I had an idea for a painting that I attempted to sketch out here. The plan was for a girl to be walking with little tiny elephants dancing all around her feet. Well, not really dancing, think Heinrich Kley. Then her feet went off the page and I really didn't feel like correcting anything. After this, my heart wasn't really into the drawing anymore. Not that it is terrible. I used two reference photos for this, both from morguefile. Here and Here.
And this is something I haven't done in a long time! EDM Challenge #104: Salt and Pepper shakers. In fact, I just turned myself into a liar because I recently commented on someone's blog that I don't do the EDM challenges anymore. (Not that they're bad or anything!) I think I said that today, in fact! But then I saw this salt and pepper set in my mother's china cabinet and couldn't resist. Not sure how I've missed these. They look quite old, with some of the shine worn off the ceramic. The sketch isn't very well observed. Have you ever been in that mood before? Where you don't really care to focus that hard? Just throw down some lines and let them be? That was me today. I just said, 'ah! Nobody will even notice!" Except, I'm a blabbermouth-- I forgot. It looked better before I added the ink lines, which I did because they actually appear on the birds that way. This was done on some very old paper that I found amongst my late aunt's things. The paper is pretty rough, and 300 lb weight. I had never used paper this heavy, and I love it! No buckling whatsoever! No taping down! Maybe it's a little rough for my taste, but I do love the weight! (They are still sitting next to me. I just looked over and they have been pushed together in a way that it looks like one bird is whispering in the other's ear. Now why couldn't I have set them up that cute???)
What an idea! Walking with a baby elephant ^^ It's funny though because one of my friends in Germany is erm...BIG, so we used to call him baby elephant hahahaha. And the S&P shakers are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors you used there!
Love the salt & pepper shakers, they are just too cute. I know that feeling of starting something (ideas for paintings) and then it just some how dosen't go any further... I have few of those my self (more than a few).
ReplyDeleteThese are both great (aren't the salt & pepper shakers fun!). I haven't thought of using photos as references for practicing drawing people and animals. I'll put it on my art to do list.
ReplyDeleteSometimes drawings turn better than you think when you don;t put too much into them (salt & pepper) . I really like the girl and elephant, even though it shifted from your original concept (leave that for another day ) . It has a delightful whimsy to it
ReplyDeleteI like the girl and the elephant. I have a friend that lives in South Africa, they actually have baby elephant petting zoos there... I've seen pictures of her hugging a baby elephant and walking with one, not too different from your painting. I think your salt and pepper birdies are cute as can be.
ReplyDeleteI think I did that challenge too, Raena! LOVE your salt and pepper shakers!
ReplyDeleteI Like the girl with the elephant, you have a lovely palette on this one. Shame about running out of paper for the feet - I would have liked to see more of those boots!
ReplyDeleteJust an observation, the elephant looks like he is floating in mid air.
I like both of these. What a fun idea to paint a girl with an elephant (one of my favorite animals). The old-time S & P shakers are really cute. They remind me of some of the things my grandmother and her sister used to have. nancy
ReplyDeleteElephants are terrible dancers, take my word for it! YOu definitely don't want one standing on your toe... Yours looks quite agile though! About paper, I mayn't know a thing about art, but I ADORE good paper.
ReplyDeleteOH- I love both of your drawings! The girl with the dancing elephant is truly inspired. As far as the EDM challenges- never say never. I learn that one the hard way every time! LOL!! When I first joined EDM, I declared I would do one each week! I got one done.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments!
ReplyDeleteFrank, the elephant was supposed to be walking a little behind her. I should have put in some ground lines or shadows to ground them, but I sort of 'gave up' on it. I did go back to those glasses though and straighten out those wavy lines. I did it with my micron to keep it from getting too fat! Looks much better, though I'll probably not repost it. Thanks!
Neat idea for a painting! It will be fantastic, in both senses of the word. The sketch is wonderfully whimsical already, I am looking forward to a full version with details.
ReplyDeleteI think the small elephant is a wonderfully creative idea - and it's no problem at all for the feet to be off the page - we know they are there.
ReplyDeleteI have also just wanted to draw/paint & who cares so much about the result - I did that with my recent clock. And the result was a bit off, but it made it more interesting. I think the shakers are great & I love the texture of the paper. (and no buckling is good..)
i am with Dan on this one, Raena ... sure, she was being followed home by a stray mutt, but in her heart it was a special and rare animal, as good as any cute lil zoo-ecapee elephant ... and her boots a real special, we casn tell from the tops ... so each of gets the chance to imagine the amazing soles ... and each person will have to decide for themselves if she was actually wearing spurs.
ReplyDeleteOh no... hate when that happens.... when you start out with such a good idea then it doesn't go according to plan. I know exactly what you mean by not having the desire to finish a project like that. Take heart that even though it wasn't your intended finish, it still holds its own in a different way. Your drawing is excellent as always. I'd definitely put ground shadows under the elephant as you suggested. Maybe a leash too? :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you added the white highlights to the salt and pepper shakers. It expresses the glossy ceramic texture really well. I like your drawings. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea, Raena! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd put ground shadows under the baby elephant to take out the "flying" efect, yeah. Fantastic drawings: the original couple and your salt and pepper shalters ;)
The S&P are great, I for one had forgotten you weren't doing EDMs anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Raena,
ReplyDeleteBoth paintings are fun. The baby elephant dancing around the girl's feet is a great visual idea. In the piece you've done, I get the feeling that she knows this is good!
Festive salt/pepper/birds. And, I particularly like your self portraits. When I get brave enough...in the meantime, I'm thinking of returning to the EDM challenge..too much fun!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
hi raena!thanks for visiting my blog!really think the salt and pepper are so cute and well-coloured.the colours themselves are so lively and the drawing,I like it ^^ (the girl with the elephant is strange, don't know if it's because seems a little "blocked"..but it's my impression)
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool idea for a painting and I love your salt and pepper shakers! Very cute! :)
ReplyDeleteI too love your image ideas Reana. I really love your use of WC in these. Dancing elephants - do you plan on developing this idea some more? I totally think that its worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think you are in a mood to be very hard on yourself. These are both good sketches even if her feet did run off the bottom. I do some lead-free rough drawings simply to keep myself moving and stop redoing, redoing till I do give up on a project. I love the salt shakers. If you like them in the pose of whispering in the ear then do them again. This painting would look so nice with a colored mat in a blue frame though, maybe a red or orange mat with the dark turquoisish blue in the pic?
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