..and I thought I was all alone in this challenge! it was pointed out to me in one of my blog posts that there was others doing the same challenge... I found them on instagram. A great bunch of wonderful artists who set themselves a challenge for one hundred faces. So I have of course joined in with the instagram posting and found the 'one hundred faces tribe' on a facebook group.
Though I do faces in my journal, and on loose leaf and just about everywhere inbetween my own challenge is to do 100 'Paint Palette Polly's' I am now up too number 12 - so I am a bit behind the others in the challenge. But they are teaching me a lot.
You might notice the first faces in my art journal up above are slightly different. This is me practicing with charcoal and pastels. Some of the 100 faces tribe do some wonderful art with charcoal, so I dug out my charcoal and chalk pastels too, not quite in their league but then they do paint realism which 'clearly' I do not.
This last 'Polly' here is the usual painted background, but the face was drawn with charcoal and coloured with chalk pastels - made a great change for me. I have only listed up to number 9 in my Etsy shop and plan to take a break from listing them there in order to take the pressure off and just have more fun with my art. I have been watching some great video's on youtube by Christy Sobolewski which has led me to dig out the A3 paper and have more fun..
This is a 'work in progress' I am doing - not sure what to do with that lovely background yet, as it is too much for the piece I know, shame to cover it but its just not working. The girls need finishing off and shading yet too.
Here ends my first post of a new month. It is now December and here in the UK the weather is turning somewhat chilly, time for the winter duvet tonight as that wind is bitter, might even need the thermals for dog walkies tomorrow.
Oh dear, a bit behind with the blogging I see. But I have not been slacking on the art front, loving the Obsessions Mixed Media with Gulfsprite - above is my latest inspiration from the last lesson - Its a self portrait attempt before we were taught to do it, knowing it was coming up I had a go - my friend says it does look like me so thats a start.
Here is the 'work in progress' of this weeks lesson, going to be finished in oils which I am really looking forward too, but having to await their arrival before I can finish off, and some new brushes to apply it with.
I am really loving these mixed media backgrounds we have been taught, I even ordered a new journal so I can practice some more.. still not enough hours in the day though. I am also studying two books, one is portraits were I had a try at my husband and dog (he's not seen it yet LOL)
It can only get better right? Next time use softer lines, yes I know that now...
My other teaching book is on Charcoal, I love charcoal and pastel - luckily I can do these together in time, such an interesting medium and when studied that there is so much more to it than just scribbling with some vine or refining with a charcoal pencil its fascinating, here is one of my latest practice pages..
Again not enough hours in the day, and its getting too warm in there in the day and I dont have the right lighting for evening work. I have a plan to sort all that out soon, so fingers crossed. I really need to be able to spend more time in my studio, so changes need to be made to that end.
Whilst STILL trying to get to grips with the pastels I fell upon Charcoal too, above is my first attempt in my sketch book. I then wondered if it would be possible to do a mixed media piece with charcoal and pastel............
Nice idea, but it needs a bit more work. The background was paints and inks, with clear gesso on top to then use the dryer mediums was the idea, it did not work as well as I had hoped so more research needed on that score.
Not done as much art as I would like this week, life got in the way - has a habit of doing that, still not got cheque from insurance company to replace the ceilings so not even thought about that since let alone sorted it out, luckily leaks seem to be finally cured now so just need all the repairs doing.
Still doing my courses too - this month 'Obsessions' is mixed media faces, and they are 'really' mixed media with all sorts of things I have never used before which is a lot of fun, this was this weeks work.. starting with a transfer so it is not my face but one of Christie's from Gulfsprite I just did the painting etc as per instruction.
Enjoyed all there was too learn on this last week, looking forward to this weeks class.
Here is my first page in the new hand made journal. Must say I have missed playing in the journal and I do enjoy it. As much as I would like to say I painted this face it is a paint over, so is the first girl (magazine cut outs with paint added) but I do enjoy having some help, it helps me with the shading at the shaping of the features, Not so sure the hair is as great as I could be but is certainly fun hair.
I did this one with oil pastel and paint yesterday - I have stopped 'trying' to get realistic, and tried to just enjoy the process - I have to stop trying to hard as it really does not help me.
See, she is certainly a bit more fun. I also had a try with soft pastels - it was an 'experience' but not one for me I dont think.
Whilst shopping today I purchased some great fashion magazines with the most interesting faces, ideal for painting over and learning - look forward to starting with them. I do have another face on the board too, the charcoal is just setting on that one, might get to it tonight, might not? depends on how it goes, have some family stuff to do, and a shed load of housework ready for the onslaught of invasion of inlaws tomorrow!!!
