Here is an update on my Grand Canyon - we are battling it out.  It is taking so much time because I keep redoing it to try to get what I see onto the paper.  Still much to go, but I am getting happier and think I am finally developing a technique to do these stratas of different colors.  It will and has required that I redo some of the other plateaus though.  I realize even in shadows I need to put color to reflect the truly uniqueness of this wonder of the world.  So far am getting much better at mixing colors as I have kept a limited palette, am employing and using a painting knife, and learning to be more confident with a larger brush and the softer stokes you get, and learning that what's sweet about acrylics is that you can glaze. 

Comments

Log Cabin Studio said…
Wow,it is looking awesome!!!
November 7, 2013 at 6:46 PM
hmuxo said…
This is coming along so beautifully, Nelvia and it looks like its going to be one of your very BEST paintings...I am SO impressed!!!!
November 9, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Beatriz Abel said…
Me parece que esta siendo demasiado exigente con usted, este cañón esta fantásticamente retratado, la gama de colores elegida es muy acertada, hermoso trabajo!
November 9, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Nelvia said…
Thanks so much C, hoping I can get this completed, such an awesome place.
November 9, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Nelvia said…
Oh Hilda thank you so much, such a compliment. Yes I hope now that I am retired I can find my voice and style and niche. Wonderful time of exploration. Right now.
November 9, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Nelvia said…
Hi Beti, been a trial but just keep pecking away at it and hope to get it down as I see it on my head. Glad you like the color, so much color when you see it in real life. Thanks for stopping by!
November 9, 2013 at 7:03 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shades of Pink

Image
Shades of Pink This is kind of a culmination of lots of things I have been working on for the last couple of  months.  It started with a photo I liked, putting it into GIMP I wanted to put it into color dropper and see what colors/tones were coming up.  They weren't quite striking enough so I then went to adjusting the color curves.   Came up with several options that I really liked.   Thought it might be a great fun way to better learn how to mix colors and do a little mini series as well.  Going to call it Shades of.... Then it was back into oils.   I kind of am addicted to them now that I got through the first painting.   I do really like how they blend.   Currently am using a styrofoam meat tray as my palette so I can just toss it when it is to messy to clean.  However this was more complex or something and I wasn't able to get it finished in just one sitting.  So I needed to utilize some of the painting medium for my oil...
Read more

Alluring

Image
Alluring I have to admit that while I have dabbled in it, I haven't been such a huge fan of charcoal.  Know a lot of the lessons I have combine paints and charcoal, and I have approached cautiously.  I just don't like the dirty look, or the mud that you can easily get.  Heck, I don't have any problem doing that with my paints. This week we had Robert Kelley as our instructor.  This guy is a master manipulator of charcoal.  He is a master.  It was wonderful to watch his several hours worth of video and listen to his thought process. Of course I always seem to have to deviate.  I thought I was going to try to do the straight lessons this year.  But Again I have finally decided to maybe use the same reference, or not, but let "my style" try to shine through.  I am not real sure what it is, but I am trying to give it free rein.  So I decided to use charcoal, but also add some color.  We have had nothing but days and days...
Read more

Nicolae's GF Laughing Giraffe mixed media portrait

Image
Nicolae's Giraffe Over the years we have decided the places we like to visit and have gone back multiple times.   In this day and age I think it is uncommon that in a hotel environment the workers would have been there 10-35 years.  So friendships develop.   Each of the people we have encountered have made our stays extra special in a variety of ways.   One of the ladies that works the check in desk had a baby last year.   Since we were unable to go in November we just saw her when we were in DC.   He is now 14 months, and in love with giraffes.  She has a yellow and gray nursery decor and I wanted to do a giraffe.   Wasn't sure if it should be the "kiddie" kind, but thought he might outgrow it.   So I decided to do one semi realistic so that he wouldn't outgrow it right away.  Aren't they just the strangest looking animal? I always wish I would keep my mouth shut, because it does worry me when I say I will paint something - it ...
Read more