4 Ways to Set up the Background in your Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you ever gone to a LIVE Theatre Production?

 It's so amazing how they create a setting with just a few scraps of material and a bit of lighting.  Suddenly you are THERE. . . .

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON - $650 Matted 

I paint and draw nature but I don't really draw landscapes.  I zoom in and focus on subjects: birds, animals, rocks, ferns, the parts of nature that catch my eye.  The problem is, I don't always pay attention to what is around my subject.  My reference material contains only my subject.  

So when I go to design my picture, I don't have a good solid idea of what to put in the background.  

Do you have trouble with that?  

I have been putting a lot of thought into this and here's what I have learned:

There are 4 Ways to Setup the Background in Your Painting

A DISTINGUISHED CANADIAN - $650 

*** There is further discussion and examples of the different types of backgrounds on my Video Production for this Post.  See YouTube: Playing with Backgrounds - What Works for You?

1.  No Background: This may seem strange but actually I found I kind of like it.  With just a hint of the setting the story is there.  In my mind, there is no question that my Canada Goose is standing in the water.  What more do you need to know?

2. Contrast: Something totally unrelated!  Here my subject was the cluster of flowers.  I drew a very Geometric design and then added my flowers.  I liked it.  Why does it work, was my next question.  I think it is the Contrast that is happening. There is so much for the eye to see, eye candy. What do you think makes it interesting?  or I guess I could ask, Do you find it interesting? It is Definitely telling a different type of story then my usual work.  

CASCADING - $700 

3.  Realistic with Background Suggested: This can take several forms.  Cascading, my painting of the ferns has a very realistic feel to it but the further away from the focus point, the more the surrounding foliage becomes more suggestive in nature.  The opening picture Closed for the Season, also has a suggested background.  The information is there but blurred leaving much to the viewers imagination. 

 

ROBIN: SATISFIED - $160

4.  Abstract or Fantasy: In this setting my Robin has an environment but it is a fantasy world.  This environment can tell whatever kind of story you wish.  Actually it is kind of freeing, your design can go into so many different directions.  I had a lot of fun with this and made of series of 3 Robins, you can see them Here.  

I am not sure if I have settled the Background Issue or opened up a bigger issues.  When next you have  a subject to paint, you must first decide "What type of Story you want to tell".  The background material you choose will send you into many different directions. 

*** There is further discussion and examples of the different types of backgrounds on my Video Production for this Post.  See YouTube: Playing with Backgrounds - What Works for You?

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  Contact Wendy for More info

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 2-30 sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

3.  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Strategies for Composition - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG!  I love those Magnolia Flowers! 

When Spring comes they are one of the first flowers to Brighten the Day.

(Special Note: Only 2 Outdoor Classes Left Aug 18 & Sept 1 - see details below ↓↓↓) 

Magnolia Flower (Photograph) 

The Magnolia flowers on my neighbour's tree and were glistening in the sunlight.  It is just a small tree.  Actually more like a bush, but Oh such a bright spot in my day. 

 Of course I had to draw it. 

I took some pictures and decided it would be a great subject for my drawing classes. Drawing and painting ‘white’ things is a really challenge. 

(Try you own hand at "Magnolia in the Sunshine" - Click for a Free Downloadable PDF )

 We decided to focus on just one bloom and really blow it up in size.  Layout and initial shading proceeded pretty quickly.  The darks are easy to find, there are hardly any.  Then the petals became the focus. 

That’s when the questions started. . . . .

 How to create the white? ? ? . . . 

A white on white paper needs a contrast to show up.  I know, it’s obvious, it needs a background.  But what should the background be?  I find this a common question from students and one that often plagues me as well. 

 This is where your personal artistic spirit comes into play.  What appeals to you?  A realistic graphically detailed setting?  An angular graphic shape?  Or are you somewhere in between. 

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice - Melissa

Melissa, my student, chose a more graphic type design of light and soft values.  It made her flower petals pop and created drama.  It was great.

 

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice, Wendy 

My choice was also a graphic type design of lights and darks but it also reflected the natural environment around the flower.  (A touch of realism).  My flower pops and has great drama as well. 

 Which is right? 

 Both are. Our drawings both look nice.  They both make you feel the power of the sun on the magnolia and our love for the topic.  They both reflect our personal touch. 

When setting up your painting/drawing you chose the subject.  You choose what to use and what to discard in the reference material.  That is your Artistic Touch.  The choices you make put your personal touch on your work.  

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice, Wendy
Fun to play around with this flower in colour too!! 

Try your own hand at "Magnolia in the Sunshine" - Click for a Free Downloadable PDF    What kind of a background will you use?  Melissa and I would love to see what you do.  

Outdoor Sketching Classes - Only 2 Sessions Left!!

Class Dates: 
Aug  18: 10-12:30pm           Sept 1: 10-12:30pm 

Outdoor Sketching Classes are 2.5 hr sessions and located in parks in North Surrey and North Langley.  Beginners to Advanced are Welcome.  Mediums supported: watercolour, pen, pencil, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils.  You can sign up to as many sessions as you like.  Class Size: Max 3.  $50 per session.  

Arrangements made for inclement weather.  
You are welcome to contact me for help in organizing your supplies for an Outing.  

 I am available for booking special outings for you and 1-2 of your friends. 

Gift Certificates are Available     Contact Wendy to register 

Up-Coming Outdoor Sketching Events:

Aug 20 & 21 - Kilby En Plein Air Weekend - $20 - ( 2 day site fee & Sunday Elevenses) - Kilby Historic Site, Harrison Mills.  Register: kpickering@kilby.ca  See you there!!

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  Contact Wendy for More info

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 2-30 sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

3.  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Putting Texture, Shapes & Values into your Painting Backgrounds - Painting and Drawing Tips

Do you struggle with the Backgrounds in your Paintings?  

Should you put more? Less? Too busy? Too dark?

Backgrounds have always been a mystery to me.  

Using colours, textures & shapes go on a Discovery Trip into the background. 

As a wildlife artist, I am always focused on my subject.  I often have to create a background or setting for them as my photos don't have them in an interesting or natural setting.  (Stellar Jay on patio table is definitely not nature in action!!) 

As you know I love working in my sketchbook as much as producing Fine Art Pieces.  When I saw this activity with Karen Stamper I just knew I could take it and run with it. And run I did.  

Meet my 'Rabbits in the Garden' . . . 

RABBITS IN THE GARDEN: So much fun to make this loooooong picture. 

Pretty exciting project eh?  Now don't panic, you don't need to put rabbits in your garden but I do challenge you to make a garden. I made a video on the whole process for the Arts Council of Surrey.  You can see it  here.  In the meantime I have given you a summary of the process below. 

 When you watch the video you will see "My Garden" version which is done mostly in blacks and grays.   'Rabbits in the Garden' was my second project as I decided I needed animals in my garden. 

 

MY GARDEN - pen, charcoal, pastels, coloured pencils

Steps for Rabbits in the Garden Project: 

1. Add an extension to your sketchbook page.  Having the longer format is half the fun.

2. Gather a variety of mark making tools.  I used: micron pens, pencils, watercolours, pastel pencils, wax, a variety of thicker pens, paper and scissors for stencils

3. If you are going to put specific subjects in your garden, sketch them in now.

Stage 2 of my Garden: Painted Rabbit and continued to make marks and shapes around him

4. Start mark making.  Moving across your page make marks that are plant like, overlapping and layering as you go.  Note in my Stage 2 there are painted leaves that were a stencil, leaves drawn in ink, branches thick and thin scattered about.  

5.  Look at bushes and see what is happening at the ground level for more ideas for shapes.  Add some abstract shapes.  

6. Colour in your shapes.  Think about the light source as you do

Final Stage: All coloured in.   Note patterns inside of drawn shapes like the fern at the top left

Super Fun Activity eh?  I know challenging as well.  I spent a few of my walks with Max studying bushes and really looking at what was happening.  This is definitely not a 1 day project but one that will interest you and challenge you for days.  It really is all about shapes, textures and values.  How they work together is really the secrets you will learn.  

Do you have big/small projects on the go?  Looking for a sounding board, help, suggestions, techniques.  I am available for Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75). more info here.

If you are looking for Live Outdoor Sketching Classes I will be starting them June 6.  See info below.  Contact me to set something up. 

Outdoor Sketching Classes !! 

Yes,  2 in a class for Outdoor Sketching starting Saturday, June 6.  Covid  Rules and Social Distancing will be followed.  

Sessions 2.5 hours, in local North Surrey Parks, Tuesdays 10-12;30 or Saturdays 10-12:30.  

$45 
June Dates: Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30.   Saturdays June 6, 13, 20, 27

Save a Spot Now. Contact Wendy

Be sure to like and share my posts. 

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Competition: More on the Mixed Media Paint Off- Painting and Drawing Tips

My Completed Entry: Little Friends on the Trail 

NO, I don't know how my entry placed.  It is all up to the judges now.  All I can say is I am glad I don't have to jury this competition.  It would be very hard.  (Not sure what the competition was about? See last entry - Mixed Media Paint Off) 

Little Friends on the Trail - 20 x 16,  Mixed Media $500 

If you would like to see all the entries they are now on Facebook - Surrey Art Gallery Association. 

Did you notice the background at the top left side of my picture??

I wanted to share this technique with you as it has many possibilities.  When I researched using some of the materials for this project I came across this texturing technique.  It seemed to have a big place in the abstract world but I think it can move over into main stream painting as well.  It is simple, effective and can certainly solve that big problem. . . 

Painting without the final background completed

What can be done with the background???. . .. 

How to finish the background is a continual question I am asked.  Talking about the "how to" painting of backgrounds are some of my most popular posts.  I know I often struggle with what to do with the background too.  When I saw this technique I just knew I had to try it on my picture.  

My Road to a "Pain Free" Background . . .

The solution - paint, water and saran wrapping.  I tried this with acrylic paint and watercolour paint.  It works well with either.  (I used watercolour for my painting as that colour was already in many parts of my painting)

Pouring puddles of paint onto the painting (Note there was some dry painted markings already there.)

Process: 
1.  Take a small cup and mix your paint with water so that it is very watery. Pour the paint on your canvas in puddles.  

Placing the saran wrap over the puddles and positioning the wrap to make interesting shapes and lines.  

2. Take the saran wrapping and place it over the paint, patting and bunching up the saran to form interesting patterns.  

Working one section at a time.  Note the area to the left already has saran wrap on it

3. Leave it to dry.  At least 16 hours or more. It definitely takes a long time.  The acrylic paint longer than the watercolour. Carefully lift off the saran wrap.  Voila.  A very interesting textured pattern. In my case, it makes a great impression of foilage and trees in the background without making it too dark.  

Things to think about as your work: 

- Watercolours dry lighter so you may want to make the mixture a little darker to start with.  Acrylics dry darker so you might want to make the colour a little lighter.

- Thinning acrylic with water gives a more matt look to the finished texture and thinning with medium will give it a shinier look

- Lines and colour can be put on the canvas first and this technique applied after the original lines and colour are very dry.  Too much fiddling can cause the under layers to activate and mix with the poured paint.  (Check out my completed picture.  You can see spots that were there before and some strokes that were added after)

- Lines and colour can be added over top of the textured surface.  However, once again, too much fiddling can cause the under layers to activate and mix with the poured paint. 

Give this little technique a try.  It really has lots of different possibilities.  

See you next week - Have you ever worked with a Visual Arts Mentor/Coach?? 

and hopefully we will hear from the judges by then!!

Outdoor Sketching Classes Starting Soon!! 

Yes, I will take 2 in a class for Outdoor Sketching starting as soon as the weather is more stable.  Covid  Rules and Social Distancing will be followed.  Sessions 2.5 hours, in local North Surrey Parks, Tuesdays 10-12;30 or Saturdays 10-12:30.  $45  Get on the Wait List Now. Contact Wendy 

WENDY MOULD IS ONLINE:  

I 'm Now offering Private Mentoring/Coaching ONLINE

Want to make pictures that sing?  Move your Art Career forward?  Get a handle on your art business?

Let's Talk

Imagine, your own personal coach, in discussion with YOUR images:  Discussing your goals; Ways to move your artwork forward.   Sessions: 30 minutes each

Package: 3 session: $75 + tx       Flexible Booking Schedule

Contact Wendy to book your session - Send me your pictures and let's Get to Work!

Get a Taste for Online Learning with my Blog & Video Combos: 

1.  Have you tried Monotypes?   - Blog post with video link on how to do Monotypes and ways to incorporate it into your art. 

2.  One Awesomemazonly Sketchbook Activity - Blog post with video link on a great Sketchbook Activity to inspire and challenge you.  

 (Be sure to like and comment while your are there. 🤗)

Great Opportunities for Artists: 

Arts Council of Surrey 
 Artist Calls: 

Info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca for Entry Forms

 Arts 2020: Juried Show with Cash Prizes for 5 Different Categories.  Hosted by Arts Council of Surrey and Surrey Art Center.  Digital Entry.  Deadline: June 5.  Free to  Enter.  No Theme. 

When Life settles down: 

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Backgrounds to Foregrounds - the Planes in the Picture

Max loves to play 'Hide the Toy'

Max - Looking Dapper with his new Haircut

This means I hide his toy, somewhere in the house and he has to finds it.  No, it is not buried under something and no, I don't think he uses his nose to find it.  I imagine the whole house smells of me so that would be little help.  I hide things in plain sight: on the floor; on a bed or chair; or partly hidden behind a pillow.  If he can't find it, he comes back and tells me and then I give him a clue - look in that room or up there. I can literally see a smile on his face when he finds it. 

The Creative Process is like that . . .
Your prize is clear to you.  You know what you want to create, well maybe not exactly, but once you start things take shape.  You feel success is near, but  . . . suddenly it is not there.  Your work is in plain sight, right in front of you, but you can not 'see' where to go. 

GOLDEN FINCH IN THE APPLE BLOSSOMS - WIP  - 10 x 8 watercolour on wood cradle

Who will give you your clue?
When that happens to me I go in search of an Art book.  I know Mr Google, often has ideas but I have a good library, books I have read 5 and 6 times, so I usually go there first.  One of my old standbys is 'Conversations in Paint" by Charles Dunn. You probably have a book or website that speaks to you, Charles speaks to me. 

Putting my Finch into the Planes of the Picture

Backgrounds to Foregrounds . . . issues in execution . . .
Working with the "Planes of a Picture" is an issue for me.  As a wildlife artist, my subject is an animal, but that is not all I am painting.  I want my wildlife to be 'in' its environment.  I want to portray it involved with its life.  I want my viewers to feel they have 'come upon' my wildlife, as if on a walk or strolling in the garden. In order to place my bird/animal in my setting I need to think of the Picture Planes - Background, Mid-ground and Foreground. 

Cropped Picture (WIP) with the background layers 

Planes are important . . .
Whatever the point of view - birds eye, up close or in a distance - abstract or realism - having layers that create different planes, makes for depth and interest.  For my little Golden Finch, I wanted you to feel like you looked up into the apple tree and saw the little finch.  Such a treat.  So first I suggested a loose background of shrubs/trees and possibly more apple blossoms.  (see last post Build a Background from Abstract to Realism for more on this)  By using a few different values I was able to suggest different layers and thus a bit of complexity in the Background. 

My little Finch is firmly set in my Mid-ground Plane

Mid-ground is my home plate . . .
I know I am bit of bore, but I find my wildlife is usually in the mid-ground plane.  And I guess this is partly because of my back story - you see my wildlife while hiking or walking- so of course there will be something behind them and in between you and them. 
Within this mid-ground plane there are layers again.  More detailed and more refined than the background.  The branch is behind the bird, the bird itself projects forward, (well it will even more when I finish him) and then there are leaves in from of him.  He is firmly 'in' the setting. 

Foreground:  Using all the tricks in the book, a sense of depth is created

Don't forget the foreground . . .
Here is where the picky things happen and you want to bring the little brushes out. Yes, there is a big urge to use do tiny details in the foreground.  But . . . remember your focal point.  In my case, I want your eye to slid past the foreground and go to my mid-ground.  So the detail may be there, but soften. 
This view at the bottom of the picture of the Foreground is interesting. As well as the foreground leaves, there are pieces of the mid-ground present - leaves and tree trunk- and the blurry suggestive layers of the background. 

Analyzing your Planes is just another tool. . .
When critiquing your work, check out your picture planes.  When I went to Dunn's comments on the Planes of the Picture he mentioned a problem - The Graphic Hole.  This is where you have an empty Plane.  ie.  Lots of interesting things in the foreground and background and the middle ground is empty.  I certainly find with wildlife as a subject this doesn't happen.  Instead the background and middle ground have interest but the foreground is often empty.  I think in Abstract work there is also a danger of having only 1 or 2 planes.  Certainly whatever the genre, 3 interesting planes would make for a more interesting painting.

Painting Backgrounds is a subject that has interested me a lot.  I have talked about it many times.  Here are a few posts on the subject, if you put 'painting backgrounds' into my search box on my blog you will get even more.
Backgrounds that Paint Themselves 
What's Going on Back There
Painting Those Pesky Backgrounds

Next week, another look at Backgrounds - Saving the Whites.

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

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

 Special Note:  Instant Digital Valentine Cards are now Ready - Print, Fold and Give.  They are great for Pet Lovers, featuring Cats and Dogs - of course Max was my inspiration for the dog drawing!

Special Opportunity Coming Up:

Marketing Workshop - Let's Get Your Art Out There!!  

Sunday, Feb 24, 2019  10-3pm with Wendy Mould, AFCA

Need a focus for your Marketing Strategy?  Unsure where to start, where to head next? Marketing takes so much of your time away from the Studio, learn where to focus your energy and ways to maximize your time.  At the end of the day you will have plans and be ready for Action. 

 Cost $84 Tx Incl  

Working with Wildlife Artist Wendy Mould, AFCA bridges the gap between the Entrepreneur and the Artist in the Marketing World.  Contact Wendy to Register. 

Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:

Matching Colours to Values here
Playing with a Very Limited Watercolour Palette here
3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action here

How to Find your Starting Point 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

3 Steps to Putting Magic in Your Art - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

"Abracadabra!"

Wait Stop!!

Uttering Magic Words is not the Answer.

Like any Magic Trick there is research, practice and preparation involved.  There is the need to keep the viewer's eye under control, seeing what YOU want it to see.  Sounds just like what you want to happen when someone looks at your Art, Right!

See Magic in Action

Along the Shoreline, Miracle Beach BC

Doesn't look like Magic but wait. . . Take another look at ALONG THE SHORELINE, MIRACLE BEACH, BC.   When you look at the picture, does your eye run smack to the tree, wonder down the trunk, along the shore over to the logs, up and back to the tree?  Do you see an interesting little tree, logs, underbrush, grasses, sand and more? 

All that information is there but not all of it is detailed and carefully rendered.  Most of the underbrush is 'implied'.  Just colourful shapes, a few sharp lines.  However, by setting the stage with my logs, and tree, the rest of the shapes have 'become the background/foreground'.  Magic! (See more about putting HOCUSPOCUS  in Your Work in last Post)

Step 1 in Making Your Own Magic
The first step in your Magic Trick is something you love to do, painting detail - setting your scene.  Giving your viewer a sense of place and time. 

Lovely summer day, on Vancouver Island looking over to the Coastal Mountains on the Mainland

In this case, the tree and the logs give the setting. Particularly the tree, it is the focus point.  For this example I did not include the water and distant mountains but they certainly could have been part of the picture. More valuable information as to the setting. 

Step 2 for Magic Making
For me this is the hardest part, painting shapes and patterns.  Searching for colours.  This little picture has few discernible 'things' in the foreground, thus forcing you to work only with blogs of colour.  This is the part too where you 'push' some colour.  Just painting 'green' wont cut it.  There are yellows, golds, blues and violets in the underbrush but there could be more if you want.  I like to take the challenge and add a bit of colour just to see where I can go with it.  Remember though, put that colour in 3 places so it will be part of the scenery, not an isolate.

. 

ALONG THE SHORELINE, MIRACLE BEACH, # 2

I painted the picture again, trying different colours in the foreground and experimenting with other shapes. My goal was to get lots of midtones, shapes that were in the picture, creating a nice flow.  

Close up of some of the detail from the picture

Looking at the close up you can't see the tree and logs, my Scene Setters, only my colourful shapes.  Really doesn't look like anything.  But wait . . Step 3 of the Magic Steps is coming.

Step 3 - TA DA!!
After filling in all my foreground with those midtones I could see a 'nice' foreground emerging but to give it life it needs some Darks.

ALONG THE SHORELINE, MIRACLE BEACH, #2

   To make my darks I used a pen.  (You know it is one of my favourite things) But you could also add those touches with your paints.  "Little Bits of Jewellery" one of my artist friends calls it.  Not tight rendered brushing, just giving the shapes some darks or shadow shapes. 

Close up with the darks added

Here is that same little cross section of foreground with some darks dropped in.  Note how the ink lines do not 'draw a leaf or branch' they suggest them.  Broken lines, half circles.  Here is a chance to let your painting talk to you.  Some of those shapes might suggest a rock, or log, add a little dark shadow to build on that.  Note those little squiggles in the sand at the lower bottom - they suggest so much.  Never underestimate the power of 'dot' or 'squiggle' when you are working. 

If you would like to Make Magic with this picture, drop me a line and I will be glad to send you a larger file of the shoreline reference.  I would also love to see how you bring it to life.  What colours you infused into it.

Next Week is Chinese New Year - The Year of the Dog - Come meet some of the Dogs I have met.

AWESOME OPPORTUNITY: 2 Day Workshop with Dene Croft, SFCA - Friday, Feb 23 & Saturday, Feb 24, South Langley.   2 SPOTS LEFT- $160 Contact me to Register.

1 -Day Marketing Workshop for Artist - Let's Get Your Art Out There! with Wendy Mould, AFCA      Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 10-3pm $84(Tax Incd)

Great Art needs Good Marketing to Move it out the Door

During the day you learn Strategies that FOCUS your marketing, see effective ways to promote your work and find a path that is right for you.  It is a full day and the synergy generated from the experience will keep you on track for 2018. Turn your Art Making into a Business. Maximum 8 people so register early. 

I look forward to working with you.  

 REGISTER  Contact Wendy               Gift Certificates Available

Good Follow-Up Session to the Marketing Workshop: 

April 9 - Building Your Online Presence with Wendy Mould, 6-8pm. Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC. $20 nonmembers $15 members.


Looking for more Drawing Tips, check out these popular posts from the latest Drawing Series.  

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit - here

Get Those Values Working for you - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
 You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy

Is there a bit of HOCUSPOCUS happening in YOUR Work? - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Do you think of yourself as a Magician?

Are you Making Magic when you paint or draw?

CAUGHT IN THE LIGHT - $500 - 12 x 16, Matted to 16 x 20 inches

Many artists, like myself, like to sit and paint or draw. I have a lovely drawing table made by my husband many years ago.  It adjusts easily for different angles and heights.  It works great.

 My favourite thing is to work at my table: Max sleeping/playing beside me, little music going, sun shining in the window, drawing or painting.  Close, detailed, realistic kind of work. This works wonderful when I am working on a bird, a leaf, a flower.  The main subjects of my picture.  But when it comes to the foreground/background, it just doesn't work.

Backgrounds are this huge area to be filled.  They are not the subject so shouldn't be sharply focused, the eye should slide over them and head for the important stuff.  But don't you find the detailed stuff is your favourite part.  The loose, ambiguous stuff not so much fun. 

The Struggle Point . . 
There is no place in the background for your beloved detailed focused work.  This is Magic Land.  Everything is an Illusion.  Little lines, shadows, darks, lights are all engineered to 'suggest something' rather than 'be something'. Do you struggle here?  I do. I know I need to let go, get loose.  Hard for me to do. Learning to Wave my Wand is my Goal.

Waving Your Wand . . 
CAUGHT IN THE LIGHT is full of conjuring tricks. One night we were driving on a country road and a barn owl swooped down and was caught in the headlights.  It was a breathtaking moment - this big beautiful bird right in front of me.  It totally inspired me.  What if you were out walking in the evening and you suddenly picked out an owl in the light.  Wouldn't that be an amazing thing to see.  That's what I wanted to do with this picture. So what is the trick in that, you ask?

The Illusion . . 

Bushes in the half light - Caught in the Light detail #1

Take another look at the picture.  Yes, the Barn Owl is detailed and realistic but those background pieces - Illusions.  Note the detail #1 above: If you cover up those leaves in the right hand corner, the background is just patterns and shapes. 

Leaves and Branches in the Dark - Caught in the Light detail #2

See Detail #2: When you isolate these blobs they really don't look like anything.  But in context they are one of my favourite parts of this picture.

How does the magic work?

I am continually studying this phenomena.  It happens in different ways and is handled by Realists and Abstract  artists in many different ways: using colour, patterns, and shapes they lead our eye around and make you believe you see a rock, a leaf, a branch.  Often you pause and try to see more. This too is part of the illusion.  (BTW I used salt to make some of those unusual shapes in this picture.  You can see more on that here)

Is this your struggle too?  Are your backgrounds too detailed?  Have you found ways to move forward?

Next Post: 3 Steps to Put Magic in Your Art

AWESOME OPPORTUNITY: 2 Day Workshop with Dene Croft, SFCA - Friday, Feb 23 & Saturday, Feb 24, South Langley.   3 spots left - $160 Contact me to Register.

1 -Day Marketing Workshop for Artist - Let's Get Your Art Out There! with Wendy Mould, AFCA      Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 10-3pm $84(Tax Incd)

Great Art needs Good Marketing to Move it out the Door

During the day you learn what the main focus of your marketing materials should be, see  effective ways to promote your work and find a path that is right for you.  It is a full day and the synergy generated from the experience will keep you on track for 2018. Turn your Art Making into a Business. Maximum 8 people so register early. 

I look forward to working with you.  

 REGISTER  Contact Wendy               Gift Certificates Available

Good Follow-Up Session to the Marketing Workshop: 

April 9 - Building Your Online Presence 6-8pm. Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC. $20 nonmembers $15 members.


Looking for more Drawing Tips, check out these popular posts from the latest Drawing Series.  

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit - here

Get Those Values Working for you - here

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 Have a great artful day,
Wendy