2.5"x 5.75" pencil and watercolor. You may not believe it, but this makes me very happy! I have nothing to say that would pick this apart. I find this strange since I didn't spend a lot of time trying to get the sketch right. I was watching videos while painting it over the course of about three days, finishing it just this morning. Why did it take so long? Well, I definitely could have finished it in one sitting, but after I started and liked the direction it was heading, and because I didn't want to mess up, I would stop until I had a better idea of where to go next. Normally I'm much more impatient! I used a photo on morguefile by Scott Liddell as reference.
Last week I reorganized my studio. I have a new bookcase which has doors on it so I can hide the clutter. My desk now has space available! I don't have to balance everything on top of something, waiting for the first bump to make it all crash down! All of my scraps of watercolor paper were put into a tin. For some reason, I find it so much easier to work on scraps. When they turn out okay, I glue them into my sketchbook.This woman on top was a copy of a painting by Don Andrews, which came on an insert in one of my Cheap Joe's orders. I liked the painting and put it on my bulletin board. The dove is from imagination. Both are pencil and watercolor. Sorry for the bad scan. I put my hand on it half way through and didn't realize I messed it up until putting it up here.
Not much to say here, except that he was from imagination. Obviously the chords on his neck wouldn't be so thin! (That is something I just noticed!)
So, how did you do on your resolutions in 2010? Me? Not so good! Not only did I not double the number posts of 2009, I didn't even equal them! I did sell something though. Though, it was for Ripple and the money went to a charity instead of me. I was close to being published, but unfortunately, that didn't work out. I'm really not good with resolutions. Something in me wants to rebel and do the opposite. Or is it that I make resolutions I'm not so sure I really want to make?
This is another sketchbook page that I've glued in some drawings done on scraps. The bird is from imagination, again. The woman was sketched while watching a video. The face behind her was a bronze statue. She was blond, the walls were white. Obviously I just made everything the way I felt like making it! (Gray box is just me blocking out some of the words!)Well, I wish everyone a happy, healthful, and creative 2011!
I really like all of this new work - and the koala is fabulous. The pairings of the bird and figure, collaging individual paintings is really effective. You have me thinking....
ReplyDeleteThere is a kind of freedom in your new work that I like. It is all excellent, and the reason that you can find nothing wrong with the koala is because there is nothing wrong with the koala. At all. Beautiful composition - love the leaves. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year... LOVE your Koala bear... he is EXCELLENT as you know. You've been busy the last few weeks... keep it up next year... I love seeing your work... it is so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThe Koala is fabulous. I look forward to all of your posts in the new year, regardless of how many there are :D
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
I like the green parts in the Koala bear. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWow, that koala is magnificent! Amazing isn't it how when we try so hard they often fall flat and when we're just messin' about they open up for us.
ReplyDeleteRaena, thanks for all your comments on my stuff this past year, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!!
Happy new year, Raena!
ReplyDeleteThe Koala is truly amazing. It has so much depth and life! It's really obvious that watercolor is "your" medium. I also love the sketchbook pages. They have this wonderful combination of realism and dreaminess.
Good to hear about your studio! I think it's so important to feel "at home" at your place. Organization in my room (although hardly ever seen) usually goes in hand with more organization in my head.
And don't worry about resolutions and how many posts etc. See it this way: You went for quality instead of quantity. And if there's one thing which is bad for creative output it's pressure. ;)
Looking forward to keeping following you in 2011!
XXX
LOVE your little koala-bear, its perfect. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteGreat koala and I like the looseness you are developing in your sketches. I experimented with goals last year (it didn't work) but I never make resolutions ;-) - Happy New Year Raena!
ReplyDeleteWow lots of new work! I like the way you work with watercolours. I especially like the koala. I always seem to forget if I make a resolution :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post to start my new year this morning :-) I love your work Raena. You inspire me so much. I feel the same way about resolutions, goals, etc. Rebellious. Wonder why? So my New Year's word of intent from Blissfully Art Journaling Prompt is "celebrate". Look for a post on my blog about this soon. Your work is beautiful and playful - I work on scraps too! How funny...it seems to take all the pressure off. New Year's Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Raena. These are all very good and the koala is outstanding. I skip resolutions.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I second Hallie's thoughts... all your work is very good and the Koala is outstanding!!! Best wishes for 2011 and I look forward to your future blogs, no matter how many.
ReplyDeleteI really like seeing your sketchbook pages, they're so good!
ReplyDeleteI think what makes the Koala so good is the long thin format and they way you've fitted it in. Great work. Happy New Year!
Your work is very inspiring. I like the odd dimensions of your koala picture. It makes for an interesting eye flow. Resolution? I think I have a hard time with them because they are usually unrealistic and end up things that I would like but haven't figured out how to accomplish them. This year's resolution for me is to not make unrealistic goals :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments during the past year. I appreciate them. I will try to comment more on your blog in 2011.
Your koala made me smile - he looks fabulous, and your approach amused me because I've just pulled out a canvas that I started painting on 6 years ago, but didn't want to mess up. I've decided to brave it again.
ReplyDeleteOOoooh! Love that koala too...These are lovely sensitively painted pages...Have a bliss filled new year! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I can see why you are happy with it, the koala bear turned out really good, love the back ground of that paintings. And I like the other paintings you did, the birds are cute. You gave the inspiration to finally get started on my work space, tomorrow start the floor plan for it.
ReplyDeleteGreat work Raena & Happy New Year!!
The koala is fantastic! The colors are so beautiful and I love the way the koala pops out of the background. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteYour work is superb, Raena. And, you have a good range of experience and expertise. I thoroughly enjoy looking at your work. The koala is stunning. And, you have a wonderful way with people, places and events! Happy exploring and creating in 2011!
ReplyDeleteLoving your water colours, there fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Raena for sharing your heart with me. So lovely to connect this way!
Here's to a lovely new year!
Loads of love!
Julie
The koala painting is gorgeous - I understand why you like it! The composition is perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat pages, too. I love the doves against dark background, they're beautiful.
And I'm totally with you with the rebellious feeling against resolutions ^^! We need to be serious and reasonable enough in our life, I think, without giving ourselves more trouble...
I love that koala! And I really enjoy seeing the pages in your sketchbooks. Wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love koala's expression! It's wonderful! I also love your portraits from imagination! I didn't try this yet...
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the koala, and the girl. Well, they're all great. You've been painting lots! I really like your sketchbook pages...i'm so afraid to get into color with them. I always screw them up!
ReplyDeleteWell resolutions...they're hard. We could just call them goals and make them something to work towards, instead of having all the pressure...
thanks for visiting my blog (yes the backpack is leather - SILVER leather to boot!)
ReplyDeletei especially love the koala but all these sketches are delightful.
Raena fantastic work! Love koala ^^
ReplyDeleteI can see you have been very laborious lately.. That's great! :)
My oh my, how could I have missed this post =) It's beautiful Raena. 2010 is a great year indeed, met a lot of great people, got my first job(s) in America, got married and started a new life, and did quite a bit of a drawing.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, for your question on the illustration, no I am waiting for the feedback from them authors. I have the feeling that they'd prefer the realistic style as it's people tend to like that more. I haven't heard from them for a week now so I don't really know(usually it takes forever for them to come back) so I'll start working on another gift for my co-worker and his wife's birthday.