Out With the Old

Impromptu overhaul of the studio has put a pause on any actual work getting done in there for the moment.

Yeah, it was mostly for the cats. Haha.

 Plenty of painting at school, however. No matter how fundamental,  every art class can teach any artist. This semester I am taking another, more comprehensive,  color class where I am using gouache for the first time.
Now, I have this aversion to flat, chalky paint, so you can imagine my initial feelings towards it. Full time job, cat rescue, and full class schedule make it difficult to do any extracurricular experiments,  but I will try to carve out some time over the next week as I work on my class project (monochromatic portrait of Johnny Cash) to test out some ideas.
So far all I have done with, it is a couple of value scales. I will be posting detailed tutorials here soon of each of my projects. I have also started up a page on Patreon that I will often link back to my blog on as well. I am currently backtracking a bit to start my entries chronologically from the first project.  I wouldn't call these tutorials so much as just a documentation of my learning experience. These will serve as a reflection on my process and the project as a whole, and I am offering these reflections to anyone else looking to try their hand at any of these sorts of projects that I will be working on throughout my academic career and beyond.

Portrait- Video Review

   Yeah yeah yeah, so I tend to use my blogs for doing homework.  I usually do so on a different one, but I am going to try to just use this one from now on- mainly because more and more of my papers will be art- related anyway.  I am taking an oil painting class this semester, and have to write a review on a video, any video that's relative.  Well, if any of you are in college, you may be aware of Films On Demand, which is an awesome resource for free educational films.  I went through and, while I found many that looked interesting, watched Portrait- a film documenting UK artist Tai-Shan Schierenberg's portrait of Lord Hartington.  
   The film was only just under 30 minutes, so it flowed smoothly and went through Tai-Shan's entire process, from his initial call to set up the meeting with his sitter, to the presentation of the finished portrait.  Narrated by the artist himself, you feel intimately into his studio. We start out with Tai-Shan leaving his modest apartment and soon arriving at Chatsworth House, a beautiful estate that also holds one of the most extensive private art collections in Britain.  Tai-Shan begins with just two three-hour sessions where he initially paints his subjects head and face only and then photographs the sitter in various poses to use as reference for a full body painting. I was surprised to see that he made no other notes and drew no sketches while with his subject.
   Back in the studio, Tai-Shan spends the next month on the large painting (approximately 4x6'.)  Tai-Shan sits in a chair at the back of his studio, often staring and contemplating the progress of his portrait.  He continuously scrapes the paint away that had portrayed the Duke's face and repainting it.  His brushstrokes tend to be large and sweeping.  His subjects hands are very large, as the artist admits he has a tendency to do, and he leaves them that way. The final portrait is quite serious and rather formal, despite the quick and casual style Tai-Shan has with his brush.  Stoker Cavendish feels in the end that his tie is quite nice, and it is hard to be objective when presented with a larger than life portrait of oneself.
  This video offered a nice peak into the day to day of a portrait artist.  He mentions the fact that about 50% of his portraits are either disliked by the sitter or their spouse, as they most likely had an image of what it should look like already in mind.  Painting royalty has changed greatly since Van Dyck and the days of Henry VIII.  History buff, art student, or anyone looking to catch an interesting glimpse into an artist's thought process should pick up this film.

MINIS!!!

So, I have never really done any small drawings or paintings, but I am embarking on a new adventure of a series of 4x4" canvas panel paintings.  While I am right in the middle of another set, I am being drawn to this new project as well.  Still working on both, I am surrounded be a group of "works in progress" but still haven't overwhelmed myself yet.  I get distracted easily, and oftentimes set one project aside for another, but have this time chosen to keep everything out where it stares at me, allowing my attention to go to the one I am at that moment most drawn to.  Hopefully this will keep these pieces from going to the back burner, only to fall off the stove altogether like usual.

busy workstation

That't Joan Jett under way on the left in yellow, and David Bowie soon to come on the right.  They would go great for someone who likes to display album covers.

For the minis, I have in mind an upbeat and fun series that I don't think anyone could avoid finding the fun in!

background for the very first Mini!

Today's Recipe of the Day is my own.  I have been making this a lot since I've been home, and might just be addicted!  I don't have a name for it, but maybe someone could suggest one.

Ingredients:

2 eggs

Tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup salsa

1/4 cup fresh chopped red pepper

Texas Pete to taste

Using a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add peppers and salsa.  Mix for a minute or so then add eggs- one on each side to evenly cover pan.  Oil should keep eggs from merging, so after a few minutes (depending on how well done you like your eggs) flip eggs individually.  Sprinkle Texas Pete to taste.  Once eggs have cooked to your preference, slide entire contents onto plate.  Mmm  :)

Everything is ready to go!

Lots to update!  Since I have finally been back home the past two months, two main things have gone down.
1)  The studio is finished!
2)  I've got new projects finished and under way!

For the studio, I went with adjustable shelves to fit my canvases and supplies, and just an mdf desk because I make a mess :)

The wall color is Behr's "Buzz Blaster Blue"  It is a Disney color- I picked it to match the colors in the rest of the garage where my girlfriend grows african violets.

 I went cheep with the curtains and used pieces of black felt I bought at Michael's. These are great for blocking out the light.

My rock chick corner, including a cross made by Cherrie Currie that I got for my birthday.

 Now that it's all set up,  I am ready to paint!  I did finish a couple of pieces when I first got home though.  Also, I've come up with a fun project to keep me busy on slow days.  On the last Friday of every month I will be drawing a name of people that enter throughout the month to win a free painting.  The only rule is that no one person can win more that once every twelve months.  Enter to win!

I already have quite a few pieces  that I have yet to even start, so the first drawing won't be held until November 25.  Prices have dropped on all of my paintings, so if you definitely would like something by Christmas, there is the regular order form also on my website.

Thievery and copyrights

Finally home, finally back in the studio- and now I have about  a week before I go back to my regular job.  With so much going on this past month I really haven't gotten the studio time I had hoped for, though I did finish a portrait of my best friend's beautiful daughter.

Elliott Quinn

I had a 16x20 canvas sprayed silver, then sketched the portrait with charcoal before finishing it off with acrylic.

In other good news, I have a new site up!  Dust Jacket Studios is up and running online at an, albeit temporary, spot that at least gets the job done.  There is a gallery, spot to order, links to merchandise, and some good info.       It's not all of DJS, but so far encompasses my own art.  I am still working on a logo.  A problem I have been running into lately is  "rights to celebrity."  What this is doing is pulling any merchandise or prints I post using my paintings because they are recognized as celebrity portraits and companies like CafePress don't want to be held responsible in case someone wants to sue for using their face.  I guess I will just have to make these items personal and just offer them exclusively through my website, which kind of sucks since I won't have all the exposure of CafePress users, but I suppose it's better than nothing.  I did an awesome mug for The Legend of Billie Jean that I wanted for myself anyway. hehe.

Awesome, so, in looking for a link to just use, I came across another LOBJ item using my painting.  This is kind of like the whole rights to celebrity thing, only here is my argument.  If you are a celebrity, you expect your image to be everywhere, you even want it out there for advertisement.  The difference being, artistic interpretation belongs to an artist, and stealing that image is just that- stealing.  It would be different it the image was once again artistically interpreted, then it would no longer be my own interpretation.  The problem I keep running into here is that people just slap the image of my painting on their own products without giving credit to me or asking my permission.   All I did with the original movie poster image was Photoshop it until I got the look I wanted, then I painted that altered image.  I have found my painting on half a dozen unauthorized products the past few years when all these people ever had to do was Photoshop the movie poster the same way I initially did and leave my painting out of it.  Ugh.
omg, so I spent the better part of the past hour searching around and found two culprits- one on fanpop.com and the other on photobucket, where the other supposedly was linked from.  The original Photobucket image was one I had put up at least 6 years ago and forgot all about since I no longer use the site.  I rock. Well, hopefully it will now be taken care of and I will no longer see such thievery of my images.  Phew!

R&R

I am proving to be very inconsistent with my blogging.  In the last couple of months I haven't finished any new artwork, but have managed to make some good headway in my book project.  I have also been home on R&R and finally got to see my finished studio!  While I still have to make an actual studio out of it when I get home for good, I did make it a little cozy for the two weeks I was home.

backgrounds ready to go

working with what I got. 

working on a new home portrait using grid method

I love how the wall color came out, and plan on doing my desk and shelving with that same rosewood stain as the windows.

Also while back in the states, I came across this amazing artist in an unlikely place.  While visiting Olympia Candy Kitchen in Chambersburg, PA, I fell in love with the prints throughout the store by Ray Hendershot.  All I had was my phone to take pics, but I took one of every print in the store.

I actually liked how the lights on the Christmas tree reflected off the glass

so much to chose from!

Definitely making it a point to go back to make a purchase.  Actually, I already ordered a copy of his out of print book on Ebay.  I was, however, disappointed to find that the building I had been using to base my model of Dust Jacket Studios off of has been sold and will be turned into a parking garage.  It made me slightly ill.  Seeing it in person there were parts that would have been amazing as far as turning it into a gallery, but there was some structural damage that explained the low sale price.   Nevertheless, I always hate to see history torn down to "make way for progress."  Yuck.

Instead of a recipe, I suggest some chocolate therapy via the Candy Kitchen online store.  Mmm... their turtles are my favorite!

Catching Up

Twelve hour work shifts don't really leave much time for anything else, especially 6pm-6am in the middle of nowhere.  Well, I am back on a more manageable 10 hour work day, so yesterday I finally broke out my new Derwent Inktense pencils.  I have always liked the idea of watercolor pencils, but hated the obvious pencil marks left underneath- especially on lightly shaded areas.  The Inktense pencils are much more what I had been looking for.  Whether deep and heavy colors, or just hints, once you apply water (I used q-tips and baby wipes- hey, I'm in the Army! lol)  all pencil marks disappear. Controlling the amount of water also changes the effect.  Obviously the more water used gives a more traditional watercolor look, but for just blending heavily covered areas, a light once over will get rid of all of those annoying little blanks spots and give you a smooth solid color.  My favorite result is today's Sketch of the Day.

WANTED

Unfortunately, I am still stuck with just my phone as a camera.  The red outer bullseye is done with Inktense Poppy Red.  The black is sharpie that I had finished awhile ago.  This drawing sat incomplete for the past couple of months because I was sick of my Prismacolors breaking while trying to get an even solid color- that would be the inner ring.  That Prismacolor is now only five inches long just from that small part.

I also tested the Inktense on my old Leo drawing and paid homage to some classic David Bowie.

after Inktense

before Inktense

It will take awhile to find all of the techniques I like, but so far I am very happy with the Inktense.  I am also happy to report that in a few short weeks I will be going home for two weeks.  I have the studio plans pretty well laid out, so will be spending at least a few days constructing my custom canvas shelves and table.  I'm crossing my fingers that I manage to stay on budget.  At least my Home Depot experience will come in handy- cuz I have a few crazy ideas for pegboard and pvc!  

good grief

IT's been awhile since I've updated.  It's been awhile since I've really drawn or written, either, so that's why.  I'm trying not to let my environment get the best of me.  Isn't it my job as an artist to take advantage of this experience and use it to fuel my creativity?  I don't know.  Being homesick sucks.  I sit down to draw, and I get all depressed thinking about that brand new studio I have back home that I haven't even broken in yet.  I have a couple pictures my roommates took after they finished the window sills.
The color is "Buzz Blaster Blue" from Behr.  I had it on my wish list for the studio since before we had it rebuilt.

The new  studio is about the same size as the old one, only the ceiling doesn't slope down, which is my favorite improvement.  This is just a little 8x8 room on the side of the garage, but it has a sink, great lighting, and is all mine!  I'm not sure yet how I want to set it up inside.  Instead of choosing between a drafting table and a large work table, I'm thinking of trying to build a custom combination.  I love building projects!

In keeping with my sappy theme, here is the

SKETCH OF THE DAY

This is my first home portrait. Literally, just a sketch to get my feet wet.  This is my own cute little house.  I've also done a couple even rougher sketches to test how I might like certain changes we are considering. Mainly landscaping, but I threw on a porch just for fun based on this pic:

Currently, I am reading The Girl Who Played With Fire.  No recipe there, so here is one inspired by my environment.

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Ingredients:

• 1 package active dry yeast (1 tablespoon)
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (used when grilling)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6-8 minutes on a slightly floured surface, or until smooth. (I just set my food mixer on 7 minutes, and let the machine do all the work.)
Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down dough. Pinch off small handfuls of dough, about the size of your fist. Form into balls, and place on tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to double, about 30 minutes.
3. While the dough rises the second time, pre-heat your grill to high heat.
4. At grill side, form one ball of dough into a thin oval. Lightly oil grill with melted butter. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly brown. Brush the top side with butter, then flip the naan. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until the second side is also lightly brown. Remove from grill, and continue cooking all dough balls until finished. Cover the cooked naan with a towel to keep it moist and warm. Try not to eat too much!

This recipe came from http://www.about-afghanistan.com  The local nationals that work on post share their naan with us all the time, but when I asked how they make it they couldn't really give details.  They make it by taste out of the habit of making it nearly every day for most of their lives- never written down, just passed from one generation to the next.

A step in the right direction

My desk arrived the other day!  yay!  Even though it is a piece of crap, it still gets the job done.  My studio is all set up.

As you can see, I have been drawing away.  Actually, in the middle of this drawing, I got the idea to do a video of my drawing process. About 40 minutes into it I finished the outline.  That's when I noticed it was so bright that you couldn't even see anything on the paper.  Live and learn- I will fix it for next time.  So now I am half way through two new drawings.  Neither of which is today's Sketch of the Day.  Here is further proof that I love Johnny Depp.

Johnny

On a completely different note, I came across another person trying to sell t-shirts using the image of my Legend of Billie Jean painting.  wtf?!  This is the 4th or 5th time this has happened.  Before it was on Ebay, but his time I cam across it while looking for an avatar for my new Billie Jean Fans page on DeviantArt.  I really don't understand why people photoshop my copyrighted image when they can photoshop someone else's for those t-shirts that nobody buys anyway.  People suck.

Now for todays Recipe of the Day!  This one is simple.  I am currently reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, so, in honor of Prior Philip and the monks of Kingsbridge, here is the recipe for Horsebread.

HORSE BREAD

"Take two bushels of good clean beans and one bushel of wheat, and grind them together. Then, through a fine [sieve], bolt out the quantity of two pecks of pure meal, and bake it in two or three loaves by itself. The rest sift through a meal sieve and knead it with water and good store of barme [yeast]. And so, bake it in bread loaves and with the coarser bread feed your horse in his rest."
(Gervase Markham Country Contentments, 1615)

Enjoy!