Thursday, December 22, 2011

WOYWW and Paint Party Friday Dec 21-23rd

I am combining my WOYWW and Paint Party Friday Posts this week because Friday is my Birthday and I'll be out enjoying the day having fun.  


First a painting; recently I saw a You Tube video by a 15 year old girl that had been bullied since 2nd Grade. It was heart wrenching to hear this child had already attempted suicide 3 times.  It seems she has found her way for now but the video left me thinking about this very real issue. 


For Paint Party Friday hosted by the fabulous Kristin and Eva, a watercolor inspired by her story,  I've titled it "You Don't See Me"




and this is a photo of my studio table  on Wednesday for the most wonderful Julia's at Stamping Grounds  What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday WOYWW.   As you can see I am in the process of choosing papers to create the adorable Mr. Henrie.  




Some of you wanted to see stages of my project so here you see I carefully choice a variety of handmade papers in Henries colors, keeping this life size photo present to insure I'm making good matches.


I always create eyes and noses first as I think they may be the most important part of catching a dogs personality, if the eyes aren't right then no matter how hard you try it's difficult to pull off a realistic portrait.  Henrie has very liquidy eyes so after choosing the papers in the colors I wanted I pulled out some Crystal Lacquer to give them that shiny youthful appearance. I use a copic sketch marker to darken the deep brown paper because it wasn't quite dark enough for an exact match.  I also use a little white gel pen to put the light reflection in his eye.


Checking the eye I created for Henrie's portrait against his picture.
Next I take the eye I've created and test place it against his portrait to see if I've pulled off the right shape and colors.  I'm pretty happy with the eye I created for Henrie it almost blends into the picture that the client has provided so now I know it will work great as part of the portrait I'm creating of Henrie.  Now I'll set that eye aside and start working on his other eye. 


If you'd like to see more of my process or make me really happy on my birthday come "like" me facebook studio page where I keep my work in progress pictures and updates.  



40 comments:

Kath Stewart said...

thanks for the 4 days to christmas peek of your workdesk......wishing you and yours a wonderful christmas...hugs kath xxx

jude said...

Have a wonderful Birthday,happy woyww.Have very Merry christmas and please pop by i have candy on offer
hugs judex 22

Helen said...

Have a great birthday and a fabulous Christmas.

Cathy said...

Have a great birthday, great looking projects.
Happy WOYWW and Merry Christmas
Hugs
Cathy #23

Valerie-Jael said...

have a great Xmas! Valerie

okienurse said...

awesome watercolor painting! Hope you and your family enjoy a Merry Christmas holiday. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #44

Sunshine Girl said...

Great painting. Have a wonderful Christmas. Sunshine Girl – No 38

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Thanks for sharing your technique - the end results are truly fantastic!
Wishing you joy and happiness this Christmas,
Hugs, LLJ #43 xx

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful birthday on Friday Robin and a great Christmas too. Great technique on the pet projects, little Henry looks adorable. Wish I didn't work full time, I'd love a dog or two!

Hugs
Brenda 71

GlorV1 said...

Have a great birthday and Happy Holidays to you. Love your wip, it's coming out great.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!

JoZart Designs said...

Happy Birthday and a wonderful Christmas to you and thanks for sharing your art through your blog,
JoZarty x
ps be sure to check out my blog candy

Netty said...

Have a brilliant birthday Robin.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year, xx

505whimsygirl said...

Have a great birthday!! The eye you created definitely fits right into the photo. Thanks for giving a glimpse into your process.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

WOYWW #82

HeARTworks said...

Hi Robin,a blessed birthday and Christmas season to you! Hope you have a lot of fun on your birthday! Thanks for showing us a part of your process. Very interesting! Yes it's very important to get the eye right! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Neet said...

That poor child, you have captured the mood with your painting.
On a more cheerful note - thanks for sharing how you begin your artwork.
Happy Christmas to you and yours. Hugs, neet #4 xx

May said...

Have a great Birthday Hugs May x x x Merry Christmas x x x

Julia Dunnit said...

Great stuff Robin... I love the 'portrait', very touching and so typical of you to take positive action when touched by such a story. Henrie is looking me in the eye..he's gorgeous isn't he? The one eye is a cracker, I already know how much the owner will love your work.
Happy Christmas!

Christine said...

You're so talented Robin! Love your work.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

Just dropping by to greet you and your loved ones a joyful and blessed Christmas season, Robin! I was touched by your post about the young girl. There is great pain in the world and hopefully we can all play a part in bringing healing and hope to others. Thanks for sharing your life and projects with us in your blog!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS

Bridget Larsen said...

bullying is awful and sad, you made a great picture to depict it. Dog is looking great
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Bridget #21

Sarah said...

great thoughts behind your work and love the eye test! Thanks for sharing in such a busy week! Hope you have a very festive and wonderfully merry time - see you in 2012! Sarah at 11.

Tracey FK said...

Great for see a little glimpse into your process.. your work is just so beautiful and finding it has been a highlight of the last few months... have a wonderful holiday break...xx

l00pyscraftcreations said...

Thanks for the peek at how you do it,, intriguing
Happy belated WOYWW and if I dont pop back before, Merry Christmas,
Lou #34

The Crafty Elf said...

Great post, great work and I love the intensity you work with. I loved how you matched the dogs eye, shows your passion! Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas with family and friends and All The Best for a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year!

Unknown said...

Oh, what a wonderful painting! Happy holidays!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Gorgeous face! I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. :) Happy Holidays! :)

Elizabeth said...

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012. :)

Elisa Choi said...

wonderful progress. I followed your page. Awesome work!

Abela said...

Well...Happy Holidays to you. Saludos

Fallingladies said...

Happy holidays! Great post!

WrightStuff said...

That's a powerful message in a powerful piece of art.

Melisa said...

Such a sad and powerful image. It doesn't look like watercolor. Is it over gesso? I hope you have a very happy birthday!

Carolyn Dube said...

Your art captures the story of that poor girl who was bullied - they never did see the real her.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work on the 15 year old. The symbolism is apparent in your work. And thanks for posting how you are working on the pup portrait in torn papers. I always enjoy your blog. Merry Christmas! and happy arting in 2012. Faye

Elizabeth said...

Hi, Happy Birthday, just popping in late to say I've really enjoyed visiting your blog, and admiring your handiwork throughout the year and it's been fun getting to know you, virtually that is:) Love your portrait of the little dog. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Elizabeth x #46

peggy gatto said...

Fascinating!!!
Love what you do and the process!!!
Thanks!

EVA said...

A holiday baby! Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a great celebration.

What a great way to make your portrait of Henrik realistic! And your bullying painting is hauntingly beautiful.

Gloria j Zucaro said...

Truly touching portrait of the young. Thank you for sharing your WIP, I thinking he is winking at us!

DVArtist said...

Love this painting, and your work area. Happy Birthday
Nicole/Beadwright

SHERI COOK said...

Do keep sharing this WIP!
Wishing you a Happy Birthday, Happy PPF and wonderful 2012.
Sheri Cook/Happy Horse Studio