Winsor & Newton Watercolor Markers

    I was shopping this week at  Michaels and  I found a new toy... Winsor & Newton
 Watercolor Markers!! I was dubious at first and walked around them , picking them up,
putting them back, back and forth with should I ? should I not ? Well I ended up buying
one six pack of markers and then went back for another...today I went back for the primaries.

                            I am posting some of my little paintings from an afternoon of play.

 

 

The pics posted were painted using Winsor & Newton Watercolor Markers

Cadmium Red Hue, Cerulean Blue Hue, Alizarin Crimson Hue,

Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Umber.

 

I tried them out on several types of paper but found they worked best on Arches

Cold Press 140 lb. They work well with a  water brush but I liked using water and a paint brush best.

I can see packing these for a trip to the mountains or the beach :)

 

 

Happy Painting My Friends!!

 

 

 

 

Working with Midtones and Compliments

   It has been awhile since I have posted ; I have been busy working and painting. My latest
painting has been a project  taken from the latest Watercolor Artist magazine August 2014
The project was under Watercolor Essentials and the featured artist was Judi Betts. I don't think I got it quite right but it was fun!!

   In the article Judi tells how she sections off her paper and paints each section with a light wash, then after it dries she draws her subject. Judi then paints each section with a complimentary color paying close attention to the values. I had a great time with this project and hope you check out her work and maybe even give this technique a try. Here is my finished painting ..hope you like :)


                                                                        

                                     You can check out more of my work at artwanted.com/vicklyn

                                                                                      Thank you for stopping by
                                                                                                                           vickie
                                                                 



                                           

Working it Out

Long time no post...I have been overwhelmed with life. My Boo ( miniature schnauzer) has been sick..protein levels high and dementia. I thought I was loosing her but a diet tweak and prayers and she has perked back up! Right now after a long hard day ,she is sound asleep.

 

I have been taking a little break from painting and drawing . I have been working

with  wooden letters; collaging and painting a few of them for my family and

friends.It started out as a project for one of my art students but I find them slightly

addictive.

Here is the first one I did..the letter " J "

 

 

Another Letter I recently finished is " B "

All Dressed up

 

 

As I said , they are addictive ...only three J's and a G to go

Then Back to the drawing board :)

Have a creative day my friends ..goodnight

 

 

Roses in Watercolor

   This is number 2 in the watercolor series titled  Roses in Watercolor

I have always had a passion for roses and my favorite color is orange..so there may be a

few roses painted orange :)

The painting is 4 " x 4 " and for pricing info you can contact me via email at

vlblair@bellsouth.net 

Thank you for looking my friends



                                      

 

" Breathless in Orange "

New Watercolor Series

   I have started a new series of paintings that I am excited about!! I have been painting Roses in
watercolor on 4" x 4"  Ampersand Aquabord. Aquabord is  acid free and absorbs watercolor like fine
paper. Watercolors on aquabord can be sealed and framed without glass or displayed
on an easel, keeping colors and textures true to life.

    First in this series is a pink rose titled " Pretty in Pink "

" Pretty in Pink " is displayed here on a black easel. The painting  has been sealed with Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating. " Pretty in Pink " is available for sale for 50.00 US plus shipping and handling.
If you are interested in purchasing one of my roses contact me at vlblair@bellsouth.net
for more information.
  

Totally Confused...What is Art?

          I am hoping that this post will not get me in hot water... but....
I am totally confused and need an answer...what is art? What is good art? Who decides what is art and what art is not?

        The reason for my questions?? I have viewed several art competitions over the years and have seen countless beautiful, thought provoking, scary, questionable, amazing, breathtaking, even ugly work and the winners are almost always the " what the what "????? Seriously a stick with a string on it?? A wooden block with yard sale stickers?? Now don't take this the wrong way if this was one of your pieces..I do not begrudge you the win..I was not in the competition..but I did see young artists shake their heads and question their own work..heck I question my own work!!
      If judges are only passing out prizes in this category, lets call it " Modern "(because I don't exactly know what it is)  then what happens to the artists who are called to  abstract, realistic, impressionistic..etc?? Why enter?? I have heard many an artist make the remark " why enter? I can't win?  I can't compete if I don't understand the rules."
And they enter and are so discouraged.
       It may just be me..and as I said earlier I do not begrudge anyone a win..but I think if you have a competition then state in the rules what the judge is looking for or at least have separate categories for each style. I can hear someone saying now "not everyone gets a trophy..somebody has to loose " but I think in this situation everyone looses.
     And I am not a bitter person who is jealous because I haven't won an art competition..I have won several first place awards..I am just  a person who wonders " what the what " is art to you.
    
      Goodnight my friends ..may your dreams be filled with color

CSCC Portraits in Pencil Class

    The class at Cleveland State made and we are having a great time!! It is a beginning portrait class for ages 18 and older. We were snowed in last week and had to miss a class but no one missed a beat..homework was complete! This week we drew noses...right side up, upside down,long noses ,old noses,young noses and baby noses and we are ready to move on to drawing hair ...fun fun fun :)
It doesn't get much funner...

    Wish you could join us...we have a great time :)
    If you are looking for something to do during these cold winter evenings, check out your local
college. You might be surprised at what they have to offer. I took a photography class last year and
learned quite a bit about how to operate my digital camera.

   Getting ready for classes tomorrow..I love my job :)
   Have a creative day and goodnight...


                                                 

Art and Tomato Soup

   Monday has become a day filled with art, food and laughter. Today we looked at different ways of mixing color so that the color would glow. Next week we will apply what we learned to a painting of an iris. I cannot wait!

   After we worked on circles of mixed color we had a delicious lunch! Faye brought homemade pimento cheese, crusty bread and a delicious frozen chocolate pie. I volunteered to make tomato soup and have to add that it was really good for my first time. I thought I would share what I came up with and if you try it let me know what you think :)

                             

  


                                                                      Tomato Soup

                                                1 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
                                                1 14.5 oz of Italian Style Tomatoes
                                                1 small onion diced
                                                1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
                                                1 Tbsp of Butter
                                                1/4 tsp of pepper ( or more or less to taste )
                                                1 1/2 cup of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
                                                2 Tbsp of sugar
                                               A dash of cayenne pepper ( or more or less to taste )

                               Over medium heat sauté onion in the olive oil until transparent.
                            Add tomatoes, sugar, seasonings and chicken broth. Bring to a boil
                            and simmer for about ten minutes. Cool and puree. After pureeing
                           return to pot and add butter. Reheat and serve.
                              You could also add 1/3 cup of cream for a creamier soup; if you
                           do, add with butter and warm.
                               I added a Tbsp of parmesan cheese to mine..it was yummy.

                     I also said Mondays are filled with laughter. Today was a dreary cold day
                 but we still had a great time. Christie we missed you!
               
                                               " Art was fun but the food was funner "
                                                                                                  June Johnson

Snowed In

   Well, snow day!! Wasn't supposed to snow but within hours the streets were covered and cars were wrecking everywhere. The weather man got it wrong today. I tried to paint but could not get into it ...to much going on outside. Car after car tried to make it up the hill and failed. Someone ordered pizza and my son had to go help the poor guy back up the hill. He had to dump the pizza and  use the pizza box  for traction..so sad..
  
   I ended up watching a cardinal trying to keep warm in the dogwood tree outside the living room window. He was so cold he didn't move when I pulled out the camera. he was the bright spot in my day...enjoy :)
              

                  

Weekend with a Cold

    Well, here I sit . I have been sick  for four days....
    
     I pulled out paints and paper Thursday ...the painting has been staring at me. I don't think I have painted anything purple in a very long time..so....if you like then let me say thank you so very much..if you don't then let's blame it on the meds ...
   
      I pray you are well and have not been touched by the flu or a bad cold.
      Stay warm my friends and have a great weekend.

Hello It's Monday Again!!

    I cannot complain about Mondays...they are filled with friends, art, laughter and good food. And when I say good food I mean great food..Faye made some chicken and dumplings that were out of this world delicious!
    Silent moment as I remember the dumplings..........

    This week we picked back up where we left off last Monday..we could have moved on but I wanted to have the ladies to experiment using more pigment in their paintings. I think they liked the result.

      The paintings above were done by my friend and artist Christie Crawford. Aren't they gorgeous!! You did a great job...everyone did!! I love this technique. The salt was applied to the damp paint and once dry left a fabulous texture. I thought it  looks like leaves. I can't wait to see this finished!
       Colors used in this painting were Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and Yellow Ochre

       Hope your day was filled with love, laughter and art!!
   
    

Watercolor, Portraits and Collage..

   Didn't feel I could say anything positive yesterday after trying to download Adobe PS Elements for 2 weeks with no success..it was a dreary but cheery day as I spent it with my friend Robin.
If anyone knows how to download a photo editing product to Windows 8 please let me know
I need something soon...

  Today was class day at Fullers Frame Shop!!! Yay!! Started the day with paper , glue and
Faber-Castell Gelatos...no it's not a yummy ice cream lol....it's a yummy art medium that looks
like a colorful chap stick!! They are my second favorite tool in my artsy tool box :)
The colors are bright and cheerful and make collaging so much fun!

  After lunch my friend Debbie had brought some beautiful floral pics to work with and we
pulled out the watercolors and played for almost 2 hours..my job is sometimes sooooooooo
hard lol

   Later it was drawing eyeballs with  a young lady who can't wait to draw realistic portraits!! I'm so
excited! It is so much fun to teach pencil ...I can honestly say other than drawing it is my favorite
thing to do..

  As I stated at the beginning I have no photo editing program..I had planned to post pics of collage
using the Gelatos ...but instead I will post one of my earlier collages featuring a portrait of my granddaughter. Have a great evening and a beautiful tomorrow...

Tuesday Night

   Was on pins and needles all day worrying about the class at CSCC ( Community College ).
But yay!! it made by a miracle and I had a great time!! Met some new friends and shared
some laughs with old friends :) A great night!
   This first class covered values..so the class drew a value scale and also shaded
a ball and shadow...afterwards they assured me I would see them next week...so thankful!!
Next week I had planned for them to shade the egg but may change it up and do some fruit..
hmmmmm..sounds like a plan :)
Hope your day was a good..have a goodnight..

Monday's Class

   A lot of people dread Mondays. I am not one of those people..Monday's have become
one of my favorite days of the week and it's all because of my friends that I share
most of the day with. They are a wild and crazy bunch these three ladies! There is never
 a dull moment and not a minute goes by that someone is not bringing us to tears  of
laughter with some wild comment...
   Now I am sure they will  not appreciate the pic I am about to post because maybe they are
 laughing so hard their eyes are closed (or the flash is blinding them) but I hope they forgive
me. This Monday Class was about variegated washes and adding texture with salt from the
book " The Watercolorist's Answer Book ". I would recommend this book ...I love it!
( and no one has paid me to say this...I hope it is okay that I say it )
   I hope there are many more Mondays in my future..Mondays spent laughing and painting 
with friends..Love you girls!

January 2014...

   Only one New Years resolution and that is to" Do"...be Productive.
So here goes...I do not know what I am doing but I am trying to blog. Wish me luck.
I am an artist/art instructor ..my specialty is realistic pencil but I also teach watercolor
and some basic collage techniques. I am hoping that my class Portraits in Pencil makes
this Tuesday..Jan.14th

 

This is an example of my pencil work.

" Hunter "

I titled my blog a Mixed Media Experience because I hope to share

a variety of my work...get some feedback.. share some of my techniques

and share my students work. If I have managed to do this right , I would love

to hear from you.