Above is the progress I've made in the "forest with dragonfly", graphite work. As you can see it doesn't look like I've made MUCH progress. I'm actually getting frustrated since I should have been finished with this by now! However, I am happy with the way it is turning out. The dark area at the bottom is difficult to keep smooth when I rush though it so I'm having to slow down and be mindful of the strokes and not get too dark too soon. I certainly don't want to create problems at this stage of the work!! After I finish the dark shadow under the trees, I need to add more old leaves, stones and twigs and also complete the log on the right. Then I still need to clean up spots and smooth out areas, before moving on to the final fun part, adding some color! Almost there! In the meantime...It's been quite a busy two weekends, with the Edmonds Arts Festival and LiveARTS Bothell, dropping off work, picking up work and then going to the receptions and meeting up with artist friends! Yesterday I dropped off another piece for the upcoming show, Art of the Garden, happening at the Arts Council of Snohomish County due to open July 8th. I'll have more information on that later. As I've stated before, I'm still working on my graphite on film work, "forest with dragonfly". It's difficult sometimes getting the flow going when you have so many interruptions, even the good kind! I have several deadlines fast approaching and little time to create the new work I'll need to send out to the two big miniature shows, MPSGS in DC and MASF in Fl. Also, I'll be at Studio 206 in the Mukilteo Art Building for Waterfront Wednesdays again this Wednesday where I am showing a selection of my works on canvas from the Italian Landscape Series. I think that the show will be changing to new artists for the month of July. If you are interested in seeing this work, stop by tomorrow, I'd love to see you! Thanks again for taking the time to read about my work.
7 comments:
Gosh, Barbara. For some reason when I read this morning, I am just overwhelmed with missing WA. I often wish I hadn't moved back here. Odd because I know I love it here too. Maybe I'm just more aware of places to go and things to do up there than I am here. Starting my day tinged with a bit of sadness. But then that has been my mood of late anyway. Change subject...This piece is coming along beautifully! It will be fabulous and I love that you are so busy with all good things!
Fascinating work Barbara - which graphite pencils do you use, if you don't mind me asking. I used to use the mechanical pencils for the darker areas, but then I discovered that they were the ones causing all the dark spots when I sprayed the fixative.
I'm sorry Sherry that you are missing WA. Perhaps someday you will return? I have lived in many places and this one IS beautiful. I love seeing the mountains and love the farms and countryside. Thanks for the compliments. Hope you are smiling today!
Thanks Karen. I do use mechanical pencils with different leads and usually only use my drawing pencils for the very dark values. I have stopped using fixative on my work as it is too scary not knowing if it's going to ruin it after all the work I've done. It is being framed under a mat and glass so wont' get smudged. I have had bits of black end up on the clean or white places and it was so frustrating! I have the same thing happen with any spray that I've tried. I always thought it was the pressure of the spray that moved the graphite?? I've tried being closer, further away, etc. It was always a toss up! I also don't like the way the spray will will bead up on the film. Anything that is sprayed is a risk in my hands! I would probably use fixative if I worked on paper. I wonder if Dors uses any thing on her work when finished? I'll have to ask next time. Good luck!
This looking really nice sure like the trees :)
Thanks Janie. I will be so happy to be finished with this!
Beautiful details, Barbara! It will be awesome when it's finished.
Thanks Akiko.
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