General Chat - April 2010

What's everyone up to?

Happy Birthday to Debra (4/1) and Susan (4/2) !!!
Best Wishes to both of you!

Janet is hosting the Group Challenge this month, and since she would be out of town on the first, she put the reference photos up early. So if anyone's looking for some inspiration, head on over there and take a peak. Paint one or more, and any way you want - crop the scene, use a pic as part of another reference... make it yours!

Off to check out the Art History Mystery

I am getting ready for the April 25th art show. May take along a lot of older paintings and sell them at a discount. Need the room in my studio and cash in my pocket.

Happy birthday Debra and Susan

Don't go too low, Dale. If the prices are quite a bit lower than the more recent paintings, people might get the idea that you don't consider them on par with the others and they'll want an even bigger discount
I hope you'll take some photos at the show..... now get back to your easel!

Lots of fun trying to decide on prices. And great idea to take pictures. I promised the group that i would be painting at the show as well.

Hi everyone! I'm back from my trip and we had a fantastic time. The Toronto Zoo was a blast and I was able get a lot of photos that I uploaded to our Reference Image Library. We went to DeSerres art store and was able to pick up all the Holbein Duo Aqua colors that I wanted. Next will be swatches. I'll just be doing one of each color and some to pinpoint the complementary colors. I'll share my results of the complements after I'm done.
Happy Birthday Debra and Susan!

Hi Callie! Thank you for starting the April Chat thread. I forgot about that one.

Hi Dale! Good Luck with the show! Seeing some pictures would be great! How do you feel about painting in front of other people?

Welcome back Janet! Can't wait to have a look at your photos
I finished my March Challenge painting today (and it's just barely April) Trying to decide what to start on for April.

Janet,
It looks like you had a great time at the Zoo. the pictures are great. Thanks.

Judy

Thanks Callie! Do we get to see your finished painting for the March challenge. Looking forward to seeing what you choose for April one. I bought some neutrals of the Golden brand the N8, N7, N6, N5, N4 and N3. They didn't have the N2 but I should be able to use the Black. I'll be trying it on the April challenge.

Hi Judy! I'm glad you like the photos. It was a great time but I think I discovered muscles I didn't know I had. We were their from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. A lot of walking involved but it was worth it. Both my husband and I are really sore.

You got some great photos, Janet! the green tree python is amazing - it's like it's made its own nest there on the branch:

https://watersolubleoils.forumotion.com/other-wildlife-f32/green-tree-python-t310.htm

My painting was so wet/shiny yesterday, I didn't take a photo. Will do that today.
Janet and Judy - your black-gesso paintings have inspired me. I took some of my sanded down plein air failures and painted over them in black. They're ready to go now, so I'm going to try out one of the challenge subjects on one.

Callie, I'm glad you like the photo of the python. It happens to be one of my favorites. I'm not much for reptiles but just the way he's curled up on that branch it really different. Can't wait to find out what you think of working on the black gessoed canvas.

Happy Easter everyone.

Happy holiday to you Dale (and everyone else).
It's like summer here, glad the plein air group is taking an Easter break. Got the AC blasting, trying to peel myself off the couch and squeeze out some paint.

Dale , did you start your water mill painting yet?

I have starrted blocking it out in arylics. I will post it this afternoon. It is a gorgeous sunny day in New brunswick and I am going to finish off my Dorys and the changes to Fundy Trail (wait till you see that)

Dale, I can't wait to see your paintings!

It's suppose to rain here for the next week. We really need it. Our camp opens up May 15th and if we don't get enough rain their will be a fire ban which means no camp fire which is the best part.

We have a cottage which we will open just before the May long weekend. Not worried about a campfire - just can't wait to be there -After my trip to the UK of course!

Happy Birthday to Donna! (Pierce-Clark)
Hope you're enjoying your special day!

I second that.

Judy

Dale, I have to tell you that I am also a female named Dale! My parents chose to spell it Dayle, but it is pronounced the same as yours. I don't often run into women named Dale--I think two of them besides you in my entire life. Whenever someone types your name on a post, I do a double-take thinking they are talking to me. Crystal was my best dog ever=Crystal1. Anyway, its kinda fun.

Hey Dale. You are right. most of them are males. So we can have fun and really confuse people here.

The art show is this weekend and I really don't have alot to sell but i will go and have fun and relax.

DaleC

Well, have a good time then!

Good luck with the show Dale!

Good luck Dale. Hope you sell them all.

Judy

Hey Dale - Quality over Quantity I hope you do well!

After taking a break for a few weeks I'm starting to think about what to do next. I think I would like to do some " after " portraits from the masters. I especially like Guido Reni (17-18 cents). While looking for his existing work I found a great site. You all may know it already but if you don't you would enjoy checking it out. It is www.artcyclopedia.com and it takes you right into some of the best galleries where your favorite is displayed. It is pretty exhaustive.

I think my next project will be the head of St Peter by Reni and then I would like to do his St Matthew. If I can do those I will feel pretty good.

I would like to add that I used Canvapaper on Christ the Warrior and I wasn't too pleased with it. It really isn't much better than standard 135 lb acrylic paper, maybe not as good. It won't take much " wiping . " I like " Yes " Canvass pads but it only goes up to 16x20. And regular canvass is too expensive for me at my stage, so it looks like I will have to stick to 16x20 for awhile. I have a few old paintings on canvass I picked up at thrift shops. I wonder if I can recycle these. Has anyone tried that. Sometimes you can get canvass, fram and all for about $5, that's a bargin if the canvass can be reworked.

I see that everyone is busy.

We've spent the afternoon hiding in the basement due to tornado warnings. One touched down a few miles west of us. The storm has passed and we're upstairs. Sirens going all around - guess there was some damage.

Anyway - great idea, Linus. I enjoy copying old master artworks. It's possible to re-use old canvasses. I sand them down to take off some of the paint texture, then give them a new coat of some neutral color (grey, or some sort of earthy color). I'll go have a look at the paintings you're going to do....

It is quiet around here today!