I have been in a bit of a mixed media doldrums in recent weeks. I feel as if I have been going backwards rather than forwards with my skills, making messes rather than progress. Granted I have had two weeks of having a different kid home sick from school following on from a week of having no heating in the house, I have been juggling a lot, my free time has been squeezed and choked, my creative mojo has been wilting, but I feel as if my mixed media abilities have atrophied or at best plateaued. This week’s Life Book lesson, therefore, was a test of whether I could get things heading in the right direction again.
This week’s lesson was taken by Tamara Laporte which was a good start since Tam is always upbeat and sunshiney and positive with a “can do” attitude. I also find that I can better mesh my own style with her lessons than with some other tutors. The learning focus of the lesson was creating a darker skin tone for a winged figure. There was a second learning opportunity which was using molding paste to create texture but, since I do not own molding paste, I did not do that part of the lesson.
The things I like about my painting are the peacock feather, jewel colours; the way the green eyes pop; and the way the tilted head makes the figure look as if she is daydreaming. While it may not represent great progress with mixed media, I at least feel as though this is a step forward rather than backwards. Let’s hope I keep moving in that direction.
Oh my, so wonderful and dreamy! I love the eyes and underlying collage! Beautiful Laura!
Thanks, Sharon. Yes, I’m pretty pleased with the eyes. They manage to still be a focal point in what is a very busy piece. I appreciate your kind comment.
it’s a beautiful piece of art and I love the white outlining too. I wish I could do faces like you do! XO
Thank you very much, Mike. I appreciate your kind words. Are you still practicing drawing faces?
In a fashion… Just not in a journal, I have a scrap pad that I doodle faces in, but to be honest I found a style that I can draw really easily and that I like so I stopped!
That’s fantastic, Mike! Finding a style that works for you is something that can take ages and ages so it is terrific that you found it came to you with relative ease.
I think it was after the 6th face it all came together.. Bonus!!!!
Dreamy is the word. The collage gives it an atmosphere of – ideas swirling around – and she is going to choose one…
Thank you very much. There are definitely parts of this I do not like (I totally regret following the lesson and adding the wings) but I am focusing on the things I do like.
Maybe you could collage over the wings?
I am pondering just that possibility. My only hesitation is that the paper has already taken quite a battering. I am not going to rush into altering it but I am definitely giving it some thought.
Or, take paint, brush it over, and then scrape it off, sometimes that obscures without adding bulk, and in a nice filmy way. Try it on something else before you do it on the image to make sure of the effect. I’ve used this technique when in despair (sometimes meaning to paint over and throw it out!!!) and been surprised by how it salvages and actually enhances.
That’s a good idea. Thanks.
But don’t forget, it’s all about finding what you like and don’t like – success lies in working every day as you have been doing for so long now. Maybe it’s just one of those little plateaus we arrive at and wander across aimlessly just before we find ourselves flying once more ….. I love the colour mixes you are achieving.
Thank you. Yes, that is what I am hoping and trusting in, that I am just in a brief slump. I am also working hard to focus more on the positives in my art work and not in the things I wish I could do over.
Way to go Laura!! 🙂
It beautiful!
Thank you!
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She looks gorgeous! 🙂 you must print postcards!!!!
Thank you very much!
Seeing her today helped make my heart be calmer. She is beautiful.
Thank you for that lovely comment. 😀