Where Does The Time Go?

It flies, and so many things stack up like a pile of paintings I put aside to gesso some day. I rescued this one for a second look. I didn't remember it and then I saw I was looking at it upside down. It has possibilities I think.....  Is it a keeper or not?

Olivia and Hudson

The other part of the story is my extended family has been traveling a lot and I have picked up some of the slack in child care for the Grands.  Setting up a table with watercolors, paper, and nice paint brushes is a treat for all of us.  I can still learn a thing or two about painting from them..... Amazing!

Oaks Park Amusement Park

A painting friend and I went out to the Oaks Amusement Park today  because I thought it would be good to paint the vintage carousel again.  The last time was somewhere around 1975.  If you haven't been there are zebras, bunnies, lions, a camel; just about anything in the circus along with the usual carousel ponies.Well unfortunately all the animals were removed for restoration and won't be back till June.

Painting the TV

This lady was on TV talking about the history and the stock market crash. She has this blueish gray hair I just had to remember and wide green eyes!

The Shemanski Fountain

 Shemanski Fountain  sketch, Pencil and Ink on Paper

A quiet place to sketch in downtown Portland, a couple blocks below the Portland Art Museum is a triangular sandstone monument gifted to 'The People of Portland" from Joseph Shemanski. It has three drinking fountains and also uniquely, three bowls beneath to water your dogs. Each Summer a tent is erected and the Oregon Ballet conducts rehearsals free to view -open to the public at this end of the Park Blocks.

The Skidmore Fountain

The Skidmore Fountain in Old Town Portland is where early Portland residents watered their horses just prior to the turn of the century.  Oregon Historical Society has some more info here.  A few friends went to the Hawthorne Bridge and sketched along the waterfront. It was such a perfect day we continued toward the Burnside bridge and up one block to paint the Fountain. My painting comrades today are Brooks Hickerson and Donna Sanson.

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.