Christmas Cards in Watercolor 2016

Several months ago I bought watercolor cards, thinking I'd make some personalized cards for friends.    Like a lot of things I never got around to it.    While volunteering at the Cultural Arts Center last week I had time on my hands so I sketched a few scenes.    Yesterday I was so sick.   One of those sick, sick sick days.   I decided it was a good time to get my mind off being sick so I did a few quick watercolors for cards for each of my granddaughters for Christmas.     Love the medium and will definitely do more.    I think in the future I'll do graphite pencil sketches of detail and then apply watercolor washes and end with pen.    I sorta did that on these but not necessarily in that order.    How soon we forget!!   I just complete a drawing class where we worked on shape and shadow.    I have 6 more cards in the package so I'll work on something with more detail in future.    This is a great way for artist at any level to enjoy painting and to use their art to share with family and friends. Think I'll try a few botanical drawings!!

Finishing Up With Drawing I at UWG

"The Thinker" - graphite, ebony pencil and paper - December 2016 - Janet Deal

Our final assignment in Drawing I was to stage a photo and make a 8x10 BW print.   We then were charged to do a realistic representation using a grid.   We basically did a 1/2 inch square grid over the entire 8x10 and then transferred the grid to a 1 inch to create a 16 x 20 drawing.    I enjoyed the 1 inch square drawing approach.    The only issues I ran into was the lack of clarity in the photo around the eyes.    Next time I will be more careful with the focus on the important facial features.      My pouting "thinker" pose with the fireplace broom was designed to add some humor to my portfolio!    I'm anxious to try this technique on a photo of my granddaughter.    

Drawing - Still Life

We are continuing our drawing of still life.   Frankly I'm a little tired of these pieces but I see the value in drawing multiple objects at different angles and depths.    Our final assignment will be a self portrait then Drawing I will be over.   Kinda crazy I took Advanced Drawing first....I'll probably take it again in the summer of 2017 and then move on to Drawing II Fall of 2017.    I haven't had time for much painting but hope to plan a painting trip to do some plein air after the first of the year.   Maybe go somewhere "warm".  

More Fun On Jekyll Island

We walked the Historic District today at Jekyll Island.    So many beautiful things to photograph.   We did some macro work today and talked a lot about design and composition. 

Jekyll Island Sunset

 The sunset on Jekyll Island was beautiful!.   

Jekyll Island Historic District

Fun Day at the Jekyll Island Historic District!  

Photography Workshop - Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island - Driftwood Beach - 11-11-16 - Janet Deal

This week I am enjoying a photography workshop with Roger Morin at Jekyll Island.   This morning we had a 6:00 a.m. trip to Driftwood Beach for the 6:45 a.m. sunrise.   I learned a few things about my tripod.   Also have some gadgets I'd like to get like sunglasses for my camera.    He used a tinted strip of glass to create some great color in his sunrise.   This afternoon we do the Historic District and then sunset at the pier. 

Ink Wash and Charcoal Drawings

Shell - Ink Wash & Charcoal - 11-5-16 - Janet Deal

Flowers - Ink Wash & Charcoal - 11-5-16 - Janet Deal

Laila - Ink Wash & Charcoal - 11-5-16 - Janet Deal

Laila 2 - Ink Wash & Charcoal - 11-5-16 - Janet Deal

Halloween - Charcoal - 11-4-16 - Janet Deal

The semester has flown by and we are now doing ink wash and charcoal.    Challenging but fun to work with.   We are scheduled to do some studies on drawing faces.    I am anxious to work on that since I am constantly trying to draw my grandkids.    I've painted one successful portrait but it was a profile.    Side angle and straight ahead are harder.    Only 3 more weeks of class.  

Sweetwater Creek Park

Canoes - 11-5-16 - Sweetwater Creek State Park - Janet Deal

Paddle Boats - 11-5-16 - Sweetwater Creek State Park - Janet Deal

Could not resist these colorful canoes and paddle boats on the lake at Sweetwater Creek State Park.  

Photography Afternoon

Tree Bark - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Bank Building Douglasville - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Bank Building Douglasville - 10-20-16 - Janet Deal

Recently I took a photography class at the local cultural arts center.    Shannon Belletttili was the instructor.   She has a local photography business.   The course was 6 weeks and covered everything related to a digital camera.   It was just what I needed, a "soup to nuts" version.  We did practice assignments each week.    I have to admit in the past I've always been a little "miffed" when a photographer won at an art show over more traditional mediums.    I do have a new respect for photography and the artistic eye related to composition, line, etc but also the technical skill related to capturing the right light, adjusting the camera, etc.    One thing I have always been notorious at is taking 100 shots to get 1 shot.     When I was pointing and shooting, I'd typically take lots of photos and hope I'd get one or two really good ones.    I was lucky in that regard and frankly have had some success with just point and shoot and using "auto" settings.  

Shannon challenged us to plan our photo.   Consider the composition and settings needed for the space, time of day, etc.   Recently we did a photo shoot in my hometown.   Looking for unusual angles and planning the shot was a challenge.   Instead of taking hundreds of shots I was challenged to take two of each composition and look for my very best shot.     I loved the results as seen above.   Of course, I'll always do the multiple shots when there is not time to set up the shot but the "planned" approach certainly is more satisfying.

Life of a college student!

This semester I have been so busy with my Drawing I class, I've not taken time to make photos of the art and post.   I posted a few at the beginning of semester but then it was like a snowball......we have been doing lots of drawing and sketching.    When the semester is over, I'll take time to photograph my portfolio.    I've had so much fun and learned a lot!     Today was the annual Carve on the Quad at the University of West Georgia.    I participated last year also.   Frankly I thought my "Mummy" was a real winner!    This year my subject was "Angry Bird".    The viewing is tonight at UWGA.    Good luck everyone.

"Angry Bird" - 2016 entry in UWGA Carve on the Quad - Janet Deal

"Mummy" - 2015 entry in UWGA Carve on the Quad - Janet Deal

Black and White Charcoal on tinted paper

"Self Portrait" Black & White Charcoal on Tinted Paper 2016

"What the *&%^$??" Black & White Charcoal & Pastel on Tinted Paper. 2016

"Still Life "- Black & White Charcoal on Tinted Paper 2016

Fun week with charcoal drawings.    The Self Portrait was a fun one and I can see I need to go back and create some marks around the hair.    The "What the (*&%$? ? " was done from a self portrait that didn't work out!!    We were asked to push the unexpected and I decided on a skeleton.    The "Still Life" was a complex one.    I should push more of the marks but it's hard when something is coming together to push it.   Maybe after critique I'll return to it and add some marks.

Self Portrait - Cross Contour Drawing

Self Portrait - Charcoal, Graphite, tinted paper - 9-2016

Getting accustomed to drawing with continuous contour drawing and cross contour drawing.   I cheated a little to get the space placement of the eyes but the other contour lines were pretty easy.   Definitely something I need to practice more.