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Thursday, April 7, 2011

A New Face and A New Class!

And  no  paint  was  used  in  the  making  of  this  face  (or  hair  for  that  matter)--


I  used  my  Conte'  crayons  that  I  got  a  while  back  after  reading  about  these  on  people's  blogs.   They  were  highly  recommended,  so  naturally   I  had  to  get  them.   So  I  really  didn't  read  the  info  about  them  entirely  and  I  just  assumed  that  they  were  a  different  kind  of  crayon--silly  me.  They're  actually  pastels,  but  alot  harder,  so  not  as  much  dust,  and they  blend  beautifully.   And  if  you  want  to  take  some  off,  they  just  erase  with  a  kneaded  eraser.  So  you  definitely  have  to  spray  a  fixative  on  them  when  you're  finished.   I  also  used  some  of  my  colored  pitt  pens  for  color.  I  like  to  wet  them  with  the  paintbrush  for  a  watercolor  effect.

I  added some  of  my  style  with  the  crackle  paint  and  lace--




And  I  also  applied  some  of  the  techniques  that  I  learned  from  Christy's  She-art  class  on  the  sides  of  the  canvas--



All   on  a  6 x 18  canvas  from  Dick  Blick  (love  these)


And  see  those  butterflies?  I  used  my  new  Martha  Stewart  All  Over  the  Page  Punch--


This  is  the  neatest  little  gadget--punch  anywhere  you  want  on  the  page,  and  the  best  part--you  can  see exactly  where  you're  punching  when  you  flip  it  and  the  paper   upside  down.--so  if  you  wanted  to  make  a  pattern  on  your  paper  for  collage  or  as  a  stencil,  you  could!

And  I'm  very  excited  about  my  new  online  class  with  Jane  DesRosier,  better  known  as  Grittyjane--Portraits  and  Papers.   Jane  is  the  very  first  artist  that  I  found  on  the  internet  when  I  was  just  starting  with  mixed  media--way  before  I  ever  even  thought  of  having  a  blog.   I  think  I  actually  found  her  on  Ebay  first.   And  through  these  last  few  years,  her  art  has  evolved so   much.   I  didn't  think  she  could  possibly  get  any  better,  but  she  has--she  is  truly  an  inspiring  artist  and  a  very  sweet  lady.   And  she's  offering  what  she's  learned  by  teaching  portrait  skills  mixed  with  her  very  unique  collage  work.   I  think  the  art  that  she's  coming  out  with  right  now  is  my  favorite  so  far.  The  price  is  very  fair  too.   If  this  interests  you,  go  check  out   her  class --if  anything,  check  out   her  art--amazing!!

60 comments:

  1. This is such a gorgeous face! Love it! And the tall and skinny canvas. :) I heard about Jane's class but haven't yet decided to join.

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  2. Hi Diane! Thanks so much for Jane's link to her class. I just signed up! I too love her art and her sweet nature. She is one of my vary favorite artists. Your girl is fabulous!

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  3. Very nice. I really like the face ...and the hair ...and the added lace ...and the canvas size. Wonderful piece.

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  4. Hi Diane,
    Thanks for all the great tips today. The butterfly stencil looks like an amazing little tool to have. I love the way in which you have used the butterflies in the piece that you created. I also very much like that size frame. The class looks so interesting. I would like to take it but it does hit at the busiest time of year-gardening season! Maybe I'll try to sneak it in anyway. Thanks again.

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  5. Love your girl! Such a beautiful face and I can't believe you didnt use any paint on her. Now I have to go and buy some conte crayons,butterfly punch and sign up for the class. My husband is gonna kill me I now spend money as i'm reading blogs LOL.

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  6. Like always I come here relaxed and a little sleepy as it is early and then just like that I feel the urge to hurry and get to the art room. This is beautiful, and I also like the size. You use a multitude of things with such success. Your info on products is always good. I call it truth in advertising.
    Such a pretty face and composition.

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  7. Diane your girls are always gorgeous!! Love her! so cool you did it all with your conte's and markers! Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing the link to the class. I will be sure to check it out!

    And the butterfly punch looks great. I have been wondering how to make my own stencils. Thanks for the idea!!

    :)

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  8. Beautiful work! Thanks for the class links - I just spent way too much money because of this blog post!! :)

    I was looking at the crayons you linked, and did you buy the portrait set?

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  9. This is gorgeous, I love all the details and her face is beautiful. I will check out that class as I really want to get into mixed media. I love looking at mixed media and want to try my hand.

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  10. Stunning!! The fact that this is crayon, not paint -- and you've worked with them so beautifully. You've inspired me this morning!!

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  11. Truly beautiful Diane, love the butterfly punch and yes your girl is stunning x

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  12. Love what you're doing Diane. If anyone has evolved a lot in the past year it's certainly you!!

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  13. Love the face!!! And I didnt know they where not crayons either:O) Ive been wanting to use them. Love coming on your Blog because youre work is awesome and you share what you learn:O) Thank You for always sharing:O)

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  14. Hi Diane,
    I just love your artwork and this gal is beautitul. I love that you used the Conte crayons. I would like to try them too. I like the way you used other textures too. And the butterflies! I have that punch too and I just love it.
    Thanks for sharing and have a great Thursday.
    Sonya

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  15. what a beautiful piece, love her and how you finish out the background.

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  16. SO AMAZING MY FRIEND! her face is so pretty, it looks like you are having so much fun! i love when that shows through along with beautiful work! xo

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  17. Hi Diane, this piece is beautiful.
    I love all the details you add to your work.

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  18. Beautiful face, great work. I love those skinny canvas as well. I have one I'm working on right now. I like that you used the Conte pastels, they are awesome. You always create exciting faces.

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  19. Love her face and her hair do! Beautiful as always Diane. :)

    See you in class, I just signed up!
    xoJenny

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  20. Love the butterfly lady! And thanks for the info on the class. Looks interesting.

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  21. i'm particularly in love with the palette you chose for this. so vibrant it *hums*.

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  22. Thanks for coming by my blog and leaving a comment Diane. I came here to find your email and I am mesmerized by your art. That face is gorgeous! And I love that it's not paint... uh oh. More stuff to try!

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  23. Diane your work is absolutely inspiring. I love this post, the detailed pics and the tips. I had not heard about Jane before...heading over there next. Thank you!

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  24. Oh, absolutely scrummy, just beautiful. So well coloured :-) I love the size of that canvas
    Anne xx

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  25. Such a pretty girl. The shading on her face is fabulous.
    Love all the lace and butterflies.
    The canvas edges are as beautiful as the main picture.
    Lesley x

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  26. Beautiful, as always! One of the things i enjoy so much about your blog is the product tips you share. You have lead me to try things I am sure I would not have discovered on my own. Next up is the Martha punch. I am curious what other shapes are offered.

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  27. Everything you do always never ceases to amaze me. You are so inspiring!

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  28. Love this sweet face Diane,-and as alwayes your wonderful colors-those crayons seems fantastic.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  29. I do love the tall canvas. Great work. Thanks for all the tips too. Just fantastic. Kim

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  30. She is gorgeous Diane, I love your style. I've never tried Conte crayons either, like you I thought they were just another brand of crayon! So that's another thing added to my shopping list!

    Ro

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  31. Another amazingly beautiful piece, Diane. I love her. Thanks for providing the link to Jane's online class - I will have to check it out. I completely trust your recommendations! :) Theresa

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  32. Hello Diane,
    This piece is beautiful and full of the spirit of spring! Well not my wintry spring....
    Thank you for sharing how you did that, i love hearing the details.

    Lovely week to you.

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  33. what a beautiful piece!! i can't believe it's crayon! the face is just amazing!!

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  34. She is wonderful..I like the canvas size also.. The color is great also. Thanks for the the other artist info..Will have to check it out..

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  35. Ooo...if I wasn't doing the 21 Secrets, I would totally sign up...her work is wonderful!

    As for you, Diane.....you have magic in your fingertips!!! Gorgeous, gorgeous!

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  36. beautiful! i think your art is amazing too!

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  37. Even when you switch mediums Diane, this face is still so Diane. I love it!!

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  38. She is gorgeous! I especially love the depth of color in her hair. This is the first I've heard of Jane's class. I'm so excited! It's been a while since I've taken a class, so I think I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip!

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  39. Oh wow, this is perfection, Diane! I love your art--I love your style...it is fantastic. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
    XO
    Cindy

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  40. Yay... you're taking Jane's class!! I love here art too and want to take her class, but I haven't signed up quite yet. I'm a bit intimidated because I suck at portraits, but i want to learn anything I can from Jane because she's amazing. But hopefully I can sign up, then we'll be classmates!!

    xoE

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  41. Hi Diane...wow!!! Your faces keep getting better and better! Every thing about it is great! Thanks for the info about the class, sometimes it's difficult to get around to see everyone's art. Jane is a big favorite of mine.
    Mary

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  42. Thanks for the tip on Jane's class. I think I'm going to sign up, too. It combines 2 things I love...portraits and collage. Your piece is wonderful.

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  43. Hooray! I finally made it. My internet has been so slow, it took me 15 min. to get this page to come up.
    So, I will say everything that I can...haha!
    Firstly, thank you for visiting my blog, I really appreciate it and the comments you leave.
    Second, I absolutely am in love with this picture, it is truly awesome, I wish I knew more flowery words to describe it. Her face is so beautiful. I hope you're proud of yourself, because you definitely should be.
    Third, thank you for the info about the crayons (never heard of them, but want to give them a whirl) and the art class, I think I may sign up for that, I've always wanted to try collage.
    Your blog is lovely and I enjoy browsing through your amazing artwork. Thank You!!!

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  44. Diane this is just beautiful. I love your work and always enjoy my visits by here to see what you have created.
    Hope your having a great weekend
    Love
    Maggie

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  45. Another beautiful face! I love the color! I haven't tried the conte crayons yet...thank you for sharing!

    I signed up for Jane's class, too, and I spent all day yesterday watching her videos! It's a great class!

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  46. I'm totally impressed with this new gal. You did a marvelous job making her and I like the tip that you must use fixative when you are finished working in one area.

    The size of that canvas would be hard for me, but I see you really love them. Love that you make it work so well.

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  47. Hi Diane! Thank you for visiting me and leaving your lovely comments. What a beautiful blog you have here! I love visiting you. You have such a beautiful heart, and your gift for sharing is wonderful! Gorgeous art work my friend!!!! All my love, Zinnia

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  48. This is just beautiful! I love what you did with the new crayons - I have to check those out - thank you! And your work is stunning as always :0 xo

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  49. As always, your work vibrates in my heart like a song of angels.
    I needed this.
    Gris

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  50. Wow Diane, she is gorgeous! your faces are so exquisite! That butterfly punch looks great, I will look for that next time I am in Michaels.
    I didn't realize Jane's class started yet. I was thinking about joining, but I have so much on my plate right now, I'm afraid I'd get overwhelmed.
    I will see if it's an ongoing workshop, which means I can join anytime :-)
    xoxo

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  51. This is so gorgeous., I just love the effect you got with the conte crayons :-)

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  52. When my old pastels run out I so would like to try those. The results are beautiful! So tempted to take Jane's class. I have taken a doll class from her before.
    Have a wonderful week. Theresa

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  53. Hi Diane, thanks for visiting! I'm a new follower of yours now as well - that artwork you show here is so pretty - love these butterflies! Have a fun day!

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  54. Beautiful work.....Lovely face ....I am going to check those links....thanks , I am taking Self guided portrait " Goddess and Poet" at SuziBlu and I think I could use these crayons..

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  55. Absolutely gorgeous! I bought some conte crayons as well, but am too afraid to use them. ;)
    Much Love!

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  56. another great canvas..punches are great arent they and thanks for all your nice comments on my blog

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  57. Stunning, Textured...Gorgeous! I love everything you create Diane! Everything!! Hugs!!!

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