Friday, January 9, 2009

FRENCHMAN WITH SKETCHBOOK TECHNIQUE


I sat at Gallery Concord today with one of my favorite people, Juanita Hagberg. It was great having someone to visit with and bounce ideas off of each other. After the close at 4 PM, we went to downtown Walnut Creek and hung out at Barnes and Noble and then went back for the Gallery Reception , celebrating the opening of our new show, at 6 PM. It was a mild night and there was a good crowd, food, drink and lovely musical entertainment. I stayed for an hour working at the sales desk, then headed home. It's an hour's drive but my books on tape keep me entertained.

I had a chance to do a painting during the day of the Frenchman on a half-sheet prepared like the sketchbook I posted yesterday.. I used some pen but mostly Hydrus Liquid Watercolor in Paynes Gray, Indian Red and a little Chrome Yellow (which is actually a yellow orange). I finally added some white acrylic ink because it needed the contrast. I don't think the additional color improved the technique. With collage, sometimes smaller works better because of the scale of the added pieces in the composition. I think I may try this again with just the pen. I don't have that "Eureka!" feeling I had with the sketchbook. I did prepare a second sketchbook, ready for drawings, so I am continuing to work on this idea for awhile.

7 comments:

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

I love, love the texture of these...and the drawings. Now I want to journal!

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

It really works - seeing the patterns in places. Love the colours used and think the white works well. Does this mean you have made another accordian sketchbook already. ? Only wish I could do portraits... you sure inspire me to have a go.

RH Carpenter said...

Myrna, I think this is stunning! The collage adds to the portrait but it's not about the collage - it's about the portrait. So I think the smaller additions work well to add depth, dimension and more visual interest here and there. WOW!

Anonymous said...

love what you have been doing in preparing the paper, gives the frenchman such great skin texture. I love it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Myrna, Your portraits with this paper are stunning! I like this one very much. The expression is mysterious. But, what really struck me is how the background asserts itself to flatten space. It reminds me of the cave paintings of Lascaux and the Cubist works. The ground adds to the aura of mystery.

Michelle Himes said...

You are right in that it doesn't have the same visual impact as the sketchbook. You would need bigger collage pieces and stamps for that. But it's excellent just the way it is. Don't compare the two - just feel good about the result. It definitely works!

juanita hagberg said...

I finally noticed your comments mentioning our fun day at Gallery Concord. You are one of my favorite people...energetic, creative, generous, and fun to hang out with. I always am inspired and learn something from you.
Juanita

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