September 30 x 30 Day 30

Final day of the challenge. This month has really flown by. I really enjoyed my exploration of using charcoal and pastels in a fairly dark gray sketch book. This is another sketch of the wall with all its light patterns and foliage behind. Foliage and shadows mixing in together. At first it eluded me and luckily with a rag wiped down to an almost clean slate, but in the end I am fairly happy with the result. 

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Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 29

Late afternoon the trees made some arch like shadows on the wall.

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Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 28

Another abstract of the ground patterns, almost like waves at sea. 

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Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8 "

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 27

Shadows on ground and wall. This time, I took the reference to extreme through Topaz filters, simplify and impression. The ground almost looks like a sea. Well, it might be because of the lights and shadows on the ground. 

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 26

Another view of the shelter cropped closer. Tree had foliage at the main branches. Tried mainly to block in main  shapes without too much detail.

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 25

Trees, car, and invisible dog, Can't see her, Lilly sniffing around? Well tried as I  couldn't get her with the pastels. So my black eraser came in handy. May try again. 

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Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 24

Eucalyptus tree near the shelter. Tried to simplify the shapes and tones. 

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Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 23

Another corner looking out of the wooded area. This used to be a play area for children but they took down the swings and slides. Now it's mainly for dog walking. Wish they would close it all around and make it a proper dog area,

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Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 22

Bench with Palm, view to the street, This was a real quickie, Thought I would have time later to sketch at least 2 sketches. Always like to be ahead of the game. Life seems to get in the way sometimes. Dentist,physiotherapy, workshop, babysitting etc. Cropped the photo reference and used some topaz filters. Liked the way the curved palm contrast with the blocks of the area of the tree, bench, and background. Lots of light playing on the ground and bench.

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8 "

Gray-paper

Horsha Painting # 1

This is the first of maybe a series of painting that will be based on the sketches that I have done for the September Challenge 30 x 30 hosted by Leslie Seata.

This one was based on sketch # 3, Worked in oils on cut canvas mainly using a palette knife. Found the transition from charcoal sketch to oil paints very challenging. I wanted to capture some of the sketch quality but also have a painterly look. I also added a bit of color to the B&W reference.

Click to enlarge

oils on cut canvas

30 x 22 cm

Thought it may be a good idea to post along with the painting the charcoal sketch and the reference photo.  I have a thought about how to further these sketches to paintings, go back to the reference photo as well as the sketch.  Any thoughts appreciated.

Reference Photo

The photo was worked on in PS made into a B&W and made copies on layers that superimposed to get the effect of movement.

Sketch

Looking at this now, after working in this medium for a few weeks this is definitely one I would do over.

September 30 x 30 Day 21

Instead of shadows on the wall, this time elongated shadows on the ground. Think I could have made them a bit softer.

Click to enlarge

6 x 8 "

Charcoal and pastels

Grey-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 19

I am definitely inspired by the varying patterns of light cast on a long concrete wall. I have taken many shots and each one different. Here the pattern looks like a passing cloud. I shot the original image trying the panning effect. A method that I still have to improve The shot did have that grass movement that I mimicked.

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8 " 

Gray-paper

September 30 x 30 Day 18

In the Horsha stands a bomb shelter, a reminder of where we are, decorated with Keith Haring comic figures. I liked the contrast of the concrete and the delicate foliage behind. Late afternoon light played its part in the composition.

click to enlarge

6 x 8 "

Charcoal and Pastels

Gray Paper

September 30 x 30 Day 17

Getting closer with the camera caught this interesting view of the corner of the bench and the bottom of a  tree trunk. Thought it made an interesting composition but not too sure now.

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

Gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 16

In our area, we have Hooded Crows. Large smart and quite noisy creatures.  They look for treasures on the floor of the Horsha. Across the street, there is a tall Pecan tree so lots of nuts can be found. They are very ingenious at opening the nuts.  Sometimes they come quite close. 

Three crows strutting was first done on a photo with just one crow in PS. He was quite far. I will have to get one closer, maybe bring some tidbits.

Charcoal and Pastels

on gray paper

6 x 8 "

September 30 x 30 Day 15

House beyond the wall. The sun was making patterns on the wall and house behind. Every day new sun shadow games...

Charcoal and pastels

on gray paper

6 x 8 "

September 30 x 30 Day 14

This afternoon the trees were making shadows on the wall. 

Tree Shadows

6 x 8 "

Charcoal and Pastels

Gray Paper

September 30 x 30 Day 20

This Hooded Crow has already started to molt. He was difficult to capture but he's kinda cute! Lots of pickings on the floor of the Horsha, dates and pecans. 

Click to enlarge

Charcoal and Pastels

6 x 8"

Gray Paper

September 30 x 30 Day 13

Close up of the palm tree.

Palm Tree

6 x 8 "

Charcoal and Pastels

gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 12

Light patterns on the ground. Every time I go to make some more shots of the "horsha" I am amazed at the varying patterns of light as they play on the ground beneath the trees, I usually go there late afternoon because that's Lilly's favorite space, and that's when the light plays.  Sometimes she meets with one of the other neighborhood dogs, Creambo or Snow.  I always, most always, bring my regular camera to get some more shots. I will be putting up most of the references on my Flickr account, probably after the challenge. I shoot in RAW and love to fiddle around in photoshop finding new effects, especially with the Topaz filters. With this challenge my photography and sketching meet. 

Floor Patterns

6 x 8"

Gray Paper 

September 30 x 30 Day 11

A double spread sketch of the tall majestic palm. She rises high above all the other foliage and trees around.  May do a close up of her majestic head!!!

Charcoal and pastels

29  x 21 cm

gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 10

The wall with shadow patterns and weeds, background foliage from the backyard behind.

Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8 gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 9

The area from which I am working is a small wooded area. At one time there were a few children's swings and slides but they have been taken down for security reasons. All that is left is one lonely  metal bench. Lookin at it now I think it could use more lights.

Charcoal and white pastel

6 x 8 gray paper

In Between

Well, there is a first time everything. Writing this on the bus to Jerusalem. Recently installed blogger app that has helped with getting my photos on posts,skipping the PC. But first time texting.

Yesterday first day of  my weekly workshop.  It was great seeing everyone and getting back to the creative zone.

This painting was started last June. A piece of cut of canvas about 30 x 22 cm. Underpainting was done with my oil/wax crayons and medium. Added oils in spite of the fact that Heleni felt it was working. I have a history of overworking. I am going to do another version. Inspiration came from a photo of my front yard. Loved the interesting shadow patterns. Will edit later on PC,can't figure how to configure the text to the left and not in the middle. Duh!

Have edited on the PC looks more normal. Not a good idea to try to write when on a moving bus!!!

Oils on canvas

30 x 22 cm

Entrance to Jerusalem

Sign says Welcome

September 30 x 30 Day 8

This greatly overworked. Tried some different effects which didn't turn out the way I wanted,  Part of the learning process. Have to keep these very simple because the paper is so smooth for charcoal and pastels. 

6 x 8"

Charcoal and pastels 

Gray paper 

September 30 x 30 Day 7

Still seem to be getting a bluish cast on my photos but I am going to live with it, till I find the correct lighting to take photos.  Taking the photos with the camera really saves time!!!

Another corner in the "Horsha". There is this very tall date/palm tree which I will try to photograph and sketch in the next few days

approximate 6 x 8"

Charcoal and white pastel with 

red conte stick

September 30 x 30 Day 6

Black and white tonal sketch with a touch of red conte stick

Charcoal and pastels

6 x 8 "

Gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 5

Decided to go on the whole page, hey why skimp. Also added a bit of color with a reddish conte stick  I like the effect. Another close crop of the wall in the wooded area. 

A rough 6 x 8 " sketch 

Charcoal pastel conte stick

Medium gray format

September 30 x 30 Day 4

Oop,s why does this have a bluish overcast. May do a retake of the photo although it is still monochromatic. Did a quick fix on the phone... looks much better although I am leaving the toned image as well. Oh and learned a new how to edit on the phone... don't schedule!!!!

In the Horsha there is a concrete wall that gets some interesting shadows when the sun is setting. This is mainly what drew me to making the shoot there in the first place.  There are lots of dry weeds at the base of the wall.

5 x 7 " 

Charcoal and pastels on gray paper

September 30 x 30 Day 3

Well, I think I have learned how to take advantage of the camera. Taking a shot,cropping,resizing, rename and maybe some exposure evaluation. One click, sharing on a new post on Blogger App. Less than 5 minutes.  Now ready to open on the PC YAY! Only thing it seems to want to save after each fix, can live with that just have to remember to delete the ones I don't need. All photos are automatically backed on Google Photos..Cool!!!

This is a section of one of my shots in the the Horsha (wood) near my house. Still feeling my way with the gray paper which I wish had more tooth with various sticks. 

 5 x 7 " charcoal and white chalk

September 30 x 30 Day 2

September 30 x 30 Day 1

Again I am taking up Leslie's challenge.  Maybe taking on more than I can chew because of health issues and my intention of combining  photography and my sketching. 

My main theme will be tonal sketches of my own references and some from Unsplash.  This was done from one of my references taken from the nearby wooded area opposite my home, I use the term very loosely. A few trees  and a bench where Lilly, my dog, loves to wander and smell to see what's up!!!

Some of my references I will be manipulating in Photoshop to get some double exposure effect and some impressionistic effects.  I will be posting my photos on my Flickr account in an album I will call Impressionistic.

I am using a new sketch pad that I bought which is heavy medium gray smooth paper and will be using charcoal,graphite pencils, white pastel. May use my colored crayons... will go with the flow.

One of the reasons that I chose the format and medium  to keep my work as fresh as possible and not to get into details. 

5 x 7" Sketch on gray paper

One of my workshop friends and artist Neomi Levin is also taking up the challenge.  Neomi's blog.