Saturday, August 25, 2012
The framed print I ordered for myself as a sample.
I’m happy to announce that I now have prints of my painting Blue Green Waters available through Fine Art America. I’ve been wanting to get prints made of my work for a long time now, but I was stalled weighing out all the different options. I decided to try out Fine Art America after reading a lot of reviews and ordering a sample print for myself.
I ordered a framed print in the 9 x 12 size and I’m really pleased with the quality, even at a larger size than the original. I’m planning on making prints of other works available in the future. If you would like a print of a specific painting I have done in the past, please let me know!
“right now” staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the “right now.” Inspired by Ann.
I’ve started to keep a small sketchbook in my car so I can make sketches before work, and when I am out and about. I haven’t branched out into color yet though.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, Morning Sketch (8-6-12). Pen in large handbook sketchbook.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, Morning Sketch (8-10-12), Pen in small sketchbook.
“right now” staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the “right now.” Inspired by Ann.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Sketching in ink has become my favorite method to practice in my sketchbook. It really forces me to be confident in my observations and marks. Here, I took a couple of minutes to sketch some lilies on the kitchen table.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, Grocery Store Lilies, Pen in 8.5 x 11 inch sketchbook.
I’ve been paying attention to skies lately. In New England, we don’t have big wide skies like in the West because of all the trees and buildings that block the view. Some of the only places to see a lot of sky are over a lake, or on top of a mountain. I once read someone describe New England as having lots of nooks and crannies, which I thought was a great analogy.
On a few occasions I’ve sat outside and made sketches of the sky. It’s a good exercise, especially at dusk when the sky is in so much flux. Unfortunately, I can’t take the mosquitoes.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, 7-29-12 Sunset. Colored Pencil in sketchbook.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, 7-31-12 Sunset. Colored Pencil in sketchbook.
“right now” staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the “right now.” Inspired by Ann.
Here is my latest painting in the blue/green color theme. This is the first time I have painted water as my main subject, and I have to say all the swirling reflections were a lot of fun to paint. I will definitely be painting this subject again in the future, and refining my technique.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, Blue Green Waters. Watercolor, 8 x 10 inches.
In my fourth and final colored pencil class we worked on portraits from a model. I only did this one other time in 2009 so I was really out of practice (to say the least). There were people in the class who had never drawn a portrait before (so I didn’t feel that self conscious). We had the same pose the whole session so we had time to start over or keep working on the same drawing. I drew standing up at an easel which is such a great way to work.
©2012 Carolyn A Pappas, Portrait Sketch. Colored Pencil in 8.5 x 11 inch sketchbook.
Drawing a portrait in colored pencil from scratch was a little unusual for me because I couldn’t erase, but it was also a good thing because I wasn’t able to erase away my whole drawing. Even though my portrait itself was rubbish, it was a good exercise that I don’t get to do often.
My overall impression of this class was that it was more of a drawing class than a colored pencil class. However, It was a still a great experience, even though it was not what I was expecting. I really liked the instructor Tom Grady and would definitely take another class with him, especially a portrait or figure class, or oil or acrylic painting.
I am really glad that I signed up for this class, not only for a chance to get out of the house, but also as an investment in myself.
“right now” staying focused on the present, mindful and in the moment, an image from the week, with no words or a few words, that acknowledges the “right now.” Inspired by Ann.