mARTa's Art

Today we were to do something experimental in figure painting class. I chose to do a self portrait using cray-pas oil pastels on Walis paper. I used the cray-pas to sketch out the portrait and used turpentine for blending and toning. I also used a little oil paint in areas like the shirt and the eyes. I loved the Walis paper. the oil pastel/paint lifted easily when dabbed with turpentine and lifted with a rag. I don't know how good the cray-pas oil pastels are, as far as artist quality, but this was lots of fun to do!

5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, pastel on pastel card.

While he was sleeping the other day I quickly sketches him in pastel pencil and blocked in the values. I took some photos for reference and continued building up the layers referring to the photo. It's a bit muddy as I had a hard time with the colors. He has really wild hair and I exaggerated that with movement and color!

I also got to practice cutting a double mat. I need to be a bit more careful but it turned out pretty good. I just need to get a frame for this.



ps: Dottie is doing better too!

The heat takes a lot out of me.  Surprising that aside from wiping me out yesterday, I slept like a log to wake at 7 this morning.  With the sun already hot and bright I set out for a long walk.  When I got back I put on a pot of coffee and went out to peek at the garden.  I know, a watched pot won't boil, but I was pleasantly surprised to find some radishes sprouting after just a few days of planting the seeds!  Then I tended to our Dottie who is quite ill right now with something called "old dog vestibular syndrome".   My heart is heavy hoping she gets better soon.  

Sent from me and my cool iPhone

Pregnant model. Twin girls due in Sept. 2009
11x14 inches, oil on canvas.

This was the all day pose for today's figure painting class. As usual, the day runs out and none of us finish our painting. The model was sweet and said she really liked this painting I did of her.

Pastel on masonite hardboard primed with gesso and pastel ground medium, 9x12 inches.
I'm awful at doing flowers, as can be attested to here. I didn't like working on the hardboard with the pastel ground. It was rougher than I expected. I might try again with subject matter that would be more amiable to a 'rough' depiction....like the old iron!

Pastel on pastel card, approx. 4 1/2 x 6 inches.  

I am participating in an art exchange with some online artist friends. This is my first contribution and it went to Sherry at  Late B(l)oomer in exchange for her beautiful rooster on yupo paper!

Spent the day doing homework. This is a master study of Sargent's Madame Gautreau in watercolor. Mine is 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches.

drawing class assignment. This is 3 point perspective. I imagined a futuristic  city.

18x24 inches, oil on masonite board.
Not a good photo as I only had my iphone with me in class today.  And yes, this is from life.