Sunday, January 15, 2017

Sunday sketches

Argh, I spent another hour redoing yesterday's post and BlogPress deleted it again instead of posting. No idea why, as these quicker posts work just fine.

I was so frustrated I gave up again and painted instead. The Problem with that was I had left my paints at work. So I searched my house, found these VERY old Sakura water colors, a brand new brush still in it's packaging and an also new portable palette. It was messy to get it set up as some of the paints were dry and I had to puncture or tear open the tubes but turns out they work just fine. I actually love some of the colors even more than the set I normally use, the Prussian blue is incredible. I may do a painting in nothing but Prussian blue and payne's gray as that has always been my favorite too.















Here's some color practice, to see if I liked the colors. I got the texture by dabbing them with a paper towel before they dried.

Then I did a sketch after reading the free assignments on "make art that sells" website. I haven't purchased their latest e-class about illustrating children's books that starts today or tomorrow but I wish I could. It looks great.





Happy Sunday sketches all!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

27 comments:

  1. Well, my goodness, I have to say, I am glad you decided to just paint ... sorry your other project was rejected by the site, but this is awesome. Adorable and colorful and I agree, Prussian Blue is stunning. I think you should try to get into the class ... children's book illustrations is definitely up your alley. Have a great week, Andrea.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind comments, but it is the price that is stopping me... it's like $400.00!

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  2. Love your little girl - it is gorgeous! YOu totally should do that class on children's book illustration.
    I never used water color out of a tube, but way-back-when I used oil color and remember very well the dried tubes you had to puncture to get to the paint. And I looooove Prussian blue and Payne's gray.

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    1. Thanks so much, if the class was reasonably priced I would do it. I will have to find another though, there must be some for a Bit less $. ..... and I know! Great colors!

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  3. It can be challenging but also fun playing with colors and techniques. Looks like you had some fun. Yes, I'd love to take that illustrating a children's book class just to see what they say but wayyyyy too expensive for me at this time. Hope you have a lovely day. :)

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    1. Yes, it is way too expensive, I keep reading it as if I might do it but actually there is no way I would spend that much money for one class. I need to learn the technical bits of submitting though, and creating a professional portfolio.

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  4. Oh, wow, this is what you did with half-dried paint and a single brush? It's really good.

    I live in fear of being caught without a painting kit, so I have back-ups all over the place. Every bag I carry, my car, the office, the hub's car, they all have a little stash of emergency art supplies.

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    1. Well I guess that is the way to go, just hide a stash everywhere, thanks for the idea!

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  5. She is precious and so well done with your old paints ~ Delightful! thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy Week ahead ~ ^_^

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    1. Thanks and the same to you, at least we have one more day to our weekend this week!

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  6. Oh she's charming! I'm so glad you found your older paints and were able to create her.

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  7. she's very sweet. you just reminded me that I used to use Prussian blue on my palette quite a bit. I liked it a lot. It's a nice dark color without going entirely to black. Also, it looks really good with the color of your girl's hair!

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    1. Thanks! I think I will be using those colors a lot more often!

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  8. Your artwork is beautiful, Andrea! I like your colour-test play too. I use Payne's Grey a lot and Prussian Blue is one of my faves too. :) You don't use the Blogger Post Editor? I have not heard of Blogpress before.

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    1. I am going to get a new blogger app right now. Blog press was a free app, ... so I guess I should have known better.

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  9. Although you may have been a little frustrated starting off, it was worth the effort. Your end product is magical, with her big blue eyes and flowing red hair. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much, it is always a surprise to see if the color combos will work or not. I do like the end result here.

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  10. I've been there, tearing open old paint tubes to get to the last bit of dried-up color! I love what you created with all those bits and pieces you found at home though! Happy Sunday Sketching!

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    1. Yeah, I really end up pleased with the what that dried up paint could still do! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Somehow I doubt you need a childrens book class... you seemed to be a natural and have it down pat! I always love your adorable characters, their expression and the humour you add!! Sorry about the disappearing post...omg I feel you. I have had that happen and it's so frustrating!! For the last four months I have had a box of older dribs and drabs of paints I am trying to use up before breaking into all the fuller ones!

    Hugs Giggles

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thanks so much, but I feel like I really have no idea about the business end of children's book proposals etc, I appreciate all your support though, and am happy to know you like my characters!

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  12. art should be messy :D great colours on your girl :)

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  13. Andrea, I LOVE your determination! I think I would have done the same, doing whatever it took to get the paints out of those tubes so I could paint. :) I am sorry about that post being lost again. How weird it keeps vanishing on you. What I took to doing, especially with longer posts, is try to write them in another program so I can save them before I try to post them. Too many times I have lost emails etc when a program bugs out on me and i prefer to write in something simple like Notes, Bean or Focus Writer. . . then I save it before trying to post it in my blog etc. But reading back it seems like you are trying a new app so maybe that will work just fine! Fingers crossed. :)

    The new image is GORGEOUS! Keep up the research on the business end too. I think you'll find just what you need when the time is right. You're doing the most important part, making the work and refining your ideas. Don't forget about just making a book on your own too! You're a great writer with many wonderful insights for children!

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    1. Thanks Nicolas! I can always count on your support, and encouragement. I keep telling myself that things will happen when and as they should but I am impatient to quit my day job and support myself with art. I will just remind myself again to just keep moving forward and let go of a timeline.

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  14. Magical work, love your style! :)

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