ACEO: Falling Leaves Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
September 22nd, I painted with Primary Blue and Titanium White, blending into a medium blue. (Not too dark.. not too light.) This was one of those many times in which I create a background for the fun of it.. just to feel the brush move paint around.. and not know what will be added later.
Maple trees are one of my favorite types of trees. I love the sound of wind moving through the leaves, the memory of climbing a few, and where ever might settle down.. I hope there will be a maple tree in the yard. While staring out my window on September 23rd, I watched as a few leaves fell to the ground.. and grabbed my notebook to see if I could draw anything closely resembling maple leaves.
Since I thought my thumbnail sketch somewhat resembled maple leaves, I attempted it with paint. I imagined the wind taking hold of a few leaves, making them twist and turn before reaching the ground. This silhouette captures that moment.. that illusion for a little while, leaves can fly.
On September 18th, I mixed a Primary Blue and Titanium White to create a vivid blue sky. I looked at the art card for days, trying to figure what I wanted most to be in that sky. I had considered something like an airplane or helicopter.. but the ideas seemed to be more from the head instead of the heart.
When I completed the painting.. 8x10: Arrival, I then knew I wanted to paint another heart shaped balloon. I started to wonder if the balloon was flying away on some adventure or landing after a long flight. Once it took a hold of me.. I decided to not have the ground showing in this silhouette. This balloon is soaring high above the ground merrily enjoying the journey of an adventure in flight.
8x10: Arrival Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 8"x10" stretched canvas. (From package of Titanium acrylic gesso primed canvases)
The last time I painted on stretched canvas was in March 2010. I have had blank canvases around me for a while, but I have been distracted by my amusement in painting art cards.
On September 19th, I had an idea to paint on stretched canvas. I started to set things up outside.. thinking I would try to paint there and attempt a video of it as well. However, a swarm of mosquitoes caused me to flee indoors. Thankfully, I had doodled a quick thumbnail sketch of my idea earlier that day.. so I could return to it another time.
On September 20th I painted the background near an open window. I used a little Primary Blue, a lot of Titanium White and along the bottom is Light Portrait Pink. The video of the background being painted can be seen on YouTube. (Check out the Video: Painting a Background on September 20, 2010 post in my Art Diary.)
September 21st, I added the silhouette with Mars Black. I had set up my new mini tripod to video the painting.. however mid-way during the process the next door neighbor yelled quite a bit. Due to this, I stopped videoing and tried to just focus on doing my very best to paint that hand on the side of the painting. I was very excited about the concept of this painting and did not let failing the video attempt discourage me.
I wanted it to look like the balloon was just released... but really it is returning. The concept is: Sometimes when it looks like Love is flying away, it is actually landing. It is an arrival, not a departure. The idea of balloons arriving instead of flying away came from a small adventure I had in July 2010. (Curious about the July adventure? Read about it here: Balloon Adventurers)
Usually I do not post my doodles on my Art Diary. (They just hang about on my Flickr.) However, since I had so much fun doodling this one (it was and excuse for me to test my new mini tripod) ..I wanted to share the 31-second time lapse video.
I placed the mini tripod on the edge of my desk, a small flashlight diagonally behind the blank art card and then I tried to ignore the camera was there as I played with the different pens on my desk.
ACEO: Seven Birds Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
On September 17th I blended Primary Blue, Brilliant Purple and Quinacridone Magenta into each other for a background. I ended up liking how it turned out and decided to give myself a few days to decide if it was finished or not.
On September 20th a simple minimalistic image came to mind and I thought it would be perfect for this background. I did not want to have a large silhouette that would block the background. Thus, I kept the ground very low and made the flying birds as small as my hand and brush would allow.
There have been many times when I have seen birds in flight and tried to photograph them. Only a few times has it actually worked. (Camera focus, birds lingered long enough, etc.) To be able to paint what I wish my camera could capture more often, was quite a delight.
Work in progress.. This video is just the background being painted for a future silhouette.
Transcription: Hey there. I am going to work on the background of a painting today. I have a bar stool, ceramic tile, a towel I've already beaten up in the past. ..Thumbnail sketch to inspire me.. remind me of what I am working on.. And an eight by ten canvas. I had tried to paint outside and got attacked by some mosquitoes. So.. I moved things indoors, by an open window. Just mixing some blue and white. This stage I'm not really worrying about the exact color. I like to cover the canvas.. even if I am painting with white.. Just like to cover all that waffle-y bit of the uh original canvas. I don't mind the texture coming through, Just want to cover all that white. Makes me feel like I accomplished something. [Loud sigh] Every once in a while I get a piece of solid paint in there. So I try taking it out with tweezers or edge of a card or paper. I'm a little neurotic about details. Gonna throw a little white in. Ah, and I hear some banging outside. The weather is cool enough for some construction today. [Short, squeaky giggle] Painting around the edges.. Doesn't look like much right now, but.. I always have a really messy phase where looks like I don't know where I'm going. Some days I don't, but today I know exactly what I want. Ok, I feel that I covered the canvas really well. Just going to rotate and check the edges. Yay! Ok.. Just want to lighten it up a bit more. I want a sky that looks really cheery. Not too icy. My favorite days are cool days where it's not too hot, not too cold.. You look up into the sky and there's that hint of blue.. But it's not too overwhelming. That's what I have in mind. Ok, so we have that basically.. covered. K. [Barely audiable, Whispered to self, "It's this one."] Sometimes when I don't use a brush for a while.. It feels like it's not as soft so.. I like to play with it for a moment before mixing it with paint. This is Light Portrait Pink. I think it's a romantic color. And since the notion I have in my head is a bit romantic.. I wanted to put this color in. Looks like it's not blending exactly according to plan.. That's OK. I'll make it work. Looks a bit rough right now. Um.. a thin brush. I keep hitting the tripod. [Sigh] I won't be able to do that.* Taking off some excess paint off the sides. [Singsong] And blend blend blend blend blend. I think this brush is too small.** [Fustrated sigh] Tripod..is..annoying me. [Short, self-depricating laugh] [sigh] Ok..Thankfully** I have a brush with a shorter handle. This is a bronzing blush.. bronzing BRUSH. It's more for cosmetics instead of paint.. [Singsong] But that's not how I use it. I never really use a bronzer. Blush? Sure. But I have seperate brushes for my face. [Sound of a saw] Hmm.. more construction outside. Trying to make that pink kind of wisp upwards. And, flipping it over.. So I have a similiar texture up top. So at this stage it might not look like much.. But.. after it dries. It will be perfect for a background And I'll add the silhouette a little later or tomorrow. Sometimes I like to use a fan brush to correct little areas.. It's probably not how you are supposed to use it at all.. But I like how thin it is and it gently pushes at the paint Or.. this angle it's more of a pulling. And that's it for now. Sooner or later it will be something more. Ok, Bye for now.
* 'that' meaning use the left hand the want I wanted to. ** 'too small' the brush was causing grooves in the paint and I had to be more careful.
I have been painting for over two years, but had not made a video of me painting in real time until creating this one. This video is of me painting (rather rushed) a bunny silhouette. It was my first time trying to paint a bunny at all. I believe this is the fastest I ever painted. I was very aware that the camera was recording and did not want the video to be too long.
Transcription: I think it's more fun watching the colors mix on the canvas itself. Makes the inner child do a little happy dance. Pretty much coated. I don't like any of the canvas showing through.. I don't mind the texture. I just don't like the.. white of the canvas. I guess it's a.. habit now, to try to hide every little square. It's like a minute little waffle. Ok, the horizon will be somewhere around there. (To the paint clinging to the tube) Let go. I like to make it curve along the edges and paint on the outside. This way if I hang it on the wall, look it from a different angle.. it's still going on. ..Be one of those things that no one really notices, but it amuses me. That's pretty much how I do a really simple sky. Looks like a windy day. Think I'll add a slight touch of purple*, just for fun. Probably hardly anyone will notice that later, (chuckle) but I like it. So this is.. Mars Black. It's pretty thick. I'll have to get a new one soon. ..Get another brush. When I was little I used to watch Bob Ross on public television. Can't paint anything like and I don't have any fun commentary like him. But, every once in a while I paint a tree and I think, 'Happy little tree!' Today I guess it's a happy little silhouette. Though it's dark because it's a silhouette, I think it'll be happy. It's an eight by ten canvas and I like holding it underneath. Knowing my luck, I'm probably breaking some rule about how you're supposed to paint. Probably line of sight or something. But, I'm still at a stage where I'm painting for myself, for fun. Some of my family and friends are amused by it. Which, is bonus. It's nice. I like a really sharp edge. Can't always get it to happen. But that doesn't stop me from trying. Really is thick black paint. I guess I've had it too long. And right here. Well, I have a certain holiday on my brain. That should become obvious. Try not to waste paint, I'm grabbing it from the other brush. (chuckle) My first attempt at painting a bunny. Drew one on a piece of paper nearby. Proof that my animal drawing skills aren't that grand. But cute in my mind, sure. Bunny tail. (chuckle) It's looking totally out of proportion. But when it comes to painting, I guess sometimes you do better than other times. Trying to make this a little darker. He's looking up. Little bit of the nose. Kinda looks like a chocolate bunny more than a real one. (loud exhale, chuckle) Gotta pick up some paint here and darken it up. I like to do finer details with my left hand sometimes. Easier that way. I like the little bit of light showing through, the paws. (sigh) Hmm. Looked like he hurt a paw. And.. I'll have to try it again sometime. Maybe paint over this one. Bunny! That's a problem**
*Dioxazine Purple **Refers to trying to put the painting down while all the edges are wet.
ACEO: White Lightning Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
On September 17th, I blended Primary Blue and Quinacridone Magenta with much less blue toward the top. It turned out to be very dark and I left it to dry, thinking I would paint over it the next day.
I did not paint over the dark background the next day. Instead, when I looked at it.. I thought it offered the perfect opportunity to attempt to paint lightning. I never tried to paint lightning before, but I tried to recall what flashes of lightning looked like and then recorded what came to mind with Titanium White paint.
ACEO: Waning Crescent Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
In the past, I painted a Waxing Gibbous and decided I wanted to revisit the idea. This time I would switch which part was light with the part was dark.. turning a Waxing Gibbous into a Waning Crescent moon.
On September 15th, I covered the art card with Mars Black and let it sit overnight to dry thoroughly. The next day, I put Titanium White on a toothbrush put aside just for painting. (I realized I did not have a toothbrush for this in NY yet, and my Mother gave me a spare to add to my NY brush collection. Thanks Mom!) Just like in elementary school.. I used the pad of my finger to brush at the bristles and star-like splatters formed.
In some areas, I went over the stars with Mars Black and splattered over it again, causing a variety in the density of the stars in the sky. Once the card was dry, I placed a US penny on the art card to help determine a location before painting a circle with Burnt Umber. Burnt Umber was mixed with Titanium White to create different shades while I worked on the dim side of the moon. The dim side is the part that catches my curiosity and made me want to work all the more carefully on those details. The Crescent was painted with Titanium White over a portion of the moon, making it the brightest section.
ACEO: Just A Door Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
The sky was painted September 14th with a hint of Primary Blue in a lot of Titanium White. I left it to dry completely overnight.. knowing I wanted to create a silhouette, but not sure what that silhouette would be.
The next day I painted the ground with Mars Black, making the horizon line rough to indicate grass. Then I left that to dry. I suddenly had the idea of what I would add.. but I had to take time to doodle out a thumbnail sketch. I never painted a door like this before. Once I had chosen how the door would open and look, I painted it in Mars Black as well.
I knew the title but not how I would spell it. Just Adore or Just A Door. I went with the literal spelling but feel when the title is pronounced instead of seen.. it is both an observation and instruction. If you can see it as a door to possibilities and a door to love.. you decide if it is just a door of if you should just adore.
ACEO: Triangles In Red Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
I started this on September 10th and took my time deciding each step of the way.
At first, the art card was covered in Primary Blue and left alone. I looked at it the next day and did nothing to it. On the 12th, I decided to make some triangles with Titanium White. A day passed and again I did nothing. Then, on the 14th I outlined the triangles with rough lines made with Mars Black. I knew it was not complete, but did nothing more until the 15th. I added a thin coat of Primary Red over the entire piece.
It is difficult to see where blue touches black under the red because of how dark it is. I find the simplistic shapes overlapping pleasing as I move my eyes from right-to-left and jarring as I move them back left-to-right. I am glad I did not rush this piece and feel it reached a happy conclusion.
ACEO: Autumn Tree Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
The leaves on the trees around here are still green, but the past few comfortably chilly nights have made me anticipate the coming change of seasons.
The sky is mostly Titanium White and just a hint of Primary Blue. I wanted the blue to look almost washed out, making the sky be a foreshadowing of Winter. Burnt Umber forms the tree branches. The leaves are made of Primary Red and Primary Yellow dancing over a thin amount of Phthalocyanine Green. All three colors are used on the ground to form grass and fallen leaves.
(The ruler under the minibook image is showing the measurement in inches)
Since I started using Strathmore paper for my art cards, I have been trying to think of what to do with my other unused art card blanks. I have some cardstock, acrylic paper, canvas paper and folder paper already cut to ACEO size and did not want to let it collect dust.
I decided to fold it in half, add five pieces of printer paper.. and used some old thread to bind it into a minibook. I poked holes in the acrylic paper before painting on it and this choice made things much easier to assemble once the paint was dry.
It was more fun to create than I had expected. Thus, intend to create a few more in the future. Some with blank covers and some painted.
ACEO: Bats In Flight Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
Halloween is next month and it is a holiday I enjoy. Thus, it has been on my mind and a Halloween sort of image made its way onto another of my art cards.
The day before.. I doodled some bats to see try to figure out how best to attempt to paint them. Then, I did a quick thumbnail sketch. After I knew what I had planned.. I set to painting the background. I wanted it to go from orange to dark purple. I mixed Primary Yellow with Primary Red for the orange and then blending upward with more red and finally mixed a little Primary Blue to create a dark purple. It was then left to dry for the night.
I had intended to paint the tops of a few trees and then place the bats in last. However, when I sat down with the Mars Black paint, I painted the bats first. I later found this worked in my favor as I was able to bend the tree limbs to point toward the bats and interact with them a bit more. It was a lot of fun to paint Halloween bats in flight.
I doodle windows and candles often, but due to being intimidated by having to attempt to draw straight lines.. I have not attempted to paint a window until now.
I painted the background the day before blending upward with Primary Yellow, Primary Red and Primary Blue. The red and the blue were much darker than I planned.. so I threw in a bit of Titanium White to make it easier to see the planned silhouette. I blended for quite a while and worried it would become too muddy. Finally to remove some deeper valleys created by my brush strokes, I swept the surface from yellow up to the blue with a cosmetics brush (blush brush) I use only for my acrylic paints. It created a slightly wood-grain-like look that I was pleased with.. so I left it alone to dry for a few hours.
Later, I returned with Mars Black and painted the window frame. At first, I tried to keep things much thinner.. but it kept growing as I had difficulty making the lines look uniform. I accidentally smudged the paint many times and had to go back to correct my mistakes. But, there finally came a time when it looked like a window and I left it to dry for the night.
I had thought that painting the handle of the candle holder was going to be more difficult than it was.. but by turning the art card and moving slowly, it worked out. I planned on having the candle unlit but waited until everything else was dry before attempting the wisp of smoke.
With the wisp of smoke, I tried a bit of white and it looked too bright. Gray looked too out of place.. and I worried that black might look too dark to look like smoke. However, after many attempts the paint started to dry and become difficult to use. The paint became increasingly difficult to get onto the art card. Just before I was prepared to put more black paint on my tray I gave it one last try. The paint only partially went on the art card as I moved my thin brush.. and it produced a rather wispy result. Usually when this occurs, I paint over the line once more to thicken the appearance. In this case, it was perfect just the way it was.. making the candle look as if it was just extinguished.
I feel that it is a sleepy sunset. One can imagine someone blowing out the candle, putting aside a book they were reading and preparing for sleep.
ACEO: Waiting To Write Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
I created the background on September 7th with the intention of returning to add a silhouette. However when a friend visited and suggested that I attempted to paint a feather.. this art card was suddenly destined to go in another direction..
On September 8th, I painted the center line of the feather with Titanium White and then let it sit for the day.
September 9th I returned to the art card and formed the rest of the feather with Titanium White and a tiny amount of Burnt Umber to highlight the center of the feather and add a little more detail to the fluffy part.
Usually I do not pose my doodles on my Art Diary, but I had too much fun with this one to not talk about it. I was given some fun art supplies for my birthday, including Crayola Colored Pencils. I had to play with them and see what might happen.
I tried to create a silhouette of trees along the bottom while forming a rainbow in the sky. Outside of the rainbow, the sky is made up of three shades of blue blending into each other. The rainbow is made of pencils marked: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet (Purple).. so other than indigo, I completed the traditional ROY G BIV.
ACEO: Stormy Night Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
I have been wishing for more rain lately. I miss the sound against my windowsill. I miss the way it makes everything grow. The way it makes everything look cleaner for a little while. And, I have found myself daydreaming about my craving for rain.
I tried to imagine the most turbulent sky, the most intense tempest.. and then I put paint on my blank art card until I felt I created a stormy night, starting just at the very end of sunset. I imagine if the sky looked like this, it would be very rainy, windy and there would be a threat of a possible tornado.
Although it might look like an attempt to paint heart-shaped confetti.. it is actually a visual love poem. There are no words. Love is sometimes pure as fresh snow and other times as passionate as fire. Being in love can make one blue when far from their loved one(s). It could be joyous and make the lover feel like they could fly. It can bring out our dark sides.. our light sides and sides of ourselves we never knew. Love goes beyond words and that is why this is my love poem without words.
First I covered the blank art card with Mars Black and let it dry completely. Then I returned with Titanium White and created the shape of the candle and flame. I had to wait for that to dry before continuing. Then I used Titanium White and some Primary Yellow. A tiny hint of Quinacridone Magenta to add some shading to the melted candle wax. Finally a hint of Primary Blue was mixed with white to get the flame-core blue. A touch of magenta was put on the end of the blackened wick and then brushed in the black near the candle flame to break up the darkness just a little.
This painting is a combination of thoughts in my head from the past few days. First.. being from Long Island, New York.. when there was concern about a hurricane.. there was mention of Montauk Point on the news. Maybe I was brought there as a small child, but I have no memory of Montauk Point. All I have is what my imagination draws in my mind.. a lighthouse on the very end of Long Island.
The second is the cliche, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight" I have heard this my entire life. Even though I am not a sailor, I think of that cliche every time I see a very red sunset.
Montauk Point is on the East end of Long Island.. so painting a sunset inspired by what my imagination thinks of it.. creates a situation that would not a occur. The end of Long Island is the place to go view the sunrise over the water. This is not really Montauk Point.. but it is a lighthouse and it is during sunset.
September has only just begun, but already Halloween keeps coming to mind. I love Halloween.. especially carving pumpkins. A relatively new tradition of mine is carving pumpkin pie as if it was going to be a Jack O'Lantern, and then eating it that night. So the image of a carved pumpkin is key to how I celebrate Halloween.
I never really thought my trees looked spooky, until I painted two near a glowing Jack O'Lantern. The glow from the carved pumpkin breaks my usual silhouette, but was a lot of fun to try. The night sky is a mix of Dioxazine Purple, Primary Blue and a hint of Titanium White to make the horizon a little lighter. The silhouette is Mars Black. The glow from the Jack O'Lantern is a layer of Titanium White with two shades of orange (Cadmium Red Deep Hue and Primary Yellow mixed together)
Yeah.. back in March I painted a Bunny Silhouette on an 8x10 canvas.. but I love bunnies, so I wanted to do it again. This time, as an ACEO and this bunny is a sleepy, unlike the sitting-up, perky Easter looking one I did in March.
There are many wild bunnies in my neighborhood and I always love seeing them. They have fun ears and sometimes they look like they want to take a nap as soon as the sunsets. This bunny is inspired by those I have seen in town and even in my yard.
I began by painting the night sky background on August 30th, let it dry overnight and put the silhouette portion on the day after. The sky is a blend of Dioxazine Purple, Primary Blue and Titanium White. The silhouette is made of Mars Black.
After painting tree swings in black and white while in Las Vegas, NV (one month ago).. I knew I was going to revisit the idea. This time, however, I added someone sitting sideways on a long swing looking up into the vast sky. If I had a tree swing, I doubt I would be able to resist sitting outside during some quiet evenings.
On August 24, 2010, I filled the background of this art card with Primary Blue and then let it sit around for days as I tried to imagine what I might add. I got to the point where I thought I was going to end up painting over it, when suddenly I decided to add Light Portrait Pink.
I played with a long handled brush, drawing curves all throughout the blue void until I felt the piece was complete. With paint, I purposely drew squiggles, numbers, loops and incomplete circles. To me, it looks like ribbons falling through the air.
ACEO: Tree Silhouette Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 110# Georgia Pacific smooth cardstock
When I first started to mark the names and dates of things I painted.. I was not as organized as I am now or as organized as I hope to become. In January 2010, I learned about ACEO's and this is the first one I ever created.
I painted this piece to experiment with smaller, more intricate brushstrokes than what was needed on 16x20 or 8x10 canvases. It was a fun and soothing experience as I imagined the peaceful hour of twilight.
Just to see what would happen.. I asked my husband to put it on eBay. We posted it for very cheap and at the end of the auction, there were a couple of bids and it sold for just over one dollar.
Now I use the image for my web banners and avatars.. but I realized I never actually posted it on my Art Diary. So, I decided to correct that.
ACEO: Tree In Bloom Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", 246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.
I just wanted to try a cheerful image. I love trees, so I went with that. First, I painted the tree bare, and then I added layers of green. Two shades of magenta (thanks to mixing in white) and then another layer of green to add depth to the leafy section of the tree.
What sort of blossoms are on the tree? Other than 'pretty pink' I do not know. But, I did end up finally having a non-silhouette happy painting. A tree in bloom on a sunny day. Looks like the fun place for picnic or to sit and read a book.
On August 24th, I played with a lot of Primary Blue. I left the blending of blue and Titanium White on this card, and knew I would add more to it later.
August 27th, I added a waterwell. Every once in a while I see a well in front yards, just for decoration. I always thought they looked pretty, but this is my first time attempting to paint one. The sky is dark, and the silhouette of the waterwell nearly blends into the that sky.. giving the painting a feeling of early evening.
While mixing Primary Blue into some Titanium White, I felt myself drawn into how they blended. So, I grabbed a blank art card and began painting. At first I thought it might be the background for a silhouette, but after a few moments, I tried to create the ocean.
When I was nearly completed, I began thinking things like, "What if the ocean was strands of blue hair?" and "What if the ocean wanted to dance?" And as I tried to think of answers to these silly questions, I realized the painting already had. If the ocean.. had blue hair or wanted to dance, it would look like this.
I sometimes see emotions like a river. I certainly associate bodies of water with emotions. Different colors and color combinations have different feelings..
While painting this, I had thoughts in my mind about concerns and some stress.. but then I started to feel relaxed as I continued to paint. Although the stresses were still there.. they were able to be balanced by soothing sensation of taking time to just relax.
I love the rain. The way it taps at my windows, splashes in puddles, makes things shine just from being wet and the way plants seem to wake up after the rain.. are just some of the reasons why I like rain. I have even tried to take photos of raindrops..
As soon as the idea came into my mind to make a painting that looked like the turbulent surface of a lake or even just a puddle during a rainstorm.. I knew I had to try.
I wrapped my index finger in a small piece of plastic wrapper and gently touched some paint to it. Then I lightly tapped the paint onto the art card. I would pick up a bit of paint and tap the card about three to five times, blending the color a bit and trying to be careful with how I lifted my finger. I really did not want to smudge the paint, I wanted this painting to look like rain splashing down. When I did accidentally smudge areas, I just picked up more color and tapped over the mistake before continuing on.
Two days earlier I had completed ACEO: Spinning In Phthalocyanine Green. This idea was still very fresh in my mind when my palette still had plenty of Primary Blue to work with.. so I had to see if I could work with Primary Blue.
I used a concealer brush that I keep for acrylic paint instead of the cosmetic use it was created for. Often turning the art card, I tried to avoid straight lines, curving each brush stroke in a spiraling pattern.
Although it might look like a sphere, a tunnel or even the sky spiraling.. I find myself imagining it is light shining through a blue glass vase.
ACEO: Moonless Sea Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
While mixing mostly Phthalocyanine Green and Primary Blue.. (I say 'mostly' because the brush was dirty with other paint, but it mixed in well).. I was daydreaming about water, waves, the ocean and how it might look on the night of the new moon.
I have seen moonlight on water, but never really studied where the light was absent. So, in my daydream, I imagined how dark the water would be with no moonlight in the night and let the paintbrush express where that daydream took me.
ACEO: 7PM For Her Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
I brought my painting supplies to the dining room table, put down a plastic garbage bag (to protect the table) and proceeded to play. One of my sisters was sitting there with me, with a space set for her to play with paint too. I asked her to give me a time of day.. and she said 7PM, and clarified this meant before sunset.
I used Primary Blue to make the sky very blue. Some Titanium White was mixed in to soften it up a bit and then a small amount of Light Portrait Pint was used for that hint that sunset was nearing the horizon. It was fun showing her how I made a bit of a gradient instead of keeping the sky a solid color.
Usually when I paint a tree, it has no leaves. I love looking at tree branches, so that is what I like to show in my paintings. However, knowing I planned to give this art card to my sister when I was done.. I added leaves. I wanted the tree to be lively. I imagined fresh green leaves and maybe some small blossoms mixed in. I was worried I would not be able to make it look like leaves, but it worked out in the end.
It is 7PM For Her, the sister that suggested the hour. Now that I have learned I can create silhouettes of trees having leaves.. I want to revisit the idea in the future.
On August 20th, I covered two card blanks with green paint, this was one of those two. The first card became ACEO: Spinning In Phthalocyanine Green and the second transformed into ACEO: Nine Magenta Roses.
Some fresh Phthalocyanine Green was was coated on the background as well as a hint of Titanium White. I started playing with placement of circles to decide where the roses would be. I wanted it to look like a tight bouquet.
Once I was set on the placement of the roses, I added Quinacridone Magenta, creating spirals that mixed with the layer of green. Then I began adding small amounts of magenta and white to each rose until they finally took shape.
If my camera took abstract photos, I think this is what a bouquet of roses would look like if I tried to take a close-up shot.
When I work on paper or canvas, I tend to like to cover the original bare white with paint. I do not mind the texture showing through.. in fact, I often like seeing that texture. Covering the canvas or paper in paint gives me a satisfying sensation of completing a step in the process of creating a finished piece.
On August 20th, I covered the card blank with a blend of green and white to make a minty green. I picked up the minty green card on the 22nd and layered on the Phthalocyanine Green. The minty green was put on in a spiraling motion, because I had already had this image in mind when covering the blank. Although the acrylic paper canvas-like texture shows through, all the brushstrokes are curved.
I worked on the piece so long, that the paint felt like it was drying way too fast. Thin layer upon thin layer of spirals in Phthalocyanine Green before I added a small amount of Titanium White to add some contrast in the green.
Is it the inside of a green marble being twirled in a spot light? Is it spiraling vortex or door to Wonderland? A rotating emerald pretending to be a disco ball? What ever it might be, we are definitely spinning in Phthalocyanine Green.
Often I look at a blank piece of paper or canvas and feel I need to write, doodle or paint. The urge to create within that void and see what happens.. I think the sensation and giving into the urge is a lot of fun.
When I was in elementary school and told we had to paint.. I would spend my time studying a single tree (always the same one), creating tulips, or mixing colors together just to see what happens. I knew if I mixed red and blue, then I would get purple. But I would try to get different shades. To this day, I like mixing colors just to see what will happen.
With this piece I used Dioxazine Purple and Light Portrait Pink. I covered the paper with purple, let it dry and then proceeded to mix the purple with the pink. I ended up with a lighter purple before I began moving the paint into different shapes. Circles, triangles.. mixing the paint and just enjoying the moment of watching color swirl.
After a while, I added more pink and more purple and made starbursts. The process moved slower as I carefully added the colors to the existing paint and worked on not over-blending the paint. I really like watching the swirling patterns emerge and did not want to erase them by mixing too much.
The only brush I used for the mixing and created the starbursts was a concealer brush. It was made for cosmetics I use this brush only for my acrylic paint. The backside is signed in Dioxazine Purple with the use of a thinner brush.
ACEO: Windmill Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
I spent hours playing with Primary Blue and Titanium White to make the sky, as well as Deep Green with Titanium White for the ground. Layers upon layers of thin coats of paint to make the sweeping look.
At first, I was just going to have a sky and field.. looking as it would if I was spinning in place and staring at the world. But suddenly the urge to attempt a windmill came into my mind and I gave it a try. In the end, I feel like I am looking at a paradox.. the sweeping sky and field look like there is a lot of wind, but the windmill is frozen in time.
ACEO: Cloud Shaped Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
I worked on the background on August 16th, but when I went to add more.. my mind drew a blank. I had to put it aside.. not knowing if I would get back to it soon or not.
August 17th, I decided to put in a cloud formation. I worked a bit on the background and then added the cloud. When outside, I often stare up at the clouds. My imagination meanders and the clouds always look like different things. Clouds that look like bunnies.. or Italian bread.. or any number of things. I always find it fun to look up.
With this painting, I had intended for the cloud to look like a horse, but it seems to look like a dog, a spider or some other creature. In the end.. the only thing I am sure of.. is that it is cloud, that is certainly shaped like a cloud.
ACEO: Peeking Dog Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
I do not always know what I am going to paint when I begin, but this image was in my head for a few days. I sketched it when I was running too low on white paint to attempt it. I was specifically thinking of an image that I thought a sister of mine would like.
August 16th.. Basic blue sky was set, the dog house, three layers of green to try to look like rolling hills and the dog was completed. To paint the dog, I asked my sister to email me a photo of her dog. I stared at it and carefully painted the doggy in the ACEO.
August 17th.. Added more to the sky, breathing life into what was originally just a solid light blue background. Decided that three sections of green was looking weird.. so I re-did the yard. A tree was planned, but after all the time that went into the doggy face and being pleased with it.. I was not going to cover half of it with a tree.
I played with the texture of the lawn until I felt the dog had a well groomed yard, but his neighbor's grass looked tall enough to hide a doggy. The cheerful doggy is peeking through overgrown grass, at you.
(Want to see a macro of the doggy face and get to see a photo of my sister's dog? Click here: Doggy Inspiration, to view it on my Flickr.)
I had an idea, but while I was low on white paint.. I did not want to attempt it. So with an ACEO blank and the nearest pen.. I quickly created this doodle.
The peeking dog looks more like a bunny.. so I used some arrows to identify things. I even knew which side I wanted to put the signature once I tried this with paint.
Sometimes I imagine emotions like a river, flowing along. Sometimes I can enter this river and feel I have control of myself. Other times, I feel I am swept away. Even the smallest things can sometimes change the way that river flows. A moment, a word.. and one emotion suddenly flows into another.
Thinking of what different colors and color combinations mean to me in terms of representing emotions.. I began to layer them. Using a paint knife, I covered all of the white of the paper and let the piece be consumed by that emotion of the first color. Then, slowly I added a second color, a drop of another and finally a fourth. Each color slowly merged into next as I thought of the fluidity of emotions I experience on any given day.
My Father wanted a sailboat on his luggage.. I quickly sketched something out and he pointed to the back of the boat and requested more of a straight line there. Basically he wanted something similar to my earlier sailboat silhouette, but simplified.
At first, it was just going to be a line drawing, but done with paint. But I felt it was difficult to see where the sails really were, so I ended up filling it in. The texture of the luggage was difficult to work with, but it was fun to play with something new to me.
Acrylic paint is not really the best medium for this sort of project, but my dad thinks he will not be using this luggage for much longer.. so the boats did not have to last forever. It was nice to just get to play. I painted this wispy boat on one side and a solid boat on the other. By the luggage wheels, I signed with a mini sailboat, the letter D and indicated the date.
(To see the solid sailboat and signature, click on the image of the Wispy Sailboat to be redirected to my Flickr.)
I wanted to paint pieces inspired by things my parents like. My father likes sailboats. He likes the water, sailing.. thus I knew my content.
I wanted to show a day with some wind, but calm seas... something that hopefully would be ideal for smooth sailing. I have painted silhouettes of sailboats before, so I went with the same type of image.. but colored it instead of just being solid black.
White sails were difficult to see on the soft blue sky.. so I went with a dark blue to really call attention to them. The part where the sailor would be is all Dioxazine Purple, the cabin is the purple, mixed with a bit of Titanium white. I added some waves around the boat.. particularly a wake.. to show that the sailboat is moving forward.
On August 16th.. I painted a silver background and stopped at that point. On a piece of scrap, I tested how different colors looked over the metallic paint, trying to decide what to add. I went to sleep thinking I would attempt some sort of doodle with lines.. but had no real solution in mind.
August 17th.. I asked my mother what type of flowers she liked. It is a painting cliche, but I wanted to try to create a flower. Also, I wanted to create pieces inspired by what my parents like.. and I already had an idea of what I was doing in regard to the one inspired by a thing my father likes. Mom mentioned roses and lilacs. Particularly, Red roses.
The only red paint I currently have is Cadmium. With some blending, it ended up looking more like a dark pink flower. It took me quite a while to get to where this painting was finally at a complete stage. I think when it comes to flowers.. I definitely need to take some classes. But, it was fun to try.
Quinacridone Magenta and Mars Black are used with SIlver are used in this card. Once I completed it, I regretted not using the better paper. Due to this.. I think I have reached a stage in which I should only use my inferior paper for quick thumbnail sketches.
Since I had just used these colors in an ACEO completed less than an hour before starting this one.. they were on my mind and got used again.
The magenta was used to cover the original color of the paper, then I added the black and moved some of the paint back and forth with a feather touch of my paint knife. I really wanted to have a layer of dark with the magenta peeking through.. something to express sorrow with the attempts to cheer up showing through. Then, I put on a heavy layer of silver and carefully brushed the knife along to blend it in.
Once it dried and I looked at it again.. I felt it captured what I wanted: A storm of sorrow with a mix of the madness of trying to be happy.. and the cliche of clouds having a silver lining. It is a reminder to myself.. that when I have bad days.. even the really big bad days, there is usually something good mixed in.
I used a couple of plastic painting knives and no brushes to create this maze. First, a coat of Quinacridone Magenta covered the white paper. Then I mixed in Mars Black, a hint of Titanium White and a thin layer of Silver.
I kept moving the board the card was on as I drew lines that formed the layers of the boxed labyrinth. The flow of the lines sometimes move toward the center, while other times moving away. This way, the choice does not have to be made between entering the maze or exiting.
~9x6: Silver In The Sky Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on a (approx) 9 x 6 piece of denim cut from an old pair of jeans.
I have a few pairs of jeans that are too torn to wear or donate to others. I had thought about trying to make paper from them, but never got it. Painting on them was something else I just never got around to trying, until today.
In 2008, I accidentally got some acrylic paint on a pair of jeans and discovered no matter how many times they went through the wash.. that spot never went away. It made me think that if I painted on jeans.. the painting will last.
Today I cut a piece of my jeans and decided to give it a try. First, I painted the section with Mars Black. I have only the tiniest bit of white left and knew it would not cover the section. (Time to buy new paint!) Then, I let it dry almost all the way before I mixed in some Quinacridone Magenta, directly on the denim. A hint of Titanium White was added to try to improve the contrast.. but the white is at the very end of the tube. (Think of someone squeezing out the last bit of toothpaste.. except it is paint.)
I waited around. Started another ACEO. It took a while for the paint to dry enough that it was at the nearly-dry, but-still-tacky-to-the-touch stage. I added the full moon and plenty of stars with Silver metallic paint. Then, with a smaller brush, I swept some more black and magenta across some stars, completing the illusion of an evening with wispy clouds and silver in the sky.
I had some excess paint, so I painted the art card gray. I had thought I would return to it later when something came to mind. But then, I started drawing lines and it turned into a meditation of sorts.
I did not want to draw straight lines, just spirals and curves. Then my imagination took hold. A couple dancing.. a swan floating by.. acrobats.. a hydra? All in the gentle currents of the wind represented by curved lines. It may appear rather simplistic, but I did take my time with it and had a lot of fun.
ACEO: BW Thin Swing Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
When I looked at the ACEO: BW Tree Swing painting, I really liked the swing. I immediately wanted to try again, to improve it, to see what would happen if I tried to recreate that concept. Since I was not home yet, things remain in only black and white.
Instead of just 'zooming in' on the previous tree.. I created a different one. I wanted it to have more negative space in the tree itself so that the swing looked like it was part of it, instead of just attached.
The swing ended up a bit thinner than I planned. But, I am pleased enough with it.. that I feel inspired to try again (soon) when I have free time at home to give it more attention.
ACEO: BW Tree Swing Originally uploaded by diannna-art Acrylic paint on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2, 110# Canson Acid Free acrylic paper.
When packing to visit Las Vegas, NV.. I brought five paint brushes, a handful of acrylic paper and two tubes of acrylic paint. (One black, one white.)
I did not expect to have much free time.. but there were some windows of opportunity when I was too tired to leave the hotel room.. but awake enough to casually paint.
I revisited the image of a tree. I adore trees. But, somewhere in the back of my mind.. a faint hint of a memory from elementary school days was this swing in a neighbors backyard that hung from a tree. Next thing I knew, I was trying to capture that tiny piece from my brain.
Signing the art card with coagulating paint was not my most brilliant of moments. It is hard to read, but it does say: DianNna
