Making a Statement

     Below is the pencil work for a oil painting I will be starting on this week, and I am thinking about using a camera to show you the various stages of the paintings with notes about what I am doing.  I'll see how things go.  Some times things are just crazy and I don't think about things like that, but I am going to get a camera/video camera for the studio so it will make it easier.
     This has been a wonderful week for me. I am having issues with my blood sugar, but I am seeing the Doc on Wednesday, and it's probably time for a new pill for me, plus, I am tightening up my diet even more. I have felt good thought and my passion and love for art is coming back with me going back to my roots, drawing and painting. I realize it has been almost 2 years since I have picked up a brush, but like with the pencils, I don't think that will be a big issue.  It might take a little work to get back to the level I was on, but I think not.  We'll see.
     I am going to be getting a video camera soon, and I am going to start making video's on how I do a lot of things, as taught to me by Master Horne. Hopefully these will help everyone even more. The tip today is a "Common Sense" art tips, but unless some one has told you this, you might not have thought about it.  When drawing a man, it is what you show in the drawing that makes him interesting, such as wrinkles, scar's, and so on.  When drawing or painting a woman, it's what you don't show that counts. A good example of this is when I was younger, my grandmother wanted me to do a portrait of her. I worked very hard and very long on it. I made sure I got every feature down pat, including all the wrinkles on her face.  When I presented her with it, she was really mad at me, and had nothing nice to say.  Lesson learned. When drawing a woman, think glamour and youth. Women are very touchy about these things, as well as the viewers.  So unless you are trying to paint an elderly woman in an illustration, the best thing to do is not draw any wrinkles or baggy eyes that you may see in your model, especially if it is a portrait.

     The next tip is this. When drawing, think real life. For instance, let's say Conan was a real person. Now if your painting him, you must remember that he is a warrior, and very likely got to town very little, or even took a lot of baths.  So when you draw or paint him, his sword might have a little rust on it, bloodstains, or even little kinks in the blade.  His face is probably going to be smudge with dirt or blood. His clothes will be torn, dirty, and have blood stains.  His horse is not going to be beautiful,  Conan would not have time to brush him or her, nor the desire too. His shield is going to be filled with dents, dirt and blood.  Are you starting to get the picture now?  This would apply to any character you would be painting or drawing. You have to think about their circumstances and so on. There is nothing glamorous about killing a living being, so learn to use emotions in there faces, like anger, hurt, regret and even smiles.  Each little thing, no matter how suttle it is, makes a big difference and matters.
     Thank you for stopping by. It is always a pleasure to share with you. See you soon, "Peace and Blessings" and "May the Darkness Comfort You."