In the beginning . . .

Some people have asked me about my watercolor underpaintings and how I begin on a project - so, here is what I am working on right now.

I am going to be in an art show in St Michaels on Saturday, August 10.  This show is part of the BIG Bicentennial Celebration - Battle of St Michaels event.  It's sort of a themed show - St Michaels, War of 1812, Eastern Shore, local scenery, etc.  Since I seem to be in my 'children' period (who knew I would categorize my paintings into 'periods?'), I am working on "Children of the Eastern Shore."

Some time ago I had taken a picture of a cute little squatting boy who is looking at something on the ground.  I love this pose - it's so kidlike.  So, I am using his 'squat' and have put him on a dock. He is now looking at a crab.

I sketched it, put it on sanded pastel paper and then loosely painted the watercolor underpainting.  When I stood back and looked at it again, the dock looked strange.  (See the slanted vertical lines?) Often when you combine two photos the perspective or shadows are off.  To correct this, I scratched in some horizontal lines and added more of the blue/green water across the back. The great thing about an underpainting, I can get an idea . . . and then go over it and make further changes when I get to the pastel.

Well, I got this far and took it to my watercolor class for review. One of the suggestions was to make the crab bigger and move him more to the center . . .and closer to the little boy.  Now, if that were my grandchild on the dock he would NEVER be that close to a crab . . .especially wearing flip flops, but since I made up the whole thing, it may work.

I started with some pastel today and decided to experiment with changing the color of his clothes . . .I may end up going back to a blue shirt - will keep looking at it for awhile. I like to look at paintings from across the room for a few days. It will usually tell me what to do next.

The crab needs a lot more work. I am going to try to make him stand up more and wave his claws around. Those crazy crabs like to threaten small children! (and grown-ups, too)

So, this is what I have so far . . .  I'll post the finished painting at a later date!

House Drawings

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY everyone!  In keeping with the holiday spirit, I am posting about a holiday today.  No, it's NOT about today's holiday.  I'm a bit out of sync, I fear.

I am thinking back to many years of summer camp in northern Wisconsin (Camp Osoha) and thinking of "Christmas in July" . . .a celebration that we had there with a decorated canoe parade and more . . .   And yes, we did also celebrate the 4th - we were always looking for excuses to have extra ice cream sundaes for dessert!

So, my artwork today is for Christmas - actually for Christmas in St Michaels which is correctly celebrated in December.  And the story is this . . .CISM is a weekend in December  - a fundraiser for local non profits - with a parade, Santa Breakfast, gala dinner dance and House Tour.  Members of the St Michaels Art League have volunteered for the past 30 years to make drawings of the houses which are on the tour.  Scanned images of the pictures are used in a booklet and the originals are framed and given to the homeowners who have generously offered to have their home on tour for the weekend.

I volunteered to do two drawings - they are due the first of August - and they are finished!  I am patting myself on the back to be done early.  Even though it was fun to draw them and I do appreciate all the work that goes into this event, it's wonderful to cross this off my list.

There are usually 'in town' and 'out of town' houses on the tour.  Here are two of the 'in town' homes.  Check the St Michaels website for info on this event and find out more.  Then when you come to town, see if you can find these houses!

  

Enjoy your holiday - whatever it is!