Art Battle - A Full Report - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG!!!

Was that FUN!!

Scary. Challenging. Overwhelming. Surprising. Rewarding.

Ready to BATTLE - 25 minutes to Create

It was awesome to feel so supported and encouraged.  A special thanks to the many readers who came out to the event.  It was truly wonderful to have you at my back, your comments, smiles and attention really filled my evening.  I felt like a ‘celebrity’!!  (Not to worry, I am back to normal now. 😜)

Art Battle Report

What!! I am in the first Round! . . .

That was the start of this event.  No chance to see how others handled this medium, I was in the first group.  I tried to settle my nerves and organized my materials.  3. . 2. . 1 . .  Start! 

Thank goodness I had practiced.  I found I was able to blank out my surroundings and just settle into my painting.  Practicing with the pastels was a good idea. There was a lot of similarities in terms of blending colour and blocking in colour.  In the end, being in the first round was good.  I was able to relax and watch the other rounds and not worry about my performance. (What did I practise, you ask, see last post  Art Battle Here I come)

Some of the Competition - Every style was there

Being under the spotlight was Awesome! . . .

What a Rush, when they introduced me.  Felt so special.  While we painted people walking around the circle and watched.  Actually it wasn't that bad having someone look over your shoulder.  Only a few spoke to me, which was good as I really needed to focus to paint.  But for the most part I was in my zone and really didn't notice them.  I was shocked when I looked up at the end and saw how many were there.  

When I finished it was Unbelievable. So many people wanted to take my picture and to have pictures taken with me and my picture.  I felt like a winner.  

My Struggle was REAL. 

I'm in What? - The Championship Round! . . .

OMG!  I had practiced a few pictures for a second round but not that carefully.  I think I was afraid I would jinks myself.

Championship Round Underway - Lights, Camera, Action! (Thanks to Diane for this great picture)

Suddenly I was wishing I spent a little more time on that second idea.  I needed something different and so I went to my poppies.  I love drawing them and I thought that the soft creamy oil paint would give me a great flower petal.  

Working on my Poppy, nearly done

What a Thrill. . .

Finished my picture, people were cheering and clapping.  Again, lots of pictures and congratulations.  Wow.  Definitely a Moment in the SUN for Me. 

Had to show you this one, thanks to CJ for sending me the Picture

The Winners (Thanks to Diane for this great picture)

The awards were made, Fiona Tang - 1st, Sarah Power - 2nd and Myself 3rd.  (Right to Left)

My Takeaways. . .

If you decide to go into Battle, I have 2 pieces of advice.  One, practice your image ahead of time.  With all the things happening and emotions flying, you will find it very hard to 'wing it'.  And practice a second image, for the finals.  (You never know.)   Two, set some goals.  Mine were to relax and enjoy myself and paint good pictures.  I achieved my goals and more, getting into the Championship Round was a wonderful bonus.  

A Super Night - Thanks Everyone!! 

A Special Thanks to Melissa Burgher and Joanne Dennis for all their work in putting this event together.  And Super Special Thanks to my daughter, Cathy, who came and took LOTS of pictures of the whole Event.  

Have you gone into battle before?  What are you thoughts?  Takeaways?

Well Spring is coming fast, my trip to Italy will soon be here.  So you know what time it is for me - Sketchbook Time.  Next post, Let's Get Those Sketchbooks Humming!!

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Time to Register

May 1 - Workshop Day for Spring Show - South Burnaby

Want to experience the joy of watercolour?  Learn about the supplies? See paint in action as you create your first Masterpiece?  - Join Audrey and Myself on May 1, 10-12pm for a Beginner Watercolour Class - $40 all supplies incld. 

Itching to create but want some direction? Want to make exciting cards and notes for the special people in your life? Add design to your sketchbooks and journals? - Join Myself and Audrey on May 1, 1-3pm for a Creative Card Class - $40 all supplies incld.  This year's theme: Flowers and Ladybugs.  

Audrey Bakewell and Myself include this Workshop Day as part of our Spring and Fall Shows at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby.  Both classes are very popular and fill up very quickly.  

REGISTER NOW

SPRING SHOW:     Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale

 in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC

 Thursday, May 2  to Saturday,  May 4 

Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Workshop Day: Wednesday, May 1 

10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class

1-3pm Spring Card Making Class

$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome

Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy 

 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

Art Battle, Here I Come!!- Painting & Drawing Tips

Art Battles are Happening

Not just on TV but EVERYWHERE

Have you ever tried competing in one?

Preparing to Battle - Practice Sketch 2 - 30 minutes

I have entered a battle . . . 

and its happening this Saturday, March 23, 5:30pm - Surrey Arts Center, 13750 88 Ave. - Painting with Oil Sticks - 25 minutes. OMG!! Not sure about all this but I had this crazy idea I wanted to challenge myself.  What was I thinking?

As you know, I am all about challenging yourself and trying new things.  So when I saw this Artist Call, I thought, oil sticks, how hard can that be.  I had entered an art battle before, well actually, several years ago. 2014 to be exact.   (Read about it here.)  We had 45 minutes then, 25 minutes is a real challenge.  

Preparing to Battle . . .

No one goes into Battle without a plan.  With only 25 minutes, 'winging it' just wont work. Here's what I did. 

1.  Research: I have never used oil sticks nor have I ever even seen them before.  I contacted an artist friend, Joanne, that had some and begged for some help.  Joanne was great. She let me come to her studio and play with them for a bit.  Not sure I mastered them but felt I could at least work with them.  (see last post Experimenting with Oil Sticks)

For the horizontals, I experimented with the horizon line.  The portrait version was my first choice. 

2.  Make a Plan: I decided I wanted something loose to paint and settled on a waterscape with lots of sky.  Then I drew a few value sketches to get an idea how it should look.  My first choice was the Portrait view.  

3.  Execution: Seems easy right.  Pick up your sticks and go for it.  Not!  First of all, I don't have any and there was none in the local store to buy and too late to order any. We only got word this week that we were for sure in the competition.  

I used the Nupastels for practice

I decided to use Nupastels, for practicing,  as they would give me an idea of what it was like to work with the oil sticks.  I had a limited palette with them and that would be the case for the competition as well. (I think we will only have 8 colours)  And the biggest reason I choose them, I had some.  

Practice Sketch 1 - 31 minutes - with reference material

My first choice for layout was the Portrait view, so off I went. I had my reference material in front of me, my timer on, my mind focused.  31 minutes. Ok, not bad, eh? I know, not the greatest paper, but I am just practicing.  

Practice Sketch 2 - 35 minutes - with reference material 

4.  Time to Re-evaluate:  I decided I didn't really like the Portrait view.  So for my next practice I tried my landscape view.  The main different with the landscape views was the horizon line and sky shapes.  I liked the horizon approx. 1/3 of the way from the middle to the bottom. And the sky shape in the top Value Study.   Practice Sketch 2 - 35 minutes - with reference material in front of me.  Ok, but I was hoping to be faster.   I do like this picture better though and feel I can work with this layout.  

5. Make Notes:   Now that I have a plan, I decided to make notes of the things I liked and didn't like. My intention was to make sure the good things were the things I replicated.  This proved to be a great activity.  It made me study each area of the picture and decide if I liked its placement and content. Things like: colour of foreground shadows, size and shape of background mountains, sky colours. I could also see I need to work on the cloud/sky formation more but I like the general overall look.  

Practice Sketch 3 - 29 minutes - no reference material

6.  More Practice: I set the timer and this time no reference material.  29 minutes.  I was pleased with that.  Still slow and still needs work on the sky but over all things are working out.  Making the notes really helped me focus on what needed to be done.  

Well Competition is this Saturday, still a few more dry runs to do before then.  There will be 12 of us, 3 groups of 4.  Then one artist from each group in a final battle.  I guess I should start working on a second picture, just in case . . . .

Come watch the Art Battle, I think it will be fun.  Saturday, March 23, 5:30pm - Surrey Arts Center, 13750 88 Ave  

Next Post - Art Battle - Full Report.

Wish me luck!!

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Time to Register

May 1 - Workshop Day for Spring Show - South Burnaby

Want to experience the joy of watercolour?  Learn about the supplies? See paint in action as you create your first Masterpiece?  - Join Audrey and Myself on May 1, 10-12pm for a Beginner Watercolour Class - $40 all supplies incld. 

Itching to create but want some direction? Want to make exciting cards and notes for the special people in your life? Add design to your sketchbooks and journals? - Join Myself and Audrey on May 1, 1-3pm for a Creative Card Class - $40 all supplies incld.  This year's theme: Flowers and Ladybugs.  

Audrey Bakewell and Myself include this Workshop Day as part of our Spring and Fall Shows at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby.  Both classes are very popular and fill up very quickly.  

REGISTER NOW

SPRING SHOW:     Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale

 in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC

 Thursday, May 2  to Saturday,  May 4 

Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Workshop Day: Wednesday, May 1 

10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class

1-3pm Spring Card Making Class

$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome

Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy 

 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

Experimenting with Oil Stiks - Painting and Drawing Tips

Welcome to my Playground 

SPRING is close at hand - time to try some new things! 

Trying my hand at Oil Stiks - their stiks so why no try drawing  

I had the opportunity to try using Oil Stiks, I jumped at the chance.  I had this great idea that since they were Stiks it must be like drawing.  I figured I could do that, Right!?

What are Oil Stiks? . .
If you are like me, you have never heard of them before.  Oil Stiks are oil pigment in a stik form.  They are about 3/4 inch (1.9 cm. ) in diameter.  Basically a very fat pencil.  They have a bit of a film over the surface which needs to be scraped off.  Then they are ready to paint/draw with.

My First attempts . . .
Okay, I know, wont win any prizes with this picture.  I started out trying them on heavy cardstock to see what they can do.  They are creaming and can be used like a pencil.  A bit like using a brush and like a brush it takes time to cover the surface.

Definitely need to learn more to succeed with these stiks!!

A big problem . . .
Like all painting processes you can create mud very easily.  Strokes have to be kept separated as they will mix with the adjacent colour or the colour underneath. Not a happy thought eh?  Needless to say, I became very good at making mud, very quickly.  In all fairness though, using heavy paper was not a good idea.  The paint was slick and moved around too easily.  Things got much better when I moved to a gesso panel.

Working on a Gesso Panel - note the size of  the stik 

Finding the Right Colour . . .
Just like coloured pencils and pastels a small kit of colours is not enough.  They come in sets but you will always be wishing for another colour, another stik.  Yes, you can mix colours but there is a limit to what can be done.  Remember the Mud.

Note all bad, once colour is down there is FUN to be had

There is FUN to be had here . . .

I know, you are thinking this is not a happy place right now.  And I must admit when I started I thought, what am I doing?  However, I found the HAPPY PLACE.  The reason artist reach for these stiks.  It is the scrapers.  Once the colour is down, you can scrape paint away to make all kinds of patterns and lines.  Definitely a FUN place to be.  Note the awesome scraper in my hand, pictured above.  This is a silicon scraper and great to work with.

Note some of the scrapers on the table

Other fun tools . . .
In the picture above you can see some different scrapers. Some are special art tools but others can be a spatula or icing tools.  Certainly those made out of silicon are the best to use and easiest to clean.  Dollar Store, here I come.

Not a Masterpiece but certainly an improvement over the first attempt

My Take Aways  . . .
*Working with the stiks was very interesting.  I found as you can see, I really like that dark shadow line.  I guess I am influenced by my love of my ink drawings.
*The scrapers really let you move the colour around and off so you can get lights and darks with the same colour.  Note the purple background and high lights on the mushrooms
*The scrapers allow for different types of brush strokes.  The stik smear the paint on but the scrapers can create ridges and hollows
*Drying time is very much like a true oil, tacky for up to a week and up to 6 months before you varnish.  Especially if you have thick areas. 
*Working with the oil forcing you to learn more about your colour mixing as "Mud" can appear very quickly.  Definitely time to look at working with Mixing Complements and Visual Complements

I really enjoyed playing with the stiks and trying them out.  Will I continue with them, no.  I have my hands full with what I work with now.  But did I enjoy the experience - Totally.
A special thanks to Joanne Dennis and Melissa Burgher for the Introduction to Oil Stiks. 

Have you tried "the stiks"?  What are your thoughts?

On the easel now is "Buddy" a very good looking cat. (Him now with his baby picture in the background)  Next Post - Drawing Buddy - a Silver Gray Cat. 

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Time to Register

May 1 - Workshop Day for Spring Show - South Burnaby

Want to experience the joy of watercolour?  Learn about the supplies? See paint in action as you create your first Masterpiece?  - Join Audrey and Myself on May 1, 10-12pm for a Beginner Watercolour Class - $40 all supplies incld. 

Itching to create but want some direction? Want to make exciting cards and notes for the special people in your life? Add design to your sketchbooks and journals? - Join Myself and Audrey on May 1, 1-3pm for a Creative Card Class - $40 all supplies incld.  This year's theme: Flowers and Ladybugs.  

Audrey Bakewell and Myself include this Workshop Day as part of our Spring and Fall Shows at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby.  Both classes are very popular and fill up very quickly.  

REGISTER NOW

SPRING SHOW:     Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale

 in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC

 Thursday, May 2  to Saturday,  May 4 

Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Workshop Day: Wednesday, May 1 

10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class

1-3pm Spring Card Making Class

$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome

Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy 

 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

Is that Really the Right Blue? - Painting and Drawing Tips

Having trouble with your colour choices?

Feeling like there is 'no right' colour to paint with?

I know what it is like. . .
Sometimes my painting flows, my colour choices seem to roll with ease.

Mushrooms in the Leaves - ink and coloured pencil

Then trouble starts. . . .

You add that trim colour, or move into the shadow colour and nothing seems to work.  So annoying.
Working with colour has become my focus this year.  I am back re-reading some of my books, trying different combos.  Researching.  And playing.

One of my favourite ways to play with colour is with coloured pencils. . .

Funny eh?  Not sure why, but when I use coloured pencils and my sketchbook I seem to be freer. No fear.  Dropping in a new colour, mixing a weird combination, just seems to be easier.  I think too the fact that I am not making mud with my watercolours helps too.  Regardless, it works for me.

Mushrooms in the Leaves - WIP 1-  note the delicate look of the mushrooms. They are outlined with Sepia not Black

So here's my latest neat way to play . . .

I decided to try a different colour ink to layout my drawing.  I grabbed a sepia coloured one.  I thought I would use other colours too.   But when I added some  green I decided it was too garish and stopped. So I just used the sepia for the rest.  Then took my coloured pencils and had fun.  Mixing my colours to create new colour. 

Ways to layer with coloured pencils . . .

1. One light layer of a colour then put a heavier layer on top of another colour

2. Double up, light layer one colour, light layer another colour then heavier layer of the first colour (watch you don't end up with too many layers or you can get a waxy bloom. Prismacolor.com: "Wax bloom is a natural oxidation process of wax-based materials, just like rust is an oxidation of iron. It appears as a cloudy white film over a drawing or color lay down. If you are plagued with wax bloom, simply wipe your drawing with a clean, dry cloth and spray it with a final fixative to seal out air.")

3.  Heavy layer one colour and then a light layer over top of another colour

See what I mean, with heavy and light layers you can mix things up.  The big thing though, is to look carefully at what you are doing.  See what you like and don't like.

Mushrooms in the Leaves - WIP 2 - Note how the shadows make the leaves look really fluffy 

Things I really liked . . .

1.  The stems of the mushrooms.  I liked the effect of the light pink at the transition point between the white light and the purple to blue shadow. 

2.  The yellow leave on the bottom left.  It was looking way too bright, see WIP 2 above, I glazed part of it with purple and part with a terra cotta. - see finished picture below

3.  I love how many ways I was able to integrate the red into the leaves on the ground.  Red is a colour I don't use a lot.  But I needed it there because of the red in the mushroom caps.

4.  The deep, dark shadows. Those were made with black, blue and purple.  They look really dark but don't seem to be a flat black. The purple seems to give them a new life.

Just a 24 pack of Coloured Pencils and two Micron pens  - neat stuff awaits.  

Easy Supplies . . .

Really can you ask for anything easier.  Just a 24 pack of coloured pencils - Prismacolour and 2 Micron Pens - Sepia and Light Green Size 05.  I like the Micron pens because they are a permanent ink. They dry quickly.  You never have to worry about the colour running.

The Take-Away . . .

1. New medium combo - I love the softer sepia line with the coloured pencil.  The crisp sharpness is there but blends softly with the coloured pencils.

2. Experimented with different colours and their effect in the transition zone - area where light and shadow meet.  This is an area I do not give enough attention to in my colour works.  I understand its value but didn't understand the colour changes that work there.

3.  Played with the two colour compliments - Visual Compliments and Mixing Compliments. (see post on this here. ) 

Looking for more on drawing with coloured inks. You might be interested in: 

Using Tonal Values in Ink 
Getting Loose and Free
Building Patterns with Your Mark

Have fun with your playing - love to see what you do with ink and coloured pencils.
I have been on another colour trip, which I will share with you next week - Oil Stiks.  I am really playing in a new playground, eh!?

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Time to Register

May 1 - Workshop Day for Spring Show - South Burnaby

Want to experience the joy of watercolour?  Learn about the supplies? See paint in action as you create your first Masterpiece?  - Join Audrey and Myself on May 1, 10-12pm for a Beginner Watercolour Class - $40 all supplies incld. 

Itching to create but want some direction? Want to make exciting cards and notes for the special people in your life? Add design to your sketchbooks and journals? - Join Myself and Audrey on May 1, 1-3pm for a Creative Card Class - $40 all supplies incld.  This year's theme: Flowers and Ladybugs.  

Audrey Bakewell and Myself include this Workshop Day as part of our Spring and Fall Shows at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby.  Both classes are very popular and fill up very quickly.  

REGISTER NOW

SPRING SHOW:     Paints'n Bloom Workshops & Art Show & Sale

 in Support of the Alzheimer's Society of BC

 Thursday, May 2  to Saturday,  May 4 

Gardenworks at Mandeville Gardens, 4746 Marine Dr, Burnaby

Workshop Day: Wednesday, May 1 

10-12pm - Beginner Watercolour Class

1-3pm Spring Card Making Class

$40 ea. All supplies incl. Beginner to Advanced Welcome

Registration Happening Now Contact Wendy 

 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