Farmer's Market Show / Frog painting stage two

A few brief comments about the Farmer's Market one-day show the Artist's League had last weekend:  We only planned on entering for one day; and for only four hours of having artwork on display, I question the effort-to-sales ratio.  However, it was a huge learning experience; and I have a new appreciation for the folks that make this a regular event every weekend.  Our crew of at least six, took an hour to set up the tent and display panels and hang the artwork - and although I didn't stay for the entire tear-down, I'm sure it took just as long.  In addition, the last couple of years, I've noticed sales for original art is way down to a few years ago - the "economy".  We did have sales on a few prints and several cards.  Three of my cards sold.  The Market takes 5%. 
I also wanted to post the next stage of the frog and flower painting.  I've started to lay in the flowers - still a long way to go.  I haven't worked in a yellow/orange range for quite a while and am finding it refreshing.

Painting Stage One

Didn't manage to post last week due to illnesses and other obligations.  I did want to upload the first stage of the frog painting before I move on with it.  This stage is just a preliminary background which will likely have more done with it before I'm done.  I've used (Pebeo) Drawing Gum applied with a brush to block-out the frog and plant material.  That way I can just paint in background colors without worrying about going around all the detailed foreground items.  If you haven't used liquid masks before, the tip-of-the-day is to saturate your brush with liquid soap (like dish-washing soap) before you use the mask.  The brush cleans up so much easier and you don't end up ruining a lot of brushes.  I've also found it's best to do the masking stage - do the watercolor - dry it quickly with a hair-dryer - and get that masking fluid off the paper within a day or two.  If you leave it on for too long, it gets more difficult to remove. 

The Poulsbo Art League will have a booth this Saturday at the Farmer's Market - one day only.  There isn't much room, but I hope to have a few items there -- and I will be there bright and early to help set up.  Hope the weather is nice.

New Painting Set-Up

Time to start a new piece of art.  I've had this photograph for half a year - meaning to do something with it.  

We had a guest speaker at art league meeting several weeks ago discussing using computer graphics programs to plan out paintings.  I've been using Photoshop to do just that for years.  In this painting, I wanted the frog larger to make him easier to see.  I cut him out with the polygon lasso tool and moved him to another layer.  Then I made him a bit larger - rotated him just a bit - and blended him back into the background. 

From there I did the pencil drawing.  I tend to make detailed pencil drawings before I watercolor. 

I like to work with my watercolor paper securely taped to a drawing board - so that will be the next step.  This one should be quite a challenge - putting a background in around all the detailed foliage. 

Paint Swatch Exercise

Yesterday I finally got around to doing a paint swatch table of all the watercolor tubes I've been carrying in my supply bag for over a year.  I think what prompted this was the trip to Daniel Smith's last week.  What an eye-opener!  I have had the tendency to use the same colors over and over; and have been missing out on some of the other beautiful colors I have available.  On the other hand, I've noticed I have several colors that are very similar.  For example, I have 10 - 12 different reds of which at least three can be eliminated because they are too close to other shades.  I've been meaning to do this for quite a while; and now was a good time, while I am between paintings.

Field Trip

My ongoing concern about having a blog is whether I'd be able to get back to it on a regular basis.  I see that it's been a week since my last post.  Hopefully I can revisit here at least once a week.  

I'd like to discuss a field trip that a dozen of my fellow art league members and I took this week to the Daniel Smith art supply store in Seattle.  I've ordered from their catalog numerous times; but I don't think I've been in the store for, oh, at least 20 years.  

This was a scheduled visit.  We were suppose to have a tour of the paint production area; and were disappointed to find it had been cancelled.  But we were given a two hour hand's-on demo and the opportunity to try out some of their new PrimaTek watercolors.  Honestly, that was my main reason for wanting to go.  And we had the time to do some serious shopping for supplies.  

For over a year now, I have been in love with their Kyanite Genuine which is a rich blue-gray with granulation and dazzling, glittery sparkle. 
During this trip I've discovered three other colors that I had to pick up.  I was on a budget, or I would have ended up with more.  

From the left:  Fuchsite, Sugilite and Red Fuchsite - all with that sparkle I'm crazy about.

First Post

"Mmmmocha"

I thought it would be appropriate to start my first blog post with my latest piece of artwork.  It is a submission for a food illustration publication; which, I believe, comes out later this year.  I'm a big fan of coffee drinks and chocolate; and have always felt that chocolate is a sensuous experience.  Hopefully this piece reflects that idea.