Hawaiian WIP.....

There is so much more to the flesh tone color than the crayon you find in your box of Crayolas.  In addition, there are so many different kinds of skin tones in the diverse world we live.  The challenge in watercolor is achieving the right mix of paint to get the right tone without making it look flat and lifeless.  

Hawaiian WIP.....kind of sounds like a tropical drink!  I could definitely use one of those right now.  I'm currently working on a commissioned piece of a Hawaiian dancer.  After laying down a light wash of aureolin yellow over most of the painting, I decided to work on the dancer's flesh tones.  After doing a bit of a refresher on painting skin, I decided on a mix of cadmium red light, cobalt blue, and quinacridone gold.  I built the facial features with two layers of this mix and added touches of cobalt blue to accentuate darker values.  A touch of alizarin crimson was added to the cheeks for some warmth.  At this point, the darkest shadows, eyes, eyebrows, and mouth are yet to be completed to make it pop.

My next challenge will be tackling this beautiful girl's long, black locks (hair).  Black is such a taboo color in watercolor.  Not only will the color itself prove to be a challenge, but keeping the hair from overtaking the piece and looking more like a wig is going to keep me on my toes.  Suggestions, tips, and comments are welcomed.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to find me on facebook!

Wild Horses!

Wild Horses original watercolor
11"x15"  $95.00

I'm chalking this one up as finished.  I'm really happy with the colors and the movement in the painting.  I've been fine tuning this one while working on my Slugbug painting.  It's helpful having more than one painting going at once.  It allows me to work on one while the other dries.  I tend to paint in 20-30 minute increments as my time allows.  Every once in awhile I eek out 45 minutes to an hour and really feel like I've accomplished something.  What a great feeling it is when I'm able to slip into that 'art zone'.

Don't forget you can find me on facebook too!  I'm nearing 100 "Likes".  I plan to celebrate with a giveaway, so be sure to "Like" my art page so you're not left out!  Click here to go to my facebook page.

Slugbug Green, No Slugbacks!

We've all heard the familiar saying.  And if you're like me, you've felt the inevitable pinch, punch, or slug, for that matter, for not being the one to see the car first.  Having two boys, this is a popular game in my car.  Luckily, being strapped into a booster seat and held back in seat belts prevents the two of them from being able to reach me in the driver's seat.

Every year the local high school parking lot becomes a Volkswagen mecca, filled with the all too familiar VW beetle as well as the popular VW bus.  Last year I took my camera along and captured some very colorful VW bugs.  Most of the colors reminded me of summer, my favorite season.  Having been on my "to do" list for awhile, I finally got around to painting these cute little cars. 

A long admirer and fan of watercolors with pen and ink, I decided to pull out my Sharpie Extra Fine Point and got to work adding detail to the piece.  I can't call it finished yet, as I need to add a background.   I got so excited about adding the ink to the painting that I neglected my background!

I will continue to work on the "bugs" and post once it's completed.  Happy start of the summer to you all!

Celebrating One Year

Yep, it's official!  My art blog is a year old.  It's been a year since I was first introduced to the 'blogging' world.  Prior to that I had no idea what blogging was.  I thought it was just something that celebrities did.  Apparently anyone can blog.  Well, almost anyone.....I'd have to say my dad might struggle a bit.  Sorry Dad.

I love how my blog has helped connect me to so many other talented artists from around the world, literally.  I've connected with wonderful people from Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Germany, and the list goes on.  Not to mention, my fellow American bloggers.  Through blogging I have found my local art organization, Licking County Arts, as well as artists within my own state, some being just minutes away.  The Internet truly is amazing.

There will be no cake or balloons or party.  I'm simply pleased with what I've accomplished through creating this blog.  I still have some quirks to work through.  It's not perfect.  I have yet to figure out how to create a newsletter.  So for those of you still awaiting an email with a newsletter, don't hold your breath.  I am currently researching it at this time and hope to get one up and running this summer.  We'll see.  For now, you can still visit my blog to see what I'm up to.  You can also find me on facebook at Gretchen Bjornson ART.  I'm getting ready to hit a milestone there as well.  I'm only 9 people away from 100!  I do plan to celebrate with some kind of giveaway when I hit the big 100.

Thanks to those of you who are loyal followers.  I'm a mom first, so my blogging habits may be sporadic as I still have to manage a household, feed my family, and make my way through mounds of laundry that seem never ending before I can settle in to do what I love....which is art.

So here is what I'm currently working on.  A watercolor of wild horses.  It's still a work in progress, but it's coming along nicely.  My focus on this piece was color harmony and looseness. (Is that even a word?) 

On to another year of blogging.....