Thursday, October 29, 2009
Oklahoma - Surrey with the fringe on top
After my last post, and reading the comments, I thought it might be best to share this clip from Oklahoma!
Now, I was going to give you the original Gordon MacRae version. But there's a certain reader (or two) that I think might enjoy viewing Hugh Jackman today.
But of course, my real reason for posting this is to make you all smile.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Moons and cats and watercolor
Last night, I was driving home in the dark.
This doesn't happen very often, as my days are mostly spent in my studio - but after an impromptu road trip to London (Canada) yesterday, I found myself gazing at the moon and headlights on the way home. Which, in turn, had me thinking of different ways to portray my vision with watercolor.
So there I was - the minute I got home (after slipping a sleeping little traveler into his bed - say that 10 times quickly!) slapping paint onto 300# paper.
Yes, you read that right. I took a 1/2 inch flat brush, dipped it in the water, squeezed most of it off then soaked up pure pigment for the darkest darks which I just slapped on down in as close to a circle as I could make freehand. I started with Idanthrone Blue, then dived right into Ultramarine Turquoise before dipping into a little Alizarin Crimson for the deepest black I could manage. True to transparent watercolor, none of these paintings have any white paint (I did use white ink for the signature on the first piece, though)
The paint dried almost immediately, having used very little water (just enough to lose the "shine") so I was able to take my scrubby brush to the edges of the moon and soften it just a bit right away. From there, I started dropping in little bits of water on the ground to suggest a few night blossoms. Scrub some more, pop in a little yellow, and there she be darlin' - a cool, bright moon.
Well I couldn't stop there - I was on a roll.
What else could I paint in the same style? How about a black cat? Yes, perfect! I had a scrap piece of paper with a bit of paint on it, but that would only provide more interest & texture. Using the same mix of Idanthrone Blue and Ultramarine Turquoise, I blocked in a cat as best I could from memory (all my cats were off sleeping somewhere and weren't around to pose for me)
After slapping down some red & orange, then a little bright green, I went back with my scrubbie to bring out the lovely turquoise highlights on the back, and a very small flat brush to lift off a few whiskers. Another one down, and I hadn't even made a cup of tea yet!
Okay, one more. I had a very old scrap of 300# paper that was different from my usual Arches brand. Not sure what it was, but it had a soft surface. For this I drew a slightly bigger moon using the bottom of an ink bottle, and then went about the same technique as the first moon scene. But this time I added a little water to the wash as it faded down to the ground. While it was still wet, I loaded up the brush with pure pigment again and made a horizon line to suggest dark water, then scrubbed out some reflections.
All this thinking about moons, traveling at night, and sleepy children brings to mind an old song. For those of you that know it, I guarantee you'll be cussin' me for putting it into your brain for the rest of the day!
This doesn't happen very often, as my days are mostly spent in my studio - but after an impromptu road trip to London (Canada) yesterday, I found myself gazing at the moon and headlights on the way home. Which, in turn, had me thinking of different ways to portray my vision with watercolor.
So there I was - the minute I got home (after slipping a sleeping little traveler into his bed - say that 10 times quickly!) slapping paint onto 300# paper.
Yes, you read that right. I took a 1/2 inch flat brush, dipped it in the water, squeezed most of it off then soaked up pure pigment for the darkest darks which I just slapped on down in as close to a circle as I could make freehand. I started with Idanthrone Blue, then dived right into Ultramarine Turquoise before dipping into a little Alizarin Crimson for the deepest black I could manage. True to transparent watercolor, none of these paintings have any white paint (I did use white ink for the signature on the first piece, though)
The paint dried almost immediately, having used very little water (just enough to lose the "shine") so I was able to take my scrubby brush to the edges of the moon and soften it just a bit right away. From there, I started dropping in little bits of water on the ground to suggest a few night blossoms. Scrub some more, pop in a little yellow, and there she be darlin' - a cool, bright moon.
Well I couldn't stop there - I was on a roll.
After slapping down some red & orange, then a little bright green, I went back with my scrubbie to bring out the lovely turquoise highlights on the back, and a very small flat brush to lift off a few whiskers. Another one down, and I hadn't even made a cup of tea yet!
Okay, one more. I had a very old scrap of 300# paper that was different from my usual Arches brand. Not sure what it was, but it had a soft surface. For this I drew a slightly bigger moon using the bottom of an ink bottle, and then went about the same technique as the first moon scene. But this time I added a little water to the wash as it faded down to the ground. While it was still wet, I loaded up the brush with pure pigment again and made a horizon line to suggest dark water, then scrubbed out some reflections.
I can see the stars gettin' blurry,
When we ride back home in the surrey,
Ridin' slowly home in the surrey with the fringe on top!
I can feel the day gettin' older,
Feel a sleepy head near my shoulder,
Noddin', droopin' close to my shoulder, till it falls kerplop!
The sun is swimmin' on the rim of a hill;
The moon is takin' a header,
And jist as I'm thinkin' all the earth is still,
A lark'll wake up in the medder.
Hush, you bird, my baby's a-sleepin'!
Maybe got a dream worth a-keepin'
Whoa! you team, and jist keep a-creepin' at a slow clip clop.
Don't you hurry with the surrey with the fringe on the top!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Halloween Masquerade Cat Card
With less than 2 weeks until Halloween,
I thought it best to offer this card on Zazzle
(faster USA shipping)
Halloween Costume Cat Card by ChristyDeKoning
I thought it best to offer this card on Zazzle
(faster USA shipping)
Halloween Costume Cat Card by ChristyDeKoning
PLUS - you can customize it however you like!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A little birdie told me (Christmas is coming!)
These little gems are 6 x 6 x 2 inches deep (see the second photo) and require no framing - perfect for Christmas gift-giving!
This one is called "A Little Sincerity".
Yes, it's no secret that I love to draw on the words of poets and playwrights when it comes to naming my artwork, and this is no exception (thanks Mr. Wilde)
As you can see, I haven't stained the sides yet (they are unfinished pine) but the end result will be a stain the same color as the Trompe l'oeil Frame I've painted on, giving this a delightful look when finished.
Now I have to decide what to paint next...another bird?
More kittens?
A sexy sailor?
(maybe I'd have to keep that last one though)
With Christmas coming, I'm curious about your holiday gift-giving. Do you hit the malls at the last minute, or do you plan your strategy early on and take advantage of online handmade shopping (like ArtFire or Etsy, for example).
I'll leave you with a little poetic inspiration for painting birds:
Laughing Song
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;
When the meadows laugh with lively green,
And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,
When Mary and Susan and Emily
With their sweet round mouths sing "Ha, Ha, He!''
When the painted birds laugh in the shade,
Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread,
Come live & be merry, and join with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of "Ha, Ha, He!''
~William Blake
Register on ArtFire.com
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Giveaways and Sunshine at the Bright Side Project
Looking for something to do today?
Like free goodies?
Head on over to The Bright Side Project...
their mission: The Bright Side Project is here to bring you sunshine every day with themed, daily giveaways. We hope to inspire you to stop for a second and remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world
Not only can you enter to win a custom 5x7 portrait (valued at $100 USD) by yours truly, but there's still time to enter your comments for some other lovely items featured this past week.
Like a set of napkins from Dandi down under, or these amazing cookies from Sweet Ambs
Register on ArtFire.com
Thursday, October 8, 2009
forgive my empty links...
... I am working on them!
"the perfect disguise"
original ACEO mixed media
(also known as "how to save a lost cause painting")
5x7 black mat included, as shown.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Is it okay to smile at an Alligator?
How could I not smile while working on this tiny portrait?
2½ x 3½ inches of pure sunshine.
Just what I needed in a day of cold, windy skies.
The technical details:
I have no idea what colours were actually on my palette today.
seriously, when my tray starts to look like this it's time to do a little cleanup.
i think that's a bit of quinacridone red at the top.
ummm.... maybe some aureolin yellow
and, ah, pink. Yes, definitely Quinacridone Rose.
I know for a fact that I warmed it all up with Quinacridone Burnt Orange.
(are you sensing a pattern here?)
the hair has some ultramarine turquoise and lunar black.
I don't usually use black, as you probably remember me saying...
but in this case it was a new tube just begging to be opened!
But really, the colours only tell part of the story.
I recall my school days in Australia
School uniforms... lunch at the tuck shop...
and silly rhymes designed to make you giggle:
"From Sydney Zoo
An Alligator
Was put on board
A flying freighter.
He ate the pilot
And the navigator
Then asked for more,
With mashed potater.
~Spike Milligan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)