Author: Cheryl

BettsIceFall

Edward Betts

Cheryl
“Ice Falls” by Edward H. Betts Here’s a link to some info and art of one of my favourite artists – “Edward H. Betts – (1920-2008)” His work is quite abstract, yet often hints at landscape. As you will see from the art on the linked page, he gets away with amazingly wild colour use. Betts worked in both watercolour and acrylic paint. His book “Masterclass in Watermedia” is a classic that was one of my earliest inspirations as a beginning artist. I still love his work today! 
Tree4T

Done

Cheryl
“A painting is never finished, it simply stops in interesting places.” Paul Gardner (thanks @iTweetArt) If I could give just one tip about how to decide when to stop working on a painting, I would say, stand back from it often and consider it from a distance. Viewing your work from only a few inches away can mean that you miss something beautiful and interesting – which may be the perfect time to say, “done”. 
SheSellsT200

Thick & Thin

Cheryl
Lately I’ve been playing with combining heavier body acrylics with fluid acrylics. This can be done in any order. You can have a wet layer of fluid acrylics on the canvas, and then use a brush or better yet a palette knife to smear thicker acrylics into this. Or, you can have the thicker paint down first, and then pour the fluid acrylics on top and spray them to get them moving. These methods make colours and textures that are great fun to work with. 
Man3T

Art is a Language

Cheryl 1 Comment
Not as specific in conveying a message as words can be, art is none-the-less a language. What is profound about the language of art is that in bypassing words, it often reaches straight for the heart. Music touches the soul and speaks to mood so profoundly that words are often not necessary. With painting, colour in particular is considered very emotional and personal, but so are the many other aspects of a composition. It’s this personal side of the art language that makes it so diverse, both in expression and in how it is received. What one person loves in art, another person doesn’t like at all. I think of the art language as a celebration of diversity. Each artist brings their unique vision and expression. Each viewer or listener brings their unique response to this expression. And as with all languages, it takes time and perseverance to develop a compelling voice. 
Wom3T

Hans Holbein the Younger

Cheryl
The drawings of Hans Holbein the Younger, who lived in the times of Henry VIII, capture so much personality that you feel you would know these people if you met them. I was showing some of his work to the drawing class – and thought you would also enjoy seeing this portrait of his. Here is a link to his “Portrait of Anne Cresacre“. (Find link on homepage of my blog if reading this in Facebook or elsewhere.) Notice the skillful use of value – how those dark touches in the eyes bring them to life, and are balanced by the dark in the headpiece and the more distant sleeve. Isn’t it amazing how few lines in the face capture so much personality? This drawing was done with black and coloured chalk. Perhaps you would have fun doing a drawing that you add just a hint of colour to?