Jesse Reno: One of my Fave's!

Jesse Reno is one of the most talented artists I've ever encountered and I am in awe of the art work that he creates.  Even more, I love his process and his ability to let go of an image that looks amazing and morph it into something else even more amazing!  His paintings are layers upon layers upon layers of random and purposeful marks, lines and color.  Someday, I'd love to take a workshop of his...but he is in such high demand that his workshops are sold out way in advance and beyond anything I can afford!  So I search the internet for videos and blog posts that tell more about him and his work and I fall deeper and deeper in love with his art, and most of all his PROCESS!!!  It's almost as if his painting is telling a story AS he's creating it and each new layer is another chapter in the book...

Take a look at some of his artwork on this youtube video, and after that, watch the video of him creating from start to finish, one of his many masterpieces.  You will be glad you did, it's simply amazing!

29 Faces Challenge: Faces # 27, 28, 29...The End

Well, I'm both relieved and sad to end the 29 Faces challenge...This was the first "challenge" I've ever taken part in, and I have learned so much and met some great artists/friends along the way!  I just may have to find myself another challenge to try again soon!  I'm still determined to get 100 faces done, so I'll be working toward that goal too.  Here they are, the last 3 faces (well 4)!
I haven't finished any of them, but I did get them and one other sketched out.  Started on the shading of the face on the first one....lots to do!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #26

Just a sketch for today, something I'm sure I'll use later on down the road.  Got some bad news today, so I'm not feeling like being creative.

29 Faces Challenge: Face #25

Yikes,  I'm behind again!  Here is face #25, she's not finished yet, but this is as far as she's going to get for now.  I have so many other fish to fry at the moment.  Her skin tone is a little dark, so I may try lightening that up a bit and I'll need to finish the background with some very minor tweaks.  She is done using mostly acrylic paint on a canvas panel.

I'm looking at her now that I've just uploaded her and she looks all grainy.  She doesn't look like that in iphoto, or in real life.  Not sure what I did there.  Must have been a scanning error, I'm not sure!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #24

I took a sketch into Corel Painter 4 and played around with that.  I've decided I'll use Painter more often, I didn't realize how versatile it is, although I'm sure I don't know the half of what I can do with it.  There are a lot of things I don't get about it.  Anybody else use this program and know of any good tutorials?

29 Faces Challenge: Face #23

I took the sketch below and put it in photoshop elements just to mess around.  I don't know much about how to use PSE, but just playing around with different things is fun, and educational!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #22

Face #22

I did the basic face in a sketch book and colored her in with prismacolor pencils.  The rest was done in photoshop.

29 Faces Challenge: Face #21

I decided to do one more face on Scribbler, it's too much fun, but I know it's kind of cheating!  

29 Faces Challenge: Face # 20

Face #20...almost caught up!  I know she's really creepy looking.  It's weird how you see things when you upload to your computer and get a different view.  I just noticed that the space between her upper lip and her nose is way too long.    I did her face using Faber Castel Pitt Artist Big Brush Pens.

29 Faces Challenge: Face #19

Here she is...Face #19

29 Faces Challenge: Face #18

Here is Face # 18, I feel bad that I'm now in a hurry to catch up...but oh well!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #17

I have a lot of catching up to do!  My family and I just returned from a great weekend at the ocean digging razor clams...Yum.  I didn't have much time to spend on my 29 Faces challenge, but I plan on catching up!

I did this face in photoshop and also used an online website called Scribbler.  I had never heard of it before this challenge.  I discovered it on Toad in a Boat's blog, and I'm so glad I did.  You just have to go try it out, it's addicting!  I created the face using Scribbler, then took a screen shot of my creation, cropped it and opened the file in Photoshop Elements where I just played around with different brushes, colors and backgrounds.  I'm not real proficient in PSE yet.

I will try and get caught up with my faces over the next couple of days and get back on track!
Have a great week!

29 Faces Challenge: Face # 16

Well it's just a sketch for today's Face #16.  I had a very busy and wonderful day (see my previous post), so there was no time to get too crazy.  I'll try and get something more substantial done tomorrow!  I may drop off the grid for a few days, as we are going to the ocean for the weekend.  My family just may want to kill me if I bring my computer along with me, so I'm going to have to leave it at home!

I'll be back posting again Monday.  Until then, happy creating everyone and thanks for all the supportive comments on this challenge!

My Best Day Ever in the Art World!

I am living proof today, that you cannot judge or doubt your own work as an excuse not to show it or try to sell it or have it in a gallery!  I have struggled with self-confidence all my life, and work really hard to combat that, but even now at 46 years old I still have my moments of doubt.

I paint with two other artists most every Wednesday.  Both of my friends are EXTREMELY talented watercolor artists with a lot of experience and success showing and selling their work both online and in galleries.  I on the other hand, have no training in art whatsoever, and am just beginning to feel like I might be able to sell some things I've created.  I've entered some of my pieces in 3 different juried art shows and was not accepted to any of them.  Those rejections kind of started the whole self-doubt thing and caused me to start questioning whether or not my work was good enough to consider myself an "Artist".

A new art gallery opened about 4 months ago in Poulsbo, Washington, and they were having an open screening for artists today.  My friend was going to show some of her work there and I decided to go along with her.  I wasn't going to bring any of my art, but she encouraged me to, so I went for it....with a lot of doubt about whether or not I should even show it to them.  It's hard to consider myself in the same class as "Fine Art" Artists. When I walked through the gallery doors, my heart did flip flops in my chest as I stared in awe at all the beautiful artwork displayed there! This gallery is by far, the nicest art gallery I have ever walked into!  The layout is amazing, their displays put together so well, I could stay there for hours drooling at the huge pool of talent represented there!

First Jani showed her work and they immediately accepted several pieces with interest in seeing more of her work (She's an amazing artist, you can see her work HERE on her Facebook page).  I was next....I felt so un-professional as  I pulled out my originals, only one of which was on canvas and ready to hang.  The rest were originals that I haven't had framed yet.  I had no "artist statement", no "artist resume", no promotional cards or brochures, only my business card and my raw art.

I know this is a long story, and I'm sure you've guessed that the results and outcome were good, But I just want to say I was astounded at their VERY positive reaction to my work.  So interested in fact that I was handed a contract and they accepted 7 of the 10 pieces I showed!  So I am ecstatic and so thankful for this major opportunity to get my art out there and maybe even sell a few pieces!

The name of the gallery is Blue Water Artworks in Poulsbo, Washington.  Poulsbo is emerging as a major "go to" destination for art in the Pacific Northwest.  It is a quaint little waterfront town, with several galleries lining both sides of the main street.  I still have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not just dreaming all of this!

So sometime in March my work will be hanging on the walls of the Blue Water Artworks Gallery!!!! Here are the pieces that they will display...

You can see this painting in it's different stages of development in an older post HERE

So my advice to anyone questioning their work.  DON"T.  It's all subjective and what one person dislikes, another will love! 

29 Faces Challenge: Face #15

I like my little houses stamp as you can see.  I use it a lot, like here at the bottom.  I started this page in my journal a long time ago to see what some new pastels I had purchased would look like.  Today I decided to paint a face over the background.  I couldn't get the gesso to completely cover the background, so there are different lines peaking through her face.  I've decided I like her that way.  So today's painting was started with pastels and I used the black micron pen and acrylic paints to finish it off.

I think my husband will be happy when this challenge is over!  I'm so obsessed with making sure I get something finished to post everyday that I've sort of been neglecting some of the usual housework...Oops!  I need to start selling some artwork so I can hire a housekeeper...Right?!*

29 Faces Challenge: Face # 14

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!

Face #14:  "BFF" (Best Friends Forever)
Friendship is a single soul living in two bodies.
- Aristotle

29 Faces Challenge: Face #13

She's not complete yet, I have more finish work to do on her, but again, had to post her now because I don't have any more time to spend working on her today.

I have a thing for redheads, as my youngest is a beautiful little redhead with beautiful blue eyes!

Have a great week everyone, and Happy Valentine's day tomorrow as well, hopefully I'll have another to post tomorrow, but you never know when things get hectic I tend not to produce much "finished"work.

29 Faces Challenges: Face #12

Here is Face # 12.  I feel like I need to do more, maybe lighten her face a little at least but things are busy around here, so I knew I had to get her posted early. I titled this one "Memories", because to me, that's what it looks like she's doing, thinking back to something in the past...I'm really horrible at coming up with titles for artwork!

Hope everyone has a nice week and time for creative play!

29 Faces Challenge: Face # 11

This girl started out really bad, but she came together at the last minute after I dug through my stash of painted papers and paper scraps.  I have to remember that next time I get stuck.  Looking through all those papers really gave me inspiration.  Here she is, my bohemian girl...

She was created using prismacolor pencils, Pitt Artist Pens, H20 Watercolors, acrylic paint and a peacock feather stamp for the background.  Hand painted papers for her headband.

29 Faces Challenge: Face # 10

Face # 10, the background is a bit muddy.  I'm always too impatient to let the layers dry appropriately, and on this thin paper, I didn't quite come away with what I had in mind.  Busy day, so this will have to do.  The fact that I got her done is a good thing in itself!

I used a whole mess of art supplies on this one.  Stamps, inks, white gel pen, bingo dauber (black), prismacolor pencils, pitt artist pens, watercolor crayons and twinkling H20 watercolors, black micron pen and last but not least, acrylic paints.

Great Advice..."How to Create a Consistant Body of Work" by Cedar Lee

I ran across this video by artist Cedar Lee on why it's important as an artist to create a consistant body of work.  I really like her viewpoint, and the fact that she addresses my issue of wanting to do everything under the sun!  Her opinion gave me some new insight into how I want my journey to progress.  Take a look...it's really worth viewing and listening to what she has to say.

29 Faces Challenge: Face #9

I did this face today, as an exercise from Carla Sonheim's class The Art of Silliness "5", so it fit perfectly in with the 29 Faces Challenge as well.

Original

Antique Version

I used iphoto on my mac to get the antique effect.  I'm not sure which one I like better?

29 Faces Challenge: Face #8

Well, she's not quite complete yet, I still have work to do on the background.  Her face was done with prismacolor pencils and the shirt and wings were painted with Twinkling H20 Watercolors.  I have started the background with acrylic paint and a stamp and plan to add more to that when time allows!

I'm really enjoying this 29 Faces Challenge.  Everyone's work is so varied, beautiful and interesting.  The whole thing is just very inspiring and uplifting! I appreciate everyone's kind comments and feedback so far!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #7

I had to post this one early, I have a busy day tomorrow and Wednesday, so I worked ahead a little.

She's a little rough, especially the hair again. She's done in an art journal using prismacolor pencils, acrylic paints, micron pen, white gel pen and Pitt Artist Big Brush pens.

29 Faces Challenge: Face #6

Face #6 (I call her Poppy Girl) turned out pretty good.  I used all sorts of stuff to make her.  The Poppies are from a napkin that I collaged and the rest is acrylic paint, pastels, prisma colored pencil, markers, chalk ink, micron pen and white gel pen.

I must admit that this face was all ready half started in a journal of mine, but I finished her this morning for my 6th face.  Have a great week everyone.  I'm loving this challenge!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #5

I had to do something different because I was getting discouraged with the last 4 faces, and while I know most of you might think this is very strange....I love this one.  It's my favorite so far.  I used my Twinkling H20 watercolors and some colored pencils and a micron pen.

I went looking for inspiration on Etsy before I started this one.  I was inspired by the art of Christina Romeo.  If you click on her name it will bring you to her Etsy shop.  I love her art!  

While watching the superbowl today with my husband, I worked on face sketches that I will be finishing in order to post in the coming week.  I think this might be the key to keeping up with the challenge.  Do pencil sketches at night while everyone is watching tv, and complete them as the week goes on!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #4

Don't laugh! The picture is blurry, but that might actually be doing her some favors in the looks department!  I've been doing these in the living room while everyone is watching tv, so I haven't had the chance to use paints other than my twinkling H20 watercolors.  I think this one has a better shaped head than the others so far...that's some progress at least!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #3

Yikes!  I tried using watercolors, then went over that with some colored pencils and black micron pen.  Her head is totally lopsided, this one is really bad!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #2

I'm trying to play catch-up tonight with my 29 Faces Postings and unfortunately these pictures aren't very good.  I had to take them in low light, so this is the best I can do for now.  It's funny, now that I've taken pictures of my first 5 faces I can see all the lopsided features and mis-shaped heads!  Oh well, that's why I'm doing this. Practice!

I started out using some cheap colored chalk that didn't look very good at all, so I tried to go over it with prismacolor pencils and I also used a black micron pen.  As always I am most dissatisfied with her hair.  I can't seem to get it right!

29 Faces Challenge: Face #1

In my last post I shared some video tutorials (by Joyce van der Lely) on drawing faces and mentioned that I was challenging myself to draw 100 faces (not in 100 days, just 100 faces total).  Well I just found a blog challenge called 29 Faces here:

* Ayala Art. Paintings, ACEO and Mixed Media: 29 faces challenge

So, I've decided to take the challenge!  At the end of the 29 faces, I'll have only 71 more to go!

Face #1

This was done on a 5 x 8 piece of watercolor paper, using markers, white-out pen and acrylic paints. It's not the best, but...I really need to figure out how to do hair that looks more realistic.  Hopefully by the time I've done 100 faces I'll have a better handle on that!

Portrait Tutorials: Full Face, Portrait View and 3/4 View

I was delighted to find these tutorials shared by artist Joyce van der Lely. She is a wonderfully talented mixed media artist and if you click on her name above it will take you to her blog.

When I first started drawing faces I searched high and low for a good tutorial that wasn't too complicated for a beginner like myself.  I couldn't find anything, other than online classes that you had to pay for, and believe me, I spent HOURS looking for good tutorials with no luck!

I hope Joyce's videos will help those of you who want to learn how to draw a face.  I know I would have loved to have found these 3 years ago!








Don't be afraid to try drawing faces...they are so much fun, and not as hard as you think!  Start from the full face view and move on from there.  There are many fun classes online that you can take as well.  Monica Zuniga of Hands and Heart offers many great workshops.  Two of my favorites are Mixed Media Faces, and Pencil Drawing.  She goes into all the detail of how to construct the face proportionally, how to draw each facial feature in different views, shading, and using mixed media to create stylized faces.  Suzi Blu, Pam Carriker and Tam Laporte (Willowing) all offer great classes!  And  Art Trader Magazine website (a new website I just discovered today), offers numerous fun workshops on all different styles of whimsical faces!

I'm challenging myself to draw 100 Faces of all different views and orientations.  It will be really cool to be able to look at 100 drawings and see my progress! I'm also going to be experimenting with different art supplies for my faces.  Some will be graphite, some charcoal, some watercolor, some mixed media, some collage....etcetera.  I'm really looking forward to getting better at stylized portraits (portraits drawn from the imagination), as that has been a huge obsession for the last 3 years!  I can't wait to share all 100 of them when I'm finished!

Hope you enjoyed this post!  And a huge Thank you to Joyce for sharing her talent with us!