New Finds

A few other quirky finds:

1. Fidostudio at Etsy

These look reasonably simple so might be a good place to start if you haven't done much painting before. Despite their simplicity, they're super effective and would look great hanging on your wall.

2. Itsybitsyspill at Etsy

Task 5: Bright! Bold! Bent! (Acrylic Paint)

Task 5 will commence on Tuesday, 1st June 2010.

Okay ladies, it's out with the black and in with the bright, bold and bent. This month we're aiming for quirky, bizarre, odd, unusual, eccentric, weird, peculiar, uncanny, eerie or just downright creepy creations.

For this task, we'd like you to explore the world of art and find a picture that you'd like to either innovate on or replicate.

I've started to have a bit of a search for some inspirational pieces. I'll try and add to these over the next week.

A few quirky finds so far:

The Waiter by Vuittonet

Something from our good friend Pablo:

Bubblegum Betty by The Black Apple

A Cagey Bee has some pretty cool stuff:

Or if it really takes your fancy you could always take a leaf out of Brad Goodell's portfolio (ahem):

Barbie and Ken as Grant Woods American Gothic.

Equipment:

- canvas or paper
- acrylic paints
- palette
- paintbrushes, sponges - anything that can be used to apply paint
- easel if needed
- bucket for water (small jars don't really cut it)
- rag

Task 4: The Object of my Affection (Charcoal + Sanguine & Sepia)

Task 4 will commence on Tuesday, 4th May 2010.

Task 4 will see us continue in the drawing arena but this time using charcoal and white, sepia and sanguine tones if you wish.

Charcoal - Produces black
White - Used for highlights or to lighten medium or dark tones
Sanguine - A reddish/brown terracotta colour
Sepia - A brownish/yellowish colour

Moving away from all things living, this month we will focus on drawing man-made objects. Ideally, things that you love and desire or simply finding aesthetically appealing. This is your chance to immortalise that outrageous shoe collection or your must-have kitchen utensils and knickknacks. Time to start thinking about the objects of your affection....

like this fabulous footwear from here :

or a collection of items such as chairs from here :

or a range of vessels and vases:

Essential and optional equipment:
1. Charcoal or black & white soft pastels
2. Charcoal pencils. Black and/or white. White can be used for highlights.
3. Sanguine and sepia tones in pastels or pencil
4. Sandpaper for sharpening charcoal to a point
5. Putty Eraser. This is a crucial piece of equipment that removes charcoal without leaving a mess.
6. Brushes, cottonwool buds, cottonwool balls, chamois
7. Paper - white, black or assorted tints
8. Wet ones

This is pretty cool. Check it out:

Task 3: Portraits (Chalk Pastels)

Task 3 commenced on Tuesday, 30th March. 

This month we are exploring the wonderfully messy medium of chalk pastels. The challenge for this month is that the picture you produce actually has to look like a person. Not necessary a real person known to you or me, but a person nonetheless. Unless of course, you wish to pursue the strangely ugly and terribly tacky avenue of pet portraiture. The internet, along with regional markets seem to showcase this in abundance! Really, there should be laws against such folly!


I have inserted a short video showing one technique of creating a portrait with pastels. It may be useful for those needing a bit of guidance with shading.

pastel portrait progression tutorial from kevin bentley on Vimeo.

Suggested equipment:

- Paper

- Chalk Pastels

- Fixative or cheap hairspray

- Tissues, cotttonwool balls, blending sticks, cottonwool buds

- Wet Ones

My personal portrait challenge:
I've decided to try and create a tryptic showcasing the 1920s cloche hat. This era of grace and elegance certainly deserves to be celebrated. I've tracked down a variety of images from the internet. Now to put chalk to paper!

Task 2: All Creatures Great and Small (watercolour)

Task 2 will commence on Tuesday, 2nd March 2010.

Task 2: All Creatures Great and Small (watercolour)

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all.


Each little flower that opens
Each little bird that sings
He made their glowing colours
He made their tiny wings.

For our second task we will be experimenting with watercolours. Once again, I will be heading into unknown territory as I have no experience with this medium. What fun we will have!

If you haven't painted with watercolours before and wish to see a pro in action click here . This will take you to Gennine's Art Blog. On the right-hand side of here blog is a link to a video clip showing her creating a watercolour piece from start to finish. It's really quite fascinating. One thing I really love, is her use of white acrylic ink to add finer details.

Here are a few other artists I picked out from etsy. I tried to go with a 'feathery friends' theme until I came across the balloon print. I had to include this because I thought it looked like such a simple and effective use of watercolours. If anything, it might be a good exercise in developing some control.

Check them out if you want some ideas:

1. Diaphaneous Flock by karenondracek
2. Feathery Plumes by Gollybard
3. Birdie by Gennine 
4. Red Balloon Print by Jellybeans

Lauren Child's Tree

Rachel this one's for you:

This is a photograph of a tree that was set up at Lauren Child's exhibition. Looks pretty funky I reckon. Thought it might be worth a peek seeing as though you're using her illustrations as your inspiration.

Task 1 - Pathways (Collage)

PATHWAYS

I chose this theme because I thought it was a good one to kick off the new year with. With New Year's resolutions still fresh in our minds, we are all facing the opportunity to turn over a new leaf and begin a new journey. What will your journey be? Which path will you take or make?

And now for a little bit of inspiration

'Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

and sorry I could not travel both

I took the one less travelled by,

and that has made all the difference'

- The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost

'The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination'. 

- Peter Ellyard

Collage

The medium for the Pathways task will be collage. Below is a collection of artists, both past and present that have produced some gorgeous collages. If you wish, click on the links to study some more of their work in detail. I find it quite inspirational.

Let's start with one of the masters - Matisse:

And something from one of my favourite children's author, Lauren Childs. This lady truly rocks when it come to having fun with collage! (I'm sure your kiddos would agree)

And now three of my current favourite artists producing beautiful and inspiring collages. I could stare at their work for hours. Click on the links to check them out (you may just want to have your wallets handy!).

1. Gennine from Gennine's Art Blog.

2. Corid from corid's shop on etsy

3. Jayme McGowan of Roadside Projects

And one more - By Graphitegirl on etsy. These are great fun  - a bit of a more upbeat Salvador Dali.

Welcome - Let the scrawl begin!

This year will see the launch of our new art group, Sardine Limousine. I think this name is appropriate because art and creativity is another thing we all would like to, or need to, squeeze into our busy and at times, fast-paced lives. Let's hope our new little group will breathe creativity and fresh air into 2010.

So what does it involve?
- A monthly task focussing on a particular artform/medium centred around a set theme.
- 2 hour weekly workshop
- Perhaps a 15 minutes skill-building activity to kick-off each workshop. I need to give this a little more thought - watch this space!

What equipment do we need to get started?
- A visual arts diary is a good place to start. This is where you can play around with ideas and practise techniques.
- A range of lead pencils, sharpener and eraser is essential.
- Any stuff needed for the set task.
- An ultra funky, ultra chic bag to carry all your stuff in (optional of course).