4/2/09

FIRST DAY

This is a work in progress from the workshop. Our instructor talked every morning for two hours, then gave an assignment we could chose to do or not. In workshops, I'm more of an 'or not' kind of person, so I went my own way, trying to implement some of the points Miles had made in my choice of painting.

This is what I started, based on a trip to Amsterdam, where they have two story parking garages just for bikes. I'll post the next phase of the picture tomorrow so you can see how it's changed. This is transparent watercolor on YUPO.

11 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Looks like you got rid of the brown areas - good! Can't wait to see how you finish this one up. It is definitely a keeper, I don't care how many people paint bicycles (I haven't seen that many or that many that are this good, anyway!) Love the design.

S*Ja Znaju, Scrappar Liv said...

Lovely, looking forwaed to day 2.

Dawn said...

Hey Sandy,

you need to tell us more about the workshop and workshops in general for all of us newbie want to be artists. should you go when you are just starting out? or wait a few years? or 5?

word verification: flown

Sandy Maudlin said...

Thanks, RHonda. Appreciate your vote of confidence...now to finish the painting.

Scrapper Liv, so glad you stopped by. Good to hear from you.

Dawn, the workshops have something for everyone, since there ar 12 instructors to choose from. Check out the website (see previous post for the link) and it'll list whethter a class is for beginners, intermediate level or advanced. I know of some people who've been to Kanuga and never picked up a paint brush until they got there....very beginner. What's wonderful is the huge mix of levels and how everyone shares together and learns. The creative energy is enough to make me go back each year. So - answer is -- go when you've just started (and you'll be nervous for sure) or go when you have some painting under your belt (you'll still be nervous) or go when you can really paint. No matter what, the experience is well worth it. We've been consistently improving over the years and even have new leadership now. The quality of instruction has recently really raised a couple of levels for sure.

Meera Rao said...

I like it now :). Can't wait to see the next stage.

cathyswatercolors said...

Hi Sandy, what a great picture. Did you paint over something to get that great texture?

Sandy Maudlin said...

Hi Meera, Thanks for your encouragement, but not sure I like where the painting's headed just yet.

Shicat,
The watercolor is on Yupo 'paper,' and I use a regular window washing squeegee to move some areas around as well as stamp lines down. I think that's the texture you're seeing. The paper is ultra smooth, a high grade, slick plastic surface that's challenging and exciting to work on. If you haven't tried it, get yourself a squeegee, a couple of foam rollers, some watercolor paint, a a sheet of Yupo. It washes off if you don' like it and you can start all over. Have fun.

Chris Beck said...

Very exciting image! Looking forward to tomorrow's post.

Michelle Himes said...

This is looking really cool so far, Sandy! I hope you are going to share all your workshop paintings, and I can't wait to see what else you have in mind for this one.

Your workshop sounds like a lot of fun. My sister and I just got back from a workshop at Springmaid Beach, SC. My sis convinced me to try one two years ago, and I thought I would only go once because it was expensive and I have to watch my budget, etc. But I had such a good time that I've gone with her every year since.

Susan Liles said...

Discovered your blog last week and am amazed with your yupo paintings.
I know how hard it is!
Love the beginning of this painting and will check back to see the progress.
Sue

Sandy Maudlin said...

Hi Chris. Sure would be easier to paint this with two minds working on it. Michelle, Springmaid is wonderful too. Been there twice and plan to return one of these days, so maybe we'll meet up:-D
And WELCOME, Sue, So glad you stopped by. I'll be checking your blog too.