A rose for Rosie!


copyright Vivien Blackburn coloured pencil
another study of those overblown roses in coloured pencil - this time in the moleskine. It's very hard to scan without it looking washed out. I had to layer it and photoshop it to get it like the
original. The scanner also expects white paper so I have to add yellow as the moleskine is a rich cream and it throws the colour balance.

I got to the Pastel exhibition this afternoon and there was some good work there http://www.leicestershirepastelsociety.com/ - ooh!! they've put my tree paeony on the front page bless them :)


Tonight is a meeting of our small group of friends - we'll have a post mortem on the group exhibition and chat. I hope someone takes some work as I'm too tired to bother!



I think belonging to groups like these is good - the Pastel Society have introduced some plein air days this year and are having a second exhibition later in the year. They have an annual talk by a well know pastel artist. It's a chance to chat to other local artists you may never otherwise meet.

Our small group are friends and friends-of-friends are from local universities. We exhibit together (and of course separately), meet up to chat, go to to exhibitions, go out to sketch ... it's nice to have a group to call on.

Comments

Anita said…
Oh I agree, Vivien. Being able to talk with other artists is so encouraging and uplifting. I had a chance to discuss painting with an artist I admire enormously while on holiday and he really inspired me to get back and do some work!
So glad the kitten turned up!
Love the rose - delicious colours!
7:26 pm
vivien said…
:) Hi Anita! it's lovely to hear from you - how are you? you haven't been updating your blog so I imagine that there are still problems with access?

I'd love to go on a painting holiday

I'm glad you are working again

.... and thanks :)
11:52 pm
Diane Cutter said…
I love your 'OKeefe' approach to your flowers... a feeling of being wrapped up in them.

I agree about having a small group of friends to discuss our art. I would love a 'critique' group here.
11:18 am
vivien said…
thanks Diane - I hope the show is looking good? the best of luck and many sales for the opening :)
5:45 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

looking at non traditional composition and quiet vs busy areas in paintings

Image
Paul Klee I thought I'd look at non-traditional composition - where the rule of thirds isn't the key but the painting relies on different compositional methods. in response to an excellent series of posts on the various ways of looking at composition by Katherine (link at end). These alternative considerations or breaking of rules - but making it work - appeal to me more than too heavy a reliance on the rule of thirds. The painting above, by Paul Klee is a 'field' painting' - the composition is overall, the eye travels around enjoying the glowing colour that he creates by juxtaposing complementary colours, subtle greyed greens enhancing the oranges/reds/pinks. Most of the image is composed of the various greens, greeny browns and khakis, with accents of the warm colours. When working this way it's important that the balance is unequal and that the accent colours are placed carefully to keep the eye moving in the way the artist wants. A couple of the brighter...
Read more

current exhibition, paintings from Wales, Cornwall, Leicestershire, the Cotswolds and Yorkshire

Image
My work on the wall at the Atkins Gallery, Lower Bond Street Hinckley until Saturday 3rd December Work currently on show at the Atkins Gallery in Hinckley (car park opposite, next to the museum).  There are 16 pieces of mine plus the work of 5 friends. Oils, mixed media, pastels, charcoal, ink .... and more :) And the Leicester Society of Artists exhibition is on at the museum in New Walk until 3rd December as well (I have 3 in that) Plus 4 in Glenfield Gallery, Glenfield I've been busy!
Read more

paint or sketch trees: challenge

Image
Close up of tree bark, Marqueyssac, France. photo: Vivien Blackburn Another challenge Rather than another update on the seascapes I've decided to run another challenge in response to feedback from the trees post. Feedback from people said they got a lot out of the skies challenge and I'm sure you will out of this one :>) click the image on the left to link to the original post on trees and you can check all posts with the tag 'trees' here The challenge is to produce sketches of trees done from life. These can be: close ups, extreme close ups, whole tree, part of tree, distant views - whatever you want. Style: anything goes - photorealism to impressionism but with underlying observation Medium: your choice, anything goes :>) oil paints, acrylics, watercolours, mixed media, charcoal, graphite, coloured pencils, pen, oil pastels, pastels, pastel pencils ....... etc etc etc Timescale: we'll finish at the end of July and I'll post links to your blogs t...
Read more