Head Practice

From left to right, Elegant Writer and watercolor, Pencil-Watercolor + Ballpoint pen, and the last was a dip pen in Higgins brown ink + watercolor.  The Elegant writer was mentioned a few months ago on Myrna Wacknov's Creative Journey  here. I've picked up a couple different brands of recycled paper sketch pads and just want you to know they have to short of fibers for mixed water media - They just don't hold up-better for drawing and one hit wash .

Myrna Wacknov Workshop - Final Day

 

The third and final day of Myrna's workshop was yesterday. In the morning I did a sketch on tracing paper and transferred it to a half sheet gessoed wc paper.  We learned a terrific way to transfer a clean clear image to our paper without making that dirty graphite middle sheet.  (Worth the price of admission!!)   Almost half of the students got in a second painting but most were still working on the first. Myrna did another demo and showed the little wallet she makes out of a painted sheet of Tyvek. ( that moisture barrier that is used to wrap buildings) After lunch we continued painting, talking about books to be on the look out and finished off with a big class critique. As much as everyone complained about not getting into wet paint the first day I think they were willing to admit all the drawing and measuring was a benefit for getting  correct proportions on the features of the face. I'll get some of those initial sketches scanned and on her later. I had a great time for the last few days, I put a little extra pressure on myself to get a couple good starts,  build momentum on the next week for a couple more.  Best of well layered plans..... Hold me to them!.

Myrna Wacknov Workshop - Day 2

This is where I was yesterday at about three.  decided better take a picture of it then before I ruin it.   Evaluating stage now - I did add a little more dark mid values and some detail so I'll take another photo tonight.  I'm going to try to get another one started this morning so  I'm going in early.  Great group of ladies and Myrna is just way to much fun!  She has the very same exact camera as mine so I also got a lesson on setting and tricks this camera preforms..... WHO knew?!!

 

Value Sketchs and light direction studies

 

Edit:  Myrna shows her version of "the San Diego Woman" on her blog here 

Myrna Wacknov Workshop - Day 1

Our workshop started with Myrna opening with her goals for what she expects to teach.  Lots of examples and discussion.  Our first entire day is spent finding a suitable image from our resources or hers.  My images I brought were pretty bad with stripes due printer ink supply so I will use one of  Myrna's.  We worked on reproducing our design and format after we worked on how to light our portrait.  I forgot to take photos of any of my thumbnail sketches so you'll just have to guess - see you all tomorrow.

Progressive Sketch Crawl

  Today most of the regulars showed up for our Tuesday morning 'Art Talk' breakfast. For the last couple weeks some members have been making a point of getting in a few sketches after the meeting winds down.  Today, I was surprised with myself to be drawn to flowers, first in Carolyn's garden and later, Celeste and I were invited guests of Mark L in his home studio (filled with with floral arrangements from his yard)  It was All Flowers-All Day.  More photos of our sketch crawl can be seen at the Behind the Scenes Blog

My Iris Watercolor at Carolyn's 

Celeste's painting from Mark's

My camera battery was dead so I grabbed photos taken by Celeste until I can add my own.  I also was somewhat compulsive last night and spent about four or five hours with photo shop mastering how to use layer masks to add hydrangeas to text.  I got side tracked with some gradient lesson too. Well worth the time but what I couldn't do two times in a row last night was much easier with a two hour nap. How are you liking the spring flowers in your yard so far?