Can an underpainting improve your artwork?

 I think so!  It certainly has been a wonderful addition to my processes and how I now begin almost every painting.  This is an example. 

My painting titled "Snip, Snip" ( completed in 2022)was painted to honor my Mother and her sisters who were amazing seamstresses. Those Italian girls were all taught to sew at a professional level and made careers with this ability. Although I tried, I am a poor substitute to their expertise. But....I did inherit a love of art, color and a lot of scissors!

Let me explain how I created this painting.  

1. First I arranged scissors in a complicated overlapping pattern. I photographed the color and the B/W versions as a guide. 

The B/W then became my value study which showed me a minimum of 5 values I wanted in my painting. From the lightest to the darkest, I established a mid tone and one value inbetween.

2. Sketching this on watercolor paper did not require more than a ruler. I did enlarge the shapes from the 8.5" x 11" copy paper to a 15"x 22" sheet of 140# Arches rough paper.

3. The underpainting consisted of just a yellow, a red and a blue : Hansa Yellow (Light or Medium), Alizarin Crimson and French Ultramarine Blue. These are all transparent which means they play nicely, blending well with other colors. That is especially important for the underpainting.  

           I sprayed the paper with a mister so that it is spattered and damp in places. Then, starting with a mildly diluted yellow start tossing pigment from my brush. I encourage you to let the paint and water mix without using a brush, simply turn your paper or use a straw to blow/push it in opposite directions. Keep it soft and let the white of the paper show through. Let this dry.

        You can see why this approach cannot be copied by anyone

The Scissors

Now you are ready to paint your shapes. I started with each of the finger holes and handles individually but no need to rewet the paper as you have already done that. I then left the inner and outer blades white to help the viewer enter this scene. Have fun with this endeavor: use a variety of colors as you progress through these parts repeating each color. 

The Basket

 So you already have a busy design but it's floating in space. The basket anchors it and also allows some 3 dimensionality.you have many choices here…I’m going to create a softer monotone basket as I restart this painting in Kerrville for the Guadalupe Watercolor Group.

And, after that event, their President, Marcia Pape, sent me this wonderful photo collage of the event. I think a picture is worth a thousand words here. 

free.www.avast.com

Art for a Good Cause....it's such a good idea!

June is just over and can I say phew?! We managed to find a lovely new one story home in Austin just 3 miles from our current peeps. We wrapped up the entire process of buying, down sizing and moving while summer sizzled. Grandsons, neighbors and Square Cow Movers were all great help...and I can't say enough about our Realtor, Elicia Michaud. She is now focusing on selling our 1 1/2 story ( we really don't want 2 homes) ...let me know if you are looking.

And, of course, I had agreed to paint a whiskey keg during all of this. Garrison Brothers Distillery had the awesome idea to use their barrels as a fundraiser to benefit the west Texas fire victims from earlier this year. I got mine at Art Direct and here is a little of the process...

I envisioned our stunning prickly pear cactus in bloom so used photos from our yard to scatter on all sides of the barrel.

At a certain point I knew a soft blue background would be an excellent border

The barrel was heavy & a little awkward to view from my angle but it smelled so good!

Small details here and there such as a gold metallic paint gave each view a personality

And here is the happy finished barrel. The big event was held at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas on Saturday, June 22nd. I hope someone will enjoy owning this pretty unique item AND that it went for some good $$$$$!

Get involved and donate your artwork to a good cause. It feels wonderful!

Tarnished?....let's polish up our colors

 I never understand painters who can't find something to paint.  That simply does not happen to me. I have more paintings planned than I have time.  Sometimes it only takes an everyday chore to inspire a watercolor.  For example, I decided to polish my Mother's silverware, while Spring cleaning. It really needed it. It was tarnished. This silver is a treasured gift that I rarely use. It's a pattern called "First Love"by Rogers and it makes me smile to think of my parents saving to buy these pieces back in 1942. I wanted to have others enjoy this heirloom so I polished the items, arranged them in a specifiic way and shot many photos at all angles.

At a March 23 rd one day workshop in Bastrop, Texas I was able to share the processes I used to create the lower 2/3 of this painting. We masked certain areas so that we could begin with an underpainting of Hansa yellow, French Ultramarine Blue and Opera Pink. With 6 enthusiastic painters, we set out to explore the reflection on the various shapes of a fork and spoon with an etched pattern called “ First Love”. It was a 1942 wedding during WWII and setting up housekeeping would not happen for a few years….The dream of many including my parents was to be able to eat many meals with family and friends through busy Holidays,  lazy weekends and Sunday dinners using these treasured gems…and the meals were so very good, many Italian favorites. I’m so proud to own them and carry on the tradition. I’m pleased the idea appealed to these artists who met with me at LostPines Art Center.

Here are a few photos of the efforts of my students who were amazing! Not all scenes were completed in class but several sent me their finished paintings a few days later. 

Want a "Fresh" Start?...what will your brand new year look like?

 I say... go to nature for inspiration. SIMPLISTIC, BUT NOT SIMPLE! When I think of growth and renewal, bright colors and crisp smells, I think of seasonal landscaping, spring greenery and ripening fruits and vegetables. These may have a short life but it is undeniably fresh! And a reminder to all of us to refresh especially at the start of a new year.

Colors in nature are ....well, perfect. Especially at each end of the spectrum of their growth periods as they mature. Look at California and Florida farms in the height of their growing seasons. They are rippling blankets of color that are, at first, a solid but, at closer inspection, almost pixilated versions of color that make me understand  pointilism as an art movement just a little better. These strawberries are a perfect example. Note that even in the leaves the variation is from tip to stem, topside to underside and in proximity to other adjacent colors...so take a good look! 

I have had fun painting this close-up of these luscious berries. Here are a few steps:

The design was created to be viewed horizontally or vertically

A close up of the values that changed to a purple red for my darker areas

I decided to add pearlescent blue and gold to grab the light on the wet fruit

This is an excellent beginner image to try, and I hope you will. Print a color and black and white version of my reference photo. I usually start with yellows and build from there. My pigments here are all transparents ( a property of each pigment) ; I used Hansa Yellow, Quinacridone Magenta, Transparent Orange and French Ultamarine Blue.  Don't try to reach your darkest colors at first pass. instead let the layers dry and build on them. IF you want to play with the shine, try the pearlescent touches but they are not necessary. The size of the berries makes it easier to play with values and colors on the limited palette painting. 

                                                                 Have fun!

Merchandising Your Art

"Dairy Queen"

If you have lived in Texas, you might love Blue Bell. Even our cows do.

 I hope you have considered merchandising your images. Not only is it fun to see products with your artwork on them but it is lucrative and makes a longer lasting impression of your intention and talent. It's a great gift from you, as well.

Where can you get this work created?

One artist website is Fine Art America. I let the people at Fine Art America print my images on notecards, prints of all sizes and on surfaces of all kinds. For example, tote bags are a popular item. Many folks aren't collectors of hanging art but they like color and uniqueness in other areas of their homes. Mugs are  another popular item because they are practical and inexpensive as a gift. You can include beach towels, tapestries, masks and notebook covers and more.

Pros: It doesn't cost much, (I set my own prices) and it is working behind the scenes making income for me. You can order personally from here at a discounted price.

Cons: you don't get to see the quality of the item or make contact with the client.

Vistaprint allows you to customize mugs, notecards and magnets to sell on your own.*

Where can you sell your merchandise?

Ideally, sell them at a local store. Fortunately, I have found an excellent store outlet to represent me in Austin. It is The Art Escape located on the grounds of The Oasis restaurant , a well known Austin spot that overlooks Lake Travis. We have found that small, lightweight items that fit into a suitcase are best for the visitors to Austin. And inexpensive doesn't hurt either. I display mostly Texas themed paint images on note cards and matted prints as well as magnets. Magnets have become very popular with children. Having Austin, Texas on them is also valuable.

I also have similar items available at the gift shop inside Kerr Arts Center in Kerrville. I am a member of their Art League which is housed in the famous old post office on Main Street. I have demoed for the Guadalupe Watercolor Society that meets there. You will find a wonderful display of art inside in addition to great gift items at good prices. Look for my workbooks at Lost Pines Art Center in Bastrop where I also teach.

...And then there's Etsy

I have now had my own store online for a few years, Watergirl Art. I fought this idea because I didn't want more work to do but my daughter was correct ...I've already done it and I have it in inventory. So why not? They offer yet another opportunity to move merchandise and I get to connect with my clients.

                  Collect all of My Magnets available at The Art Escape starting July 28th

               Happy merchandising!

c

Ideas from Maui ...

 It has been a month of travel for us! I brought a small tray of paints and some favorite brushes and did a little doodling on flights but for the most part, I enjoyed other artists' works. Time for my creating later. Some very clever ideas are out there if you go into galleries that feature local artists. I did that in Maui last week mostly at the Lahaina shops on Front Street. The restaurants are not bad either! Shouts out to Duckine, Mala and Star Noodle for their creativity with food and drinks. And did I mention the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful? Don't forget to take a sunset cruise...it's amazing. And soooo relaxing...

Artists on site: I was very impressed with some of the local artists' works in an especially competitive arena. Tourists were invited to cool off and shop in lovely settings with many featuring artists on hand to chat while they explained some special details about their works. This always increases the activity in the gallery and likely results in more sales for the artist who takes the time to be there.

Uniqueness: Sure, there were lots of waves, sunsets and boats as subject matter but I found some especially clever marketing, too. One crayon ( yep, crayon!) artist included a brand new crayon under the glazing that was a main color used in the making of it. I apologize for the reflection in this image but here is an example of Jeffrey Roberts' artwork:

Here is another example of how to be unique. This artist chose to create a wavy edge to all of her watercolors.All were top mounted with a double white matting surrounding each image:

Framing: If you market your artwork for sale either online or in a shop, you might consider a signature way of framing or matting that is all yours. The frames were works of art on their own but I did notice consistency looks best for displaying in an area. I'm rethinking the old rule: your frame should only be all about your particular piece, not any interior design. Instead, I'd like my followers to have a collection of at least similar frames to be able to hang in a grouping.

Prints: Not all galleries sell prints. In fact some are pretty darn snooty at the mention of a, dare we suggest....copy! But, let's be honest here, not everyone can afford originals, especially well framed originals in a gallery that takes at least a 50% cut of the profit. I did find a Printmakers gallery in Lahaina that was very classy selling not only local art prints on canvas or watercolor paper but also maps, framed and unframed. Much easier to travel home with these and also more affordable.

Pricing: Ok, painters, time to triple your prices! The crayon artist I mentioned had a price of $950 on a small (9"x12") original. The owner had the ability to bargain a little but the price actually added some esteem and value to his work. Think about it. If you don't value your time and your artistic efforts, who will? It's a difficult subject but I find "most" of us undervalue our artwork and never include our time. And don't forget shipping! That has to be considered because it must arrive safely and it is not cheap.

I am inspired to do a better and more unique job of marketing my finished products for sale. Meanwhile...

Aloha...(plumeria and hibiscus were in bloom everywhere!)

Sadly, these galleries and their artwork were all destroyed by the Lahaina fire in August 2023 along with great loss of life. I was so very glad I took the time to experience these and will hope a new Lahaina emerges.

Round Top Treasures... a lesson on painting reflections

 A funny story here...my girlfriend , Nancy Kay, might be the world's greatest Christmas enthusiast. Not only is there A LOT of stuff inside and out but it is lovingly hung just after Halloween, annually refreshed and then carefully stored ( for a short while anyway) in mid January. The traditional party mix is a baking ordeal done early and given to lucky recipients. It has so much bacon fat, its best to take an antacid before munching. The candy, the wrapped staircase, the tree, the music, the smells!!! are all at their home displaying an abundance of Christmas ambiance. This silver service is always draped with pine cones and a bow and has a place of honor in the Dining Room which is lavishly decorated , set for immediate guests or for a potential drop in by royalty.

This year , in June, ( painted in April) will be the Malone's 50th wedding anniversary so I decided to paint this "family heirloom" minus the pine cones for them and asked the "story" behind what I truly thought was a family heirloom. Well, as it turns out , this was not in the family but rather a find in Round Top at the biannual flea market. Let's call it what it is...a Round Top treasure! The story can be ours to invent or tbd.

Here are a few of my efforts as I accomplished this amazing reflective piece. I worked on my colors in the silver reflecting some pink flowers as well as its design. I stayed on the cool side but couldn't resist some artistic license. I assume it is a beverage server and does have a ship etched in it. Maybe it was at the Captain's Table. Lots of good advice came from the California family as I painted it while out there for a visit.

The Back-ground was saved for last but became darker and darker as I saw its effect.   

This is the matting and framing I selected with some help of Glenn Gobel Framing in Pacific Grove , California. It will be on dispaly and for sale at Austin Bergstrom International airport starting in January 2024. Check out Gate 17's dispaly case to the right of Amy's Ice Cream. $750

This was so very fun to paint, so very Texas treasure and so very much the Malones! Happy Anniversary...!! Keep this going.

PS And, also in April, I entered the Waterloo Watercolor Group's Spring Show juried by Soon Warren. Stay tuned for more on that and also scenes from Soon's workshop.

Let me see what you're painting....

That painting won a first!! Thank you Soon for seeing my joy..."Highway to Heaven"