my heart is breaking.......

Wonder the difference between a gnat and a midge? I have heard that there is what the call a "Gnat Line" in Georgia, I live above it, thank goodness I guess! The also call them "no-see-ums" but I really don't know what they are speaking of, and don't think I want to find out!

thats because you "cant see em" VB! :))

I dont know what the difference is really but I sure hope they do! ;)

didnt get to speak to simon tonight,:( he was off playing, but they have all been on the beach today in the scortching hot weather exploring rockpools :)

ooooooh rockpools as in "tide pools"? I loved to explore them, especially when I was in Bermuda, they had the best. Not just a kid's paradise, lol.

You can bet your sweet euro that Simon WILL miss you, just be glaqd he's being kept busy!

yes VB tide pools, full of shrimps, crabs and little fish,fascinating places though we dont get enough of them here!

my "sweet euro" LOL not heard that one before - except to say we dont have em here. We still use the good old British Pound!! :))

...forgot to say that I have thought of a way to pamper myself. Today I will paint a picture just for ! :))
believe me that is a rare treat indeed!! :)

If you do find time to paint a picture, I'd love to see it. Glad you're feeling better about your boys (and sorry about how much you're suffering with those midge bites).

See, you are having a vacation, you just didn't know it. Post a photo of your painting for us to enjoy. For the bug bites, the only thing that works for me is to take an oral antihistimine for several days. Ointments don't work for me so I fight the itches from the inside.

HI folks. I have had lots of fun this afternoon painting, except I havent got to that bit yet! LOL thought I would be brave and go one step further. How many of you have actually watched a painting in progress? a painting is like a journey. It can change many times before it is actually finished depending on your mood or what you actually begin to see in the picture.

The painting is of a young woman sitting on a ruined wall looking out over the Cairo landscape. The first image is of the drawing which in this case needs to be quite accurate to portray the majesty of the buildings. Apologies but the fine details are missing here as the scanner couldnt pick them up but not to worry as they will be picked out in the painting. Fingers firmly crossed and heres hoping it goes well!! :)

If not it doesnt matter because theres only you looking at it right!! ;)

I can already see a beautiful painting in the works. The sketch has a "twilight" feeling about it -- contemplative and quiet.

Annette,

Would painting take your mind off of things. You are so good at it, I just thought it might be the thing you need.

Hi Carla painting is often my therapy. When I am in recovery mode my fingers often get twitchy to do something of my own, spmething I so rarely do.

Here is the first wash. This is when the colour tones for the picture are decided upon (direction of lighting etc) though the colours can change quite markedly as the painting progresses.

This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 20th 2:25 PM

Psilo, it is fascinating to see a painter at work! I never had any art training, so I never knew all the steps that go into making one.

Is the girl going to be anyone in particular (you, perhaps, or at least a piece of you?)

I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the progress! How long does it take to finish one?

this one, not long at all!! LOL Unless I am paid to do it or if it is something I am really yearning to do then I do paintings that take as little time as possible. The painting has nothing to do with me really. It is the daughter of a friend of mine. I just like paintings that can portray a certain mood.

I have no formal art training either Lup. I just learn as I go along!! :))

Phoned Simon today. He was fascinated by the big bulls in dairyland kept in by an electric fence and is going back to Newquay harbour to watch the seals playing!! :) they have had another scorching day whilst we in the NW have had grey clouds all day :(

That's looking neat, Psilo. I need to practice blocking in colors and doing details later. I always want to do details right off (drawing, usually) and it just doesn't work!

yes GW think of a painting as a series of layers. If you are working in watercolours you must work light to dark. Put down some initial colours down first, even if just thinly so you can see how the picture balances. Many paintings fail because the colours do not link together. Then gradually build them up adding in a little more detail each time.
As you have probably found out painting is nothing like drawing so try using the approach above at first to help you.

Today is not a good day :( everything hurts and Im having trouble waking up. ANyway nevermind. Here is the next stage of my painting.
I am beginning to add more tones and more details.

It's looking lovely, Annette!

It's so fascinating to watch the picture take shape. I had no idea that is how it is done! I keep going back and looking at the beginning pictures. Oh, to be able to do that!!

In order for any painting not to look flat it has to be made up of many different layers. Even a simple drawing has to have at least 3 different tonal values in order for it to look 3 dimensional.
This painting may well have about 5 or 6 layers before it is finished. You just cant see them!! :)

I have posted in the arts and crafts section a painting that was done a few months ago that I photographed as I went along.

follow http://davesgarden.com/t/394878/ to see the other painting done in stages.

This all reminds me a bit of a screensaver my MIL has on her computer. I believe it comes with a card creation program. What it shows is "movies" of artists as they draw/paint on the computer. It's fascinating to watch and shows the creative process really well. I never get tired of watching that.

((((((Psilo)))))) Where are you lady? Thought you were supposed to keep checking in with us. You OK?
Have you finished your painting? Let us see!

AND, BTW, Did you see this http://davesgarden.com/t/386665/

Vi

Hi VB and everyone else!!! sorry I havent been here for a while but..... I took my courage in my hands at the very last minute and drove the 350 miles all by myself to the Cornish riviera. The weather was hot, the sea was wet and the children were overjoyed to see me!
I had a really brilliant time though I could only stand the beach for one day. Did lots of things together with the children though and it did me alot of good :)

for holiday photos see http://davesgarden.com/t/396013/

I havent done anymore of my painting yet but as soon as I do you will be the first to see it! :)

I am so glad that you went to Cornwall and gave your children such a lovely surprise! Your pictures are wonderful, and it looks as if everyone had a marvelous time.

Oh, this is a wonderful bit of news. No apologies needed, you did exactly the best thing. Lucky family, and what a surprise it must have been for them.

Oh, Psilo, I am so thrilled for you!!!!! And welcome back :D

thanks folks! it is good to be back! :))

Psilo, I haven't posted yet, but I've been keeping up. I'm so glad that things have turned out well for you and that you got to drive down and spend some vacation time with your family. Your painting is beautiful. You are very talented.

Here is the finished picture. Not the best I have ever done because im useless at buildings (their colours are too dull for my liking!) but It'll do :))

Well, I think it is absolutely beautiful. Such rich colors and hues! It seems appropriate to me that the buildings are not as detailed as the girl, since she is the central focus of the painting. Really lovely.

I like it. The highlights in her hair are so nice. I like the play of light in the sky, too.

I think you have done an incredibly good job :) What really got me were her shoes! I can see her resting from her long trek up to the top of her building, looking down to appreciate why she took that long climb. Outstanding!

yes Lup!! I think the secret to any painting is to tell a good story :))