Artists who Tweet. The new Art communtiy on Twitter.

In case you haven't noticed, Twitter has been getting a lot of attention these last few months.  Oprah.  Larry King.  Basically any celebrity, A-list, B-list, TV personality, or otherwise has a Twitter account.  They sell their CD's, they promote their shows, they spill way to much info about their personal lives. 

But their are also those of us who are finding Twitter to be a wonderful way to connect with a huge array of people with similar interests, hobbies, or other common characteristics.  One of my favorite groups to connect with is fellow artists.

Artists, like myself, are finding Twitter to be a great way to share new work, discuss techniques, get feedback on on-line selling venues, find out about shows and competitions, and in general connect with other artists who are doing their best to share their work with the world.

Twitter has, however, been starting to become over-loaded with spammers and computer robots that fill the otherwise friendly banter with virus links and other land-mines.  It's becoming more difficult to find REAL people on Twitter to connect with.  So I'm inviting anyone who is on Twitter - REAL people who are on Twitter - who are interested in Art, Galleries, Museums, or similarly minded topics to post here.  I would love to get to know you on Twitter!

And hopefully, you will join in the conversation with others who post here, too!

I am http://twitter.com/krystyna81

PS...I monitor comments, so don't panic if it doesn't show up right away - thanks :)

Deal of the Day! Half off this very popular print!

A great deal of the day! Only $7.50 for this print - usually $15! I will keep re-listing if it sells...please try again or contact me via my Fine Art on Etsy Shop if it's sold when you click :)

TODAY ONLY!

Experimenting on watercolor surfaces - Wallis paper vs. Aquaboard

Last night our (very democratic :) figure group decided to skip the gesture drawings and go right into a long pose! Few! Thank goodness I warmend up the night before!

The fabulous miss D wore her very long hair down and struck a powerful pose - full of confidence and attitude.  I worked with watercolor pencils on Wallis paper, not know if I was going to stick with just that media or layer on some pastel as well.

Well I was haveng WAY too much fun with the watercolor pencils! The Wallis paper worked great - I blotted my figure drawing a little (NO rubbing or the paper towel falls apart and sticks to the paper!), let the water drip and pull color down the page, layered several colors, and even up until the very end was able to "erase" any spots I didn't like with just a little bit of water rubbed into a spot.  I need to invest in some good watercolor "cakes" to really start playing!  If you have a favorite brand, let me know!

The second pose of the evening we shall refer to as "the fainting couch" - the studio has this sofa/love seat set that sucks you in so you NEVER want to get up. Very dangerous spot.

So our model sank into the sofa and I asked for a pose with her arms raised, and she came up with this great position.  I love the angles, the way the light fell on her torso, and the gestures of her hands.

I was using an "aquaboard", which was more slick than textured, like the Wallis paper.  It took me a little time experimenting to really understand how to work with the surface.  It seemed to absorb the water very quickly, and didn't allow for a lot of dripping.  So, maybe I need a better brush - one that holds more water.

I was able to layer quite a bit with out getting muddy, and the drying time was very quick.  Also, I was able to "erase" right up until the end, when I adjusted the shapes of the shadows on her torso.  So, overall it wasn't a bad surface!  But I think I'm having too much fun with the wallis paper :)

New Pastel Drawings of the Female Nude. Bright, Rainbow Bright, and REALLY Bright!

Ok I guess I have to re-learn how to load my photos on Blogger now...they have changed the format, and I don't know what I'm doing yet! So these are actually in REVERSE order from how I drew last night...

So let's start at the end, shall we?

This is my last drawing of the evening.  I wasn't happy with the rainbow one below, so I spent at least a minute just looking and thinking before I started drawing.  Slow down, find some interesting lines, push the shapes and colors...I was much happier with the result.

This is the second drawing of the evening - I was in a dark corner, and I think I got carried away with my bright colors.  At one point I added that huge shape of creamy pastel to her back to tone down all the colors I had layered on there.  It's not a total loss, but it needs...something.  Maybe a focal point? A better color story? Not sure yet.  I may have to stick it on the studio wall and see what comes to me.

This is actually the first drawing of the evening.  I only had a fraction of my Nupastels with me (I left the big box at home! urgh!) and I also forgot a paintbrush or terry towel - you can't wipe this paper - (I was working on the Wallis paper for the second time) - with a paper towel, as I learned last week (too many bits of paper towel get rubbed off on the paper).  Despite my frustration over leaving some supplies behind, I am really pleased with the figure.  Our nude model was very a elegant woman, and the lighting on her back was extraordinary - AMAZING shapes, low-lights and high-lights.  I feel like there is a bit too much blue right now, so I may add a few layers of color in the stand and the drapery, but that's about it!

You can see more of my figure drawings of the female nude in my Fine Art on Etsy shop!

PS...I also can't figure out how to do a "spell check" either - so please forgive my horrible spelling!

Some local press! Saints and Angels Art Show - getting the word out!

Here is my very handsome model showing you some recent press for the "Saints and Angels" Show that opens this Friday in Woodstock, GA.  The top is the front page of the Lifestyle Section of the Cherokee Tribune, (Santa is looking at my painting! Photo by Ann Litrel)  and below is an article about the Raffle to benefit "Everyday Angels" in the Townelaker/Around owne Magazine.

Thank you to everyone who is helping us promote this great event!

I take the same photo every year. Fall Leaves on our front tree.

I'm pretty sure I take this exact same photo every year.

 This tree is so pretty, especially against a gorgeous blue sky.

Open Figure Drawing Group - Woodstock, GA November Schedule

Come and join us any time!