It was a wild weather day here in the SF Bay Area. High winds and driving rains kept me from going to the critique group I lead, so I spent the day finishing this painting. It is 30" x 30" which presented it's own set of problems. The head is at an unusual angle creating foreshortened forms plus drawing the head this size was a new challenge. I truly had to use all the skills I teach in my workshops carefully observing shapes, checking where things lined up, etc. Painting in a vertical position helped a lot. At lease I didn't have a distorted perspective. All the color was from the Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks. I like that you can draw with them and I like the intensity and density of the pigment when used in a fully saturated way. I just held the color stick in one hand and brushed it with a wet brush and applied the color. They get sticky when wet, so I laid them down on a piece of plastic to dry. I realized I could use the plastic as a makeshift palette, wetting the patches of paint that came off the wet sticks when I set them down. I am pleased with the final result of this piece.
This will be the painting I submit to California Watercolor Society rather than the homeless dude in the voting. The other painting will be submitted to the National Watercolor Society. Here are some facts to keep in mind if you work like I do in mixed media and like to enter these shows. Many of the national watercolor societies do not allow collage as part of the painting. With certain restrictions, CWA does. So, my latest painting will meet the requirements. NWS does not allow an entry that has been shown in another national show. They want to be the first to exhibit a painting! So, I enter my best work there first. I am not aware of any other society having that restriction. It can get to be a juggling act, but I find it rewarding to participate in these excellent shows. It is always an honor to get in and disappointing when I don't, but considering the limited space they have to hang these shows, it is not a black mark against my work if I don't make the cut. There are many more excellent paintings entered than can be accepted.
23 comments:
It turned out wonderful, I love all the textures and the colors. When you enter a show do the judges give you comments?
Hi Desiree. Glad you like it. No, usually you have no idea what the judge thought about your work. Some shows have judges comments for the winning pieces.
WONDERFUL...Good Luck!
This is a compelling painting. It should capture the eye of the judges immediately. Another winner, Myrna!
This is stunning. The collage elements work perfectly into the portrait. I could look and look at this one. I think it will do very well.
Love the textures, Myrna. Good luck with this entry.
Well, I don't know about the judges for the show, Myrna, but to me, this is a WINNER!!! WOW!
Forgot to ask - do you have a title for it?
Myrna, this is one of my favorites! i really like it!!!
I really like this...you are so good at painting personalities, not just portraits.
This is a stunning piece. Totally mesmerizing. I love the different perspective and angles and of course, the textures. A true winner I do declare!
Myrna, fabulous piece! You surely will get into the show with this work,. Did you collaged over an old painting or is this one done with collage and stamping on watercolor paper? From the start you made, I would not have guessed your final color dominance. Lovely.
This is one of my favorites.
That is such an excellent painting, Myrna; interesting value contrasts, design, the works. Good luck in the competition.
Love the intensity of your stare and the colors. I can hardly wait to see this in person.
Hi Myrna, love the mood of the sitter (you) that you've perfectly captured- been there done that!Good luck with it in CWA.
Myrna, This has got to be one of my favorite that you've done. What a compelling portrait!
Your portraits are amazing and inspiring.
Thanks you all for your lovely complimentary comments.
To answer the two questions, I do not have a title yet. I guess I need to think one up if I am going to enter it. This was done on a new sheet of paper. I did not collage over an old painting.
Your portrait will do well, it is so unusual with very good technique and an expression of character!
This should win...what an expression...wonderful!!
This piece absolutely FASCINATES me! I think it is so interesting and very good! Wonderful! Hope it gets the recognition it deserves!
I just splurged and ordered some of the sticks! What I love about them is the brilliant color when the paper is wet. I love your idea about using your plastic as a pallette. As pricey as they are, I like to conserve when I can. I got them because I do watercolor batik and was hoping they would work when I needed more color/ definition on my waxed surfaces. So far, they do beautifully.
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