Tag: watercolour

  • 94. JFK Bust: Legend and Legacy

    94. JFK Bust: Legend and Legacy

    Miniature bust of JFK and an ink and wash sketch
    JFK bust from Safari Ltd

    Today’s random object was a toy bust of John F. Kennedy. While I sketched, we talked about what made Kennedy’s presidency so striking.

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  • Chicken Adventure

    Leghorn rooster

    Recently I read a study about how humans mark time. Why Christmas seems so far away to kids, but New Years was just a few days ago to adults. It boils down to “core memories”. When you’re a kid, there are tons of FIRST TIME events. The first time you saw a duck was an exciting time for you. You may not remember the exact date, but it was a first. It was likely followed immediately by another first of being chased by a goose. Or the first time you kissed a girl. Or the first time you drove a car… There are a lot of firsts for kids. All of those firsts make the marking of a year seem like a very long time. As an adult, you’ve likely seen lots of waterfowl, driven lots of cars, and kissed plenty of girls. As the novelty wears off, so too do the making of memory anchors to mark time. One day you remember sitting at the table helping your son with his homework, and the next day, he has a whole little family of his own. And that time flies for everyone.

    New flamingo exhibit at the Houston Zoo

    To combat that, you have to have new adventures. You have to try new things and make new memories. You can do this in a lot of major or subtle ways. Try a new restaurant. Go to a new festival in a new town. Even something as simple as changing up your seating arrangements at home. All of these things create distinct anchors. The more anchors you have, the longer it seems for time to pass. Or, maybe it just feels like you’re living your life on purpose instead of it just being something that happens.

    At the Clay Festival in Gruene, TX

    A few weeks ago, I started having new adventures every Saturday. We’ve been at it for a month now. First, we went to the zoo. The next week, I had a volunteer weekend at work. Then Girl2 and I went to a two story bookstore and saw a movie in a different theater. Week before last, we went to a ceramic Clay Festival in Gruene, TX. And this weekend I went to a rescue farm to sketch chickens

    Intense chicken staring

    I took my sketches and used them as a reference for this little sketch I managed to knock out during a break at work.

    And I did a color study for a larger painting.  There’s a video of that over on the YouTube: https://youtu.be/6qWQxZ9UFtw

  • Biker Once More

    Motorcycle with backpack strapped to it
    Azula loaded for an art ride

    I bought a motorcycle last October. I told the wife I needed one and she agreed. It’s a 2011 Yamaha Stryker 1300. I will be cruising along wondering why everyone is going so slow before I look down to discover I’m going 90 and couldn’t tell.

    I’ve been unemployed (again) for a little over a month. After a morning of filling out applications, sending resumes, I decided to load the art bag on her and take her out for a spin.

    30 minutes down the road from me is No Label Brewery. Founded in 2010 they are in an old rice grainery. I thought the grainery would make a nice sketch so that’s what I did.

    rice grainery
    No Label Brewing Co.
    ink and wash sketch
    Ink and wash sketch

    I did most of it live on Twitch, but it was difficult to get the camera to stay still, especially when the wind picked up. However, I did manage to video most of the process so watch for it on the you tube. I’ll update this later with the link.

  • Mixed Media Rooster Art Journal Page

    mixed media rooster painting in an art journal
    mixed media rooster painting in an art journal

    I have been prepping a lot of canvases to paint more. When I can’t think of anything to paint, when nothing else moves me, I am going to paint a rooster. It is the year of the cock in the Chinese zodiac so that is my motivation. Painting big…. roosters. Ba-KAWK!
    This week’s easels come to us from Jamie Lynn a.k.a. artistpoetgirl, Pauline Chandler and Patrick, and Pamela French!
    You need to subscribe! http://goo.gl/NyELT
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    Krylon Safety Yellow: https://goo.gl/UHqtNO
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    Windsor Newton Professional Watercolors: https://goo.gl/6y6BbM
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    Golden Absorbent Ground: https://goo.gl/NJ2s4w
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    a good book to work in: https://goo.gl/cQ6Mm5

    The Artistic Biker is a blunt force journey through the art world and art journaling. If Bob Ross, Red Green and Justin Wilson had a love child, it would be The Artistic Biker!
    Each week I produce The Artistic Biker Live! on Ustream, then upload the edited videos here. There’s usually a brief beginners art tutorial, and then I demonstrate the technique, and then practical application of the lesson in my art journal. I use everything from graphite pencil and charcoal, watercolors, acrylics, spraypaint, I’ve even used valentine’s candy. So what are you waiting for? SUBSCRIBE ALREADY! http://goo.gl/NyELT
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    You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ni_RBBVdSdo

  • Painting Class: Fire Hydrant Finale

    Tonight in Painting Class I finished up the fire hydrant example I have been working on. We talked about pushing the colors, using quality materials, atmospheric perspective and the whole lot. Immediately after I turned the cameras off, I decided to ink it. I'm really glad I did.

    The class is online and free at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/19435761
    The password for the class can be found in the current newsletter here: https://www.artisticbiker.com/newsletter

    #ab

    In album The Classroom (1 photo)

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