Tweaked

Final images for the Wine Label Library seeking wines.

Almost done

At this point it's time to let these rest overnight. Just in scanning, I can already see things I want/need to tweak. It's been awhile since I've worked in goauche, so this hit the spot.

I'm not too sure about the blue feather - may go back to something more neutral there.

Finally

These have been on my drawing board for over a month, waiting for me to start painting them. I'm posting the start to commit myself to finishing them soon. Just proves how distracting the rest of life's been lately. All good - just lots going on.

Warming Up

Today was my first foray into encaustic since getting the grant. I started a board, just hoping the right concept would come as I worked, but in the end I tried pretty much everything I'd read about in the book last night - in addition to trying oil pastels. Needless to say, the piece lacks focus. Like the oil pastels a lot and can see how I might add them down the line. I'll go back to the piece later with a fresh eye and see what it needs.

In the book they discuss keeping one brush for each color...VERY hard for a painter to do. I just dip where I need it. So, pretty much contaminated each color pan and brush I have. If that's how I work, it'll become part of what makes my stuff look like my stuff. I can clean brushes if it really gets to me. Can already tell I'm going to want another hot surface, so I can have more choice of color at one time...not patient about waiting for a color to heat up, just so I can make a single mark.

Growth

In the interest of limiting the variables while exploring encaustic (by doing as much to and with it as I can) I've chosen the theme of growth for the imagery. The point of getting this grant was to allow me to grow as an artist - to bring fresh shoots to old wood, as it were. There's a LOT of room to play with this concept!

Embracing Encaustic

First box of goodies arrived today. Thought I'd start with reading "Embracing Encaustic" to get my head going. It was a very simple, but good solid primer for processes and supplies. It didn't blow me out of the water, but I really liked that they made it all very approachable. Nothing hit me as radically new, but it reminded me of a few things I want to try. I liked that they talked about every day tools you could use and it may end up having saved me some $$ here, that I can use better there.
Check out their site here.

Psyching up

All the new tools and supplies have left R&F and Dick Blick and are headed my way.
Encaustic medium
Wooden panels
tacking iron
heat gun with - the important part - nozzles to direct the air flow
brushes
glue

The hot plate will have to wait.

At some point I'll be ordering encaustic colors from Bees Knees Encaustics - a great place I found with wonderful customer service.

A guest brought be her favorite oil pastels. Have never used them, but just know they're going to be a wonderful addition to the encaustic toy chest.