Right Sketchbook Friend".  But when you do, it is so disappointing to find it has a boring cover.  I never worry about that any more.  I just make it Mine by putting my own picture on it.

This can be a little challenging if you are a watercolour painter.  Watercolour wont work on just anything like acrylic paint.

 There is a solution.  

With a bit of Gesso and Absorbent Ground - I can paint anywhere.  

My Solution: Gesso and Absorbent Ground.

To give you an idea how it works I have taken my moleskin journal - 5 x 8.  They are great journals to use, they open flat, they take a pen, pencil and watercolour with no problem.  (Well don't flood them with water and you will be just fine. )  However, they do have very boring covers.

Moleskin Journal: Great Paper, Great Size, BUT Boring Cover

Step 1 to a New and Improved Cover
Put a layer of Gesso on the cover and let it dry thoroughly.  You can see from my picture above that I decided to make an interesting edge to my picture.  So I taped off an area with green painters tape.  I then applied my coat of Gesso.

Step 2
Once the Gesso was dried I applied a coat of Absorbent Ground.  I waited 24 hours before adding this layer.  I waited an additional 24 hours and applied a second layer.

Applying the Absorbent ground does leave brush strokes.  I used a palette knife to take out those strokes

When you apply the Absorbent Ground your brush leaves stroke marks.  This can add an interesting texture to your picture as you can see in my Tulip Cover at the top.  However if you want to get a smoother finish then us a palette knife.

Step 3

Sketch your picture onto the surface

Putting your plan to work can be a little finicky at this point.  There are a few things to remember when you lay out your design.

1.  Keep your design simple as painting and drawing a lot of detail is not as easy on this surface
2.  Pencil markings need to be light so you do not gouge out the surface with your pencil.
3.  There is no erasing.  Keep your lines to a minimum and have a plan in mind.  You can transfer a drawing onto your surface using tracing paper but again, use a light touch.

Mermaid Cove, BC  - Early in the Morning 

My plan is to put my picture of Mermaid Cove onto the cover of my book.  This little Cove is located at the Saltery Bay Campsite, near Powell River on the West Coast of BC.  It is a real treat to walk along the shore early in the morning and watch the sun come up over the mountain.  This little cove just lights up, always making me feel happy.

Grab your journal and get it ready.  Next week I will Paint my Cover with you.  There are a few tricks to painting on this surface.  As you know, every painting surface has its own little tricks.  The more you know ahead of time the better your results.

 Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Come and See More:
This Saturday, May 19 11-12:30 & 2-3:30pm  - Opus Langley Store,  Free to Register 604‑533‑0601
Turn Inspiration & Special Moments into Treasures by Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM
See for yourself my passion with sketchbooks.  I will have many different examples of my sketchbook friends and lots of Tips and Techniques on how you can get your book to become your Friend and your Special Treasure.  Looking forward to seeing you there. 

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Only a few Sessions left till Summer
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Tuesday: May 22, 10-12 & 1-3pm  Monday, June 4 & 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook  Ready for You - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy