Fandango’s One Word Challenge – Pencil

Posted on December 8, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..thanks to Fandango for the One Word Challenge

The lowly pencil is often overlooked as a writing and/or art tool. On my recent trip to London I noticed numerous artists sketching the marble statues in the V&A gallery so I decided to try my hand at it. I frequently sketch directly with ink, pen or marker but I decided to use pencil instead.

When I first posted my sketch on the family What’s App page my son who is a curator at the museum immediately told me that I had the statue’s foot pointing in the wrong direction. I’m glad that I took a photo of the actual statue because when I went back to check, sure enough I had drawn the foot facing inward instead of outward. Not sure if it was the angle at which I was sitting but I was grateful that I used pencil. Out came the eraser and I fixed it as best I could.

Trying to be More Abstract

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….more difficult than I thought

I’ve done two more painting of the cliffs at Howth and I’m trying to be less rigid and looser in my approach with shapes and lines. I’m not there yet but each painting is slightly different from the first one that I attempted a couple of days ago. I’ll keep trying.

Landscape Studies

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….trying to be less rigid on days 174 and 175

The second assignment with Anita Lehmann was to do a series of landscapes using the same elements we used for our pears. Anita is trying to get us to pull out shapes to create an abstract painting. I chose a photo that I took when I was in Ireland. We took a hike along the cliffs of Howth and I took this photo overlooking the Irish Channel.

Here are my studies:

The following piece was my first motive painting. I realized as I was painting that I was being too finicky and that I needed to be more relaxed and loose. Some of the comments that I received were ‘You have made some great marks – i would try and go more abstract if that’s the direction you want to take in this class. Just a suggestion of rock, grass and sea..’ and ‘Your many studies become wonderful investigation of the next steps in a landscape and perhaps the mood or mark that becomes true to the concepts you wish to convey.

I don’t think I’m quite there yet. I’ve done two more of the same scene that I will share with you tomorrow.

A Study of Pears

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….Days 172 and 173

In Anita Lehmanns’s class, Translating Landscapes, we had to take an object and draw and paint it eight different ways using different elements of design. We had to create a play field and create pleasing shapes while investigating the design elements shape, edges, line, texture, value, space and colour. For our eighth painting we could choose our favourite elements.

Adding Detail to my Prints

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….day 171 of 365 Days of Art

Recently I showed you 6 prints that I made in a print making class using found objects to give the print texture. Some of the prints were ghost prints which means that a second piece of paper was put over the inked design and when it went through the press a lighter version of the first print appears.

Here is the ghost print of one of my designs.

I decided to brighten this print with some light blue watercolour to the rope at the top and on the bird where I also added a few details, like an eye. Some lines were incorporated to blend the body into the tail feathers and create a wing. I also added some gold geli pen on the grasses and around the beak. After darkening the border slightly I also added some gold detail on the bottom right corner and a little more in the upper left hand corner to balance it.

You may have noticed that I haven’t signed it yet. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

365 Days of Art – Playing with Lines and Tools

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….Days 169 and 170

I’m taking a new course through Carla Sonheim called Translating Landscapes. Our instructor is Anita Lehmann and her first lesson is all about mark making, experimenting with different tools and mediums (ink, pastels, charcoal, pencil) and responding to music. She encourages us to be messy, free and loose. It’s a lot of fun.

Here are my studies of lines using a variety of tools and inks and charcoals.

When I turned on the music I also used pressed pastels and walnut ink along with the black ink, charcoal and pencil.

365 Days of Art – Print Making

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….days 166, 167, 168

Last week I took a print making class where we used found objects to create interesting textures and designs. We used oil based inks that can be cleaned with water and when we were ready to print we put our pieces through a large press. It was a fun evening and made me want to own my own press.

I made two copies of each print. The second press is called a ghost print because the colours are much lighter than the original print. Since taking the following photos I’ve added more detail to some of these which I will share with you when I’m done.

365 Days of Art – More Quirky Creatures

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….days 163, 164 and 165

Carla Sonheim had us make our own sidewalk cracks using a recipe that she devised. I tried making one in London and from that I looked for a critter or animal that I could cut out and fill in with marks and colour. From one sheet of paper I managed to find two ‘abstract’ animals. One is a dog of sorts and the other a sitting elephant.

I’m really enjoying sketching with graphite pencils and blending stumps. I’ve also been inspired by Sophie Favre’s clay sculptures that I saw in London and I created a mouse using her style.

Quirky Creature – Days 161 and 162

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..365 Days of Art

Around day 5 of our trip to London, my husband and I ventured to the British Museum. We quickly realized that going to any museum in the middle of the week meant that we would be surrounded by hoards of school children on field trips.

After leaving the museum we found a wonderful gallery directly across the street that featured wonderful ceramics. We were immediately drawn in by a series of ‘quirky’ creatures with human characteristics. The artist is Sylvie Favre from Paris.

For the next two nights I attempted to sketch a couple of these wonderful creations. I used a graphite pencil and a blending stump.

365 Days of Art – While in London

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…I did actually find some time to do some drawing when I was in London

Days 159 and 160

I’ve been trying to practice drawing more quirky characters. I did manage two pages of these lovely ladies while staying in our Airbnb in London. I found the best time to draw was when everyone had gone to bed.

Mama Cormier

…. my journey to a healthy life, making new memories and so much more

Category Archives: 365 Days of Art