Showing posts with label colors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colors. Show all posts

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Music and Jazz Lovers: If Music Had Color

Title: The Color of Music
Medium: Acrylics on Canvas
Size: 14" x 11" x 1/2" 
             
 
The Color of Music immediately reminds me of the wonderful sounds of jazz with it's vibrant colors of blues, red, orange, lime green and black. This small, but bold abstract painting packs a punch of vibrancy for any office or room in your home. This ready to hang painting is not framed and has black painted sides. What a great gift this painting would be for you or your music loving friends.  

I hope you have you subscribed to my art blog to follow updates with my paintings. If you have an art lover friend, please share my blog with them.

Thank you for enjoying the Color of Music with me! 
Allison




Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Beginner Artists: 3 Little Paintings I Made Using Water Soluble Crayons

Artists and Crafters, have you ever used Neocolor II Swiss made water soluble crayons? Have you used them in your artwork or multi-media projects? What do you think about them?
I thought I'd experiment with a set I had found in my supplies the other day. 
They are suitable for numerous techniques on a wide range of materials. You can purchase them individually or in sets. 

 See on Amazon: Caran-dAche-Classic-Neocolor-Water-Soluble Crayons

I will say they are richly pigmented, that was a plus for me.
They can be a little messy though by getting all over your fingers once they are dipped in water, but that's the creative part of making art, right? 

First, I applied acrylic paint on paper, then after allowing the paint to dry, I layered with the crayons. I drew right on top of the acrylic paint.  No problems there, moved with ease and you can smooth out lines if you like. They do have a texture similar to regular crayola crayons, but not as waxy.

I liked the crayon look that it gives the painting, a graphic style that tends to be more edgy. You can paint with them by adding water and using a brush, however, I wasn't too crazy using them that way. Perhaps, if you are a watercolor painter, you could appreciate them in that manner. But my favorite way of using the crayons was simply drawing with them. You can add water and blend out your lines. Still my favorite approach was drawing onto the acrylics with free flowing lines and/or circles. I would recommend having a small set of water soluble crayons to add a different element to your art. I would use them again, maybe not often, but worth having on hand. Also, these work great for kids.

I thought these little paintings came out pretty cool.

Take a look at these and tell me what do you think?

 Untitled
Medium: Acrylics and Water Soluble Crayons on Vellum Paper.
Size: 4" x 9" 


 Title: Hedged In
Medium: Acrylics and Water Soluble Crayons
Size: 6" x 3"
 Untitled
Medium: Acrylic and Water Soluble Crayons
Size: 4" x 4" 


I'd love to hear your comments on these little experiments or the Neocolor II crayons. What do you use?

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Seafood Foodies:The Claw

Hello,
I hope you enjoyed "Cherokee Girls" and "Moccasins" paintings from the last two posts. I decided to go in a different direction, something for fun. And look where I ended up. Painting a colorful crab claw on black background

There's something so simple and freeing using the black background. It's as if it speaks for itself. And what about that pose of the claw? Demanding a little respect wouldn't you say? Yes, any pincher like that will definitely demand one's respect.

Anyway, I like it's stately pose as if it's was showing off it's vibrant shell of colors.

So here's "The Claw":

"The Claw"
6" x 6" (square)
Acrylic
Vellum Paper


Hope you enjoyed "The Claw", there's no telling what I'll paint next. Come back and see what's next.
What do you think? Like the black background? Like to see more of this?
Thanks for visiting, Allison.  
           

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Renewal

Recently I have been changing things up a bit with my color palette. "Renewal" is from this new palette. I like how it turned out, but it's a little different from my usual work and two comments I've received so far were that it was "pretty". I started to say back to them, "Didn't you know pretty is back in?" But I didn't. I know what they mean. Perhaps, not the best of compliments, but I wasn't looking for any. I know it felt good to make that painting and the experience reflected what was happening on the inside of me. I had taken a break from painting and was bored with my usual color palette and also so comfortable with it. So this was the feminine side wanting to come out and be renewed. This painting feels fresh and energizing to me, with a strong burst of creative energy radiating out from the center.

 Renewal 
 Acrylic
Size: 36"  x 24" x  .5" (deep)



Close Up View 1


Close Up View 2


Close Up View 3


Stay tuned for more! Thanks for stopping back and feel free to leave comments! Allison

Friday, June 15, 2012

"Going IntraCoastal". Life at the NC Beach.

I've decided to change things up a little bit with my painting. A new color palette for my new beach/water series. I'm using softer colors of pastels with hints of some vibrant color just to make the painting "pop"!
Here is one of my latest of this new series, "Going IntraCoastal". I like this painting.  It has a rough, palette knife texture, with soft hues. The colors range from pure white to lime, pinks, violets, turquoise, to light blues. This painting reminds me of the memories of living near the NC IntraCoastal Waterway and watching the boats pass by waiting for their turn to go through the swing bridge.

Hope you are enjoying this new series and color choices. This one was hard to photograph with so much bright white, but I hope you can see enough to get the idea.


"Going IntraCoastal"
24" x 18" (h) x 1.2" deep
Acrylic'


Close Up 1


Close Up 2

Hope you enjoy seeing this new painting, let me know what you think. There's more to come, stay tuned!
Allison


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

ArtTip: How do you decide what colors to use in your painting?

I thought include an art tip to show how I go about deciding what colors I want to use for each painting. This will work whether you paint landscapes or abstracts. Do you have those color chips from the hardware stores stuffed in a drawer somewhere in your house? Here's what you can do with them. If you don't paint, they are also handy in finding the right shade in picking out your clothes or accessories. You can organize your closet this way too.


Here you see, I have paint chips for both families of cool colors and warm colors. First, I have laid them out on a white canvas or you can use a white poster broad to keep the colors pure. Then, you can group them however you like, either cool vs. warm or light vs. dark shades. You can also lay them out by intensity, either calm color groups, vivid colors or fresh colors, and etc. Now, I can go through each group and see what colors inspire me. Since I'm an abstract painter, I tend to choose what I'm drawn to at that time. But basically, I pick  up what grabs my eye, lay them out together and see how it feels to me. 

 
In this photo above, you can see I have selected my final color choices. I have decided to use a vivid colors group to make a lively abstract painting. Using a mixture of color and warm colors can add dramatic.

In the photos below, I will show you my  paint palette mixed up from my final paint chip selection.

Here is the yellow and aqua paint already mixed and ready to go! You see having the paint chip helps me to see if I have the paint mixed properly. Not a bad match, if I do say so myself! 

Purple and green ready to go.

Next up, pink and brown.

Blue

And lastly, Raspberry Sorbet. Sounds good, doesn't it? 

Now my palette is ready and I'm feeling good about the final mix. In case you wondered, these are oil paints. I hope this helps in working with color and choosing your paint palette or organize your closet! So, how do you set up your painting palette? Do you tend to stick to the same color palette? Will be interesting to hear how you decide on colors.
Allison

Saturday, December 18, 2010

My experience with a "Sarasota Sunset".

Hello! I know it's been cold in most parts of the country, so I thought I'd post a painting that will remind you of something warm, a "Sarasota Sunset".  I was fortunate while living in Sarasota, Florida to attend Ringling College of Art and Design, I was able to enjoy the sunsets often at one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S., Siesta Key Beach. This abstract painting was inspired by those beautiful sunsets and my experience.

As a newcomer, I watched how the locals would bring a nice packed light meal which usually included a crusty bread, cheese, fruit, and of course a good bottle of wine. A small table would be part of the decor with a beautiful, but simple tablecloth. Friends would gather just the right time and prepare the perfect viewing spot.

From the parking lot, locals and tourists alike would start pouring in and onto the beach, in a fresh change of clothes. Now ready, they carry their chairs across the cool sand to enjoy a glass of wine with dear and new friends. Fortunately, heat and humidity from the day has left and they relax in the cool refreshing gulf breezes. As the conversation begins, the guests ever-so-often, take a glimpse at their watches and the positioning of sun for the timing of the sunset. They stay close by, as to not miss the event.

Bread, cheese and wine are being shared and enjoyed as the sun begins it's welcoming of the evening. The muted colors from the bright hot day are gone and now the intensity begins. The show is off to a great start, the puffy white clouds have moved out of the way, knowing it's the sun's turn to show off. Everyone feels great in this moment. Life is good. Friends tell jokes, comment on the beauty, and reflect on the day. There are no worries at this moment, just laughter and awe. The sun finally sets and the colors in the sky, intensify and radiate up and outward. There's nothing like it and everyone agrees. It's amazing and yet, we all know it's going to happen all over again the next evening. They toast to a beautiful day in paradise and how blessed they are to share it with good friends.

This abstract painting was made with oils, some of the paint was left to dry and other sections of paint while wet were rubbed off. The colors in this painting were turquoise for the water, warm yellows, oranges, reds, and golds for the sunset. I hope you enjoy it. This is one of my favorite paintings. Inspired from a wonderful experience made by nature. Feel free to post your sunset experiences and/or comments. Wishing you many great sunsets, Allison.


"Sarasota Sunset"
24" x 24" 
Oil
Sold



Sunday, December 05, 2010

"The Abyss Recreated"

Do you remember the movie, "The Abyss" from 1989 and directed by James Cameron and starred Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio? For some odd reason that movie made an impact on me, or I should admit, scared me. And I did give that movie too much time in my thought life. But anyway, I entertained those particular thoughts further and imagined what if the abyss wasn't that scary after-all. Let's say something happened down there and the abyss was recreated. The abyss instantly was recreated from a black bottomless pit of despair into a place of endless beauty and new life. Thus, this painting came to be.

I painted with oils using soft feathery brush strokes to show the gentle movement of the water. The colors choices were intended to be vivid, brilliant and dramatic because of the new energy that bursts forth. Well, that's what I imagined. Thank you stopping by and always feel free to comment. Allison.


"The Abyss Recreated"
18" x 18"
Oil
Sold


Sunday, November 14, 2010

My "Gulf Waters" painting added to Etsy's local treasury.

Sometimes sweet little things come in a form of an email to me. And this news that my painting, "Gulf Waters" (the middle one on the first row) was picked to be part of Etsy's local treasury shop delighted me. I don't really care to do self-promotion, but I understand it's necessary. However, it's wonderful when someone does it for you! Right? Also being a part of something larger than ourselves is a good feeling. Thought you might like to see this local treasury of handmade items. Enjoy these artists from Asheville to Raleigh, NC. Thanks for visiting. Allison

'Home Away From Home' by ajoeynamedrootoo

Great items for the holidays from my two stomping grounds, Raleigh and Asheville, NC. Great greens across North Carolina. Enjoy!


Vintage Brass Fan Earri...
$20.00

Gulf Waters Oil Paintin...
$125.00

POCKET sage
$12.00

Leaves of Green, a Pain...
$8.00

Cinnamon Poppy Bagel - ...
$30.00

Ginkgo Leaf Wedding Inv...
$2.30

Blue Urchin Bowl
$60.00

Pea Pod ornament
$10.00

blowing Tree branch Gra...
$25.00

Pastel Blooms Pendant, ...
$30.00

Hand Dyed - Cowl Neck -...
$62.00

custom family tree -- b...
$

Swirling Water - Sterli...
$30.00

Pine Fern. Cream Linen ...
$16.00

THE EMERALD CITY SKIRT ...
$32.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Monday, October 04, 2010

"Summer Reflections"

Hello All!
Even though summer is over now and autumn has begun, I just finished a painting from a series I call "Reflections". My "Summer Reflections" painting is a result of a study on the reflections. In art school, we students were taught how to see reflective color around us. I remember in my figure class one day, our instructor was teaching us where reflective colors come from and how they change what we view. We had to squint our eyes and look long enough to see color being reflected from the walls and other objects onto the figure we were drawing at the time. It took me a while but sure enough, I slowly began to see what she was saying. Wow, it does open up a new world to you when you've been given a different perspective, right? So now, no longer were we drawing a figure just with the usual highlights and shadows, we were adding in reflective colors here and there. Definitely changed our thinking and artwork. Still these days I find myself not just looking at the obvious, but at most interesting and changing reflective atmospheric colors. They too, can be just as interesting. As you see, this painting has the reflective colors and shades of summer. With trees and other plants in their full various shades of green to the flowers in their vibrant colors blooming. The sky is bright and sunny, shadows from winter gone except under the wonderful canopy of an oak or maple tree. Oh, how we long for shade in the hot summer months and rely on that shelter of shade. The days of summer are hot and long with plenty of glare. The colors are a combination of brightness, yet faded from summer's hot sun.
I hope you enjoy "Summer Reflections" and I'll be adding more, so please return. Thank you for stopping by to reflect back on life in each it's distinct seasons.  Allison.


"Summer Reflections"
24" x 30"
Acrylic




Observations

Good Day! Here's another edition to my creative exercises on paper, "Observations". I really love this piece, it has an Ocea...