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.

A Photo a Week Challenge – Reflection

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….since there is no new challenge this week I decided to go back to Nancy Merrill’s blog and check out which challenge I’d missed

The challenge that I missed was Reflection

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.

London – Day 4 (Harrods, Hyde Park)

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….day four was another busy day with lots of walking

Today my Andrea, Josie and I headed to Harrods and Hyde Park. We left Kevin at home to rest and agreed to meet up later in the afternoon.

Harrods is probably one of the most famous stores in London. It is not centrally located and is about a mile from Kensington in the area known as Knightsbridge. Knightsbridge is a very exclusive area, one of the wealthiest parts of London where some of London’s most expensive hotels are situated. Needless to say that we didn’t go there to shop but merely to look around. The food hall was most interesting and beautifully set up with gorgeous display cases of chocolates and pastries and the seafood was displayed on mounds of ice in the most attractive way.

While we were there we were told about the Egyptian escalators that were built in 1998 to reflect the Edwardian style of the building. Harrods built the first ever escalator in the UK in 1898. Nervous customers using the contraption were offered brandy when they reached the top to help them recover from their “ordeal”.

From Harrods we walked over to Hyde Park and walked along the Serpentine Lake. People actually swim in this lake along with the local ducks, geese and swans.

The installation art that you see in the lake is from the world famous artist, Christo, who unveiled his work The London Mastaba (2018) earlier in June. It is a 20-metre-high floating sculpture on London’s Serpentine Lake, constructed from 7,506 oil drums.

Stay tuned for part 2…….

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.

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Mama Cormier

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

Category Archives: Art