Inspiration and Bathrooms

It is leap day today. Is that what you call it? And can anyone tell me exactly why a leap year is called a leap year?

Anyway, today on a sudden inspiration related to a disagreement with my cat, Pansy, (one of my favorite models) I have begun a painting, a pastel painting, of our bathroom....yes, I said bathroom.

I never knew how beautiful bathrooms can be until I said that. Look what I just found courtesy of Google.

My New Drawing Board

After a couple weeks of coaxing and pleading Dad finally made me a drawing board! It took him two afternoons with my help--or hindrance! He made it with no design just a couple of photos I gave him of the sort of thing I wanted. 

The angle is adjustable by unscrewing the wing nuts and putting the screws in other holes. It's a simple design but serves my purpose and I'm very happy with it. As you can see I have begun using it already.

It is very useful for drawing for I always find that when drawing on a flat surface your viewing angle is distorted and what looks fine lying on the desk before you suddenly becomes elongated when you lift it up to view at 90 degrees! The drawing board is supposed to fix that

The only problem now is I need a higher chair!

My Present Situation....

...is here evident.

More on this topic later...! 

My First Real Still Life

I had never painted a real still life before, but during the last free days of the holidays (Yes, I'm still completing my year 13cert...) I attempted something new and different from my usual typical horses or cats. I was becoming a little afraid I would turn into a mediocre portrait artist, never growing better just churning out the same old stuff. And so in a fit of inspiration I painted this over a couple days. And presented it to Mum on her birthday.

 Now that it's finished and since I haven't looked hard at it for a couple weeks I can see all the flaws in it. That always happens, such a damper! But still I feel this painting is a turning point for me and assures me I can still keep improving if I put my mind and effort to it. 

It has displaced a faded old copy of Millet in the best spot over the mantle piece in our lounge.

There are actually three other pieces of mine visible in this photo.

Of Painting and Books

Norman Rockwell painting

 I have been painting for six hours today and have mostly finished an oil painting which I will share with you as soon as is finished. It's something slightly new for me. (After the oil painting still life I have recently completed but yet to take a photo of). I have discovered that audio books are great things to listen too while working on a picture. I generally much prefer to read a real book than an e-book or audio book, though it is pleasant to be read to I will admit. Anyway I can enjoy two of my favorite things at the same time this way! Books and painting! =) 

The Artists Triumph, by William Sydney Mount, Oil on wood, 1838

Watch this space for my new painting! 

=)

Amusing story about Turner and Constable

A Boat and Red Buoy in Rough Sea, Turner 1830
(I'm guessing this is the correct painting, it is the closest to the description that I can find.)

 'Constable was one artist who had had the misfortune to have his work hung next to Turner's. C.R. Leslie, in Autobiographical Recollections, relates a story that has made art history:

   "In 1832, when Constable exhibited his Opening of Waterloo Bridge, it was placed in the school of painting... A sea-piece, by Turner was next to it - a grey picture, beautiful and true, but with no positive colour in any part of it. Constable's Waterloo seemed as if appointed with liquid gold and silver, and Turner came several times into the room while he was heightening with vermilion and lake the decorations and flags of the city barges. Turner stood behind him, looking from the Waterloo to his own picture and at last brought his palette from the great room where he was touching another picture and putting a round daub of red lead, somewhat bigger than a shilling, on his grey sea, went away without saying a word. The intensity of the read lead, made more vivid by the coolness of his picture, caused even the vermilion and lake of Constable to look weak... 'He has been here,' said Constable, 'and fired a gun'.. The great man did not come again into the room for a day and a half; and then in the last moments that week allowed for painting, he glazed the scarlet seal he had put on his picture, and shaped it into a buoy."'

The Opening of Waterloo Bridge by Constable 1832 Oil on canvass. Tate Museum

*Quoted from Turner by K. E. Sullivan p.60

Speed drawing video of my latest drawing

 Here is the video I made of this commissioned portrait of two cuties. I was happy to have such a nice reference photo to work from. However it did come with a challenge, the photo was quite small, probably taken from a phone. Here it is.

When cropped and enlarged the quality was this:

But I managed alright and here is the finished portrait.

Norman Rockwell's Valentines

 I looked up some Rockwells with love themes for February since the 14 is coming up. Here are my finds: 

Boy And Girl Gazing At The Moon, 1926

'Young Love'

First Dance

After to Prom 1957

Marriage Licence

The Election

Did you Follow the story line?

Night time Photography

These photo paintings created by German photographers Jens Warnecke and Cenci Goepel have actually not been computer manipulated. 

I think they must have fun doing that. Finding the locations and shooting and then viewing the result and the excitement if it turns out well.

Here is a video found on their website

There are so many creative and talented people, I wonder how many light photographer artists there are. Anyway enjoy these. =)

Google Art Project

I have just been rediscovering Art Project Powered by Google. The project gives you a virtual view of several famous galleries in google street view and you can also browse the art works and read about them. I found out about it months ago, and have come back for another explore round all the galleries. They have added more features too, such as video media for some paintings. 

The photo quality of the paintings are very good, look how clear this detail is. It is from The Merchant Georg Gisrg Gisze by Hans Holbein the Younger.

'This is what I'm working on'

This is what I've been working on for the last couple days. I am videoing the process so next week I will have another speed drawing video made to share with you. :)

Ragdoll Kitten Pastel Portrait

Pastel Portrait on board

On Friday I took this portrait into town to his new owner and I got to meet the actual kitten, Enzo. He is a gorgeous little Ragdoll Kitten, very relaxed and friendly. I saw him once as a little baby but it was so nice to be able to meet him as a big boy. 

Happy Birthday Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell, the great American illustrator and artist, is 118 today!

Fellow Bloger's Happy Birthday to Rockwell

Video Documentary of Norman Rockwell

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg reveal their insights into Rockwell's art and why certain works appealed to them. Telling Stories is the first major exhibition to explore the connections between Norman Rockwell's iconic images of American life and the movies.

I'm posting several posts all about Norman Rockwell in honour of his 118th birthday on Saturday. 

Rockwell's first Saturday Evening Post cover