painting – Page 3 – Daily Fiber

Friday Finish: Two Dog Portraits

Posted on December 13, 2024December 12, 2024 by Laura Kate

I got both paintings finished on Tuesday and took them to the framers. It was in the Nick of time to get them matted and framed before Christmas. I felt lucky to have made the deadline, without knowing the deadline!

The framers did a computerized mock-up of the portraits with my mat and frame selections. I snapped a quick photo of the mock-up on their computer screen and sent it to my client. She was elated, despite the poor quality of the image.

What I hadn’t foreseen was the framers keeping my paintings while the job waits in line to be finished. I have been spoiled by my past experiences, during which the mats were cut while I wait. Without the painting on hand, I can’t do anymore “final adjustments.” On second thought, that’s a good thing.

Here are the last photos I took before rushing off to Hobby Lobby.

And Reggie:

Finished sizes are 6.5 by 9.5 inches, or as close as the mat cutter can get to that size. The dogs will be matted side-by-side inside a 13 x 19 inch frame opening.

I used Arches cold-press paper. Pigments include raw sienna,

painting

Improvisation inspired by Blue Brightly

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Laura Kate

This week’s Artist Way focus is on recovering a sense of abundance. Today when I viewed Lynn Wohlers wonderful photographs on the subject of Deciduosity, I was struck by the abundance of Autumn colors she had captured during her recent visit to the east coast. I just had to get out my watercolor paints to respond.

Her images of Shu Swamp inspired me to try an abstract painting of the scene. Grabbing some student grade paper, I started by making doodles with Micron pens in the general shapes observed. The water went in with blues and pinks first, then, without thinking too hard about it, I just began laying in colors, lighter to darker: green gold, yellow ochre, quinacridone gold, and burnt umber.

The whole time I was moving like I was in a trance – I think it is because I was working more abstractly. It was a soothing and satisfying experience, and a welcome break from the pressure of finishing the dog portraits.

I highly recommend that you visit Lynn Wohler’s WordPress Blog.

Prepare to be blown away.

painting

Fun Painting Dogs

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Laura Kate

Now that I am warmed up, I have been working diligently on the two dog portraits requested by a friend. It’s been satisfying work, with just the right amount of frustration thrown in, to make the experience authentic!

The black dog – Reggie – has the most progress:

Reggie is at the stage where I pause to consider more carefully what adjustments and final touches are needed.

Yesterday I started painting Daisy, the little white dog.

Beginning to add darks and various tones.

I’m enjoying watching their little faces emerge from the paper. My secret pleasure is to discover the dog’s personalities from studying their photographs and translating the shapes I see into colors.

Do you experience a secret pleasure while engaged in your craft? Do tell about it!

painting

Chasing the Sunset, Iowa

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Laura Kate

Returning home, yesterday, this is my quick warm-up painting. I wanted to try out a new pad of watercolor paper and my new imitation Kolinsky brush.

I did have a reference photo. It was taken by Bill, not this trip, but in a previous one. We were driving west on Interstate 80, east of Des Moines. Just after the sun went behind the clouds, we pulled off the road and stopped in front of a furrowed field.

Thanks for viewing.

hand embroidery, painting

This Week’s Work – mostly painting

Posted on November 17, 2024 by Laura Kate

My week was not typical at all. I spent 3 days in a watercolor workshop led by Sonya Terpening. It was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. On the one hand, my confidence seemed to improve. On the other hand, I found the environment a bit chaotic, so it was difficult to focus. I found myself rushing to finish instead of taking my time.

Anyway, here she is. I call this work Woman in a Shawl.

The reference photograph is mine. I had asked my daughter to serve as the model for a shawl I knit back in 2022.

Other sketches I completed this week, taken from lessons by Kateri Ewing in her book Watercolor is for Everyone.

Dream Feathers

Tiny Being of Light

And finally, I just finished the mid-tone layer on my portrait of Reggie the Dog.

I’m pretty happy with the dog at this stage. Darks and shadows will be added this week, if I have time before we leave for Madison.

I’m also happy that I finished embroidering a panel on my Dragonfly art quilt.

You will likely not be able to detect any difference from the photo I posted last week, since all of the stitching was in the background. Now I am moving on to this panel.