HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

AURYN INK DIGITAL DRAWING OF FLORENT FROM THE FELIX CAFE IN PARIS

CONTINUOUS LINE DRAWING OF FLORENT FROM THE FELIX CAFE IN PARIS

Add cTOMBO PEN DRAWING OF FLORENT FROM THE FELIX CAFE IN PARIS

I thought I would share with you my process for developing images from a reference photo.  I recently had the wonderful opportunity to share a week with my sisters in Paris.  I had rented an apartment that had no internet connection, so we searched for an internet cafe and found The Felix Cafe a few blocks from our apartment.  Florent was the barrista and he was so friendly and helpful to us.  The French can be very warm and welcoming.   We looked forward to seeing him every morning.  The last day of our visit,  I took a photo of him, catching him by surprise, then he posed, and then he took a photo with my sister, who is under 5 feet tall.  Florent is well over 6 feet tall.  I could do a fun version of "American Gothic" with this photo.  Perhaps in the future. 

FLORENT AND HARRIET AT THE FELIX CAFE IN PARIS

 Because I like his look and personality, I decided to start a series of paintings with Florent as my subject.  Keep in mind, this is not a commissioned portrait, so I will be trying for the essence of the person and expression, not a perfect replication of his features.  

The first step is for me to do a number of drawings.  I like to work with ink so there is no option to erase and correct.  I find by drawing multiple times,  I make adjustments each time and get closer and closer to what I am seeking.  I also become very familiar with the shapes and distances between shapes by doing multiple drawings so that I am able to do a drawing without looking at the reference material.  The top image done digitally in the app Auyrn Ink (a watercolor art app) was created from memory after doing the two bottom drawings.  

I am working on a painting now.  Those steps will be shared in my next post.  Stay tuned!!!

PS  The Watercolor Artist magazine is now available at major bookstores and on line.  Check out the wonderful article they were generous enough to write on my self portraits! http://www.northlightshop.com/watercolor-artist-august-2015

THRILLED!

KEVIN

It has been a very exciting week!  I learned that the above painting of my son, Kevin,  received a second place award in the Watercolor division for the annual SWA show.  Their new gallery location is in San Bruno and it looks like a lovely space to exhibit and hold workshops and meetings. 

Society of Western Artists Fine Art Center
527 San Mateo Avenue (between Sylvan & Angus Aves.)
San Bruno, CA  94066
Hours:  Thursday - Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
(650) 225-9250

 Finding suitable locations for art groups to meet and share is getting more and more difficult.  Expecially, in the Bay Area where rents are skyrocketing because of the hi tech companies booming growth.  I am looking forward to seeing the show.  My turn to sit at the Gallery is Friday, July 2nd, so come by and say hello and take a look for yourself.  

Then, I returned from a gorgeous weekend with family in Cambria to find my advance copies of the August issue of Watercolor Artist in the mailbox!  I am so excited to have a 10 page spread in this beautiful magazine.  I was very honored that they asked to showcase my work.   Below is a url telling more about it.  Looks like the August issue will hit the newsstands on June 16th!  Don't ask! There doesn't seem to be an explination for why the dates on the magazine don't correspond with when they actually appear on the newsstands.  If you want a copy, Barnes and Noble carries the magazine.  

If the article gets your artistic juices flowing and you would like to learn some of these ideas and techniques, you can check out the workshop page of this blog for dates and locations where I will be teaching.

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/medium/watercolor/myrna-wacknov-mixed-media-self-portrait-gallery

A VIDEO FOR YOU!

I just returned for a 3 week fabulous vacation. The first part was a Roads Scholar tour in Florence with incredible docents explaining in detail about so many famous works of art that I studied in Art History.  Then, off to Paris for 5 days where I finally was able to go to Giverny and be inspired by Monet's surroundings, then back to the L'Orangerie where the huge waterlily paintings hang.  And so much more.

While I was gone, I received an email informing me that the video of our "Three Amigo's" live demo in February up in Santa Rosa was up on UTube.  They did a fabulous job and I enjoyed seeing the progression of Topher and David's work.  I was too engrossed in what I was doing to stop and focus on their part.  It is very uncomfortable watching and listening to myself.   I won't point out what I hate in case you didn't notice!  This video is 45 minutes long.  If you would prefer to see it on the UTube site, here is the link:   https://youtu.be/r8TNUTRPymE

I will be participating in another 3 person live demo sponsored by the Santa Clara Watercolor Society.  Here is the information if you are interested in being part of the audience.  Hope to see you there!