A portrait of the artist as a multitude of cravings. As the saying goes: you are what you eat.
My effort with acrylic paints were slightly better this time. However, I was rather annoyed with the whole thing for a while into it. I have so much more of a grasp on drawing, but I'm still figuring out a lot of things with acrylics (and painting, in general). I had enough gumption to stick with it and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.
I think acrylics was a good medium to use on this subject, partly because of all the creamy frostings involved. By the end of it, I did have a better understanding of the medium and how I work with it:
1. I much prefer the heavy bodied Liquitex paints I have rather than the Grumbacher tubes which are more "runny." The Liquitex feel more like the thicker oils I was more used to in college.
2. The extender I have is pretty useless.
3. I'm beginning to like the quicker drying time - it serves my impatience well, allowing me to rework areas almost immediately and to utilize dry brush effects that I like.
4. I really need to invest in some better paint brushes.
I also fell back on the "easier for me" expressionistic color palette rather than taking the time to mix more natural colors. But the, sweets tend to be more colorful anyway. So, it works.
Anyway, my family arrived home from camping today. My oldest daughter made me a portrait of her own from nature as a present as today is my birthday.
I spent some time playing with the acrylics in the studio today. Like chalk pastel – it’s a love/hate relationship. This is just a little experimental work to try and figure out the medium. Being a detail person, I also wanted to try something a little looser and painterly. I’d welcome some constructive criticism. I don't consider it a "finished" piece - just exploratory.
Some of my problem with acrylics has to do with the fact that I’ve done very little painting since college (when I used oils). Acrylic is a different ballgame. I don’t like the consistency of the paint – compared to oils. I like the Liquitex heavy body paints a little better than the Grumbacher ones I have (which are more runny and thin).
I’m coming to terms with the quick drying time – like it on the painting itself, but hate it on the palette. I’ll have to invest in one of those stay-wet palette things and see how that goes (I hate buying things that require refill purchases all the time).
Given the hours of unwholesome family fun we've had recently with the Farting Fun Kit, I was highly amused by this article my brother sent me.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary definition for flatulence is brief: "flatus expelled through the anus." And while it's a natural bodily function, it seems some Camden-Rockport Middle School eighth-grade boys are taking it to new heights and making a game of seeing who can expel the loudest and grossest flatus.
According to this week's Fire Cracker school newsletter though, the joke's on the boys as the penalty for "intentional farting" is now a detention.
Once you've stopped laughing, I'd ask you to ponder a few questions along with me, namely:
1) How, exactly, does one determine if a fart is intentional? Is it through facial expression? Post-flatus giggling? An absence of blushing on the part of the farter?
Enquiring Minds Want To Know.
2) Is "Flatus" really a word? If so, can I use it in my next book?
3) In fact, can my next book be about a school that bans intentional farting?
Truth really IS stranger than fiction, no?
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nice work- very intresting & yummy! x kas
Wonderful Painting! Love the colors! I would be a Fig Newton if I was what I ate. I consumed a half a package of them just yesterday! Bummer, I would not be so colorful, eh? I love the portrait your daughter created too! Quite the artist herself!
First what a kind and thoughtful present from your daughter! Creativity is clearly something your family embraces. Second, love the illio. Great thoughts on medium matching subject. It's so clever! I don't think the picture even finished loading on the screen before a giggle escaped!
happy birthday!!! I think the colors and textures are so yummy! I really can't tell that you are 'learning' the medium. You've done a great job!!!
Classic. I love this idea and it's well rendered.
Diane ~ this is wonderful ~ I love the concept, and the way you've adapted to the acrylics. I would have thought this was your medium, if you weren't so hard on yourself :)
SWEET! (no pun intended.)
NICE ONE! REALLY GREAT JOB!It´s a well done work, and it´s a great interpretation of the subject.
i looked like that yesterday after i ate a piece of cake, and two chocolate bars dipped in peanut butter. Beautifully done - i love this!
:) so, so fun and yummy!
i should really try to paint with acrylics again.. your painting is lovely, diane, wonderful colors. and happy birthday!
Looks awesome!
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I'm happy with the outcome...but it was an uphill battle. Now, excuse me please. I'm off for a bowl of ice cream.