Monday, February 24, 2014

Sunny Spot

This is another small piece, 5" x 5", done with pastels, on 320 grit UArt paper. It's hopelessly overworked, in my opinion. But I got carried away. I do like that one spot of sunlight, just behind where the two slopes overlap.

It was inspired by work by Gregory Hull.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Brilliants

This is a very small sketch on UArt 320 grit paper using mostly the new set of Girault pastels that arrived last night : the Brilliants.  Since the Girault line of pastels isn't loaded with what I would call brilliant colors, I was curious to see how they would manage to select a set of fifty so designated.

Verdict: Nice try. Except for some bright and strong reds and oranges, it's a charming set of very usable colors. Nothing outlandish or garish. Or brilliant. Right in line with the Girault philosophy. (Well, there is one fairly outlandish phthalo-like greenish . . . . something. But I'll forgive them.)

I hope to use some of these new pieces to replace some other similar (but larger and softer) pieces in my traveling Sketchbox Double. But I do not ever imagine being able to fit out a traveler with nothing but Giraults. Too many light values and strong colors are missing. Plus, soft light bright pastels are a must for the last layer, as can be seen in this piece. Love that impasto!

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. . . and forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us . . . 
This is becoming a harder and harder exchange to make. As one grows old, selfish, and self-absorbed, one finds it more difficult to forgive trespasses in others. Not just forget about them and move on, but really sincerely actively forgive. It takes work. Which, now that I think about it, is the whole point.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Desert Breath

This is a land art sculpture in Egypt. It is the most exquisite object I've seen in some time. Click on the Project Page for more views of this wonderful sculpture.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Bento Ladies

These Bento Ladies are wonderful.

Where are they? This seems to be a social outing along a wild river. Did they bring the dais with them? Just how many attendants did this outing require? Is the fellow in the rear their sushi chef or a bodyguard?

In any event, we ought to be preparing for picnic season, rapidly approaching. The Bento Ladies are our inspiration.

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ADDENDUM : Thanks to all who wrote suggesting source material that my whim of the moment craved. I did succeed in finding some very promising material. Merci beaucoup!