ACEO: Heart Constellation. Completed July 27, 2015

ACEO: Peace Constellation
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2",
246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.

In one day, three constellations were worked on. Primary Blue, Primary Red, and Titanium White blended into an evening sky for each of them.

A thin brush was used to put the Heart constellation in the sky. This was after a toothbrush was used to place the distant stars. Mars Black paint was perfect for the silhouette of the land below.

The orginal doodles can be found on Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diannna-art/19440741033/

ACEO: Anchor Constellation. Completed July 27, 2015

ACEO: Peace Constellation
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2",
246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.

After one constellation was done, I wanted to continue. Primary Blue, Primary Red, and Titanium White blended into an evening sky once again.

I made a bit of a mess using a toothbrush to create the distant stars. Paint was getting all over my hands. It was worth it when I saw the end result. A thin brush was used to put the Anchor constellation in the sky. Mars Black paint was perfect for the silhouette of the ocean. The waves are a generic shape to try to get the point across as quickly as possible, because I wanted the focus to be more on the sky.

The orginal doodles can be found on Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diannna-art/19440741033/

ACEO: Peace Constellation. Completed July 27, 2015

ACEO: Peace Constellation
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2",
246# Strathmore Acid Free acrylic paper.

I had the idea for symbol-constellations and doodled them on paper. After that, it was time to try it with paint. Primary Blue, Primary Red, and Titanium White blended into an evening sky.

I recalled my childhood art class, and grabbed the toothbrush that hides among my paint brushes. The stars in the background were made with it. A thin brush was used to put the Peace constellation in the sky. Mars Black paint was perfect for the silhouette of the land below.

The orginal doodles can be found on Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/diannna-art/19440741033/

8x10: So Much Sky. Completed July 23, 2015

So Much Sky
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 8" x 10" stretched canvas.

After painting a few minis, it was time to work with more canvas. I went to my stash and discovered one was ripped. Another dented. I used the one with the slight dent thinking it'd be 'just for practice' and it turns out I liked it.

Once again I got to mix colors, as I am working with only Titanium White, Mars Black, Primary Red, Primary Blue, and, Primary Yellow. Creating the sky made a mess, as green happened there when I didn't have enough red at one point. Mixing shades of green was so much fun when working on the fields that go on forever as there is 'so much sky!' This idea was inspired from when I was away from home and kept saying there was so much sky where I was. It was lovely enough to try to paint.

Wish the photo was not from the side? To see it from the front, check out the image on Flickr: So Much Sky (front)

Mini: The Anchor And The Kite. Completed July 21, 2015

The Anchor And The Kite
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2" x 2",
Artist's Loft mini canvas panel.

The concept is an anchor rests to steady upon the beach, and a kite could be lost to the wind if not for being attached to the anchor. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to paint it. I tried anyway. I often feel like that kite flying around without direction-sense, and worrying a storm will strike me.

Primary Blue dominates the mini canvas panel. A clear blue sky and an almost calm ocean. I got to practice mixing colors like I was a child again. It was delightful to watch the sandy color form from Primary Yellow, Primary Red and just a hint of Primary Blue. Titanium White was used to draw the anchor and kite pieces before trying to blend them into the scene. With the warm weather in New York lately, I couldn't resist trying to make the water look welcoming.

Mini: A Louisville Sunrise. Completed July 17, 2015

A Louisville Sunrise
Originally uploaded by diannna-art
Acrylic paint on 2" x 2",
Artist's Loft mini canvas panel.

It has been a while since I have painted. There has been only a handful of exceptions in the few years hiatus. I felt when returning I should go back to silhouettes as I favored them the most. Also, I wanted to start small. The only tubes of paint I picked up were: Titanium White, Mars Black, Primary Red, Primary Yellow, and, Primary Blue. It might not be immediately obvious, but a bit from each tube ended up on this mini canvas panel.

I painted sailboats in the past - this time I tried a submarine. My first review on the finished piece was, "It looks like a little building." Even though it doesn't perfectly look like the submarine I had in mind (USS Louisville (SSN-724), I am pleased I broke the ice and returned to painting.