Friday, September 9, 2011

What's in My Sketchbook?

Am I back to the creative land?  Kind of …

Health issue remains an ongoing struggle.  While tackling the body aches & pain on a daily basis, I’ve been slowly going back to drawing and sketching.  And during the break, I’ve been learning and practicing acrylic blending techniques (without success!!!)  ARrrrrGggggHhhhh …

So for now, acrylic is NOT my friend!  I have no clue how to “befriend” it.  But then, I’m not giving it up yet.  I keep thinking if other people could do it, there is no reason why I can’t.  I might not be the most intelligent person but definitely not stupid.

Alright enough of the rant … here is another sketch book page for your review.

I’m still totally engulfed by the sea and its creature!

This time the mighty sea sent in the shells and a sea sponge.



20110629 Shells, Starfish, Sea Sponge


20110629 Shell CU 2


20110629 Shell CU


20110629 Sea Sponge CU

And when I finished the sketch, I realized that I’ve never seen sea sponge painting before.  Did you know of anyone who paints sea sponges and / or put them together with shells?  If yes, I would appreciate if you could drop me a line or pass me a link to check out.  Nothing serious, I’m just being curious.

(The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday - hosted by Eva and Kristin.  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!)

Also I have joined Jane Davenport’s online course, Supplies Me, to gain more knowledge of drawing & painting girls.  Check out the detail here!

Cheers and have a fantastic weekend!

44 comments:

Lou said...

good to see your daily life is coming back :) hope you are release from pain soon.
Many hugs from Rome

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Great shells. :) Maybe you need to try golden acrylics in bottles cause they are more liquid and easier to paint with.

Lilac & Lavender said...

First time visiting your site ~ I really like your work! The simplicity of this watercolor/sketch is great... and the sponge is my personal favorite of the four objects...

Christine said...

beautiful journal page!

Kat Sloma said...

Well, I'm friends with acrylics but not best friends yet. Still learning! Your sketchbook page is gorgeous. I always love how you create such dimension in the color and shading in your beautiful link drawings. Happy PPF!

Her Speak said...

It's awesome to see you back! As for acrylics--have you tried using any medium? Like a retarder? That's how I learned to love acrylics. :)

Beautiful pages--be well! <3

Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors said...

love your seashells! you have such a delicate touch.

Unknown said...

you shells blew me away!!! they are gorgeous!!! you also take the best photos of your work.....wow!!!

Happy PPF!!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Your shells and sea sponge are beautiful. Sorry, I don't know anyone who paints them! Valerie

Anonymous said...

I do hope your are feeling better. Health issues are no fun...I'm there with you. As always, I LOVE, LOVE LOVE your sketchbook paintings!! Especially the texture you add. As for acrylics, I feel the same way; they are frustrating because they dry so fast. You can add extender to them so they are easier to work with. Also, I found if you use a hair dryer to dry the paint, you can add another layer over what you just painted, without it going weird on you. Good luck. Happy PPF! :-)

Joni Nickrent said...

Wonderful work...love the lightness and the soft feel! Hope you're feeling better soon! Happy PPF! POP ART MINIS

Netty said...

Hope your pain eases soon. Loving your seashells and sponge, such delicate colourings. Happy PPF, Annette x

Unknown said...

Gorgeous - I always love and envy your watercolors - you see, acrylics may not be your friend but watercolors are not mine!!

carlarey said...

Your sketches and watercolors are always so wonderful. I'm sure you'll find a way to befriend the acrylics.

WrightStuff said...

I do love your sea creature posts. Can't say I've seen many sponge paintings! Perhaps you should use one to help with your acrylic blending! Hope you enjoy that course. I was sorely tempted but am still working my way through 21 Secrets - can't take on any more!!

Virtual Boy said...

YES, glad I'm not alone in not being able to befriend acrylics... yet. XD I hope we'll both learn to manage the medium someday... And I also hope you'll feel better soon.

Your painting is beautiful as always, the shades of blue and purple look awesome on the shells, and the brightness of the sea sponge pops out awesomely!

// - T.W -

Anonymous said...

i have missed your sketchbooks! and as always your photography is just sublime - you have a real gift for taking wonderful shots of your work. as for your painting - it's gorgeous - the beautiful gentle blues make the sea sponge stand out so well. and no, i don't think i ever have seen a sea sponge in a painting before!

Sunshineshelle said...

Great to see you creating beautiful art but sorry your aches & pains are troubling you, I do hope these injury related problems are short lived & heal soon! I think it's harder to make friends with acrylics... they are a bit superficial in some ways, drying up when you just pop out to get a cuppa, not blending when you want them to... but usually with any relationship persistence (& a little quality time) smooths out the major concerns, you watch, soon you'll be BFF's with those tubes of paint ;)

EVA said...

Great to see you back, J!

Wonderful sea creatures - and great to attempt the sponge! I've seen lots of people paint using them but not before of one. You did a great job.

Beautiful page.

Elisa Choi said...

Welcome back Hybrid! I hope that you are feeling way better. Take care ok?

Very nice start of your creativity. Lovely photograph and sketch.. makes me remember sunny beaches.

Gerri Herbst said...

So happy to see you creating again. Do hope you are in the mend. Your sea shells are lovly today! Happy PPF, gerri

Marcia Beckett said...

I hope you are feeling better soon! beautiful shells! I haven't seen too many artworks with sea sponges in them.

SHERI COOK said...

Welcome back! I have really missed your art and photgraphy! Hope you are feeling better too. Happy PPF!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're back with us- I always look forward to your beautiful journal entries; especially when you feature shell! Keep trying with the acrylics- I think it's just that they are so different from watercolors. I used to hate them, but now they are my favorite medium!
Happy PPF (a day late ;))
Stephanie

Crystal said...

love your shells! I love acrylics and I think if you continue to work with them you will too! The first things you should get is a stay wet pallette so no drying when you take a break...and I take many breaks.

She Who Doodles said...

this is beautiful. wish i could do what you are doing. why stress over the acrylics when you can do what you are doing so well? but i know what you mean, i've tried other techniques that i can't master to my liking. i've come to realize that i can only be me and do what i do best.

Anonymous said...

This is really pretty. I know nothing about sea sponges and next to nothing about acrylic paint blending. However Jan at From My Park Bench (blogspot) really has a handle on acrylic painting.

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

Fabulous sketch and great colouring. Outstanding photography, your sense of perspective and lightning are great.
I´m friends with acrylics but haven´t tried much blending. I´m a flat, bold colour type of girl. :D

Fallingladies said...

I'm still struggling with acrylics, I love the flow of watercolor! lovely shells!

Geckostone said...

Oh your shells and sea sponge painting is beautiful! I love the rocks you photographed it with! I'm very chicken to try acrylics!I'm such a creature of habit, I'm stuck on watercolors!Hope you are feeling better, keep up the positive outlook,you are not alone! Deb

Carol said...

Love those sea sponges!!! Your watercolors are so sweet :)

Julie said...

Love love these, gorgeous!

Sadee Schilling said...

This is beautiful! I love your take on the sea sponge. And your shading and details are wonderful! Hope you get to feeling better soon...

Kristin Dudish said...

Beautiful color combination and wonderful composition :)

Hmmm... I have used a sponge for painting more times than I can count, but I've never created a painting of a sponge... Very cool!

I hope you feel better soon!

xo
Kristin

Tammie Lee said...

hello,

your art is lovely as can be and you also know how to photograph it in a lovely way!

thank you for stopping by my blogs. See you in Jane's class!

Anne said...

I adore your journal pages. Don't give up the acrylic painting, you will enjoy it as it opens the door to many more possibilities. Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope to run into you at Supplies Me.

Cia of Briarwood Studio said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I came to visit yours and found myself falling in love with your work. It's so beautiful and serene. You have a style all your own. I look forward to seeing more of your work (and I "followed" your blog so that I can!).

See you in Jane's class!

Cia

Sound of Woman said...

Just popping in to say hello. Catch you back at Supplies Me. ~ Jude

Deanna said...

What a fantastic sketch! Sorry to hear about your pain but glad to see you back. I look forward to seeing more of you at Supplies Me.

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

So soft and pretty. I agree with Diana...you take such lovely pictures! I love the creativity. :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, its allowed me to check your wonderful blog and art, you are certainly very talented, just love those sketches of shells and sea sponges.

Look forward to seeing you around Supplies Me too.

Take care and happy creating :)

xxMiriam

Cameron said...

I did read this post, though I don't see a comment from me.....I must be going bonkers thinking that I left one and really didn't....sorry!

Since you are comfortable working in watercolors, try watering the acrylics down for a more fluid, transparent effect? I know Wyanne has lots of videos on Youtube demonstrating how she does this?

Maybe that would work better for you?
I'm so happy to have you peeking in here on Fridays...and to see that you are still keeping creative!
Much love, Jamie Dear,
Cam

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Love your objects from the sea....lovely work you do. I paint a lot of things in acrylics and when it comes to blending...try the X pattern with your brush and a light handed touch and then go over the area with a clean, soft bristle brush with feathery motion:)....works for me anyway...good luck with your blending!

Unknown said...

i like your blogs thanks for the sharing

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