Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Pencil Sketch for Portrait as of January 31


Pencil Sketch for Portrait as of January 31
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

I recently finished painting a portrait for my friends, and decided to return to the preliminary pencil sketch that I made before painting, and finish it. Today I worked on the background and the clothing, but also modified the shape of the face and the hairline, bringing them closer to the photo I am using as a source. I also added some shadows to the face.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Roses and Blue Plate


Roses and Blue Plate
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Even though my art show doesn't official start until February 1, I was offered the chance to hang the show today, and I was glad to do it. So early this morning, I took a photo of this pastel with my digital camera because I realized that I have digital images of all the pastels in the show except this one. Anyway, everything went according to plan and by noon, I had all the art up on the wall. But tonight, as I was posting the digital image, I saw some problems caused by photographing a matted piece through glass. So I opened the image in Painter IX and did some very gentle editing with a light dusting of digital pastel.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Brown Mountain


Brown Mountain
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

I guess it is time for another Colorado picture. This is one of the first images I made with my Clie handheld paint program, and of course, I drew a mountain, working from my imagination and my memories of Colorado. Tonight I opened the image in PainterIX and cleaned it up with a little digital pastel.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Natural History Museum at University of Kansas in Lawrence


Natural History Museum at University of Kansas in Lawrence
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Here is a nice memory from Lawrence, Kansas, a photo of the Natural History Museum at KU. My children enjoyed this museum when they were growing up, and so did I. I took this photo in spring, as you can tell, and the red-bud trees on campus are amazing. I had a great time when we lived in Lawrence, and have wonderful memories of and strong connections to the people I met there.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Outside the Window


Outside the Window
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Even though it was cold today, we had sun and bright blue sky. I had a lot of work to do today, but while I was at the computer, I found myself looking up at the tree outside the window. I liked the way the tree looked against the shapes created by the window's frame. I decided to take a few pictures with my phonecam. Tonight I edited them on the computer, and this is the one I like the best.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Pencil Sketch for Portrait as of January 26


Pencil Sketch for Portrait as of January 26
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

I recently finished the portrait that I have been painting for my friends. Now that the painting is done, I decided to go back and finish the preliminary sketch I made back in mid-September (and posted here on September 14 and September 22, 2005.) Today I worked on the background, and this is what it looks like tonight.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Snow Covered Branch Against the Sky


Snow Covered Branch Against the Sky
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

When I woke up, it was snowing and we had more snow on the ground this morning. After my son and I finished shoveling, I went back outside with my digital camera and took pictures. I took this photo from below, standing under the tree and looking up. I was intrigued by the intricate tracery of the snow-covered branch against the white sky.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Passion Flowers


Passion Flowers
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

This is a piece of digital art that I made tonight. When I opened a new document in Painter IX, I didn't have a specific plan. Earlier today I had spent some time matting and framing pastels for my art show next week. I guess all that time spent with rectangles might explain why began this by creating some rectangles within rectangles in black and white. I had a vague idea about filling shapes with patterns to make a digital collage, but by chance I opened the image hose brush, a tool I almost never use. I decided to try it out, and chose the passion flower nozzle. I adjusted the size of the nozzle and put in some individual flowers. I liked the design, so I kept going. Then I added some passion flower leaves, too, in various sizes. This was just an experiment, but I decided that I like it well enough to post.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Snow Fall on Dogwood and Blue Spruce


Snow Fall on Dogwood and Blue Spruce
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

It snowed today, so this morning I used my digital camera to take some pictures. The blue spruce provided contrast for the falling snow, as well as for the lacy snow-covered branches of the dogwood tree. I took several photographs of this, then later I cropped and edited them to get the composition right. This is the one I like the best.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Morning Light on Loch Erne in Northern Ireland


Morning Light on Loch Erne in Northern Ireland
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

I took this photo two years ago in early January during a visit to Northern Ireland. Justin, Mel's colleague at Queen's, invited us to come to Enniskillen, and arranged for us to stay on the shore of Loch Erne in an old manor house that is now a hotel. The morning light on the lake was amazing, so I took this picture. I decided to post this today because Justin is visiting the U.S. and will give a talk tomorrow at UNH. Tonight we met him at Logan Airport and took him out to dinner.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

On the Beach at Lynch Park in January


On the Beach at Lynch Park in January
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

For the past few days, we have been having another spell of warm temperatures, in the forties and fifties. Yesterday we took advantage of the weather and walked on the beach at Lynch Park. I used my phonecam to take this picture, a view of Beverly seen from the beach. For this image, I had to adjust the color and the contrast on the computer afterwards. The amount of detail is sometimes limited with the phonecam, especially with a landscape, but the spontaneity is great and it does a good job of capturing the composition. Later on, I might use a photo like this as the basis for a painting.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Yellow House Fantasy in Cascais Portugal


Yellow House Fantasy in Cascais Portugal
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Time for another picture from Portugal. This image began as a photo that I took in Cascais, Portugal, during a July visit a few years ago. I loved the sunny streets of Cascais, and was attracted to the yellow house on the corner. I call this a fantasy because it is digitally modified, and I have changed the colors by using Painter IX's digital watercolor. As I decide on colors to apply, I look at the original color and try to intensify it if I can, but then as I get going, I let my imagination take over. But I want to point out that the one color that I have not modified at all is the bright yellow house on the corner. Sometimes the reality of Portugal is more fantastic than than anything I could imagine.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Pam's Hat


Pam's Hat
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

The other night, I started sketching on the computer (with Painter IX's digital chalk) and realized I was sketching hats, apparently inspired by my visit with my friend Pam. She has a collection of terrific hats. It is always fun to see her hats, and I love the way she looks in them!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Carnations as of January 18


Carnations as of January 18
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Here is the pastel drawing of carnations, as it looks tonight. Today I adjusted the elipse at the base of the pitcher, and the position of the spout. I worked on the background and added some shadows, within the bouquet and on the table. There isn't too much more to do, which is good because the carnations on my kitchen table won't last too much longer. . . .

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Mountain Memory


Mountain Memory
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

This is a digital watercolor that I painted several years ago, based on memories of the Colorado mountains. I have been thinking about Colorado because today I had a chance to see a friend that I have been close to since high school back in Colorado. She has been visiting Colorado recently, and today returned to Maine via Boston, so we had a chance to get together.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Carnations as of January 16


Carnations as of January 16
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Late this afternoon, I had a chance to work on this pastel again. I did a little more checking and correcting of the underlying geometry, using T-square and ruler. Then I worked on balancing the composition and adding more color and depth to the carnations. This is still a work in progress. . . .

Sunday, January 15, 2006

January Thaw at Long Hill Gardens


January Thaw at Long Hill Gardens
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

It is very cold and windy tonight, but earlier in the week we had a January thaw, several days with high temperatures in the fifties, and no snow on the ground. So we took advantage of the opportunity to go to Long Hill Gardens to walk the dogs. I grew up in Colorado, and am still surprised to see green in January here in Massachusetts: green grass and bright green rhododendron and azalea leaves peeking out from under melting snow. While we were walking around the gardens, I noticed these little plants, and I used my phonecam to take a picture. Tonight I cropped the image to get the composition I wanted. I don't know what these plants are, but I was impressed by their color, their pattern, and their optimism.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Portrait as of January 14


Portrait as of January 14
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

This is the portrait I have been working on for my friends. Today I made a few small adjustments to the mouth, then modified the shadows on the shirt. I think it is just about there, so I signed it. But if it turns out that there is something I need to correct, I won't mind because I have really enjoyed painting this portrait.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Carnations as of January 13


Carnations as of January 13
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Since two days ago when I last posted this work in progress, I used a ruler, to check the lines and most important, the elipses. I worked on this drawing in daylight for better light. I added some detail to the pitcher and flowers, and deepened the background for contrast. This still needs a bit more work, so I will say to be continued. . .

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Rio Lima Seen Through the Bridge


Rio Lima Seen Through the Bridge
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Here's another image of Portugal. This is from my very first trip there. I cropped this from a picture I took of Rio Lima as we drove across the bridge, headed north from Porto to Vigo, Spain. Tonight, I adjusted the brightness, contrast, and saturation to try to make it possible to see both the bridge and behind it, the scenery and its reflection in the river. We see so much of life from moving cars. It isn't always possible to stop to take a picture, so I decided long ago to take a picture if I really want to, even when it seems unlikely that it will come out. Sometimes I am disappointed with the result, but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Carnations as of January 11


Carnations as of January 11
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

This is a work in progress, as you can see. Tonight I transferred my carnations to a blue glass pitcher. I got out my pastels, and blocked in the pitcher, the table, and the general position of the flowers (which are as always hopelessly and wonderfully complicated). Once I got the drawing to this point, I stopped because it is just a sketch and can be easily changed. If things work out, I hope to complete this pastel in sunlight. My pastels are going to be shown at the local Barnes and Noble in February (an opportunity that came up last week) so I would like to get a few more pastels done. It's not that I don't have enough of my pastels on hand; I probably do. But for me, the biggest benefit of an upcoming show is the urgency of making more art, so I am trying to capitalize on that. To be continued. . . .

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Carnations Will Do


Carnations Will Do
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Yesterday I picked up two bunches of carnations. There were more elaborate bouquets, but I liked the color of the carnations, and decided they would do. I intended to draw them with pastel, and planned to work late last night and early this morning. But the dog got sick, and I made a very late night run to the vet, and I stayed up most of the night taking care of him. It paid off, because he is doing much better now. But I had no time or energy left to draw today. Maybe tomorrow. So instead I decided to photograph the carnations with my phonecam. I liked this composition the best, despite a couple of small flaws that were distracting, so I opened the image in Painter IX and cleaned it up with digital pastel. For now I think this picture will do.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Snow on the Vines


Snow on the Vines
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

I have been meaning to post this photo that I took on January 1. I guess I had better hurry and post this before the snow is all gone, because we are headed into warmer weather (mid-forties, they say). I began this image by using my digital camera to zoom in on the details and complications of snow on the vines on my fence. Later, I cropped the image into four parts, resulting in even closer views, and four images that almost look abstract. Of the four views, this is the one I like the best.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Mountains near Ermesinda, Portugal


Mountains near Ermesinda, Portugal
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

In January, it is nice to see some green fields and blue sky, so here's a picture I took one July in Portugal during one of my visits. This is north of Porto near Ermesinda. Tonight I cropped the image to improve the composition, and adjusted the contrast just a bit.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Fantasy in Trafalgar Square, London


Fantasy in Trafalgar Square, London
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

We saw Woody Allen's "Match Point" today, with its great images of London. (Some scenes even take place in the Gherkin, which I invite you to see in my blog entry of March 14, 2005, "Considering the Gherkin"). Here is another view of London that shows both old and new, from Trafalgar Square to the London Eye. I call this a fantasy because it has been digital modified, and I have taken liberties with the color. This image began with a photo that I took during my short visit to London two years ago. Tonight I cropped the image, and then opened it in Painter IX, where I added some gentle digital watercolor, to create just enough color contrast to make the patterns visible, and to make it possible to see the London Eye (and the construction crane)in the background.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Portrait in Progress as of January 6


Portrait in Progress as of January 6
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

This is the portrait I am painting for my friends, as it looks tonight. I think this painting is getting close to finished, so I wanted to correct a few things I have noticed over the past few days. Today I concentrated on adjusting the hairline, making the forehead wider. I also modified the mouth very slightly, and and added some highlights and shadows to the face. I don't want to say that it is finished, because the minute I say that, I will see five things that I want to change. . . .

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Roses


Roses
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

It's too late for the Rose Parade, but here are some digital roses that I created a couple of years ago, using Painter IX's digital oil paint. I don't know why roses make sense in January, but they do.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Sticking to Principles


Sticking to Principles
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Last night and today I did a series of drawings to be used as an illustrations in a workshop. They are all cartoons using little stick figures. I drew the cartoons using felt-tip pen on paper. After I scanned the drawings into the computer, I opened them in Painter IX and cleaned them up with digital bleach. I did about eight drawings, but this is the one I like best.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Portrait in Progress as of January 3


Portrait in Progress as of January 3
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Here is the latest version of the portrait I am painting for my friends. In addition to sharpening up the collar and tie, I have been making small changes to the face, using a very small brush and being careful so I can avoid losing what I already have. I adjusted the eyeglass shape, modified the hairline, and changed the position of the mouth just a bit. Small details are important when it comes to portraits. I want to capture a likeness, as well as an emotional sense of the person, which in this portrait, relies almost entirely on the facial expression. When you paint a smile, you are trying to capturing a fleeting expression, a face in motion. In this case, it is a wonderful smile, and I am trying to do it justice.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Loch Erne Ferry in Enniskillen Northern Ireland


Loch Erne Ferry in Enniskillen Northern Ireland
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

Here's an image from a New Year's Day adventure that I had two years ago, during a trip to Northern Ireland. We spent the day in Enniskillen, where one of Mel's colleagues lives. He gave us a tour, driving the perimeter of Loch Erne, and then suggested a late afternoon lunch. The surprise was that lunch was on an island in the middle of Loch Erne, and that the only way to get there was on a very small ferry, big enough for just one car or in our case, three pedestrians. That's where I was when I took this photo. Tonight I cropped the original to improve the composition. I adjusted the lighting and saturation to re-capture the excitement of the day and the beautiful colors of the sky reflected in the water.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Bougainvillea in Aveiro, Portugal (Digitally Edited)


Bougainvillea in Aveiro, Portugal (Digitally Edited)
Originally uploaded by randubnick.

How about another image from Portugal? I cropped this image out of a photo I took in Aveiro during a visit to Portugal in July, 2001. Portugal is an amazing mix of very old and very contemporary. Although the image might suggests an old world setting, in fact I cropped this out of a photo of a very modern shopping mall (called a "shopping" in Portuguese). This beautiful outdoor mall is adorned with bourgainvillea all along the roof line. I love the bougainvillea against the clear blue sky. But although the sky was blue in the original photo, it wasn't exactly clear! In fact, there were multiple guy wires visible against the sky. So I decided to use a little digital magic, opened the image in Painter IX, and made them disappear with digital airbrush.