Apples 4 Ways

Apples 4 Ways

6" x 18" Coloursofts on Pastelbord

What a week... but I managed to get my last juice drawing finished. 

I started the drawing (like the others) with my focal point: the glass of juice. I've often heard the advice of doing the focal point last, but I can't seem to work that way. I like starting with the focal point because it is the star and I want it to have the most contrast and the most detail of the composition. If I do it first I can draw the other elements in a way to support that focal point, possibly with less detail and contrast. So I started with the glass and then I worked my way left to right just so I wouldn't smudge much. You can see how the details of the cloth in the back is the most "unfinished" because it is just there as a supporting element and I didn't want to call attention to it (although I am in this blog post right now, aren't I?). 

& below is them all together. They work pretty well I think! AND as an art teacher I can't help but like the analogous color grouping.  

Lemonade

Lemonade

6" x 18"

Coloursofts on Pastelbord

I decided to play with 

the reflections on the tabletop more with this one. They seemed to go with the more sparkly glass of lemonade. To create the reflective white surface I placed my objects on a  white pastelbord that was still wrapped in its protective plastic wrap coating. The plastic makes a great surface for reflections and with the many colors of Pastelbord there are many colors to choose from.

The other two glasses in this set have grapes on one and apples on the other. I need to make another trip to the grocery store to work on the next one!

Fresh OJ

Fresh OJ

6" x 18"

Coloursofts on Pastelbord

I'm terribly happy with this one.  I am happy with it technique-wise, not because my technique is perfect, but because it does those little things that realists love doing. I love the hidden half of an orange behind the squeezed one on the left... the way it is nestled in a weird dark space that I created. I am also very happy with the hints of glow in the piece (not only Kinkade enjoys capturing light). That is something that if you try to plan for - it doesn't happen. It happens by setting the lighting and objects in such a way that you get pockets of glow as well as being able to draw/paint them to work right. In this picture I managed to get the little fruit glass of juice in just the right light to see that yellow orangey glow in the middle as well as in the flesh of the fruit slices. 

I am also happy with this piece for the mood/image it displays. I have been guilty of looking at contemporary realist artwork and complaining that it is all well done, but "geez what century was it made in!?"  Not only do the techniques harken back to the 19th century but so do the objects, arrangement and lighting. One thing that I have tried to do with my still-lifes is try to make them look up to date. I think this piece really achieves that with its graphic black and white backdrop and boldly lit colourful objects. 

I have 3 more of these fruit glasses that are reminiscent of jelly jars - each with a different fruit on it. I plan on making more of these before school gets back to have ready for Art in the Park in Keene in the beginning of September as well as the upcoming Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour coming right after. 

Madhatter

I got back Tuesday from a great trip with the family back home in Chicago. We did get to see Harry Potter which was A-Mazing. When I got home and started to think of what new drawing to make I really wanted to do another Harry Potter inspired one, but resisted. Instead I made one equally as weird.

 My mom gave me these cups with faces on them that came with bottles of Bailey's. I decided to stack them because I thought the faces partially obscured in different ways was a bit funny. However, paired with the grey background and mostly grey pencil they give off a slightly darker feeling. 

Madhatter

11" x 14" 

Coloursofts on Pastelbord

a little something from the trolley

a little something from the trolley

5" x 8"

Coloursofts on Fisher 400 paper

I leave Tuesday for my yearly 2 week trip "back home" to the Chicago suburbs to visit my family, so I decided to do something little before I left. 

The kids and I will be in Illinois when the final Harry Potter movie comes out and obviously I can't wait! See you at the Imax!