Art and Soul

ART AND SOUL MAKES THE PRESS

2007-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

CROSS DISPLAY

2007-05-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is the cross display in our Fireside Room for all of the congregation to view.

ART for the HOMEBOUND

2007-04-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

Art for the Home Bound is a program which provides artwork created from the Art and Soul Christian Family Art Ministry to individuals that are either home or hospital bound. This program will let our home bound know that we are thinking of them and that a bit of God’s creative spirit is working to enrich their lives. It is goal of this program to provide artwork which can be used to help other ministries in our church accomplish their missions.

MOSIAC CROSSES

2007-04-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

The mosaic cross project utilized many talents that reside within our congregation. This was truly a multi-generational project that involved the talents and participation of many.

The following individuals participated in creating the crosses:

Silent Night Step By Step

2007-01-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the original sketch completed with felt tip pen and gray marker. This is the stage where I work out the composition for the painting. A number of sketches were completed so I could work out various compositional experiments.

Since this was to be a night or dusk scene, the values were pushed a few steps darker. No white paper would be visible. My target value pattern was a dark shape surrounding a light area (the roof).

I completely soaked the paper and dried the church steeple area by blotting it with a cloth. I loosely applied the sky keeping in mind that I wanted it dark and that it would dry lighter. I gradated the sky from dark to a lighter area on the right hand side. I also changed the color for the sake of variety. I also added a yellow and red lightly and loosely in the snow area. This was also for variety.

A yellow and red was was added in the window areas of the church. This same wash was also added where the luminaries light the path to the church.

The treeline was added varying the color as I went.

Washes were added to the church to define the light and shadow sides. These washes were also varied.

More detail was added to further define shapes.

This is the final. It was used for our family Christmas card. The church is based on our church that we attend. The steeple was changed to show the steeple originally built with the church. Our church puts out luminarias every Christmas eve. When there has been a fresh snow, the reflections of the warm light against the snow is such an inviting view.

WATERCOLOR STEP-BY-STEP

2006-10-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

This is the first painting I completed since taking my workshop. I felt a little rusty, but it felt good to throw some paint down on the paper. I will take you thru the process step-by-step. This painting was donated to the Midwest Chapter of Reeling and Healing. It will be auctiontioned off at a benefit with the proceeds going to the local Midwest Chapter. Reeling and Healing champions fly-fishing retreat programs for women diagnosed with or surviving cancer.

The first step of the process is to create my working sketch. This is completed with black pen and gray markers. My sketches are done in a 18"x24" sketch pad. The composition is from various elements brought together.

The next step was to pencil in the sketch onto watercolor paper. I used 140 lbs. Startmore Gemini for this painting. I changed the position of the drift boat because I thought it garnered too much attention in the position as shown in the working sketch. I also removed the rocks and changed the contour of the road. I typically sketch on my watercolor stock using a 2B or 4B pencil.

The next step is very important an often a step painters skip. I created a thumbnail value sketch to guide me in my painting. I will typically do 2-3 quick thumbnail value study roughs trying various value patterns until I find one that fits. I use a 4B and a flat carpenters pencil so I can quickly rough in the values. The value pattern is used was to have a light piece(small) surrounded by a dark shape (medium) on an overall midvalue field (biggest)

Now that I have a value pattern and my sketch is on my watercolor paper, it is time to get down to business. I thoroughly soak my paper and lay in the sky. I try to limit my time in the sky to 30 seconds. Anymore and I have the tendency to fiddle with it. I tip my paper on end to let the colors blend. I graduated the sky from dark to light. I also layed in the forground field using a large brush. The first steps look ugly, but you try to loosly get color and value in without the detail. Hopefully this will produce a fresh loose painting.

The next step I kept working in the colors and values. Referring to my value sketch. Since the midvalue is the largest, I typically work on this first. I can always go back and darken valyes if I need to. I try to not go into area more that twice. This helps to keep the painting looking overworked and muddy.

I wanted the painting to have a warm dominance. I contued to work the color and values, then I let the painting dry. The final step was to come in with the rigger and add my lines and my darkest darks. And here is the final.

Now it is critique time. I did not hit the dark values in the trees on the left side. They needed to be darker. The shape of the tree over the roof neede to foil the flyshop sign a bit better. The trees to the left of the fly shop are too similar in size and shape. No variation in size and the angles are similar. I will do this painting again, and try to do a better job with the values and make some additional compisitional adjustments along the way. Stay tuned for the next painting.

My New Friend

2006-07-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a great Summer! It is time to start gearing up for the upcoming Art Ministry! I hope everyone has found time to sketch. I have read about a sketchbook that alot of my fellow artist have been using. It is called a Moleskine. Now this may be new to you, but it has quite a history.

"MOLESKINE IS THE LEGENDARY NOTEBOOK, USED BY EUROPEAN ARTISTS AND THINKERS FOR THE PAST TWO CENTURIES, FROM VAN GOGH TO PICASSO, FROM ERNEST HEMINGWAY TO BRUCE CHATWIN.

This trusty, pocket-size travel companion held sketches,
notes, stories and ideas before they were turned into
famous images or pages of beloved books.

Originally produced by small French bookbinders who
supplied the Parisian stationery shops frequented by the
international avant-garde, by the end of the twentieth
century the Moleskine notebook was no longer available.
In 1986, the last manufacturer of Moleskine, a family
operation in Tours, closed its shutters forever.

“Le vrai Moleskine n’est plus” were the lapidary words
of the owner of the stationery shop in Rue de l’Ancienne
Comédie where Chatwin stocked up on the notebooks.
The English writer had ordered a hundred of them before
leaving for Australia: he bought up all the Moleskine
that he could find, but they were not enough.

In 1998, a small Milanese publisher brought Moleskine
back again. As the self-effacing keeper of an extraordinary
tradition, Moleskine once again began to travel the globe.
To capture reality on the move, pin down details, impress
upon paper unique aspects of experience: Moleskine
is a reservoir of ideas and feelings, a battery that stores
discoveries and perceptions, and whose energy can be
tapped over time.

The legendary black notebook is once again being passed
from one pocket to the next; with its various different page
styles it accompanies the creative professions and the
imagination of our time. The adventure of Moleskine
continues, and its still-blank pages will tell the rest."

Quoted from the official Moleskine site

The above sketch was my first in my brand new 5" x 8" Moleskine.
You do not have to travel to Italy to get one. You will find a large selection of them at Barnes and Noble. They are very affordable and have a high quality paper in them. They even have a small pocket in the back to keep loose pieces of paper. This size sketchbook and my small travel watercolor case makes the perfect compact combination!

The pages take watercolor and different media well. I started the above sketch by just throwing some watercolor on a page and letting it dry. I then drew the old Brownie camera from my collection in waterproof black ink. I then went over that with more watercolor.

The Moleskines are nice and compact, so you could even bring it to church and whip out a quick sketch during the sermon!

In the coming weeks I will post some step by steps of my sketches. My hope is that you will sketch along with me, and learn some new techniques.

Some other cool Moleskine sites include:

Moleskine Art

Moleskinerie

This Is So True

2006-05-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

“There are those of us who are always about to live. We are waiting until things change, until there is more time, until we are less tired, until we get a promotion, until we settle down — until, until, until. It always seems as if there is some major event that must occur in our lives before we begin living.” - George Sheehan

APRIL WORKSHOP

2006-04-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Our next workshop will be on Sunday April 30th at 4:00 P.M. As usual, we will have a potluck meal following the workshop. I look forward to seeing everyone there!

COOL WEBSITE

2006-04-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

I found this neat art website. Check it out when you take a break from drawing!
www.artcyclopedia.com

BUTTERFLY AND DAISIES

2006-04-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Spring is here, so grab your sketchbook and draw some of God's natural wonders!

Workshop Mandalas

2006-04-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

We had another great workshop! Thanks to all who made it over Spring break. The mandalas are from various artist who participated it the workshop.

Mandalas the Sacred Circle

2006-03-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

"People have used mandalas ( meaning "sacred circle") for meditation and prayer for thousands of years. To draw one, gather a pencil, paint , paint brushes, colored pencils or drawing tools and paper of your choice. Draw a circle on the paper. Empty your mind of thoughts, especially negative ones; if you're trying to overcome a problem, focus on the solution. Then just begin to paint or draw random shapes inside the circle, letting the paint or drawing take you where it will. Once you are finished drawing or painting, don't allow yourself to make any more marks; just contemplate your work. Perhaps it will teach you about the rhythms of your life. Perhaps it will solve a mystery, and perhaps it will just give you a great resurgence of joy. - Betsy Dillard Stroud, author of Painting From the Inside Out.

The above information was from the February 2006 issue of Artist Sketchbook.

This is my mandala out of watercolor, since this is my medium of choice. I am not yet sure how to read what I painted. To me it kind of seems like a exercise from the 60's. But to tell you the truth, it feels good and I will try more of it. It also seems like a great way to warm up before a serious painting session. It is a very meditative way to just let go of everything. Give it a try and check out www.mandalaproject.org for more infomation.

God's Little Creatures

2006-03-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

The warm weather brought the squirrels out of their slumber this week. I sketched this little fellow who was outside my office window. I do have to admit that I threw some nuts out there so I would have a good subject to sketch. This was a 3 minute sketch. I concentrated on the overall shape or silhouette. With very little detail, you can tell what it is. This is a great way to sketch and to learn how to describe shapes by their edges. Give it a try, it only takes minutes!

February Workshop

2006-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Images from our February Workshop. Pictures courtesy of Janine Kennedy.

Still LIfe

2006-03-01T05:24:00.000-08:00

The image above is a still life drawing from our last workshop. The artist is Mackenzie Paschke. There was some great still life artwork created at the workshop. Mackenzie was kind enough to share hers.

Buffle Head

2006-02-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

Chris Walters provided this great sketch of a "Buffle Head" Duck! Not only is the sketch fantastic there is a great story behind it. Chris wrote- "The sketch is of a carving by one of my uncles, which one a blue ribbonin a hand-carving contest. He carved two ducks and gave them to Eun-Hye and me for our wedding. Korean couples usually have two ducks in the home to symbolize their marriage since ducks mate for life." FANTASTIC SKETCH CHRIS, I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE MORE!

New Barn

2006-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

This is another barn sketch. Just practice.

DRAW TODAY!

2006-02-14T06:53:00.000-08:00

As an easy and quick exercise, draw a picture of the cross. Be creative and make the cross out of different materials. I drew this one out of two sticks lashed together out of rope. After you have drawn a cross, sit down and reflect on what God has provided you today. Go ahead and write these reflections on the same sheet you drew the cross.

Jeff

Watercolor Sketch

2006-02-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

This week I did this quick watercolor sketch titled "Morning Hatch". It is a quick study that I did for a larger painting I will be doing in the future. Being fishing and outdoors reminds me of God's great creations and how thankful I am to be a part of them.

Jeff

New Sketch

2006-02-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

This is a sketch from Colin Kennedys sketch book. Colin enjoys drawing dragons and monsters. This is his first contribution.

Jeff

Anoiting with oil

2006-02-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

This sketch was inspired by the anoiting with oil during communion at Sunday's service. I find that sketching what I heard and felt from the service helps me "tune into" God's message.

Jeff

Like a Rock

2006-02-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

I drew this sketch of my bookend that sits above my drawing board. This bookend holds back my collection of drawing books. This book end use to be my fathers. At times, my Dad felt that life was like holding back a big rolling rock. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of my Dad. I try not to think of life this way and use it as a means to remember my father. If life gets to difficult to hold back the rock, simply let go and move out of the way and let it roll down hill.I did this sketch using a speedball #56 ink pen. I like this pen because with a little pressure you can get thick and thin lines. This is the type of pen comic book inkers and editorial cartoonists use.

Jeff

Watercolor practice

2006-02-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

I have been working on my painting technique and trying to develop a style. Tony Couch is one of my favorite water color artists. His style of painting and illustrating is close to the style I have been developing. The above watercolor is from my sketch book. I have been working on specific techniques for practice. I have found it is easier to practice specific things. One day I will sketch just trees. Tomorrow I will work on sketching people. It is all about practice. This sketch I was practicing gradation in the wash and the shadows.

Jeff

Daily Sketch

2006-02-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Just so that I practice what I preach, here is my daily sketch. This is just a sketch that I am using to prepare myself for a painting that I am going to work on. If anyone else has a sketch they would like to share, email it to me.

Jeff

Inspirational Website

2006-01-31T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is a great sketching inspirational site. Check it out!

http://www.dannygregory.com

Daily Sketch

2006-01-31T06:19:00.000-08:00

Today, either read a passage from the bible and illustrate it (stick figures are OK) or, draw your lunch or snack.

Great Meeting

2006-01-31T06:17:00.000-08:00

We had a great first meeting Sunday Night. I learned alot and will make improvements for upcoming meetings. Thanks to everyone for their participation!

Welcome

2006-01-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Art and Soul Christian family art ministry at the First United Methodist Church.