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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A series of unfortunate events: Oil Painting

I realize it's been a ghastly amount of time since my last post involving any of my artistic endeavors, but there is a reason for that -- I haven't had any since now. Or rather then. It's been a week or two, and I am terribly behind.
 Anywho.... I finely got brave and took out my Grandmother's oil paints. She taught me up until I was about eleven or so, when her health began to fail her. I learned the fundamentals and probably much more, but I think I've forgotten most everything about oils. However, I set out boldly with a magazine page to create my first ever people person. Even when I was taking lessons all I ever did were flowers and bunnies and horses, never a people. But this particular people struck me as very pretty from her perfume advertisement in an ancient Victoria mag. So I decided to try it, but to practice first on watercolor paper instead of expensive canvass. And I'm glad I did. Here she is as a concept....
It all started well. Good base colors.... and the hair turned out much better than anticipated! I was believing I really had something going and was wishing I had started with canvass. A few days later however, after the first paint had dried, I attempted to add shading and depth. As you can see I utterly failed at blending the colors.
 How the heck do you blend with oils?? 
I've only just figured it out with watercolors{vaguely} and I tell you no similar method applies. After numerous experiments and messy mistakes {paper towels are my friend} and feeling discouraged and a little miffed at ruining such a promising practice piece, I hung up my smock {I just wanted to say that} and left for the more reasonable realms of watercolor, with better results....
This is Pete. I think you met? He crops up in just about every painting of mine. I did this for my Da's birthday card and was very pleased with it. The original design I drew back in 2008 but I liked it so much I did a copy and added color.
Watercolor and I have had in the past a love-hate relationship but we seem to have found some middle ground. I don't think I'll ever be able to paint wonderfully, but that's not going to keep me from making this little whimsical splotches.
I've been very inspired lately -- about everything. I would really like to sit down and do a good sketch, but TLOS is once again buzzing in my ear and I fear I must really get down to business in that department. You can see on my sidebar what I've done. Again. I despair at the moment of ever finishing. So I really must write! 
*sigh* I kind of feel like I'm on my own little island, though. Mum appreciates my stories and is always asking when she'll be able to read the next bit, but nobody else seems to care around here. Especially is it conflicts with me getting chores done. *sigh* Ah, well. Great masters aren't truly appreciated til after their dead, right? Haha :)

Til next time, then!
-Gwyn

4 comments:

  1. How does it feel to have your Mom read what you write? I don't let people read my stuff easily. My brother is the only soul who got to read The Key to Dlair, and only a close E-friend gets to read the Halfling. I just get all jittery when anybody reads anything of mine. Almost like it isn't good enough, and I get ashamed of it. Do you think maybe I'm pushing myself to hard?

    Anyway, your painting skills are superb, and honestly, I think the oil one looks perfect. Maybe thats only because I can't do anything like that to save my life, {Roll eyes}.

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  2. ! Da pony is SOO cute. :)

    The girl is lovely too - I like the head alot.

    And I see you're writing a steampunk-ish novel. Interesting.... *leans forward, blinks* Hints?

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  3. Ashley:
    I only let my Mum read my stories like Briste, The Stolen Word, and other less personal than TLOS -- NO ONE has looked upon its sacred pages but me! I feel exactly the same as you and most any true author; I even found a quote years back about it that I kept.
    Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition is at stake. E. L. Doctorow
    So, we're not that crazy :P


    Ellyn:
    Perhaps you shall get more than a hint. I've been planning on putting up what I have written of my {forlackofabetterword} Steampunk novel on VNB, plus some of my other story bits. I need to remember that I made that blog for all my little stories, and not just Briste!

    -Gwyn

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  4. I suggest using your initials, Gwyn. All the great authors did. A.A. Milne, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, E.R. Eddison, G.K. Chesterton, G.A. Henty, A.W. Tozer, L.M. Montgomery... It shows that you're Serious, and that you Mean Business.

    Additionally, I wanted to tell you that Celtic Cowgirl was nominated for the Liebster Award on The Penslayer. You're a hoof and a half of fun, and I wanted to shine a little spotlight on your blog.

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