One more gigantic, beautiful, shining lizard eye.
See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.
Showing posts with label scales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scales. Show all posts
Friday, February 16, 2018
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Pearl
A friend of mine is part of a Dragon Boat team of all women who are Breast Cancer survivors. Because of my Dragon theme, she asked if I could do a painting of a pink dragon to honor those ladies. Of course I would! In fact, I did more than one because, who wouldn't want a PINK DRAGON?!
See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Golden Girl
A close-up view of a lovely lady dragon.
The thought of a view of a dragon this closely is rather frightening but her eye is gorgeous. The spines around the eye are definitely menacing.
See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Dragon Grab
"Dragon Grab" 6" x 6" oil on Masonite panel.
Those claws look perfect for fishing. Is the fish quick enough to get away?
When I first began my Serpent Series, I had made stencils of scales to be featured as a part of my abstract paintings. When I talked about my developing series to friends, I also added descriptions of claws and teeth which had not yet made an appearance in my work. Those descriptions led me to begin these smaller paintings as accessories to the larger, abstract paintings.
See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Freckles
30 Paintings in 30 Days February, 2018
"Freckles" 6" x 6" oil on Masonite panel.
Welcome back to 30 in 30! My theme this time around will focus snakes, lizards, and dragons and their various beautiful body parts as a continuation of my Serpent Series of paintings.
My Serpent Series began last year as a number of abstract paintings using handmade stencils of scales in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can take a peek at some of those paintings as they developed here and here.
This year, I have a gallery show coming up at the end of February where I will display some of the abstract paintings from last year as well as a number of the smaller, accessory paintings that I'm completing for this 30-in-30. Cutting it close? Maybe. Nothing like a deadline to get the artistic juices flowing. I may hang a few paintings that are not varnished and may not even be completely dry... so if you come to my gallery show, no touching please! HA!
I hope you enjoy my 30 paintings.
See the other 30 in 30 participants here.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Dangerous Waters
Confession Time.
Art is happening, but it is happening slowly. And the weather is crummy which makes taking photos of the art that IS happening next to impossible.
I have four new completed pieces.
Another for the Serpent Series. 24" x 48" [needs a name].
I have two paintings that I intended to be part of the Serpent Series however, they both have definite shark shapes, which I love. I'm thinking they might belong in their own series. I'm open to suggestions for the name of that series.
I showed this one during some in-process stages but I'm really happy with how it has turned out.
18" x 24" [needs a name]. [needs a series name]
This one I did while shooting video for a friend. I enjoyed this new experience but painting while filming a video is very distracting. Some day I may try again. I've got nothing on Bob Ross, that's for sure.
Dangerous Waters, 24" x 24" [needs a series name]
One more brand-new piece is on my easel. It is a huge 24"x 48" canvas and while it fits the theme of my Serpent Series, it is really a departure from my usual style. Every time I do something outside of my comfort zone it is an opportunity for growth but what often happens not only with me, but with many artists is, when we get to a point in the middle of a painting, we get frustrated and stuck. If it's work we are comfortable with, we can power through (or sometimes limp through) to get past the really hard part so that we can finish and be satisfied with the result. When a painting is a challenge from the beginning though, that middle bit where we get stuck feels insurmountable. I have paintings I started years ago that are still stuck in that middle bit and I don't know if they'll ever be finished.
I had one painting in a gallery show recently and that is always fun. Despite my shyness, I do have a good time meeting new people and seeing old art friends at gallery receptions. Also, I have just entered several pieces into an event online. I am wary of online events simply because it's really easy for disreputable companies to take your money and you'd have no recourse. This event was recommended by a friend who is a member of the website, so I felt safe in joining the event. So far, the number of entries for this particular show is fairly small. We are nearing the entry deadline so that is a bonus. Fewer entries increases the odds that I could win a prize. [fingers crossed]
Follow me on Instagram for lots of cryptic, in-process photos of whatever is happening on my easel and (sometimes) in my life:
http://www.instagram.com/karimelenartist/
I am happy to report that I passed my math course at college and my new job is hard but enjoyable.
Art is happening, but it is happening slowly. And the weather is crummy which makes taking photos of the art that IS happening next to impossible.
I have four new completed pieces.
I started this back in January and wasn't satisfied with it. I went back to it and made some adjustments and I'm much happier with the result.
24" x 24" [needs a name].
I have two paintings that I intended to be part of the Serpent Series however, they both have definite shark shapes, which I love. I'm thinking they might belong in their own series. I'm open to suggestions for the name of that series.
I showed this one during some in-process stages but I'm really happy with how it has turned out.
18" x 24" [needs a name]. [needs a series name]
This one I did while shooting video for a friend. I enjoyed this new experience but painting while filming a video is very distracting. Some day I may try again. I've got nothing on Bob Ross, that's for sure.
Dangerous Waters, 24" x 24" [needs a series name]
One more brand-new piece is on my easel. It is a huge 24"x 48" canvas and while it fits the theme of my Serpent Series, it is really a departure from my usual style. Every time I do something outside of my comfort zone it is an opportunity for growth but what often happens not only with me, but with many artists is, when we get to a point in the middle of a painting, we get frustrated and stuck. If it's work we are comfortable with, we can power through (or sometimes limp through) to get past the really hard part so that we can finish and be satisfied with the result. When a painting is a challenge from the beginning though, that middle bit where we get stuck feels insurmountable. I have paintings I started years ago that are still stuck in that middle bit and I don't know if they'll ever be finished.
I had one painting in a gallery show recently and that is always fun. Despite my shyness, I do have a good time meeting new people and seeing old art friends at gallery receptions. Also, I have just entered several pieces into an event online. I am wary of online events simply because it's really easy for disreputable companies to take your money and you'd have no recourse. This event was recommended by a friend who is a member of the website, so I felt safe in joining the event. So far, the number of entries for this particular show is fairly small. We are nearing the entry deadline so that is a bonus. Fewer entries increases the odds that I could win a prize. [fingers crossed]
Follow me on Instagram for lots of cryptic, in-process photos of whatever is happening on my easel and (sometimes) in my life:
http://www.instagram.com/karimelenartist/
I am happy to report that I passed my math course at college and my new job is hard but enjoyable.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Whispers
The Moon peers through the sheer curtain. She knows me better than I know myself. Your whisper is like a call and now I am wide awake. Listening. Listening. To you and to the night. I want to see you but must be cautious. The Moon watches, waiting. She knows what is coming next.
I'll show the progress in reverse here. Start at the bottom of the post if you'd like to see it from the beginning.
Scales patterns in turquoise and purple are added using a stencil I made. I wanted to add texture to the background area as well as accentuate the circular motion and to indicate that the circles are moving in opposite directions.
I began with a few dribbles of yellow and allowed those to dry. Then blue-grey and light neutral-grey are added with a lot of water. Some areas are allowed to run and other areas are painted into circular patterns.
Sharks. Powerful, focused, curious creatures. Superior instinct and a remarkable drive for survival. Actively moving forward through life. Silent before they attack.
.
I'll show the progress in reverse here. Start at the bottom of the post if you'd like to see it from the beginning.
I was noodling around with the dark purple and noticed the shape sort of resembled a shark.
I added two similar shapes in the larger circle and will add a third toward the center of that circle.
Very thin beige and light neutral-grey are added in layers over the background area and in the larger circle so the eye is drawn to the smaller circle at the top left.
Scales patterns in turquoise and purple are added using a stencil I made. I wanted to add texture to the background area as well as accentuate the circular motion and to indicate that the circles are moving in opposite directions.
Sharks. Powerful, focused, curious creatures. Superior instinct and a remarkable drive for survival. Actively moving forward through life. Silent before they attack.
.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Stealing Moments
I have crept out of my bed and met my lovers in the dark of night. I am cautious. My breath stops in my throat at every creak of the floorboards in the bedroom above my studio. Does my husband sense he is alone?
Sounds like a trashy novel.
Perfect!
My lovers are these:
Adding more color and defining the focal point of the top painting. The painting with circles gets scales to help suggest motion and to add texture.
Here are the beginnings of each:
The top painting has the focal point pretty near the center and that's generally not where I want it to be. I will probably make some adjustments later to draw the eye slightly to the right of center.
The scales painting will get a transparent layer of color over the scales outside of the circles so that there is texture there but the eye is not immediately drawn to it.
Sounds like a trashy novel.
Perfect!
My lovers are these:
Adding more color and defining the focal point of the top painting. The painting with circles gets scales to help suggest motion and to add texture.
Here are the beginnings of each:
The top painting has the focal point pretty near the center and that's generally not where I want it to be. I will probably make some adjustments later to draw the eye slightly to the right of center.
The scales painting will get a transparent layer of color over the scales outside of the circles so that there is texture there but the eye is not immediately drawn to it.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Day 30 - All the Paintings
The Collection
Some are incomplete but still quite interesting. Seeing them all together, there is a lot of cohesion because of the repeating colors as well as multiple paintings with drip lines and scales patterns.
Through this month I have learned so much about my preference to work on several pieces at one time. Being able to set aside a piece and come back to it later helps me to really see the piece better. Multiple photo images during the process help me see the challenges with a painting and help guide me to the next step. Taking photos and checking them in black-and-white helps me to see if there is enough contrast for visual interest.
Working on several pieces at one time also reduces the pressure I put on myself to finish a painting before walking away. I don't feel the need to dedicate several hours at a time in the studio. I can pop down for 15 minutes and still make progress.
That was critical for me this month.
My month began very quietly, as January often does. Then all h#ll broke loose. It always does. What is UP with January, anyway? My time in the studio is limited because of a full time job unrelated to art. I knew I was starting a new semester at college on the 19th so the paintings needed to be mostly done and posts needed to be mostly written by that time. My husband got very ill and was in the hospital for 6 days then promptly got the stomach flu when he came home. My daughter got the stomach bug about a week later. Both of them are feeling much better now, thank goodness! But you can see how this impacted my possible time in the studio.
My math professor at college has given us a task of filling out a schedule sheet so she can see exactly how long each day we intend to dedicate to math work. I am definitely scheduling time for art and plan to sneak in the studio whenever I can.
At the beginning of the month I read a book called, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert and one of the things she mentions about making time for creativity is treating it like a love affair. If you were having a love affair, the rest of your life would not stop. You would find time to sneak away and be with your lover. Stolen moments, so to speak. Art is my passion and I need to give it attention. Sneaking away from the rest of life to be with my art sounds wonderful. Thinking about it being a secret rendezvous makes it so enticing!
I am so thankful to everyone who visited this month. Your comments have encouraged me immeasurably. I hope you will come back and visit from time to time. I doubt I will continue posting every day but with my new practice of sharing my process, I feel at ease with doing just that, rather than only posting when a painting is finished. Some of my paintings will be for sale on Etsy and I will post when they are there. You can also follow me on Instagram. I'm karimelenartist.
30 in 30 Blog.
Some are incomplete but still quite interesting. Seeing them all together, there is a lot of cohesion because of the repeating colors as well as multiple paintings with drip lines and scales patterns.
Through this month I have learned so much about my preference to work on several pieces at one time. Being able to set aside a piece and come back to it later helps me to really see the piece better. Multiple photo images during the process help me see the challenges with a painting and help guide me to the next step. Taking photos and checking them in black-and-white helps me to see if there is enough contrast for visual interest.
Working on several pieces at one time also reduces the pressure I put on myself to finish a painting before walking away. I don't feel the need to dedicate several hours at a time in the studio. I can pop down for 15 minutes and still make progress.
That was critical for me this month.
My month began very quietly, as January often does. Then all h#ll broke loose. It always does. What is UP with January, anyway? My time in the studio is limited because of a full time job unrelated to art. I knew I was starting a new semester at college on the 19th so the paintings needed to be mostly done and posts needed to be mostly written by that time. My husband got very ill and was in the hospital for 6 days then promptly got the stomach flu when he came home. My daughter got the stomach bug about a week later. Both of them are feeling much better now, thank goodness! But you can see how this impacted my possible time in the studio.
My math professor at college has given us a task of filling out a schedule sheet so she can see exactly how long each day we intend to dedicate to math work. I am definitely scheduling time for art and plan to sneak in the studio whenever I can.
At the beginning of the month I read a book called, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert and one of the things she mentions about making time for creativity is treating it like a love affair. If you were having a love affair, the rest of your life would not stop. You would find time to sneak away and be with your lover. Stolen moments, so to speak. Art is my passion and I need to give it attention. Sneaking away from the rest of life to be with my art sounds wonderful. Thinking about it being a secret rendezvous makes it so enticing!
I am so thankful to everyone who visited this month. Your comments have encouraged me immeasurably. I hope you will come back and visit from time to time. I doubt I will continue posting every day but with my new practice of sharing my process, I feel at ease with doing just that, rather than only posting when a painting is finished. Some of my paintings will be for sale on Etsy and I will post when they are there. You can also follow me on Instagram. I'm karimelenartist.
30 in 30 Blog.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Day 29 - Several Beginnings
Ending the 30-in-30 with more beginnings gives me a lot of inspiration and it reminds me that my painting is NOT done for the year. I don't know where to store all of these giants but I had a blast painting them and I'm so so glad that I resisted the urge to paint small and try to just finish each day. I have enjoyed sharing my process with you and I hope that you enjoyed the journey. I have a few new friends to follow from this challenge and I'm excited to see where they go from here.
One
This is going to be another dark serpent painting.
Light grey is added to the top one third, then deep and light sap green are added to the lower two thirds.
Two
This is the yellow-only painting I was stuck on for some days. I was inspired by a lot of other paintings I've seen recently that featured circles.
Medium grey and light blue-grey are splattered, sprayed with water, and then circles are drawn to give the feeling of movement.
Three
Going back to the neutrals and violet scales with this one. I'm going to keep it very light and airy, to contrast with the one with dramatic maroon.
Burnt Umber is washed on in a wave shape. Violet scales are added with the stencils I created, then medium grey and light blue-grey are added to the upper kidney shape. I also added some light spritzes of water here and there.
30 in 30 Blog.
One
This is going to be another dark serpent painting.
Two
This is the yellow-only painting I was stuck on for some days. I was inspired by a lot of other paintings I've seen recently that featured circles.
Medium grey and light blue-grey are splattered, sprayed with water, and then circles are drawn to give the feeling of movement.
Three
Going back to the neutrals and violet scales with this one. I'm going to keep it very light and airy, to contrast with the one with dramatic maroon.
Burnt Umber is washed on in a wave shape. Violet scales are added with the stencils I created, then medium grey and light blue-grey are added to the upper kidney shape. I also added some light spritzes of water here and there.
30 in 30 Blog.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Painting Two Needs a Name
Final
I wanted to reveal the final painting near the end of the challenge. The creature has no visible legs, and we're not quite sure where he ends as he curls around a large, blue egg that could be his sibling.
Mythical creatures have long been a fascination for me and this painting was wonderfully fun to create. I have more creatures to spur your imagination (nightmares?) coming soon.
30 in 30 Blog.
I wanted to reveal the final painting near the end of the challenge. The creature has no visible legs, and we're not quite sure where he ends as he curls around a large, blue egg that could be his sibling.
Mythical creatures have long been a fascination for me and this painting was wonderfully fun to create. I have more creatures to spur your imagination (nightmares?) coming soon.
30 in 30 Blog.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Painting Seven Changes
Part Three
Adding some drama and mystery to this painting, I have painted black and maroon around the edges to help reveal and fade out the edges of the Serpent. I have a few more adjustments to this one before it's complete, but it's very close now.
Several thin layers of black and maroon are added with a dry brush technique. This adds texture and visual depth.
Previous posts of this painting are here and here.
Part One:
Part Two:
30 in 30 Blog.
Adding some drama and mystery to this painting, I have painted black and maroon around the edges to help reveal and fade out the edges of the Serpent. I have a few more adjustments to this one before it's complete, but it's very close now.
Several thin layers of black and maroon are added with a dry brush technique. This adds texture and visual depth.
Previous posts of this painting are here and here.
Part One:
30 in 30 Blog.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Painting Seven Continues
Part Two
Trying to keep this one from getting too busy but looking at it here I see I definitely need to edit this one.
Orange was added around the scales to suggest movement and the scales were painted with light and dark blue for contrast with the orange.
See the beginning of this painting here.
30 in 30 Blog.
Trying to keep this one from getting too busy but looking at it here I see I definitely need to edit this one.
Orange was added around the scales to suggest movement and the scales were painted with light and dark blue for contrast with the orange.
See the beginning of this painting here.
30 in 30 Blog.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Beginning Ten
Part One
Another in the series using scales stencils. I did a time lapse video of this painting and posted on Instagram. (You'll have to tell me if you can view that. I have no idea if the link will work.)
I think the fact that almost everything is neutral color keeps this from looking too busy.
A light wash of Burnt Umber is applied and allowed to dry. Purple scales are added with a large stencil then warm grey is used for the smaller scales stencil. Black marker for the marks along the right and left edges, then light grey is washed over much of the painting.
30 in 30 Blog.
Another in the series using scales stencils. I did a time lapse video of this painting and posted on Instagram. (You'll have to tell me if you can view that. I have no idea if the link will work.)
I think the fact that almost everything is neutral color keeps this from looking too busy.
A light wash of Burnt Umber is applied and allowed to dry. Purple scales are added with a large stencil then warm grey is used for the smaller scales stencil. Black marker for the marks along the right and left edges, then light grey is washed over much of the painting.
30 in 30 Blog.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Beginning Seven
Part One
This painting will be the second for the series using scales stencils. The first of that series is becoming a bit more complicated than I wanted so this painting will be very simple -- just shapes and patterns.
Going back to using some stencils I made. I started with very thin Burnt Umber as the first layer then violet scales pattern and a splash of green/turquoise. I used canned air to spray the green after it was applied and I like the effect however, the canned air scared me a little bit. As I sprayed, the can got freezing cold and actually froze the paint in a couple of areas. It didn't seem to damage the paint or the canvas at all but I certainly didn't expect that to happen! So in the future I'll know... short bursts of canned air ONLY!
30 in 30 Blog.
This painting will be the second for the series using scales stencils. The first of that series is becoming a bit more complicated than I wanted so this painting will be very simple -- just shapes and patterns.
Going back to using some stencils I made. I started with very thin Burnt Umber as the first layer then violet scales pattern and a splash of green/turquoise. I used canned air to spray the green after it was applied and I like the effect however, the canned air scared me a little bit. As I sprayed, the can got freezing cold and actually froze the paint in a couple of areas. It didn't seem to damage the paint or the canvas at all but I certainly didn't expect that to happen! So in the future I'll know... short bursts of canned air ONLY!
30 in 30 Blog.
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