Ladybugs

Recently I was looking through some old sketchbooks - actually looking to be inspired - and came upon a series of sketches I had done with a group a few years ago. It was a three-day paint out - painting in a different place each day with a critique at the end of the day.

I had chosen to just do sketches rather than try to complete a 'fine art' painting. I love the freedom and quickness of sketching. There is a freshness in my work when I do this.

One of the places that had fascinated me was an old log cabin. I love the way the logs are fit together - particularly at the ends. The patterns in the wooden logs has always interested me. These had interesting shadows and textures.

With all those things going for it, the painting also needed some focal points - not just a static representation of old logs. I am drawn to the color red...how about some ladybugs crawling up the side of the wall? That gives it some movement and color!

I decided to use the matchstick and ink drawing method so that the ink lines would be more 'scratchy.' An ink pen gives a straighter, more clean line. They are old, weathered logs, after all. The matchstick would be perfect.

Here's the beginning...the first watercolor wash over the matchstick and ink drawing.

Next I added a little more color to the mortar and the beginning of the ladybugs. 

The painting needed to be grounded in a 'scene.' So, here's an indication of grass, trees and sky on the right. I purposely did not want detail there - keep the viewer's eye on the cabin.

To finish this up, I got out the matchstick and ink again and added more detail in the logs. Actually, I did have to stop myself - I got a little carried away with defining all the cracks and crannies! A bit more definition in the shadows and a watercolor wash here and there...

"Ladybugs"   11x14 watercolor & ink   $225

...And it makes me smile!

The Auction

Every few years our church holds a 'Service Auction.' It is a fundraiser in which church members donate a 'service' - we share our gifts with others. There is a huge variety of things offered - from babysitting to boat trips to landscaping...you get the idea.

When asked this year what I would donate, I offered to do a drawing of someone's house. I have done house drawings for the Christmas in St Michaels fundraiser before - this should be a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, we were out of town the night of the auction so I didn't get to see the bidding or get to bid on anything. The next day I talked to the person in charge and was told that my offering went for $250! I love it that I can use a talent, have some fun and make a difference.

I contacted the winning bidders and they were really excited. We set up a time for me to visit and take some pictures of their house. The house is a large home made of stone and is in a lovely setting on the Tred Avon River in Easton. There are arches above the doors and windows - lots of interesting details.

Back home again, I began with an ink sketch with some pencil shading.

I cleaned it up a little and began adding more detail

My original idea had been to just do an ink sketch, but the more I looked at this the more I was convinced that it needed color. The black and white was just too busy and did not reflect what the house had to offer.

So here is my next step.

It's getting closer to what I had imagined, but i thought the color needed to be stronger. I fiddled with the trees a bit and darkened the sky. (Sorry, this next photo is a little out of focus)

At this point I took the painting to my watercolor class for a critique. The main thing was to crop it  - it didn't need to big sweep of the driveway - it's about the house more than the setting.

So, I painted it once more, added a few clouds, darkened the roof (for contrast), put a little more color in the trees and worked on the shadows. Then I cropped it, matted it and delivered it to the homeowners! 

Thankfully, they were pleased! I think it turned out pretty well. Comments?