Wednesday, March 31, 2010

What I've been doing in the absence of my creative muse.

Okay, so my creative muse decided to just up and leave me; perhaps I stepped on his foot once too many times while dancing? Nevertheless, I've decided to keep going and I'll apologize profusely the next time I see him. What to do when nothing is working and nothing is inspiring?Well, I did this horrendous self-portrait. It was from a picture which wasn't so good to begin with, but then I proceeded to accidentally get out of lines here and there; and then it started looking a bit like a villain from a Batman movie. I'm posting it though, to prove that I can take what I dish out to my loved ones. I now think I understand why they run from me when my sketchbook is in hand!


You may recall, if you've been around long enough, that last year around my birthday I got a full-pan set of Yarka professional watercolors (above). I was asked my opinion of them and never got around to answering. I cannot say, with any real knowledge, how they compare to other artist quality paints, since mine were all student grade prior to this. I have since purchased a few tube paints, some Sennelier, some Dick Blick, and I do like both of these brands a little better but it could be due to them being tube paints. My biggest complaint about Yarka is the palette. If you have carried them around, it is very likely that when you open them again that the pans have come loose and scattered. They are set into some cheap plastic that can easily crack. And the 24 color, full-pan set is enormous. Not great for urban sketching.




Solution:I found a company called Kremer who sells empty palette boxes for a reasonable price. I could have ordered the large one for only three dollars more, but being more interested in portability, ordered the small one which holds eight full-pans. In my mind, this meant it held sixteen half-pans, but not so; I wasn't considering the width of the pan sides! It holds fourteen. I stayed with this format for about a week but found myself missing some favored colors, so I made a few modifications and now it holds 21 half-pans. I LOVE this setup! It is tiny and I can take it anywhere! (I filled most of the half-pans by cutting out half of the full pans from my Yarka set. It was a tedious process, but I'm happy.)


I also replaced my cheapo waterbrush (on the top) with some kuretakes from jetpens. The difference in quality between these two brands is incredible. The cheapo version was just too stingy with the water and my hand would shake while trying to paint and squeeze at the same time. It was frustrating and I couldn't see why everyone loved waterbrushes. The ones from jetpens are perfect. The plastic is soft and squeezable. Don't waste your money on the cheaper version (even if it is all your art supply store carries!)...for only a little more you get something that works the way it was meant to work! I will not be leaving home without them!

Okay, I'm off in search of my muse. Take care!

25 comments:

  1. Raena, I have no idea what you look like in reality so I'm going to stick my neck out and say this drawing looks exactly like you! ;)

    Great peek at your art supplies. keep em coming.

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  2. Your muse is right behind you. Don't make any sudden movements. Don't turn, you might frighten it. But don't worry, it will never leave you. Feed it by observing and listening - music, art, writing - something creative by someone else. And if that doesn't work, just keep painting.

    I carry around a similar pan to the one you just bought. It was noisy, clanked a bit much, so I placed plastic inside it. And the half-pans would not stay put, so I held them inside with clay. Now it works. My fold-out center part is basically useless, so I taped all of the names of the colors in the pattern they appear so I can remember which is which, which is awfully convenient.

    I think self-portraits are the toughest of all portraits, and all portraits are tough. So if the muse hasn't been eating you might want to start with something smaller as your subject, like a canary. :)

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  3. I am sorry to hear that you hit the wall... actually I hit the wall many times and you helped me up a lot of times. I can't promise you I would be able to do the same, but I can at least let you know that there's not a single day that I never wait or think what you might be posting... :) you've definitely been missed, and I hope that you'll be up and running back in the fast-track soon, because I know and you know that being stuck somewhere is boring right? ;) Great self-portrait Raena... something I don't have the courage to do....yet ^^

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  4. Hi Raena, I was wondering where you were: you've definitely been missed. Thanks for showing us your painting supplies. I also carry around a small palette (much smaller than yours)so that I can sketch and paint wherever I go, and I must admit I very often come home empty handed as far as sketches are concerned ! So you are not the only one who doesn't find inspiration, don't worry, it will come back soon. As for your self portrait I can't say anything about the likeness, but I can tell you you were very brave, just to do it, and second, to post it !! I've never tried that ! So, keep on posting, we'll be there to welcome your sketches ! See you very soon !!!! :o)

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  5. I think everyone gets spells like this Raena, and you were doing a lot and pushing yourself. Having said that whenever I get a 'dry spell' it usually has nothing to do with creativity and is related to something else in my life.

    I'm going to assume this both does and does not look like you, mainly because I know I'm guessing, but I don't really believe you are green. Even in places. Though I do love the green in this, and your handling of the watercolours altogether. How about a self portrait a day? Purely experimental, hang the outcome? I did this once - a long time ago, OMG you'd have ROARED.

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  6. Hang on in there Raena! The muse is just round the corner taking a wee breather at the start of spring, and will come flooding back. Love the idea of a portrait a day, even if its a wee one, never know it might spark something off!
    cx

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  7. Raena, thanks for the info on the paint and pens. I learn so much from you. You face and eyes are happy in your portrait -which is a nice one. It looks like a wonderful person, so you hit your goal. Thanks for sharing and all the times you have dropped by my blog and commented. You make my day often.

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  8. Well, I think that is a very interesting portrait! Just the thing to get you going again. I can only echo what has been said above - these blank periods seem to be common to all artists. I find it gets worse the more I worry and I really like the advice that Dan gives - that makes so much sense. I look forward to your next post - very soon!

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  9. I think it´s a very expressive and beautiful portrait! That´s something I haven´t dared to try - drawing myself :)

    I just love your blog by the way, such colourful paintings I will dive into the details soon...

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  10. Didn't Danny Gregory say something about the muse deserting us and the way to move on was to. . . move on and keep on drawing, even if it's little boxes with sketches of feet or mugs or whatever...

    It will come back.

    And - wonderful information about the watercolors and waterbrushes. I'm dreadfully ignorant about a lot of supplies and splash around with cheap-o (trademarked brand) watercolors and markers. *g*

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  11. Hey! Look in your Coffee Cup! There is your Muse! Now, kiss and make up!
    Sherrie Roberts

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  12. Great work! Thanks for the info!

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  13. Raena, I think it's great that you just keep showing up! You'll get past your art block. Just kee sitting down at the table and make some zentagles on anything! You go girl! Revelle

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  14. Your comments around your self portrait really made me laugh! Portraits are hard and self portraits even more. I'm sure your muse will come back, don't worry! That's one of the reasons I draw books : when nothing else inspires me, there's always this possibility!

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  15. Raena - I have lost my creative muse and I have been ignoring my blog for long. Wondering if we were attacked by some anti-sketch virus! It is so good to see you picking up your brushes again.

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  16. I really, really like the artistic rendering of your self portrait! The green background goes great with your red hair. I see your muse is looking a bit interested too- there's hope after all. :-)))

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  17. That is a very cool watercolor kit you have put together there! Thanks for sharing. There's nothing like new art supplies to wake up that ole muse.

    And I missed your blog's anniversary, congratulations!!

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  18. Self-portraits are usually fun because we don't care whether they look like the sitter. WE can make ourselves look pretty bad and laugh (or we can say it's our cousin). I've always found they're a good way to jump in after a dry spell.

    Good info on watercolors.

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  19. I am glad it's over ;) Thanks for the feedback Raena, and WELCOME BACK!

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  20. Hi Raena,
    nice to read you and see what you are painting. We all have these moments and they are hard to deal with, I have found in this group a kind an understanding support, I hope it is the same for you.
    All your explanations and pictures about paint and brushes are very interesting. I bought a cheapo water brush and could not get it working, I thought it was me, might be the cheapo side after all!

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  21. Thank you all so much for your support. With all of this advice, I've finally decided on some things to do and I'll be posting that soon. This group is so wonderful; what would I do without you!

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  22. I am so glad you have found your way!

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  23. Portraits are so very difficult, and a self portrait- oh my!! This is artistic and expressive and YOU did it. You made art. I hope this helps you over the slump because your work is wonderful. I think playing with your supplies is a great idea if you don't feel the energy to paint or draw. You feel like you've done something artish, you get to know your tools and it is a positive useful experience.

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  24. Thanks for the info on the watercolors and brushes. (You've seen mine!) :) I bought one of those waterbrushes at HL and I do not like it. I thought it must be just me, but I can't get the thing to open to fill it with water! I have to get my grandson to do it. I asked fellow sketchers to help one time, and they couldn't open it either. So, I ended up just dipping it. I got some small brushes and just cut the ends off, to use with my travel set. I still like my big paper and big watercolors better. I just clean out the colors I don't use in those small sets and fill them, from tubes, of the colors I do like!
    Happy painting!

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  25. Wow, I've apparently missed a lot going on here. Sorry about that. It seems like you're back on your feet again though, so that's great news!

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