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Friday, April 4, 2014

Time Away From Home - Shenandoah by Fran


BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Last summer McSpousky and I drove along the Blueridge Parkway overlooking the lovely Shenandoah valley.  There were so many lovely sights and I took bunches of photos. I wanted to make a drawing or painting of the one below. 
Though not my original intention, I made two of them.  Both of these are ATC card size.  The one above is actually the second one using colored pencil with accents done with gel pens.



This was the first painting that I made.  I used my watercolor pencils and the process was an interesting one which I thought that I would share with you.

1. Make sketch on watercolor paper
2. Color lightly with watercolor pencils and carefully apply water.






At this point it looked OK but true to my nature I had to do more and more until it was a mess, entirely too dark. So:

4. Throw ruined painting in the trash and start on drawing number two while stealing glances at painting number one which is calling to me from the trash can. "Save me." it whispers. "You can do it."
5. Take discarded painting out of the trash, put it in the kitchen sink and spray it fiercely with the spray attachment.
6. Scrub painting with the plastic Teflon scrubber and then hang it up to dry.

   Day two
7. Continue working in new details on the now dry first painting with colored pencil.

Look at both pictures and decide that neither does
the photo justice but each does have its own
character.


14 comments:

  1. Fran, both of these are gorgeous!!! You didn't want an exact copy of the scene anyway, and this way your delight in the scene shows more. I had to laugh at the drawing in the trash calling you. I'm glad you listened. I have done the drive along the Blue Ridge Highway and it is spectacular. You captured it well!

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    1. Thank you Joan. I fell in love with that whole area. Both our families began their lives in America in this region of the country. I wish they had been able to stay there.

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  2. Fran, you made me laugh with this! I love both paintings. Beautiful colors in both.

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    1. Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed my little story.

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  3. But you created two new pieces of art - you already had the photo. Your two paintings incorporate your memories of the moment. You get a medal of bravery for your washing technique. Lovely paintings, I am always amazed at how much detail you can put into an ATC.

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    1. Thanks Jez. Sometimes you have nothing to lose so just wash it out.

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  4. Learning experiences, both from traveling and artistically. Great story! Pretty paintings. I like to experiment, too.

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    1. Thank you Penny. I am glad you liked my little story.

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  5. Both of your paintings are gorgeos! Good story too. Thanks for sharing for us!

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  6. Guess what? I think both your paintings are prettier than the photo scene! LOL Really. Love your sticktoitness.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynn, I just really have a hard time throwing anything away.

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