A little of this, a little of that…
Well, it has been so long since I posted a painting that I’ve done, today I have three!
Now, they aren’t brilliant masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination. No, one is downright ugly and one is so-so, and one is ok. hehehe
Here is the ugly one:
What in the world was I thinking with that background? I wasn’t that is the problem. A lesson was learned, never finish a painting when under the influence. So, today I did another one to rectify the situation. These are both about 4″x6″ cards. They are done on 140# watercolor paper.
Ahh, that is better…
The last one is the pastel I have been working on all week. It is done on Wallis sanded paper with a yellow ochre under painting. The size is 9×12″ I did it from a demonstration in the book “Pastel Step by Step By Marla Baggetta. I didn’t follow the directions as closely as I should have. But, here it is:
Still having trouble with cloudy skies. I have to say, it wasn’t explained very well either. I see lots of practice on clouds in the near future! Oh and that spruce blue behind the barn is actually the distant tree line, not the Sea as Chris thought. That would be interesting, “The Barn by the Sea” hehehe. But I can see why he got that impression:) I am so glad this one is done. I can move on. I have gotten tired of having it on my easel day after day. Some days I would just look at it and just couldn’t bring myself to work on it. Other days I would just put a few strokes here and there. This could easily be done in one day. But, because I wasn’t enjoying the process I made it drag on for days. I really don’t enjoy copying from the books. I know I need to learn these things, but I want to do my own paintings. So, we shall see where this all leads. Could be interesting.
Ok, at least I have been doing something in the studio. I really want to try to post something every day. Small paintings and sketches are about all I can do in one day. So, we shall see. Thankfully I am feeling better–yay! And it is warm and sunny here in Las Cruces. Windy too, but you can’t have everything!
Posted: March 15th, 2008 under Floral, Landscape, Painting, Pastel, health, watercolors.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from Heather
Time: March 16, 2008, 3:11 am
WHATTTT!!!??? I think they are all three have very good things happening in all of them. The barn by the sea (giggles) that is funny and I really like the pink clouds, I don’t see what’s wrong with them. Just take a little darker color and make a few above the line marks, it’ll look like a tree line then…But I am still practicing clouds myself…lol
So glad to hear you are feeling better….Yippppee! All my love! Don’t stop showing us your work, I love it, it makes me smile and feel happy.
Comment from Sara
Time: March 16, 2008, 4:08 am
You are so sweet! I just re-looked at the pastel and the whole picture is out of whack. It looks like everything is leaning down to the left. That is because I made a mistake with the “tree line” behind the little building. the grass is supposed to be there, but I got carried away with the spruce blue I guess
Comment from Jessie
Time: March 16, 2008, 5:20 am
Hi Sara! Thanks for adding me to your Blog Catalog friend list! I had to laugh when reading this post. For the record, I love all three of these paintings, even the first one with the lavender background. I was laughing, though, because the very same thing happened to me last night! I was working on an art card of a purple iris, almost had it finished. It was looking so cute if I do say so myself. But then, as I am so prone to do, I couldn’t leave it alone! Just kept on until I totally screwed it up. It’s crumpled up in my trash can this morning. Oh well.
I’m so sorry that you struggle with health issue, but am glad you are feeling better.
Sending blessings your way!
Comment from Michelle (artscapes)
Time: March 16, 2008, 7:37 am
The tulips are beautiful!
Skies are hard. Period. They take a tonne of practice and are better learned from watching someone do it in a class or on video. I think you did great! You might want to try sky only for a sketch or two. It helps and makes it fun! 
Comment from Sara
Time: March 16, 2008, 6:42 pm
Hi Jessie,
i have been to your blog many times over thelast few days. I love your work!
Why is it that we tend to want to keep working on a painting when clearly we should just say “I’m done”! Often Chris has to tell me to “stop now”. hehehe I have ruined many a painting that was gong really well by adding a stupid background. i am having issues with my backgrounds in watercolors. more practice time is needed I guess. I am a little rusty after a year off!
Comment from Sara
Time: March 16, 2008, 6:45 pm
Hi Michelle,
I have ruined many a pastel by messing up the sky. I am definitely struggling with it. I need to get a DVD that addresses this. And of course practicing just skies will be helpful. I think I will assign this to myself for this week. Practice skies with clouds! It is so much harder than watercolor skies.
Comment from Nathalie
Time: March 18, 2008, 3:26 pm
I thought you might be interested in the author of the book you’ve been using- Marla Baggetta is from Oregon, and does occasionally teach workshops. She’s a very nice woman, and a very good teacher. You can see her latest work on her website http://www.baggettastudios.com
As far as pastel books go, a great one is Elizabeth Mowry’s The Pastelist’s Year. There are demos, lots of examples, and it’s just an overall great book. I find myself using it all the time.
Comment from Sara
Time: March 18, 2008, 7:36 pm
Thank-You Nathalie!
I will look into getting that other book. I will also check out Marla B’s website. I bet she is a good teacher! Even though I complain, I did learn a few things that I use when painting with pastels, one being the under painting.
Comment from laura
Time: March 25, 2008, 12:04 pm
Hi Sara. Well, now I have to through your comment on my blog right back at you: sometimes we’re our own worst critics! 
I really like what you call the ugly: the background is lovely, and there’s something about the pairing of the two tulips that makes them seem human–like a big sister and a little sister! Your barn scene is lovely too: restful. I like the red tree especially!
Comment from Sara
Time: March 25, 2008, 7:32 pm
Thanks Laura.
I have to admit that I am a bit envious of your talent. You seem to know how to do backgrounds so well. i loved all of your orchid paintings and of course now the pansies. have you ever taught workshops? I think you would be very good at it.
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