Monday, 10 December 2012
Sheepish looks.
Like so many of us this time of year, I'm afraid I just haven't had the amount of time for blogging that I would like. I've attempted to get round a few of the blogs I follow but I'm doing very well. If I haven't visited YOUR blog recently, please bear with me ... I'll catch up soon.
I've also had no time whatsoever for my art. I haven't touched a brush or a pencil for weeks. Actually, that's not quite true. I did find myself with a little time last week to do something so picked up a small 9" x 6" pad and selected a photo from one of my recent walks. Some of you will remember my encounter with the flock of sheep and this is taken from one of those photos. I don't usually try and paint animals so this was quite different for me. It was fairly quick and 'wet' (by my usual standards) and I enjoyed watching the colours blend. I must do more of this sort of thing.
One small matter I'd appreciate some help with is the 'miniature' pencil drawing shown in my last post. I am completely stunned by the wonderful comments from you all. When I knocked out that small sketch I had no intention of producing a keepable drawing. It was just a few minutes sketching and as such I gave no thought to paper or placement. As you will see from the attached photo, the sketch is stuck at the top of a scribbles page in an A5 sketchpad. In view of the good comments it has received I've decided to keep it but think it may get lost (thrown away) if I leave it where it is. The only idea I've had so far is to cut it out and mount it into a very small photo frame. If anyone has a better and more original idea, I'd love to hear it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi John I know what you mean. I've withdrawn from blogging a bit to so I can reconnect with family this time of year. I'm still painting though. Anyway I think your sheep are fab and I like the textures. Good idea to mount your sketch. Hope you and your family enjoy the Christmas season. See you in 2013. Take care. x
ReplyDeleteGlad you're still finding time for painting Laura and best wishes to you and yours for the Christmas season. Take care.
DeleteThese are busy December days for all of us, John. I love your sheep! And the miniature would be perfect in a small photo frame, I think! Best wishes for the Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy. Best wishes to you too.
Deleteyes a small frame for that lovely sketch is a fine idea - and you should definitely do more of that wet stuff!! Your sheep are superb!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon.
DeleteThis is a wonderful watercolor, John!!! We all go through these busy times in our life when we don't have the time to paint or blog. December is always a tough one for me and blogging does get tough. We'll see you back in 2013! Enjoy your Holiday!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Hilda. It's nice to see you posting again after your Sandy adventures.
DeleteLove those sheep!
ReplyDeleteLife gets busy, blog when you can! We all know how it feels.
I've no better idea than yours on the pencil, its what I'd be doing too - after I'd sprayed it with fixative! xx
Thank you Pat.
DeleteI may have had an idea that's a little more original than a frame. Watch this space. ;)
Really a super painting, the subject and the technique.
ReplyDeleteLoose enough , grainy enough ... perfect.
Thank you very much BJ, I really appreciate that.
DeleteHi John.
ReplyDeletebrilliant painting mate, perfect. You are second to none with your drawing skills. If you frame your sketch John, ( It`s well worth it )
Make sure you mount it with a very large Mount, about four Inches wide. Then it would look great in a frame. All the best mate.
Vic.
Thanks very much Vic. I may have had another idea about the mounting but I take your point about a very large mount ... nice idea and I'll bear it in mind. All the best.
DeleteIt made me chuckle seeing the sheep and remembering what a "townee" you were about them. Lovely painting. It's good to play.
ReplyDeleteI am flattered I am one of those you visited. Did you know I'm actually blogging through my site now. http://www.suepownallartist.co.uk/blog-art-of-a-nomad.html
Happy Christmas.
Trust you to remember my "townee" confession. lol. I didn't know about your blog .... I'll check it out. Thanks Sue. Happy Christmas.
DeleteI love how you have captured the texture of the wool!
ReplyDeleteThat drawing is so tiny but so perfect - you mustn't lose it!
You could either surround it by a wide mount and then frame it in a deep scoop type frame, which will draw the eye in to the drawing, or I've seen people make little keepsake boxes - even jewellery with their teeny-tiny art! So the drawing is on the lid, or pendant... Hmm... I've no idea where you can get this done though!
There are a few good idea's there Sandra, Thank you. I think I may have an idea that may work ... and that involves a box too. Watch this space. ;)
DeleteTwo lovely sheep doing just what sheep do best...follow :-))) Beautiful work John , as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane.
DeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteLove the sheep and yes, please do more of that technique, it's lovely.
As for the mini, John, they actually sell little mini matts with backs. I have ordered them in the past. If you check on the net for StuArt, matts and frames, they are located on Long Island. They are very good with prices and shipping. What is the size in (inches). What I love about miniature art is that they can be framed. Don't worry about not having the time, I have the feeling it is like that with many of the artist.
all the best to you,
Joan
The miniature is about 1½" x 1" Joan. I'll check out that site ... sounds like just the ticket. Thank you very much.
DeleteAll the best.
I like your sheep John, they look so elegant as well as inquisitive!
ReplyDeleteAs for the miniature, you can actually have it made into a real stamp. If you visit http://www.royalmail.com/stamps-collecting/smilers they show you how. Most people have children or family members, but there is nothing to stop you uploading your drawing instead.
That's a nice idea too Frank. I'll check it out. Thank you very much.
DeleteI like the painting of the sheep John and I can see a growing confidence in your watercolours.
ReplyDeleteIf you are thinking about doing more small drawings and they are just for you, what about mounting them in a good quality, acid-free photo album.
Thank you for saying you can see some improvement in my painting Keith. Apart from this small quickie I haven't touched my brushes in a long time and it feels as if I'm forgetting more than I know. LOL. I appreciate your comment, thank you.
DeleteI'm not sure how I missed this post - until now, John. I remember your encounter with the man-eating sheep as they advanced two by two. It's a really good painting of them.
ReplyDeleteIf you fixed the mini to the bottom of a glass paper-weight, it would make it unique. Framing would be fun though.
A glass paper-weight? What a brilliant idea. Thank you very much John.
DeleteWhat great news over the snowdrops, John. I bet that made you feel really good. Not sure about your choice of camera ... this old camera of mine works fine, albeit the hood chaffs my neck and I can't get the gunpowder any more!
ReplyDeleteThe coaster was a great idea!
Very Happy Christmas, John and a Peaceful New Year!
LOL ... and I thought my previous SLR was old because it uses celluloid. Yes, to have a photo used this way is a very nice feeling John.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to you.