Gesso and Charcoal Drawing

I have finally put together the video to follow up on the 'Creating a background by using up leftover paint' video.

So in this video which will be in two parts, I demonstrate my proses of creating a charcoal and white gesso painting/drawing using shadow and highlights to create a front facing portrait. I explain using a photo reference how the face is divided up into sections to make it easier to draw.  

 

 

a little foot note:
 Apologies for the little typo error
in the copy of video two :")
"adding some white gesso now to her face now"
Obviously the first now should not be there, lol.

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!! 

****COME ON AND JOIN IN ON THE FUN!****

** Starting THIS MONDAY is Natures' Canvas {painting faces on sticks, branches and driftwood} **

This is a one week course on exploring nature's canvas and your imagination. We will be using fallen branches, twigs, pieces of dried wood and maybe even a leaf or two found in the forest or your garden and paint faces on them.

Tania Bain will share with you her process of how she creates her forest art pieces. She will show you how she draws and paints a very basic primitive face, a whimsical face and then a more realistic face ... using color, shadow and highlights to give shape, depth, character and charm to a face. 

You will learn how to prepare your nature's canvas ready for painting on and how to preserve and protect your art once finished. 

"I usually place my painted pieces back in the forest or in my garden, so making them resistant to the elements is a very important final step."

You will be using a variety of mediums to create your masterpieces, including acrylic paint, watercolor crayons, charcoal pencil, colored pencils and pens. 

Just click on the link below to come and join in on the fun.....

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/groups/group/show?groupUrl=nature-s-canvas-painting-faces-on-sticks-branches-

The Cleanup ...

Every so often I have to clean up my little studio. Re arrange my paintbrushes and paint and take stock of where everything is.  I am not one of those artists who can work surrounded by kayos and unsorted clutter. 

Lentil thinking in the box :")

I usually have two or three of my feline friends with me in the studio, closely watching and inspecting every thing I do.  Curiosity is the name of the game and any size empty box is a good place to watch from :") Sorting and cleaning and re arranging always opens up my creative thought process and once everything is in place I cant wait to get messy again....

Storage and work space is always an issue. Never enough shelves and drawers to stash all the art stuff!  :")




My work table where I sit and make art and do all my filming from. 







A washing line of art. A great way to display some of my work, instead of placing them in a box I like to pin/peg up a few of my latest pieces.

Canvases unfinished and complete stacked up where ever a open spot can be found :")

Creating a background by using up leftover paint

Hey guys, so as promised here is a short video tutorial on what to do with that leftover paint on your palette after you have finished with a project.
I hate seeing paint go to waste. So instead of letting it dry on the palette or washing it down the drain, I use it to make that blank, white canvas less intimidating...
We have all been in that place before where we pull out a brand new, white and oh so empty canvas and felt lost not knowing where to start. Well this little video tutorial does not only show you how to use up leftover paint it also takes away that dreaded,  'blank canvas' fear we all seem to have :")


  

Nature's Canvas {painting faces on sticks, branches and driftwood}

Hey Guys,

So I was asked by Jeanne Oliver from Jeanne Oliver Designs - to be a guest teacher on her creative network, and of course I took grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Below is a short description of what the class is all about. 
Click on the link below to log into the site and take a look around...
 
Description... 
This is a instantly available, one week course on exploring nature's canvas and your imagination. We will be using fallen branches, twigs, pieces of dried wood and maybe even a leaf or two found in the forest or your garden and paint faces on them.

I will share with you my process of how I create my forest art pieces. I will show you how I draw and paint a very basic primitive face, a whimsical face and then a more realistic face ... using color, shadow and highlights to give shape, depth, character and charm to a face. 

http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/…/nature-s-canvas-painting-fac…-

I love to take an early morning run through the forest with the wind whispering through the tall pine, old oak and yellow-wood trees ... twigs snapping underfoot and the familiar, earthy smell of the forest. Nature in all its beauty can be a wonderful place to recharge, slow down and clear one's mind. You never know where or when a creative idea will bloom and take flight.
I will take you on a creative journey like no other.
This is a one week course on exploring nature's canvas and your imagination. We will be using fallen branches, twigs, pieces of dried wood and maybe even a leaf or two found in the forest or your garden and paint faces on them.
I will share with you my process of how I create my forest art pieces. I will show you how I draw and paint a very basic primitive face, a whimsical face and then a more realistic face ... using color, shadow and highlights to give shape, depth, character and charm to a face.
You will learn how to prepare your nature's canvas ready for painting on and how to preserve and protect your art once finished. I usually place my painted pieces back in the forest or in my garden, so making them resistant to the elements is a very important final step.
You will be using a variety of mediums to create your masterpieces, including acrylic paint, watercolor crayons, charcoal pencil, colored pencils and pens.
"Open up your creative mind to mother nature's canvas and find there are no limits to your imagination."

Creating a Backround - Using up leftover paint

Here is a canvas that I prepped with leftover paint from another project.

This is a great way to use up leftover paint. 

Now it is a perfect background to start a new painting on. 

I will be posting a small video tutorial soon, demonstrating how I go about using up leftover paint to create a unique and original background. 

I have never done a blog before so I am feeling a little lost right now. Yes I know, a little behind the times hey :")
But you are never to late to start learning. So please excuse the roughness of this my first post.
I want to use this blog ultimitly to showcase my art work.
I am a mix media artist who loves nothing better than to have my fingers all covered in paint and gesso.

So with a little luck and alotta can-do!
 Here I go....Geronimo.......