Palette Knife Practice

During the last week or so I've been learning or practicing with a number of palette knives instead of using a brush in oil painting.  What an experience!  Here are a few of the studies.   The Lawn Chair was en plein aire while the others were done from photos.  But the process was both frustrating and fun. 

 

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Seattle Urban Sketchers went to the Center for Wooden Boats, Sunday, June 26th.  I went and practiced some with my fountain pen and a little water color.  Here is what emerged. I'll keep practicing

Spring Pics

Seems like I only get to the postings about once every three weeks.  Oh well!  I was taking a figure painting in oil class at Gage here in Seattle and actually have a couple of results to share.  The first more finished than the second.  The first was with one figure and 4 studio sessions.  The second was with two figures and 5 studio sessions.  The models alternated so we had one model at a time with the exception of the first session where both were present.  I missed the session when the female model posed for the first time.  The second time was the last studio session so I only got one chance at getting her into the composition.    The photos of the pieces didn't come out the best but at least give a glimpse of what I've been doing on the painting side of life.

Okay they loaded in the opposite order.  The bottom was done first.    I also learned to work with a very different palette.  It was fun and I learned quite a bit.

Six weeks until FINA Worlds in Goteborg, SW.  I'm hoping to keep a art travel journal while on the trip.  We'll see if it actually happens.  It will take a bit of tenacity and dedication to be consistent with it.  But I'll try.

Another post later.

Trip to Goteborg, Sweden and Week in Shetland Isles

It is all arranged and confirmed.  I'll be swimming in the FINA World Master's Swimming event in Goteborg, Sweden July 30 - August 7, 2010.  The air transport is booked, we have a house or two rented (there are about 10 swimmers plus a few others going in our group from Seattle), events have been entered: 200, 400, 800 meter freestyle,  200 backstroke, and the open water swim (1.5 mile). 

After Sweden, I am taking a week to go visit the Shetland Islands and to do some plein air journaling.   I'll fly from Goteborg to Aberdeen, Scotland routing through London.  Then take the Northlink overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland.  It was nice to find a small bed and breakfast on the main island for a 5 night stay.  Afterwards, I'm flying from Sumburgh (southern tip of the Shetlands) to Edinburgh with a one night stay and leaving very early morning August 15th to fly back to Seattle. 


Painting/Drawing

I've been continuing to paint and draw but just not disciplined enough to document the process.  I'll get there.  Journaling is not something I've totally committed to and find hard to sit down to create.  

Legs, pencil 2H on white paper.

Fisherman's Wharf, water color, plein air in sketch book

I'll get back to doing more.  Meanwhile I need to figure out how to get from the Aberdeen Airport to the Northlink Ferry terminal on a Sunday afternoon.  

Crazy Week

Passing of PC the Cat

PC was the oldest female cat in our household of 3 felines.  She'd been ill for about a year but was doing fine until last Tuesday.  We think she had a stroke or some type of episode which triggered her sudden decline.  But, early Thursday morning about 1 AM she passed away in her little cat bed. 


We are now down to two cats, Jello and BluePurr.  These two now rule the house with iron paws as the dynamics change for the second time in three months. 


Drawing and Painting

This week produced two figure studies.  One in oil using a very limited palette of one hot, one neutral, and one cold color.  In this case yellow ocher, burnt sienna, and ultramarine blue.  Unfortunately my figure seems to blend with the couch and do a bit of disappearing but I'll try again soon,

The drawing figure was a foreshortening exercise.  I did okay in the allotted 3 hours and feel I'm getting a little better.  Again, I'll keep working and learning.

Getting back to what matters

It's been awhile, 3 months, since Duffy past away. Guess it's time to get on with it.

Artistic Reality

I have been doing some drawing and painting. Taking a "Painting the figure in oil" class that has been very helpful to someone who has been out of the media for 30 years. It's improved my ability to mix a clean and clear palette as well as make better color decisions.

We went to Fisherman's Terminal yesterday, 3/18/10, and did a little plein aire painting.  The weather was sunny and the wind was a bit cold.  This was my first time really using my new pochade box for my acrylic media.  In addition, it is one of the first pictures of a piece which I've tried to post using Adobe Element.  So, I'm getting aquainted with media, weather, and editing and organizing pochade boxes.  It's not the best result in the world but it is a beginning.

Here is another one that seemed to be okay.  I'm not too sure about the drawing quality.  (I'm always doubtful about my own abilities).  However, I went to an open figure drawing session two weeks ago and actually came out with something I liked.  So, I'm sharing.

FINA Masters 2010 Sweden

I haven't made my plane reservations yet for Gotenborg, Sweden, but I have officially signed up for events to swim at the international masters event.  I'll be swimming 200, 400, and 800 freesyle, plus 200 backstroke and the open water 1.5 mile event at the end of the party.  So, I guess I need to make my reservations. 

Orkney

I need to find a discussion group or try to establish a contact to find out what my prospects are for living for a year in the Orkney Islands and keeping a drawing/painting journal.  Any hints?


I'll return at least at the end of next week.  Again a group is going to Richmond Highlands Saltwater Park next Thursday to do a bit of plein aire work.  I'm going.  Maybe I'll have something to show.   Hope so.

Leigh