The last of my Grands…

If you’ve been following the last couple of posts then you know I spent some time doing a series of colorful/fun portraits of my seven grandkids this spring. Today I’m sharing the last of those, my twin granddaughters. I worked on these at the same time, adding to one as the other dried. The process began with a sketch and proceeded from there with black & white underpainting, backgrounds and the final layer of color.

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The image I was work from had Miss A’s hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She did NOT care for the look, feeling it wasn’t “girlie” enough so during a visit I sat with her and changed it to her natural, gorgeous, head of curls. I have to say, it captures her much better! Below are the two final images of these beauties:

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I still haven’t figured out where I’ll hang all these fun pieces together, right now they are placed across the side of my desk and I’m enjoying seeing them each day. Next up? Well, firstly I decided to go “old school” artist and do a self portrait, which was an interesting experience. I also received a commission to do two more adorable “Grands” which will be fun too!

Hope you are enjoying the onset of summer and keeping yourself safe, healthy and well. Love to you from your randomly creative friend,

Lynne

The Grands Continue…

In my last blog post I featured the first two colorful portraits that I created of my grandkids. I’m continuing with that topic today. This one is actually the one I painted first, just to see if I could! It kicked off the whole idea of painting each of them! My youngest/teen grandson (and yes, he had pink hair at the time!). These are some of the progression images:

I got a little carried away with the hair and had to go back in a shorten it up, then re-do the background and did even more fine-tuning before I was finally satisfied! This guy spend his first five years of life growing up at our house and has a pretty special place in our hearts!

Although not in chronological order of creation, I’m sharing the working images from his little sister, my next-to-the-youngest granddaughter. I actually did one entire painting of her that I disliked enough to paint completely over it and start again! This process is still not the easiest for me, but once I get it right I am a happy artist! These images are the steps of the “do over” painting of my Sweetpea:

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I was surprised how many times these youngsters started off looking like old people!! Thankfully that had improved before the final image:

Last, for today, is the artwork of our youngest granddaughter. She is one of the most joyful kiddos I know – and also the one that I collaborated with to create a special book all about her. I call her my Sunshine!

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Finished image

My next post will feature the last two of our Grands, who happen to be (non-identical) twins! Twice the fun!! Until then!

Lynne

More portrait fun!

So my latest endeavor has been making creative/colorful/fun portraits of my grandkids. Today I’ll share the process and finished images of two of them – our oldest grands – who happen to be siblings. I haven’t been creating in chronological order exactly but thought I might share them that way anyhow!

I’ve found it a much different process to create female vs. male portraits, although I’m not exactly sure why. It’s not the facial structure so much, although that does differs, but I think maybe with the added color/highlights on their faces I tend to be more sparse with the splashes of color when creating a girl vs. feeling bolder with a guy? Or perhaps since we have five granddaughters and only two grandsons I’m just not getting as much practice on the guys? Not really sure! Here are some of the progress images of our oldest grandson:

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  rough sketch

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  black & white under painting

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  underpainting & reference photo

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  adding detail

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  adjusting proportions

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  background added, ready to apply finishing colors

I fall in & out of love several times during the process and, at least once, want to chuck it and forget trying but after several of them I’m realizing that’s part of my process. I struggled with the shape & proportions a lot during the first three or four of these but it’s gotten easier. Is that why they always say “practice, practice, practice”? Here is the finished image of his painting:

The work on my oldest granddaughter’s image went through the same process, there were times it just looked horrid but, in the end, I finally loved it. Here are some progress images:

I hope that sharing these rough images I will encourage you to not give up on your artwork, even if you feel like it’s not going well at all! Keep persevering! (Although I did paint completely over one piece so that’s also an option – do overs are always allowed!) Here is the final image:

As far as media I used graphite for the sketch, lots of acrylic paint, stencils for the backgrounds and a generous amount of acrylic paint pens as well. These are all on 9×12″ canvases…once I’ve done them all I am going to hang them all up together and have a “grandkid gallery” to enjoy!

I hope you are enjoying your creative time! With love,

Lynne

New in the Studio this week

I’ve had the pleasure of being able to spend a few days in the studio this week! As of yesterday I completed five “in progress” batik pieces that I have been working on for the last few weeks and also completed painting 12 stones that will be incorporated into new mixed media art pieces for an upcoming show. Here is an image of one series of stones as they progressed throughout the day:

A different set:

If you are interested in creating some painted rocks, or just playing in the paints I’ll be having open studio play dates next week! The cost is only $10 for a 2-3 hour session and this month all the fees are going to be donated to HDSA. You can read the details in THIS POST.

Here is one of the batik pieces, almost finished:

I tried my first stop-action film while working on the finishing details on this piece but it turned out slightly blurry and a bit too fast. It was a good learning experience none the less. My second attempt was in focus but my camera battery died mid-recording. Now I’m out of works in progress to film! I’ll get it done eventually though, it’s one of those things I’ve wanted to do/learn. There are so many!

Now I’m off for a few more hours in the studio…I wonder what will be created today!

Lynne

Stamp it up, some more!

 

On Tuesday’s post I showed you how I made some stamps to use with my gelli plate. Today I thought I’d share some of the results once the stamps were dry enough to play with. These were all stamped on card stock, some white and some buff colored. Here we go….

First I used my brayer and a couple of orange/yellow/red acrylics and rolled them all over the plate. Then I stamped the dot/hole stamps on the gelli plate and printed them directly on the paper from the stamps until I’d covered the entire play and most of the paper with a random design.

I pulled the first print on a new sheet of paper without putting  a lot of pressure on the paper since there was plenty of paint on the plate.

I like to do that so that there is quite a bit of paint left for a second, lighter print. The second print I made on top of the paper I had stamped on in the beginning of this process. Here’s a pic of both of them after printing:

Here is another series using the same process with different colors & stamps….

I discovered that piece of wood was a bit warped and it was hard to get the middle to print. Once I realized what the problem was I was able to press the stamp hard enough to make it work, it just wasn’t quite as effortless as the other ones! A few more random shots from the day:

I also used some of the lighter prints as an under-layer then used a stencil and black paint over them:

At the end of the session I ended up with some very colorful stamps and some nice prints too!

Happy stamping!

Lynne

Rescheduled Gelli Plate Workshop!

Due to a scheduling conflict (and a delay on getting running water installed!) the first workshop in my new studio has been pushed back until October 18th!  All the details are below, the only change is the date. I hope that you can attend, I’m anxious to have some printmaking fun with you!

Saturday, October 18th join me for a fun day of exploring printmaking on gelli plates. Come prepared to be messy and to leave with LOTS of prints! This simple, press-free, method of printmaking is great fun and hard to stop once you get started. I’ll provide all the materials, some tips & techniques and a bit of guidance along the way – you provide the enthusiasm!

printmaking sample © lynne medsker

If you’ve wanted to try this fun art form this is a perfect way to check it out before you purchase any supplies. If you enjoy it as much as I do the plates will be available to purchase at a reduced price at the end of class so you can continue printing at home.

We’ll start at 10 a.m. and continue to play until 4 p.m. that day. I’ll have coffee and pastries available in the morning and ice tea and cookies in the afternoon, as well as bottled water all day. Bring a lunch with you (I have a refrigerator and microwave in the studio) so you don’t have to leave during the fun!

To allow each person a lot of space to spread out and work I am limiting the class to four students (note: I have two signed up already!) so be sure to sign up soon! Cost per student is $95. Register online at www. lynnemedsker.com on the “Online Registration” page under the “Instruction” tab.

I can’t wait for this fun day to get here!

Lynne

 

Backbeat #4

A few years ago I created a three-piece artwork entitled “Backbeat”. This spring it was purchased by one of my collectors, with the request that I also create a forth piece to add to the set. I was more than happy to oblige, and the work began.

background for new piece © Lynne Medsker

Next came a layer of sewing patterns to add some detail and guidelines for painting.

A layer of sewing patterns added to the background © Lynne Medsker

 

That was followed by some drippy layers of acrylic ink.

 

After those layers dried it was time to start adding some geometric patterns with charcoal.

Charcoal fingers! © Lynne Medsker

Work in progress, three original pieces nearby for reference © Lynne Medsker

The piece was sealed and then the detail painting began.

Following the painting was adding the dimensional details – including old records & CD’s plus a few acrylic shapes too. Voila! Finished.

“Backbeat #4″ mixed media on 24×36” wood panel © Lynne Medsker

I really enjoy creating art in this style. Since finishing this piece I’ve covered some new wood panels with background, just waiting for me to get to them. Soon? I hope!

Lynne

Gelli Print Workshop, October 4th, 2014

It’s finally time for a workshop in my new studio!

Saturday, October 4th join me for a fun day of exploring printmaking on gelli plates. Come prepared to be messy and to leave with LOTS of prints! This simple, press-free, method of printmaking is great fun and hard to stop once you get started. I’ll provide all the materials, some tips & techniques and a bit of guidance along the way – you provide the enthusiasm!

printmaking sample © lynne medsker

If you’ve wanted to try this fun art form this is a perfect way to check it out before you purchase any supplies. If you enjoy it as much as I do the plates will be available to purchase at a reduced price at the end of class so you can continue printing at home.

We’ll start at 10 a.m. and continue to play until 4 p.m. that day. I’ll have coffee and pastries available in the morning and ice tea and cookies in the afternoon, as well as bottled water all day. Bring a lunch with you (I have a refrigerator and microwave in the studio) so you don’t have to leave during the fun!

To allow each person a lot of space to spread out and work I am limiting the class to four students so be sure to sign up early! Cost per student is $95. Register online at www. lynnemedsker.com on the “Online Registration” page under the “Instruction” tab.

I can’t wait for this fun day to get here!

Lynne

 

Side Roads

A few weeks ago I shared the process of creating new artwork on wood panels, using concrete & grout for texture and detail. Today I’m going to show you a companion piece I made at the same time. As I was unpacking in the new studio I ran across this panel that I had started before the big move.

“Sideroads” mixed media on wood panel, 10×20″ © Lynne Medsker

It seemed only natural to go ahead and finish it while I was working with the same materials. When I unpacked it all that had been done was the texture layer of concrete & mortar – no colors added at all. It followed the same layering sequence as the “Journey” pieces did, building up color along the way. Lots of fun in the details of the process!

These are the rest of the images showing some of the steps along the way:

As you can tell there is a lot of painting on then covering up, then adding back with each of the colors. The last layer was with copper paint. I’m a sucker for turquoise and copper together! What’s your favorite color combination?

Next week I’m going to begin sharing some updates on the progress of the studio build. It is *this* close to being done! I’ll also share details about the Studio Open House on August 1st & 2nd, so be sure to check back then!

Excitement!

Lynne

Taking a Journey (or three!)

“Journey #1-#3” mixed media on wood panels © Lynne Medsker

Continuing from my post on Monday, I’m sharing today images of the steps that went into creating “Journey #1-#3” (shown above). They began as textured concrete & mortar on wood panels. Then the fun began! Rather than bore you with a lot of words I will just tell you the most important one: LAYERS. Lots & lots of layers!

I wasn’t kidding, was I? It’s kind of like a dance, paint on, paint over, add more, cover it up, letting the layers and colors build and peek through. The final layers on all three pieces consisted of a copper paint. This gives you a close up view of each individual piece:

While I creating these three pieces I had another one in the works. Different size, shape and texture but the same colors. You’ll be seeing it shortly!

Lynne