Cay Denise

Last night's effort is the first in my new hand-book journal.  It is a different size than I've been working in since January.  It is 8/25" x 8.25" plus the paper weight is different.  This one has 95 lb.. sheets.  The last journal had thin paper. This piece is based on a painting titled 'La Vierge a la rose' by Lorenzo Veneziano dated 1372.  It is a Madonna and Child painting, but I elected to do only the Madonna portion.   The image was sketched with mechanical pencil (HB core) and painted with Japanese watercolors and gold acrylic paint.  Additional embellishments having been added with white Uni-Ball Signo pen and a black Pentel PointLiner pen (0.3mm). I'm liking the head tilt (that is accurate) and the facial features except for one thing.  There is an area that could be corrected... on the right side and below the ear at the neck bend.  It needs more hair to cover that junction in order to look like the source image.  Other than th...

Today's practice was timed sketches using ink pens of different nib sizes.  I'm experimenting with some new pens that are waterproof.  The first two sketches were done of the reliquary bust I've been working with recently; one drawn with Muji pen (0.38 mm) and the other with a new 0.5mm Pentel Pointliner.  Neither are posted here. The last two sketches were completed with a new 0.3mm Pentel Pointliner.  The first one was of Gandolfi's painting titled 'Portrait of a Young Woman' dated 1777.  It was a 19-min. sketch and is not posted here. The last was of Francois Gerard's painting of Napolean Bonaporte in his coronation regalia done in 1805.  I planned to do a 15-min. sketch but extended it to 30 minutes, because I was enjoying the work and didn't want to stop.  For short sketch work, I'm satisfied with the result pictured below along with the source image from Society6.   I'm also CELEBRATING, because with today's sketching, I've filled m...

Update:  This is a second version of the Erhart reliquary bust from the 1400s completed yesterday.  Again, the same materials were used with the addition of a bit of embellishment with a gold Sakura Pen Touch marker.  This time, no color was added to the cheeks (because watercolor doesn't mix well over pencil shading).  I've also done the head scarf differently.  The original was in watercolor and pencil.  In this one, it was done in watercolor only.  The original method worked better in terms of conveying a 'feeling' of lightness.  Ultimately, this second version is better, but there are still issues that would merit a third version.   Original Post:  Tonight's effort is based on a reliquary bust of St. Mary Magdalen by Michel Erhart from the 1400s.  The bust is in a flesh tone with a gold dress, and bright pink cheeks.  These of it doesn't really have notable color.  So, I've taken some liberties in the piece below. ...

Today's effort completed an art journal page started Thursday.  It is based on a painting of a bust that is most likely Artemis or Diana (of Diana on the Hunt fame).  There was no information available on the image nor through a reverse image search (via tineye). The sketch was done with mechanical pencil (HB core), and the painting was with Japanese watercolors plus a bit of Golden Fluid Acrylic - Iridescent Gold Deep (Fine) for the crown. The patina color in the tiara is a blend of light coats of Burnt Sienna on the bottom and Forest Green over it.  I like the blue around the tiara as the olive green was too similar for there to be much contrast.  

Today's effort is based on a Painting from the Baron Gerard (studio of Francois Gerard) titled 'Portrait of a Young Lady' done sometime between the late 1700s and mid 1800s. The piece was sketched with mechanical pencil (HB core), painted with Japanese watercolors, and the eye embellishments were added with black Muji pen and white Uni-Ball Signo pen.  I'm happy with the result--though I didn't have room for all the hair.  The only thing I neglected to add is an earring.  I may do that later.

  Joan Baez on Drawing - from Austin Kleon Post

Yesterday's effort was inspired by the Guo Pei Couture Fantasy: A Coloring Book, a publication for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco by Yale University Press.  It is available for purchase as part of the Guo Pei exhibition at the San Francisco Legion of Honor.  These are tracings of the outline of selected pages from the coloring book with the interior areas done freehand to emulate the designer's intention.  My purpose is to get a 'feel' for how she works with line, shape and form.  That said...I'm having fun! 

Last night's effort is a sketch/painting based on a picture of an East Indian woman though no information is available about the image.  The sketch was done with mechanical pencil (HB core) then painted with Japanese watercolors.  Embellishments were done with black Muji pen, silver Sakura Pen-Touch marker, white Uni-Ball Signo pen, and black Pentel brush pen. Part of the challenge with this piece is that the image doesn't look East Indian.  There is no sense of a darker skin tone with this pencil drawing and as a result--the eyes and teeth don't pop.  Also, the hair is too straight and has a different texture than in the source image.  Pose-wise, the source image depicts the person slightly from above which this sketch/painting doesn't achieve.  Lastly, she is too heavy (weight-wise).   It was still good practice.  I like the couple of folds in the scarf and using the nose ring shape in the background.  I may do another version of the source...

Today's effort is a sketch/painting based on a photo of Maude Feley taken around the turn of the 20th century (changing from 1800s to 1900s).  She was a beauty and it's amazing how many photographs of her that have survived.   This is more of a simplified sketch.  Her eyes are a bit off from the photograph, but it is minor. That said, I like having done the blue gradation for the background too.   The tools used were a mechanical pencil (HB core) for the sketch, Japanese watercolors for the background, and embellishments were done with a gold Sakura Pen-Touch marker, black Muji pen, and white Uni-Ball Signo pen.

This effort is based on the painting of a noble woman by an artist that no information is available about nor is the date of its creation known.   In this practice piece, the sketch and hair has been done with mechanical pencil (HB core).  It was then painted in with Japanese watercolors.  Embellishments have been added with a white Uni-Ball Signo pen and silver Sakura Pen-Touch marker.   Overall, I'm pleased with the effort.  Though I am aware that the head is a bit too small for the neck/body.    I'm liking the gradation of color used for the background especially the Indian Red that is the darkest color (maroon-like) in this piece.  I'm also liking how the ruffs came out after 'setting' the colors below.  They were then painted in with a white watercolor--thinned a bit more than normal. Update - The head has been slightly altered as well as one of the eyes and the top lip.  Does this make a perceptible improvement in the overall look ...

This is such a good article from 'The Painter's Keys' in which the discussion about what is proper behavior when it comes to art galleries.  That is because there seem to be more emerging sub-standard and/or inappropriate behavior by some you might now expect.   'The Hambleton Galleries Code of Ethics, May 2022', listed in the article are very good  covering galleries, clients, artists and consignors, employees and accountability.  They seem very thorough and what I would expect in the realm of doing business with a gallery and what should be expected from it, if it is doing business ethically. https://painterskeys.com/ethics-and-art-galleries/ What do you think?  Have you experienced an unethical situation with a gallery and was it resolved to your satisfaction, if resolved?

Yesterday's effort was based on Gustave Courbet's painting titled 'The Desperate Man' dated 1844-45.   This was initially sketched with mechanical pencil (HB core) and covered with a layer of Blackwing Matte pencil.  The piece was painted with Japanese watercolors, and a black Pentel brush pen and white Uni-Ball Signo pen were used to complete the pupils.   I have to say, the youthful man in Courbet's painting is much more handsome than my guy.  This is also the first time in a long time I haven't been satisfied with my work.  My goal was capturing the expression in the source image.   The eyes work, but the lips/mouth don't align with the expression coming from the eyes, and the lips/mouth are a bit too wide for the face anyway.  Also, my guy's face is not long enough, and he looks flat rather than dimensional and the neck area is confusing.  The arms/hands which are based on the source image are alright though I think the pencil shading of the h...

I've just had the privilege and delight to finish reading "Rare Bird of Fashion" by Eric Boman.  It is about Iris Apfel's life story that was influenced by her father's inherent sense of style in dress and her mother's ability to create stylish ensembles with coordinated elements.  Together with her own unexpected experiences, serendipitous happenings, and the extraordinary people she met along the way --- they served as guideposts to light the very unique path she forged in becoming a fashion and style luminary.   There is no limit in Iris Apfel's ability to combine garments and accessories obtained from all over the globe -- into the unique ensembles she assembles and wears that distinctively expresses her visual voice and style acumen.  Her story is amazing and told with just the right amount of whimsy, spice and forthrightness.  In addition, the mannequin photography is stellar!

Today's effort is based on Friedrich Wm. Herdt's 'Painting of a Lady' dated in 1833.   It is only a sketch done with mechanical pencil (HB core) plus pupil highlights added with a white Uni-Ball Signo pen.   The face is a bit wider than the source image.  But overall, I'm satisfied with it.  When you're not feeling tip-top, a quicker piece is perfect for meeting a commitment to daily practice.     This update is from May 11th in which the lip as been slightly reworked and the hair/curls have been shaded to add some depth.  What do you think?

Yesterday and today's practice has been based on the photograph of an old painting of what is a woman in a folk costume who is either Russian, Ukrainian or from one of the other former Soviet Union countries because of that costume.  Unfortunately, there is no citation information available. The sketch was done with mechanical pencil (0.5mm).  The image was painted in with Japanese watercolors after outlining the headscarf, color and sleeves with white Uni-Ball Signo pen in order for that white to show through the paint.  The gold in the headpiece and other areas was done with a gold Sakura PenTouch marker while the dots, having some texture, coming from dabs of Golden Iridescent Gold (Deep; Fine) liquid acrylic.   For the head tilt, I've used a technique recommended from an artist friend.  Thank you, Pegret, because it came out very well!  Normally, my faces haven't been as fully tilted to -- as faithfully -- simulate the source image as possible. That sai...

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript created sometime between the 6th and 9th centuries and has survived since that time to be on display at Trinity College in Dublin.  This BBC article provides some context about the book and its journey through the centuries--and to become a national treasure of the Irish people.  Article link:   https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160425-the-book-of-kells-medieval-europes-greatest-treasure The entire book (600+ pages) has been digitized and can be viewed at:  https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/collections/ks65hc20t?locale=en In addition, Trinity College is offering an introductory course to The Book of Kells free to the public (as long as you complete the course in 30 days), and it's very interesting.  I found the information about how the book was made, the material used and its sourcing, and the meaning of some of the art symbols used to be engaging.  The e-classroom used for the course also worked very well...

Tonight's effort is based on a photograph of Majel Barrett dressed as her Nurse Chapel character from the original Star Trek series.  This was a fun departure from what I've typically used as source material. The piece was sketched with a Blackwing Matte pencil.  Color was added using Japanese Watercolors and some minor embellishments were made with a silver Sakura PenTouch and a black Pentel Brush Pen. The most challenging part of this effort was the hair color.  The source photo shows it in a red light shining on the crown of her blonde hair.  I decided not to incorporate the red because of a test I did with it on the blue clothing -- where it also was lit by that color --and I didn't like the outcome.  But her hair shadows and highlights were a mix of blonde, taupe, copper and white/silver.  So capturing them was a bit haphazard rather than the seamless look of it in the photo.  Overall, though, I'm pleased with the result.   

Last night's effort was based on Peter Paul Ruben's 'Portrait of a Woman' completed sometime during his lifetime (1577-1640).   This sketch was done with a Blackwing Matte pencil.  Color didn't seem necessary for the background, clothing or hair.  My goal was to achieve the viewer seeing the face from above and to draw the eyes so they are looking in the same direction.  I didn't get the full head tilt based on the original painting, but I did capture the appearance of looking at the face from above.   

Today's effort is based on John William Godward's painting titled "Head of a Girl" dated 1896.   This was the first time I've used a Blackwing Matte pencil for sketching and it worked nicely.  It is definitely darker than my mechanical pencil and provides the ability to blend more intense shaded areas with less work.  Japanese watercolors have been used for the addition of color.  If you look at the arm in the foreground, you can see that the top is intended to be a bit translucent.  The hint is the underarm shadow. Surprisingly this didn't take as long as expected, and I'm pleased with the result.  

This week's Let's Face It! (2022) Week 17 module was led by Tara Roskell.  Her process involves facial distortion and exaggeration (e.g. moving elements to the edge of the face, dropping ears to near-chin level, changing the size/ratio of the elements to one another, converting the neck to a stick/pole, etc. and using added stick figures to create a sense of place/story about the central image).  As a graphic designer, Tara has a particular flare for her distinctive process that results in a vey modern kind of distorted caricature. I used one of my own photos rather than her source photo, so that I wouldn't compare my results with hers.  That said, the first step was distorting the photographic image with an app.  Then I basically played with her process though didn't go as extreme (except for the color).  The result is a bit on the scary side...definitely overly dramatic.  The face is totally misshapen with one eye off to the side--making up a part of a mu...

This effort is based on Karl Joseph Stieler's "Augusts of Bavaria, Duchess of Leuchtenberg' dated 1820.  Interestingly, after finishing this and doing a Google search, I found the reference photo that I had used on Wikipedia.  However, there is another version of the painting on Getty Images.  So, I'm unsure which is the original work by Stieler or if both of them are.  That said, the Getty Images version looks like a more likely ensemble that would have been worn by the Duchess.   Friday, the sketch was done.  I painted the sketch in with Japanese watercolors yesterday and today.  To start, I specifically tested a watercolor brush pen to see how it would work.  The intention was to have it apply a light grey in the shadow areas.  That did not work!  The paint using this tool--went on too dark, and it color would not blend when another wet layer was added over it.   The curls in this piece are better than my first effort and a lot o...

This is such a good article about wealth expressed through art collecting and philanthropy that has resulted in the creation of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art with a purpose of providing access for all.  The intention is to raise awareness of what art is/can be, and to provide cultural enrichment while creating a mecca for gathering, viewing, exploring, learning, and engaging with the range of its collections.  One in particular work that caught my eye including the founder's narrative about it was the painting of Andrew Jackson (see the video for this).  Meanwhile, with the museum's development, a small town with not much that was noteworthy is now booming to accommodate visitors to the museum and probably even new businesses.   I'm so impressed by this story.  My own interest in visiting the museum and community has been peaked.  An unknown-to-me place until today's story.  Bentonville, Arkansas, I look forward to seeing you! https://www....

This practice piece was started in early April and is based on a painting by Sir William Ross of 'Queen Louise Marie of Belgium' dated 1846.  After finishing the sketch earlier in the month, it was set aside.   That waiting was because I was unsure how to proceed.  The Queen is portrayed in a dark blue gown with a black lace shawl over the gown.  I didn't know how the shawl could be done while watercolors were planned for the base layers and I didn't want to activate them as part of adding the shawl. Yesterday, I decided to just go ahead and add color.  Two alternatives have been suggested to me on how to isolate the watercolor layer(s) and add the shawl on top.  Without having experimented using each option on a less precious piece, I decided to call this done for now absent the shawl.  You can still see a few of the lines for it that were drawn in as part of the sketch and haven't been erased.  I may come back to the piece later on -- to add it....

Today's effort is based on a photograph.  The image was sketched with mechanical pencil (HB core), pupils have some black Muji pen emphasis, and the balance of the piece, where there is color, was done with Japanese watercolors. The hand may be a bit oversized compared with the head, though overall I'm satisfied and calling this one done.

My practice over that last few days has been sketching with Muji pen.  In some cases, pencil has been added for shading.  Here are some of the finished efforts.

After distorting the photo of a face, I painted it with watercolor, Sharpies and some acrylics after sketching it with mechanical pencil (HB core).   The original distorted photo showed the face in yellow and the balance of the image in blues, tans, copper and maroon reds.  My focus was on capturing the yellow quality of the face -- which has come through, though admittedly it's not beautiful for skin tone.   This is primarily a play piece...of experimentation, troubleshooting, and using colors I wouldn't normally use in the same piece.

Earlier today, I finished sketching a practice piece inspired by a painting of Queen Louise Marie of Belgium by Sir William Ross dated 1846.  It still needs to be finished with some color and will be posted when done. In addition, I used Sharpie pens; a Muji Pen, white Signo Pen, and Gold Pen-Touch; and a few acrylic paint colors to come up with this Hundertwasser-inspired vase with flowers.  It's simply play for the day! P.S.  Because of the reflective paint used, the above photo makes the piece look darker than it is in person.

All 5 human senses are absolutely engaged in this new Disney adventure (at Walt Disney World) that opened March 1st!  It is brilliant and ingeniously-executed!!!  While pricey, it LOOKS SO FUN-- ESPECIALLY if you're a Star Wars fan!! I highly recommend viewing the video in the CNET article at the link below, because it shows what the adventure is like for a guest from beginning to end without giving away the story.  The other video below features representatives from Disney's Imagineers and LucasFilm talking about how it all came together.  For this post, though, my purpose is to cover how Disney is giving guests a full 5-sense experience (touch, sight, sound, smell and taste) over their two-day adventure.   Touch:  Guests first connect with their in-room information center (that includes a 24/7 bot), and separately use a special phone app designed for the adventure to send and receive communications with onboard characters as they may help characters/solve...

Today's effort is based on a lovely photograph of Dorothy Height taken in her older age.   The sketch was done with mechanical pencil (HB core), pupils highlighted with a white Signo pen, and certain areas filled in with watercolor.  Some additional small embellishment was done with a silver Pen Touch marker. What I like best is having been able to work with the lines of her face and capture a sense of older age.  Overall I'm quite satisfied with this work.  

It has taken me about four days to work through the process, that involved doing two pieces, to get this result.  The piece is based on a digital or painted image of an African woman.  The creator's name is unavailable. The first part of the process involved a sketch done in mechanical pencil (HB core) filled in with watercolor.  That medium did not work well for the piece.  That is because the skin color was too hard to mimic with watercolor in addition to the needed shading.  So, I gave up on that piece--keeping it as a learning reference. The second effort finished today was also sketched with mechanical pencil (HB core) and has been painted in with acrylics.  Some eye work and other line work has been done with black Muji pen, and the decorative body lines were created with a neon yellow Sakura Gelly Roll Pen. That Gelly Roll Pen was the only type (of my water-resistant, permanent and water-soluble pens with fine nibs) that could create the color intens...