Well.....sort of a new painting. It all started out with one of the papers that I painted. I liked it so well that I decided to mount the whole thing onto a canvas and go from there, but things weren't going well, and the new painting is underneath this one, which I would call a new collage--
Let me tell you the story of how this Gypsy came about. Like I said it all began with this painted paper--
Very cool--don't you think? Well, I put it on my canvas and started adding more details to it, and I was liking it even more. So I decided to make a new face for it. She was coming out very well too.....and then I started painting her, and I started not to like her....but she was okay. But the more I kept trying to "fix" her, the meaner looking she got....so I said...forget this! and I just reached for a pretty scrapbook paper and covered her and my original painted paper ALL UP!!
So then I figured I could try some techniques that I've been wanting to do. The first one I did was the gel transfer of a face that I had done in my Moleskine journal last year. I knew eventually I would want to do something with her. And last year in my workshop with Sharon (BTW, this is an on going workshop--Faces--All Norah's--GREAT class!), I learned how to transfer inkjet copies with gel medium, and ever since then I wanted to try doing it to one of my faces. I just printed her out in black and white, did the transfer, and it worked!
All I did, was redefine her features and hair, and let the scrapbook paper take care of the rest of her face. So where did all of this distressed shabby texturing come from--this came as a result of all my other techniques that I tried to do and failed at. Everytime it didn't work out, I would just say--the heck with this, and then I would cover it up, and then I'd say--ooh, I kind of like this. This kept happening--over and over--until I ended up with all of these layers and textures. If I was trying to go for this look, I probably couldn't have done it, and I Love it!!
This is a good lesson for me--not to give up!
So if you want to find out more about her, you can find her in my Etsy Shop.
And this week was the final lesson for the Strathmore workshop (boy that 4 weeks went by fast!). This was the fun part--the doodling--whatever came to mind. Pam suggested using paint pens. And this is how I started out--with my Sharpie paint pens (black and white), but the lines were looking a little too clean for me, so I decided to get out my favorite doodling tools--my brush tip pitt pens. I probably have every color known to man. I like these because they don't dry instantly, and I can smudge them with my finger. And when you do this, they dry more translucent, so the background comes through. Here's my finished page--
Yesterday, I was planning on finishing both of my pages. I didn't realize that one page with just the finishing touches would take me 2 hours! It felt like 2 minutes. I realize now that this is my favorite part of journaling--the process--not even realizing how long you've been sitting and just playing--very therapeutic! So now I get to do the page next to it! And I learned another little technique that I know that I'll use again. I painted with the white paint pen, and then when it was still wet, I wiped a little around with a baby wipe--really liked that!
And this is for all of you Idol fans. What do you think of the new judges? They're much more gentler with their constructive criticism, don't you think? Randy is now the mean one. It seems that this year, the show is focusing on the better singers as opposed to the bad ones...so far. I really like Steven Tyler's fun personality, but I miss sassy Simon.
61 comments:
Diane I LOVE this piece!! The face is beautiful and I love how it transferred! I am also in the Faces class with Sharon. I jump around alot and have a few classes going on so I need to get back to it! You are right, it is a great class! Its cool how things you thought were mistakes aren't so at all!
I haven't watched idol in a couple of years but watched with the new judges and I like it so far! It does seem as though they are focusing more on the good ones. I don't miss Simon but was surprised at how Steven did and I really liked Jennifer Lopez. I liked how she shared that it was tough giving the feedback. And yes, Randy is the mean one for now! I hope it will be a good season!
The painting is amazing! I love your process and all the details. I also love how you experiment and take it one step at a time. Really shows in your work! It looks finished, rich and lots of yummy texture. :) Need to watch Idol, still haven't been able too.
Beautiful new piece! don't you just love happy accidents, when things don't go right so you have to come up with something to "fix" them which turns out wAY cooler then the original plan...that's the best!! Wonderful! Love the completed journal page too!
xoEsther
They are both excellent. I love all the color and layers. Thank you for taking time to post and share.
Beautiful Diane, I love your work!
Kisses.
Wow - your gypsy is SO beautiful! I love all that you did with her. I see some crackle effect, too. I'm still trying to perfect that. It never seems to work for me! LOL And your journal page is astounding, too. Everything you create is so colorful and full of life. :)
I caught snippets of the "new" Idol. Steven Tyler cracks me up. We'll see how the season progresses.
Have a great night!!! Theresa
I love the waxie look of all your art work. I think the eyes of the girl on canvas are stunning. I love her expression, green is one of my favourite colours.
I am in that class too and I was only looking back to see about the napkins last week.I learned about tranfers through Sharon and would like to use more of them in my paintings. Xx
your transfer is gorgeous and so is your other girl! It sounds like your journal class was a lot of fun. I'm trying to journal more too.
Very cool and so beautiful! I love all the texture and the beautiful faces! Jennifer:)
Both of your girls turned out great! I love it when something isn't working out and you keep messing with it and painting over and it comes out!! I have one I will post in the next day or two--her eyes were so high up in her head and when I painted over them, I thought I had ruined her--but I like her alot now. And Idol--I like Steven--don't care too much for Jennifer and I miss Simon!!!
Hi there!
This is sooooo beautiful - I love her gentle eyes and all the beautiful and rich detail. Just stunning! Thank you too for visiting my Mom - it was so nice of you. LOVING new new season and although I'm missing the other judges (what happened to Keira? was that her name? I loved her)! I'm just so happy that it is on again. So happy to see you at House of Art - should be really fun.
Beautiful! I just love your work!
Love the piece!! I love doing transfers also. They are so much fun!!!
well these are so pretty! I love seeing how she started off :) and what pretty faces! Your paintings always make me feel sunny and warm :)
WOW Diane....she really turned out lovely...gonna have to keep that in mind just keep pushing thru the mistakes...I love the textures and grundgy look to it...very pretty....and your journal pages turned out lovely...I've been wanting to take sharon's faces class for awhile now...think gonna treat myself for my birthday..take care.
Oh, she's so pretty. I've been wanting to try doing transfers of my own drawings, it turned out awesome! It's so freeing to remember that it's your painting and if you don't like how it's turning out, cover it up and try again. :)
Now about American Idol. I was determined not to watch this year(not thrilled about the changes)but my kids really wanted to. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I agree with you though, I miss Simon.
Have a great week Diane!
Much Love,
Jenny
Diane, both of your girls are gorgeous. They have such expressive eyes. I'm glad you kept working on them and didn't give up.
Ack. I keep meaning to watch AI but I guess I missed it again!
ooooooooooh...they both are the SWEETEST ever and all your special "diane work" encorporated to make for stunning reviews, seriously, dahling...they are just the BEST ever! xo guess who?
...annnnd i thank you for all your instructions added and enticements for us all!!!!
Oh Diane. As always, it came out just beautiful. And thank you for sharing the process and that sometimes things don't work out the way you think they will and you just keep on going. It is nice to hear someone else has "do overs"!
Both are stunning!
I'm doing the journaling workshop too and I love it! :) I realized I was stuck in a frame of techniques that worked for me and didn't even try to break out of it. This workshop made me do it. :) Both of your ladies are amazing. And I love the proccess you went throught with the first one. For me it was Wyanne's class that made me realize that I should never give up. I can always fix it no matter how bad it gets. :)
Your new piece is Gorgeous! Its funny how mistakes end of being a favorite. Love your journal page too,believe it or not I started doing one and then I never had the time to finish watching the videos to continue. At least it was a free class so I didnt waste any money. And as far as idol,that first night was a tear jerker with a couple of sad life stories with happy endings so far. I like the judges I think but I do miss simon.
What an amazing finish to what became quite a process! The layers and effects on this first piece is so appealing, beautiful. You achieved such rich depth of colour with your second piece that you posted. Love the old world oils feel to the piece, hard to believe you accomplished that primarily with brush pitt pens!
Diane - your journal page came out great... we knew it would though.. you had great bones there to work with!
BUT....
But........ your painting... you mess ups... oh my.... it's just stunning. I love it with all the layers that your oops caused! Fabulous!
You still have a photo of your painted paper too so you can recreate it and use it again... or print it and transfer and collage it into your work over and over. Sweet.
Fabulous pieces D! Love all the detail and textures you combine so wonderfully.
For the life of me, I cannot get the inkjet gel transfers to work for me...always disappointing...any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Oh Diane, she is gorgeous, the more you look the more she enchants you. beautiful work my friend
take care for now and have a great week
June
I can see you have been busy Diane - beautiful faces...
My girls look mean somtimes...ha! This girl is wonderful..so, I'd say you "fixed" her. All the layers give it an old world look. The uni-ball Signo pen I ordered from Dick Blick.
Mary
It's so TRUE!! the greatest lessons I've learned by painting my 20 faces is that if I'm not happy with it- I'm just not finished yet. DO OVERS in art are like life- we always have a second chance, third chance, etc... to get it right and our failures become the layers of lessons underneath the hard won success.
OH AND I absolutely love both pieces- awesome, awesome work and detail!
Oh Diane, I love your girls, they are so beautiful!
Never give up! I have a few like that - and one waiting in the wings for a new face. At the moment she just looks so sad, I know I have to do something with her! I absolutely adore all this grunge and crackle. Thanks for sharing your process, it's always such a joy to read how an artist gets to a finished piece - almost as good as looking over your shoulder while you create.
I like seeing the progression and how you worked around something you didn't care for without just chucking it out! It looks great.
My husband and I refuse to pay for cable or satellite, just got a roof antennae the other day so I will have to check out American Idol. Prior to the Antennae we only got 1 channel! and it wasn't FOX. Are we behind or what??:)
Diane this is simply stunning as are all your pieces...please let me know when you make another Angel Piece...I just LOVE them! Hugs and eay to go with your Etsy Shop!!
She is beautiful...so thoughtful and romantic! ♥ I love the mixture of colors, too! ♥
First, thanks so much for coming by even when I haven't had any time to visit. Your continued support means more than you can possibly imagine.
Isn't it fun when you get these serendipitous moments? I love it when that happens. Your new lady is a real beauty! I love to read that you get lost in your art, too. I thought I was the only one.
Beautiful work Diane!
oh diane, the gypsy in you is coming out & painting up a gorgeous storm///love it all!!!
& the new judges, i think they
got it just right this year!
xox
I love this! And I love reading about your process. Yes, you are right, sometimes if we don't give up it can end up to bee a masterpiece!! I think I do like the new judges and Steven Tyler is really very funny. Randy is trying to be mean but he is really not a mean person so at least it's not a mean as Simon---but I kinda miss him too.
wow wow wow!!!!!!!!!! You are such an amazing talented artist!!!
I love your canvas....the painting is beautiful, but I also really love all the script detail you have added....utterly amazing.
Love the 2nd piece to...the image is beautiful and I love the string of hearts......you are such an inspiration!!! Hugs Juls
Diane they are both beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. I loved reading your process in creating, thank you for sharing the details with us.
love your art and your blog! Thanks for stopping by and nice to 'meet' you. The "it's ok to not know" statement is so much of what is going on right now in my life! We just both took early retiremtn (he is 55 and I am 54). We are putting our condo up for sale and hoping to move into a larger place so we both can have our own space...so I just have no idea what is NEXT? I guess it will be revealed and I just need to be open and show up. Right?
Elizabeth
I was here yesterday, I didn't comment then because I was working on the painting I posted for today, and what you said made me want to get right back at it and see if I could get something.
I had this old wall in mind, a wall like I use to see in abandon houses when I was a kid. There were many layers, paint, plaster, wood lathe, parts chipped away, there was even newspaper on the walls or pictures, just like collage only it was someones home or had been. I remember seeing lists and marks on the wall indicating how much the children had grown.
It is very exciting, you work in this post is stunning I can tell your having a wonderful time. I sort of don't want January to be over it sort of feels like a free month, and also I am able to do a lot more now so not as much art work. I can run some of my own errands now, and go to therapy alone. However recovery is a good thing and I am thankful for it.
Diane..Girl, I'm Lovin' This Piece! I Can't Get Over How Cool Your Process Was! Especially Loved The Profile And Edging. I Need To Check Out Sharon's Class.
You are so talented!! This is gorgeous! Oh and Congratulations of being featured(O:
Lovely pages! I tend to record and ff through the bad singers, that I can do without. But, love seeing the good ones. Yes, I miss Simon too but, love these judges. Have a lovely week. ~Theresa
Beautiful work...even the side of the canvas looks great. Rich colors and textures.What you thought were mistakes , were actually part of the process.I love that...great lesson = )
Both pieces are gorgeous but the first one just grabs my heart...and I love how it all came about...I swear as soon as I make a mistake now I usually find if I go with the flow, it helps me make something I like better. And you are so right, it is all about the PROCESS...just like I told the parents of my Kindergarteners years ago when they'd get upset because their child would scrbble or go out of the lines! EEEEEKKK
At least American Idol has us all talking and Simon will be back in the fall with X Factor...:)xoxo
Love this Diane! Thats what Mixed Media is all about! It is just going for it. There are no mistakes. Both those pieces are great!!! Love them!
Beautiful work...love the sides of the canvas!!!!!!!!!!!
This is amazing. The eyes on the first image are ALIVE! LOVE all the textures you achieve :-)
Diane - you are amazing. I started that Strathmore workshop also (probably heard about it from you) but I did not keep up with it. Ugh! I am so thoroughly, totally impressed with your creativity. You inspire me to try to just let it flow, something I am not always good at. I so enjoyed reading about what you have been up to. The face is enchanting. I love it!
Stunning work - truly magnificent. There is so much beautiful art out there!!
~magick~
Meliss
WOW!! Your work is just so amazing!
Oh Diane these are amazing!!!! The second one is brilliant! : )
This painting is beautiful! You should be really proud of yourself. I'm so glad that you are enjoying the resin class. Thanks for leaving such a nice comment about it. As for me...Steven Tyler is totally making American Idol for me! Love ♥ Wyanne
Diane, those beautiful faces! I too am a fan of gel transfer...there's a Yahoo group call 'inkjet_transfers' that you may enjoy...lots and lots of techniques and ways to use the transfer process.
I did Wyannes's resin class too...so good, right?!
Diane you have achieved what I dream of...this is how I imagine my faces but I just end up drawing faces and not get g to this point...I love it, will need to look into the class you did, is it an ongoing one?
Glad my blog post got you a sale YAY! Fabulous, take care xxx
wow, i really like your mixed media pieces, they are over the top creative!!!...the details--amazing
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