When it comes to Art, you might think I’d consider myself a “Creationist” but in fact, evolution is more than a theory when it comes to painting.
Intelligent Design is always essential, but the photos below provide the proof that my latest painting did not spontaneously appear by accident or lucky break. It evolved very deliberately with lots of thought at every point of it’s development. Here is the step by step progression. I hope you enjoy seeing the process…
It all began with my original photos. The photos below were taken on a recent vacation. My sister-in-law is a beekeeper and I got quite a few nice shots of her keeping her bees. I liked this gesture and decided to try and merge it with the beautiful sunlit cottage I admired and photographed.
After my recent workshop with Ken Goldman, I can now combine and design composite imagery using iPad’s Art Studio App. This combination of the above photos created a story I wanted to tell, and became my working reference. As you can see, my reference is not a great photo but its a super tool for me to use as a guide for my painting.
After transferring a sketch of the composite image onto Aquabord, the whites were masked and wet paint applied into the wet surface creating paths of color.
A little bit more value added here and there…you can see the surface is still very wet. The gray areas are masking fluid.
A few more adjustments and some lifting while things begin to dry.
Masking is removed after initial wash is dry. Values assessed with working mat around painting. I love using mats to evaluate paintings in process. So far so good…
Shadows on the porch are added along with foreground flag detail.
This painting has now reached what I call “awkward adolescence”. As with children, awkward adolescents need to be loved and coaxed into maturity. We can’t give up on them…and praying over them never hurts! I’ve been known to pray for miracles, and receive them ????. To see the progression of this painting from this point to its final completion you can check out this subsequent blog post: https://rebeccazartist.com/2016/05/evolution-2-0-creative-process-completed/
As with most issues, keeping your sense of humor is essential in painting. We have to enjoy ourselves and have fun along the way. Enjoy the process! None of us are getting rich doing this, so we may as well laugh and have a good time. Here is a final cute comic I stumbled upon related to evolution. I hope it brings you a smile…my gift to you today.
If you’re interested in learning more about watercolor, painting, or art in general…come to class! Subscribers get early updates on new happenings in my studio. Painting classes are happening each week, and we have a great time loving our paintings into maturity…(even as we bang our heads against the wall once in a while ;-). When we do it together, it’s not quite as painful, and can actually be fun! The friends we make along the way are fabulous. Join our merry band of art enthusiasts by contacting me to reserve your seat in an upcoming class.
New workshops, Free lessons, Travel opportunities and classes all get announced here first. So sign up and subscribe today! If you do, this blog will come directly to your inbox in the future. In my next blog, I’ll show you the step-by- step progress toward finishing the painting featured here today.
Speaking of Travel…I’m getting ready to head back to Tuscany for my EAT PAINT COOK TOUR 2016. If you’d like to join us, I’d love to share it with you! Here a link to the brochure with all the details. Sign up today, since spots are filling fast and enrollment is limited! EAT PAINT COOK TUSCANY- 2016 Brochure
Happy painting y’all!
Share Love, Spread Light, DO ART! Give Back.
PS- Workshop update:
Two openings have come up at the last minute for the upcoming Watercolor workshop with my favorite instructor, Karlyn Holman. If you have the week available during March 13-18th, join us for a week of watercolor techniques. You’ll learn more than you can imagine and it will be a true gift to your inner artist! Cost: $500, includes dinner on Monday night. Here is a link to the brochure. Watercolor Fun and Free- Karlyn Holman 2016
Can’t make it this year? It’s not too early to sign up for her workshop in February 2017.
The incredible Steve Rogers is also coming here to Myrtle Beach in November 2016! Seats are going fast so think about coming to beautiful oceanfront Myrtle Beach, SC for a chance to study with this masterful artist. Here is the photo-filled brochure for his workshop. Painting Light and Color- Steve Rogers 2016 Workshop
Contact me today to register.
PSS- This aquabord surface is wonderful to work on! Here’s a link to purchase if you’re interested…purchase aquabord
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Keep in touch…I may want to take some classes . I may stop by when I am up that way…I live in Pawleys Island.
I’d love to have you stop by the studio. I’m there about 11 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On other days, the studio is open for painting pottery, and you can look around. I’d be happy to meet you there if my schedule allows. ?
Rebecca, this is a great article. I love the process! Thanks again for sharing.
I will bring the painting into the studio for you to see it in person today. Its a little further along now… ?
[…] It’s Wednesday, and I’m missing my art buddies from class! I’ve been painting up a storm and enjoying my time away, and thought I’d bring you up to speed on one of the projects I’ve been working on. Not too long ago I wrote a blog on why I believe evolution is more than a theory when it comes to painting. I believe that if we use our heads and bring some Intelligent Design to the evolution of our paintings, they can deliberately evolve into something bee-utiful! (Sorry- I just had to take advantage of that one! ? ) Here’s the rest of the story from my preceding blog on this painting. Did you miss the original article? No problem…here’s a link to that blog https://rebeccazartist.com/2016/02/evolution-not-just-theory-comes-painting/ […]