Saturday, July 16, 2022

Postcards from the Lake: The Art So Far

A year or two ago, a blogger friend gave me several partially used and very lovely sketchbooks that had been passed on to her. There was a hitch to it -- She said, "you must use them and fill them up!"

It has taken awhile. The paper is beautiful and the artist who started them was very good and I didn't want to just doodle in them! But I've finally filled the first of them (and worked in others as well)! And I've been rather pleased to open them up and see progress and diversity within.


I've never been a sketchbook artist. I have many and on occasion take them with me. I promise myself I will become an urban sketcher, yet I never seem to take it along, instead using photos I take as my guide rather than live work.

Often I will use techniques like graphite paper or light box to get accurate proportions and I don't have a problem with doing that as the image often changes much from my photo from which I copy. (For those that don't do much two-dimensional art, graphite paper is similar to carbon paper -- you place it on your page and put your photo or a copy over it and trace the lines. You can get as detailed as you like; I used to do them all, but now I just generally do the main features to get the proportions right (or the eye placement). 


A light box is similar -- it goes on a table, you turn the light on, put your original on it and the light shines through and you copy the design on your paper. You can make phony graphite by turning your photocopy original over and coloring in the back with a soft lead pencil, then turning it over and trace. I use this "copying" method for pet portraits, to be sure I get THE animal, not just AN animal.)

Molly's dog, Rogan, done in 2021.

Even using any of these methods, the piece is my own work and just transferred it to another format (Particularly because I use my own originals as a guide most of the time.) The work changes radically as I begin to add the paint. (It's a wonderful way to learn, by the way, as your hand gets used to following line and seeing shape.)

But I've really wanted to focus on working by eye or imagination -- whether it was from life at the moment or from another photo or image, but not using the graphite. That's been the subject of most of this sketchbook. Practice. I've done color charts, workshop assignments and pieces coming from my hand. It doesn't come easily to me! I can't say all the work in this post is my best work, because -- well, it's practice. But it's a good start.

The work I've done at the cottage started with some violas I brought up here from home. The pot is packed with these sweet blooms but I decided to really narrow it down and try to get the flowers themselves as well as I could.


This is a project from the Sketchbook Revival workshops that I didn't get posted before. I'd made the sketch from the photo on the computer screen that the teacher used.


Last year our Camster turned three and we gave him a bubble gun. He loved chasing them. I'd hesitated to freehand a child but gave it a go. I think it turned out OK!


A few days after I fell, Joe (my cousin David's son) and his lovely companion Katie were at the lake. Before they left, they stopped by with some beautiful flowers. So yes, another live subject!

 

This piece is mostly from imagination though I did use a page from a Met Museum calendar as an inspiration piece. The house is way too wonky!


I had bought some kitchen towels some time ago with Parisian motifs on them. They seemed pretty basic so I decided to give some of the motifs a try in watercolor, again sketching freehand. (Oops! Looks like a runaway taxi knocked the Metro sign off kilter!)


I rather like the Arc du Triumph. It reminded me that you don't have to put in every detail, which tends to be a problem I have!

I expanded on this one, adding a tablecloth and a bit of detail.


I leave you with a last painting of my lake, freehanding from a vintage postcard.

 

And finally, the only one I've done on "the good paper." This was a shop in Paris where I bought some flowers on my first trip.


There will be much more to come. It feels like summer is half over (well, actually, it is!). But I'm just getting started!

Sharing with:    Love Your Creativity   /   Share Your Style   /   Rain's Art Date  /   Pink Saturday  

60 comments:

bobbie said...

You GO, girl!! Practice makes perfect ~

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I've never used the graphite paper or light box except for one time in a class to paint a barn, but I've always wanted to experiment with a light box until I looked at the price of the larger size I wanted. I was reading a month ago about an Impressionist artist who used a light box as did one of the Old Masters. These techniques are just guides and don't take away from the end product. Glad you've got art going at the cottage again. You're such an inspiration! Mine is coming slow.

Anonymous said...

I love, love that wonky house….simply sweet art work….xo, V.

roentare said...

The colour pallet is so refreshing and energising!

Iris Flavia said...

can you explain the phony graphite-technique? I just found some way too complicated - or is it really so much.... "dirt"-methods?
The Camster turned out great - you can feel the happiness!
I still did not brave up to watercolors. It just looks too difficult!
Yours came out beautifully.

Joyful said...

Beautiful art works Jeanie. Thanks for sharing the information about light box an graphite paper. It gives me hope that maybe one day I could also do some painting for fun.

It's me said...

Wowww your paintings are beautiful like that style…love the dog ! And de flowers….love happy Sunday Ria and Leaf πŸ€πŸΎπŸ’—πŸ€

Bill said...

Nice paintings, Jeanie. My favorite is the shop in Paris, it's a gem. Have a wonderful Sunday. It's going to be sunny and hot today, weather that we usually do not experience. :)

Rita said...

Lovely, lovely work!! (Glad somebody is using up art journals--LOL!)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeanie

Your sketches are all beautiful! The flowers are just beautiful and the sketch of your Camster is cute, chasing bubbles. Adorable doggie face. Well done!
Have a great day and happy new week!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It's interesting to see how your art is created, Jeanie. No doubt several of your readers have taken notes to inspire them in their own endeavours. I still consider the two bookmarks you sent to me a couple of years ago as great treasures. Keep on painting!

Joanne Huffman said...

Any technique you use is valid. I love your watercolors and always enjoy seeing them.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wow, your talent is amazing.

My name is Erika. said...

I like your freehand attempts. I would think they should be a confidence builder as you should be proud of them. I have a light box, in fact, I haven't used it in so long I was debating whether to keep it or not. I did end up keeping it, and I really should use it. I love the flowers and flower shop piece you did on the good paper. Nice that you received those sketchbooks and saved them to make better drawings on. And filled one too-hurrah. Enjoy the rest of the weekend Jeanie. hugs-Erika

Anvilcloud said...

It’s a beautiful collection.

I once had a light table in one of my classrooms. It was utilitarian for tracing maps. At other times, I have traced using window light. I don’t think I did either much.

La Table De Nana said...

Good work! And I love when I finish a sketchbook..so not an urban sketcher am I? And no travel lately..I should.
Inspiring you are!

Linda P said...

Using sketchbooks given to you with the encouragement to fill them gives you a reason to continue with your creative interest. Enjoy the time that you spend on your artwork. I like the impressionistic style of the Parisian series especially the flower stall.

Marilyn Miller said...

I love them all. What I love most is that you step out of your comfort zone to try new techniques in your creativity. No favorites here, just all wonderful. You inspire me to keep at it.

Steve Reed said...

Beautiful work! I especially love the portrait of Rogan.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lovely artwork
Spot on right, "you don't have to put in every detail." That is difficult to get out of one's mind. Painting sketches help a lot.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Such wonderful artwork! I especially love the flower shop in Paris :)

Jenn Jilks said...

These are wonderful!
I tend to use my own photos, as well. Not always, but some of the time.
Thank you for the hints. I don't really want to take lessons, and I usually use coloured pencils. Perhaps it is time to do another!
Thanks for the inspiration.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I really enjoyed seeing your paintings this post! I love them all!

gigi-hawaii said...

You are doing very well. It was nice of your friend to give you those sketchbooks. My friend Suzanne used to paint landscapes, using photos. A lot of artists do so. It is difficult to paint on location, what with the unpredictable weather and all. Suzanne took a 2 week course on abstract painting and now paints abstracts exclusively. No need for photos! LOL.

Divers and Sundry said...

All those gorgeous flowers!

For some reason I saw a video once on using a lightbox. I've never seen one in person, though.

Tammie Lee said...

Each piece is charming. What a beautiful collection of art. Sketchbooks are lovely to flip through.

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, I think your work is lovely. I love how your book was a gift with the incentive to fill it up and wow, have you! Love the flowers and the last one, first trip memories now in the sketchbook. Yes, I'm feeling the summer is on the downhill now. Kinda sad but fall is such a relief after the heat. Enjoy the last half

Red Rose Alley said...

I LOVE that bouquet, and your grandson with the bubbles! The shop in Paris is charming too. Jeanie, you are so talented! I enjoyed seeing them all. Jess would love the Metro painting. She enjoys different types of cheeses and breads. : )

~Sheri

William Kendall said...

These are lovely.

Anonymous said...

This is Lisa - my phone is being weird and won’t let me log into my google account! I love the metro sign!! I don’t see it as being off kilter at all. All of this art is so wonderful. Hearing you talk of graphite pages reminds me of the tracing books I used to use as a child. I can’t remember what I was tracing - maybe pictures of things or maybe letters and such, which would make more sense!

I can be prone to ‘saving’ things, too. Like my planner has pages in the back for taking notes but I wasn’t using them as I felt I should only make important lists and such. But the year is half over and I hadn’t used many pages so it’s time to use them!

thepaintedapron.com said...

I'm glad to see you are painting away Jeanie! You tackle a variety of subjects fearlessly! I especially like the French flower market and Molly's dog! I'm off to do today's watercolor month painting 🎨
Jenna

Lowcarb team member said...

I always enjoy seeing your artwork, love what you've shared here today.

All the best Jan

DUTA said...

What can I say? You're an accomplished painter! The portrait of Rogan, the dog, is outstanding! He looks very real, and yet a fine work of art.

This N That said...

Love your paintings and your style..Thanks for sharing..

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Love all of these...I have said it many times before and I will say it again, you are so very talented...
Thanks so much for all your visits!!
Hugs,
Deb

Veronica Lee said...

Beautiful art, Jeanie!
Love them all especially that shop in Paris.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Beautiful art - I see you've been busy!

La Table De Nana said...

Just read your comment..hope all is ok:)

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

You are definitely using the sketch pad. Kudos to you. Lovely photos. Have a good week.

DVArtist said...

Wow all of these are just spectacular. You have a great creative talent. Have a nice day.

Anca said...

All look beautiful. My favourite is the one with the pansies.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

You are having a great summer doing these fantastic works of art.

I like to draw from photos better than from life, like you.

(Btw, we had something at school we called an opaque projector once upon a time. I wonder if that's the same thing as a light box.)

Hena Tayeb said...

You are doing so well.That last one is perfect.. so many details.

Prims By The Water said...

You just amaze me with your art work. You need yo have a gallery show. Janice

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie, I always enjoy seeing your colorful art! The flowers are so lovely. And the one with your grand is charming. Enjoy a creative week ahead.

Nancy said...

You are living up to what was asked of you. You are filling up the sketchbook! And you are doing so very well! Amazing works of art!
The one at the bottom is my favorite! Well done my friend!
Happy Tuesday!

shoreacres said...

I'm always interested in hearing about your techniques, as well as seeing the results of using them. I truly am ignorant of art -- every form of painting -- even though I was a demon with crayolas back in the day. I suppose part of it is that none of us can do everything, and do it well. The amount of time you spend painting, I spend taking photos or writing. Then, I take a break from that, and enjoy your efforts!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I always love seeing your art! You are so talented. Your summers at the lake sound so wonderful and full of things that you love. Enjoy your week, my friend!

Linda Stoll said...

oh my goodness these are so winsome and captivating. you're motivating me toward creativity, girl ...

Mae Travels said...

Your watercolors really appeal to me! I love the one of the toddler chasing bubbles and also the florist in Paris.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Your "practice" looks pretty darn good to me! That last one of the shop in Paris is gorgeous!

Pamela said...

I’m always impressed with your paintings. Very nice!

kathyinozarks said...

I a visiting from Rain's link up wasn't sure if I was in the right spot-your art is lovely

Debra She Who Seeks said...

You have a lovely watercolour technique. My faves are your two Parisian Motifs pieces.

Christine said...

You are so talented your friend chose well in giving you those sketchbooks to complete.

crackercrumblife said...

These are lovely!! I especially the love your flower market painting at the end!

Carola Bartz said...

I can hear your inner critic loud and clear!!! He (she) should shut up!
I love the copying technique and use it myself (except for the light box because I don't have any) - I feel that it teaches me a lot. Lots of practice is important, that's what I do too infrequently and then am disappointed with the results (yes, I know, the inner critic hard at work). You know, I really like the wonky cottage, it kind of brings the painting to life. Who needs perfectionism?

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

These are so well done. I never thought of using a light box to draw something. Makes sense, though. Your freehand drawings are beautiful. You may not believe it, but you are very, very talented.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

I have used the light box and the tracing paper and graphite, but at this time in my life I have given up on perfection. I just sketch and color by whatever means and hope for the best ... I will say I think you sell yourself short because your paintings that you do from your imagination or even from a picture are wonderful. I am impressed with all of your artwork, so relax and enjoy. Let it be fun and the results will always be pleasing. I know it is silly, but the thing that really impressed me is the cork in the wine bottle ... it looks so real I felt I could reach in the picture and pluck it out, Ha! Isn't life a hoot :) Stay well and stay cool, Jeanie ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

Rain said...

Jeanie, your art is just so lovely! Freehand suits you for sure. The flowers on your last piece are so beautiful! And I'm kind of the same, I have to remind myself not to put in EVERY detail...I struggle with loose painting! Your wine, cheese and bread piece is beautiful!!! And you have such a beautiful style painting your flowers! They just jump right out of the page!!! ♥

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