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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Cleaning Up In The Studio

Studio paint table before
I know I can't be the only one out there who has a godawful mess in their studio! I don't even know how I've been getting any painting done in there!

I have been trying to become more organized in all areas of my life and a major part of that is decluttering things I don't need, want and love. So I have been doing this 15 minutes every day. To stay motivated I've even started a blog about it.




So today's session was in the studio. I spent about 25 minutes installing these wooden shelves and clearing off my paint table. There is still stuff on each end of the table, but at least now I have some room to work! And that is a good thing because I need to get busy on my next pet portrait!






Do you need some extra storage in your studio? I know I sure do! So I've been looking at different options for my different kinds of supplies and the space I have available.
                         

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Another Commission

Well today I am to deliver Sachmo to his owner. My client has already ordered another portrait, for his friend. Same size, another Yellow Lab. of course I don't have another canvas that size so will have to run on into the valley and get one. I'll probably stop over at the used book store and see if they'll take some old books for trade while I'm down there.

In the meantime, if you are looking for good deals on art supplies, Dick Blick is the best. I usually order all my canvas, paint and brushes from them and have been so happy with their quality and service that I've become an affiliate. You can go to  their website through the button above and yes, if you order something I'll make a small commission, so thank you very much.

If you are looking for other supplies or for online lessons, I've put together a good list in my article, My Favorite Artists Resources Online.

Have you read Betty Edwards book, Drawing On The Right Side of The Brain? I just loved this book. The difference in my drawings between before and after I read it and did her exercises were amazing. It was also very interesting to read about how the different parts of the brain work, written in plain English. She now has several other books out which are on my wish list, a workbook and a book about color.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Sachmo is FINISHED!

All right, worked on Sachmo over the weekend and sent off a pic to the client and he seems happy with it, so just setting up a time and place to meet.
Sachmo 18x24 acrylic on canvas, Mary Hysong, 2011 Private Commission

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sachmo update

well worked on this guy some more yesterday, finally getting his nose right, I think I painted it over about 5 times. Still trying to get the eyes and shadows right. Waiting to hear from the client about this update....


I'm linking this one for Paint Party Friday because I have not gotten to do any other painting this week. Hope to get back to this guy this afternoon and get him finished up. Would like to deliver him soon. Check out the other artists participating by clicking on the link in the right side bar.
Sachmo 18x24 inches acrylic on canvas, work in progress



 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Sachmo update

Well I finally figured out what was wrong with this; when I started laying in the color I lost his mouth and the shape of his muzzle. Once I figured that out and corrected it he looks much much better. So here he is at the moment.
Sachmo 18x24 inches acrylic on canvas, work in progress

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Giraffe Cabinet & more Sachmo

My house has become overwhelmingly cluttered, so I have been challenging myself to get some of it cleared out of here, I need some space! I have a lot of UFO's (UnFinished Objects) laying about. I decided I needed to work on the biggest three of them. So today I picked the one that needed the least amount of work to be finished, the Giraffe Cabinet. All it needs now is some clear seal and then it will be on it's way to Hill Street Mall.

Giraffe Cabinet
I also worked on Sachmo a bit this morning. For some reason just don't seem to be able to get him to look right.
Sachmo, 18x24 acrylic on canvas, work in progress

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pet Portrait

Well I haven't had a lot of time to paint this week. Sachmo is giving me some difficulty; quite tempted this evening to just paint him out and start over ;-( But maybe I just need some rest and food. Will make a decision tomorrow. In the meantime this is where he's at.

Sachmo 18x24 acrylic on canvas, work in progress

 mmmm on second thought he's not looking so bad after all, maybe just a bit more tweaking and refining.

In other news this week I've become a Dick Blick affiliate, so if you use the link up there I'll get credit for your order. I love DB, my favorite place to order from, never had a bad experience with them.

And on another front my wordy self has begun writing. I am writing articles over on Squidoo. I have four articles up right now.

Artists that Paint on Stone Lots of links and good photos from other Rockers around the world.

Refurbish Your Garden Art If you stopped by for PPF last week, then you probably saw this one about how I refurbished a fading fairy.

My Favorite Artists Resources Online Lots of cool places to learn how to draw and paint, buy supplies and online communities of artists where you can make friends and get critiques as well as admire great art.

Trim & Molding, is Wood or Plastic Better? A quick comparison of using wood vs plastic trim in your home.