In with NEW and OUT with the OLD!
Seems like a very common sense idea and one that has been around for ever.
But it hasn't. . . .
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| Beach Buddies: SEAGULL IN THE SUN; GRIZZLY ON THE RIVER; & BLACK-TAILED DEER ON THE BEACH - ink on wood, 4 x 4, $65 each |
I googled it and was very surprised to see it didn't become part of our daily life until 1976, with the introduction of the television show, Logan's Run. Can't say I remember the TV show but I certainly subscribe to the phrase. It is very apt with my new project.
As I mentioned a few posts ago I had picked up a wood cradle, 12 x 24. I totally fell in love with the shape and wanted to work with it. My plan was to do a watercolour on paper, mount it on the wood cradle and varnish it. I was excited and ready to go.
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| 12 x 24 Wood Cradle |
Life changes. . .
As you know I have been doing lots of pen work with my outdoor sketching. I really am focused on my pen work lately and wanting to do more. At the same time I decided I wanted to do a picture focusing on the forest floor.
Suddenly I could see a NEW way . . .
Why cover up that beautiful wood grain with paper when I could draw right on the wood. Well I thought I could. My next move was to go to Opus Art Supply and talk to them about it. Yes, I could. They told me how to finish it and my NEW PATH was underway.
Now, drawing with a pen on a surface that is 288 sq inches is a BIG job. I decided I had better do smaller projects to see what I was getting into.
Beach Buddies were born . .
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| HERON RESTING - 2 x 3 inches, ink on wood block $50 |
I picked up some 2 x 3 wood cradles and there was an 8 pack of 4 x 4 wood cradles. I know, how many practice pieces do you need to do. Well, it turns out, LOTS. I drew a heron on a small 2 x 3. It was small and a little awkward to draw on. I forgot to mention, the wood cradles are 1.5 inches thick. So not much room for resting your hand anywhere.
I loved it!!!!
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| HERON RESTING - Side View |
I decided to try the 4 x 4's - just a bit bigger. My Grizzly Bear on the Run was finished soon after. I loved him too. And I loved the slightly larger size.
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| GRIZZLY BEAR ON THE RUN - Ink on Wood Cradle - 4 x 4 inches $65 |
Ok. At this point I admit, my BIG plan was forgotten. I got lost in my little blocks. With each block I learned more and more about 'how' to draw on the wood. I started with 1 pen and was soon using 5 different kinds. Deciding how to shade and what patterns I could maintain over a large area was another. How dark was dark. (Yes, even with black permanent pens, darkest darks are elusive.)
The finishing became the focus. . .
Sooner or later in all creative projects we have to do the boring stuff. Either it is the 'prepping' or it is the 'finishing'. These steps are important but are just not as much fun as the 'creating'. Putting the finishing coats on my blocks was definitely not as much fun as drawing them. I tried the 4 step process to varnish them on a sample. My ink marks started to move. OMG! What if that had happened on my big piece.
Suddenly I was glad I had done all those little ones. Working out the kinks on a little 2 x 3 or 4 x 4 block wasn't too bad. I sure would have been upset to see my ink lines moving on my large 12 x 24 inch piece.
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| HERON RESTING; SWANS ON THE WATER; SEAL: COMING UP - 2 X 3, Ink on Wood $50 each |
Life is good again. . .
I feel ready to tackle my Big Project. Next post I will give you a peak at my progress. Needless to say it is going to take a few minutes to draw my forest floor on a 12 x 24 inch wood panel. I am really excited to get under way.
Do you plan BIG projects? Does their journey take twists and turns as you bounce along the road?
How do you feel about it? I look forward to hearing your stories.
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OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON is Quickly Disappearing !!
Only a few Scheduled Sessions Left:
Saturday, Sept 4 & 11 - 10-12:30pm
(Private Sessions/Small Group sessions available upon request)
Classes: Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature. Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request)
Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils
Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley
Cost: $50 per session
Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies
Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain. You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me.
Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!!
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
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