Wednesday, May 14, 2014

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

CHAMPAGNE DREAMS

I decided to use the last image I posted and create another painting.  I wanted to use the art program I will be teaching my next workshop and see where it would lead.  

I like to start by covering over a failed painting.  Fortunately, I have lots of these!  Here is the first stage of the new painting.  Using PS Touch, I created a notan (2 value) then, viewing that image in my iPad, I painted over the old painting using just two color.  Some of the previous incarnation showed through but I don't worry about that knowing it would eventually disappear under the additional layers that were coming.  It was, however,  somewhat distracting.  I used a mid value orange instead of a very dark value color as an experiment to see how this would affect the final result.  Working with just two values forces the artist to see and evaluate shapes, angles, distances, relationships rather than seeing "things" i.e nose, lips, glasses etc.  

Notan stage one of CHAMPAGNE DREAMS
The next step was to add transparent or translucent collage over the piece.  Normally, I use hand painted papers.  I am partial to tissue collage for its transparent quality.  I had just saved a piece of printed tissue that was used in a gift basket.  I realized I had two other prints with a circular, dot pattern.  This could be fun!!  

Stage two: Collage Layer for CHAMPAGNE DREAMS

Having the mid value instead of dark value allowed me to more easily make adjustments for a more accurate portrait.  I wasn't looking for a great likeness (irrelevant for my purposes) but getting the mouth aligned better, getting the scale of the eyes and glasses in relation to the rest of the features, etc. are subtle corrections that make a difference in the final piece.

Final solution
Naming the painting can be the most fun of all.  Here are some of my other ideas:  Running Circles around myself.  Running around in Circles, The Circle of Life.  Life has come full circle, Life in a Bubble.  Want to join in the name game?  Feel free to share in the comments section.






13 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

You look like maybe you've had a bit too much champagne in this one :) I love how you work, Myrna - and that you share that process with us.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Rhonda. Half a glass is enough to make me look like this! Sharing is always part of the journey and half the fun.

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

NICE look and style here!

Hastypearl said...

My brain Breaks when I hear PS talk as I am locked out of the game! Ahhh. Some day:) I love what you do...amazes. Laura

Grace Rankin said...

Bubble Up!
Looking forward to the workshop, grace

Meera Rao said...

Life is mostly froth and bubble :) Rest of the quote "Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone, Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own” by Adam Lindsay Gordon.
Love your creative experiments !!!!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Meera, love the quote and was not familiar with it. I shall put it in my files!

sstroschein said...

How bout Tiny Bubbles or a bit of the bubbly or don't burst my bubbles
Love your work, Shelley ,Fremont

Myrna Wacknov said...

Thanks, Shelley, for the suggestions. I am creating a wonderful list with everyone's help.

Desiree's Designs said...

So is this done digitally or printed from a digital painting? I am trying to figure it out because I love it

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Desiree,
I took the original digital photograph and turned it into a digital 2 value image in my iPad using PS Touch, which is an app for the iPad or iPhone from the folks that bring you Photoshop. Then, looking at the 2 value image in my iPad, i painted with acrylic on paper, a 2 value image, then added collage paper that had various sizes of dots on it, then painted with acrylic on top of that for the final effect. So glad you like it!

Mike said...

Myrna . . .
Your work is an example to us all of how to not have any restraints in exploring what is possible on canvas or paper. It is through your courage and willingness to accept failure that you produce such astounding (and award winning) results. In short, Madam . . . .
YOU ROCK !!!

Myrna Wacknov said...

Mike, I learned from the master!

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