What's the Point of Pointillism?

Mt Warning, shown actual size (the painting, not the mountain)

Hello!

Question:  What do you get if you combine watercolour, acrylic paint, glitter glue and the wooden end of a paintbrush?

Answer: Happier by the minute!

Today's post features another attempt at painting Mt Warning using a different style of application, called pointillism.

So what is pointillism, you ask?  Well according to the website source library thinkquest  (I'm sure it's reputable, it came up second on my Google search!) :

Pointillism is an original form of art created by George Seurat. Pointillism is a bunch of tiny dots formed together to make a picture. Why we use pointillism instead of using a paintbrush and just painting is because pointillism is brighter and the other kinds of paintings can be dull.  Pointillism takes a long time. For example, Seurat’s “A Sunday in the Park” took him two years to complete, covers a wall (81 inches by 120 inches) and has about 3,456,000 dots!( http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110603/pointillism.html )

In case you were wondering, the exclamation point was not my over exuberant addition to the quote.  That would have to be the one downside of using this method of applying paint - it takes agggggeeeeesssss.  This little beauty took me probably three to four hours, and I admit my approach to applying each point was sloppy.

Still, I do truly believe the pointillism method could be used by anyone as a great form of stress release for pent up anger - you can stab the paintbrush as hard as you want on your paper and unlike punching a pillow, you actually get to make pretty effects in the paint. And when you see how pretty your painting looks, you really do feel happier by the minute.   How cool is that?!

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, I'll see you around soon,

Kate
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No Longer Undecided - Thanks For Your Help!

Hi There

A big thank you to those people who provided very useful feedback, where, in this post, I asked for some advice as to which medium and style of painting I should use to create a little landscape painting that I intended to use as a Christmas gift for a relative.  I was fascinated that the replies were split pretty evenly.

After a lot of thought and deliberation, here is the finished product:

I'm really happy with how the painting has turned out!  I hope you are too, as I consider it a team effort!

I decided to use all your advice by combining both pastel AND watercolour.

The technique I used was so much fun and was so enjoyable, I just have to share with you how I created my masterpiece (just in case I've inspired you to try painting your own composition in this style):

First, you create an "underpainting" using pastel on Rains paper. (Rains paper is not only a brand, but a type of paper.  It is really important you use this specific type of paper, as it is actually 100% cotton, rather than wood pulp.)  After you've completed your pastel creation, you take good old vegetable oil on a brush and then "paint" the pastel in. You can finish your composition at this point or, if you'd like, you can then take a watercolour pencil and add fine detail over the top.  If you'd like, after you've finished working with the pencil, you can either leave it, or, once again, take a fine paintbrush and use water to create different effects.  Honestly, this technique is so much fun - if you can try it yourself, I'd urge you to.  The colours you can create are absolutely magic.  I'm just sorry my photos don't do the artwork justice!

Here's another photo of my landscape framed  as the gift recipient will see it (glass is my enemy):

Now I just have to cross my fingers that my gift recipient actually likes it!

Again, thanks so much everybody for your help deciding on the direction I should take with this painting -  I really do appreciate it.

Have a wonderful weekend, I'll see you next week with more of my Kate-land adventures!

Kate
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Pencil Practice - It is not what it seems

Hi There!

I feel the need to apologise.

You see, I decided to draw a picture I saw of a little Cambodian boy featured in last weekend's newspaper, The Courier Mail.  (No, for those of you who may wonder, of course I'd never try and sell this picture, I'm not into breaking the law.  He was drawn purely for my own personal practice.)

Anyway - [Mental note to self: get back to the point Kate!] -   I saw his beautiful little face in a photograph and just had to try and draw him. Except when I tried, I discovered it didn't really work. What on earth is going on with his left eye? I swear he didn't have a twitch in the photo!

And then, to my double horror just now when I uploaded the picture, I realised that I needed to assure you and pinkie promise you that I didn't draw him doing anything rude - it's his fourth finger, I promise!

I feel a little annoyed to see that I still need to work more on improving my drawing abilities. Oh well. I guess when you've only started this art caper a few months ago, you need to expect it to take time for everything to fall in place.  And. I. Must. Continue. To. Be. Patient. <sigh> 

On a positive note however, I felt terribly bold today because I actually tried to draw a hand for the first time. I consider it isn't too bad for a first attempt.  (Not terribly good, either, unfortunately.  Double oh well.)

Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing what I've been up to.

If I could draw a picture of it, I'd salute you! (Except I can't. Not yet, anyway! Still it is always something to aspire towards, right?)

See you 'round!

Kate
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Off With the Fairies?

Wow, what a question to consider!

Am  I, Kate, of Art Finds Kate, off with the fairies?

"Did you just call me Cheep? I'm not Cheep. Cheep!"

Hmmmm.   Let me contemplate the notion:

Wellllllll, there have most certainly been times of late where it has felt exceptionally fantastic to stick my fingers in my ear and sing "Lah, lah, lah, laaaaaaaah!" whilst shutting my eyes very tightly in response to the chaos around me.

And I keep forgetting about thing-a-me-whats-it.

If, I then consider using these two thing-a-me's as key indicators for diagnosing acute "Fairy-itis", I hypothesise that I would, in fact, be living with this condition.  (Goodness I hope that I've used the "politically correct" phrase here.   Apologies if I have offended any Fairies out there!)

So, yes, dear reader, in conclusion - I am indeed off with the fairies.  (Maybe.)  What's this post about again?"

Ha-ha. Only kidding!  (Or am I not?  That's for me to know and you to wonder!)

In order to honour my current quandry, I decided to create an image of the most beautiful Australian fairy I know - the Fairy Wren.
This image was created using Canson paper with Art Spectrum and Conte pastels.  Whatcha think - you like it?

I think I do.  I'm contemplating whether I try drawing my wee Fairy again, just to see if I can improve on the image.  I am a very big believer in practice actually helping you to get better.  Go figure.

Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing what I've been up to.

I'll see you around (possibly with my fingers still stuck in my ears),

Kate x

Roses Are Red

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Watercolour frustrates me

So much I could puke.

Seriously.  It's true.  Anyone who has read any of my previous watercolour posts knows that this medium is my artistic nemesis.  And being a stubborn little soul, I *refuse* to surrender.  Never! Never!  Never!

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what my husband says "Definitely resembles a flower, Kate".  I guess that's progress on some of my earlier attempts.  For at least he didn't come home and say "I love your abstract, dear!".  Right?  Right?! You still with me?  Or am I kidding myself?  Oh well, doesn't matter - that's one of he things I love about art - you can always try again tomorrow if it doesn't work today.  Yay! ;-)

Hope you have a fabulous weekend, I hope to see you around soon!

Kate
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PS:  Oh My Goodness!  I just realised that this is my hundredth post.  How cool is that?!  I can't believe I've created and written about one hundred little paintings, doodles, sketches, flops and masterpieces since April this year.  For all who have been reading about my creations - it's been a pleasure sharing it with you all.  Here's to the next hundred! 

Undecided and I Need Your Help!

Hello!

Today's post features a couple of images I'd really love some feedback on from you.

Why?

Because, frankly, I'm in a pickle and I'm not sure where to go from here.

You see, I'm trying to paint a gift for someone close to me.  Feeling all inspired, I've tried to paint two versions of the below image using different styles and mediums.  (Please be aware that today's images are merely a first draft and I am hoping that this will be useful practice towards a decent final work of art. So anything and everything can be changed.)

Your mission is to tell me if you were to receive this image as a gift, which version/style/medium would you prefer to receive?  If you have the energy, why?  (If  can't be bothered to go into detail, that's ok, I understand -  I'm just curious, that's all.)

So, without further ado, please meet my two contenders:

A. Ms Pastel

Ms Pastel is a strong minded medium who knows what she wants and how she is going to get it.  Her greatest wish is for world peace.

OR......

B. Ms Watercolour

 Ms Watercolour is a gentle individual who aspires to provide a nurturing and restful scene for all of (wo)mankind.  Her greatest wish is also for world peace.

So, who gets your vote?

A

or

B

?
?
?

You can vote by leaving a comment at the end of the post.  It's really easy, I promise.  And yes, you can leave a comment as being from anonymous. I don't mind!

Finally, if you've never commented before and are now pondering whether you are actually going to vote or not - please do, because I'll be mighty sad if no-one does.  (And deep down, you really wouldn't want to hurt me, would you?  I mean, you wouldn't really want to make me cry would you?*)

Anyway, thanks ever so much for stopping by, I hope to see you around soon!

Kate
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*I double dare you to click on the above link after you've voted.  See if you can guess what it is before you click! Trust me, it's gold.  Pure gold....  ;-)

The Embarrassment is Complete!

Hi There!

Thanks ever so much for stopping by and seeing what I've been up to.  I am really pleased to announce after a few posts worth of work (and a lot of accompanying grumbling), my painting of a nudie-rudie lady is complete!  Here, have a look at the finished product:

Ta-da.  It's titled "Don't hate me 'cause I'm perfect."

The only issue I now have to address is where I should put her up for display in my house.  Seriously - consider the following:

If I hang her in the lounge-room you'd think "Why Kate, that's a bit forward of you isn't it?!" (followed by quick aversion of eyes and talk of the weather);  If you saw her hanging on the wall in the bathroom, you'd startle and say "Why, thanks ever so much Kate - now all I can think of is how perfect her bazoombas are in comparison to mine!" (and you'd suddenly feel compelled to walk around holding your arms crossed up and over the top of your head); or if you saw her on display in the bedroom you'd think "Why Kate, having a few issues are we?  Needing a bit of extra  help?" (and you'd never look at me the same way again).    

See what I mean?  I just can't win!

The thing is, I really like her and want to have her up on display.  Hmmmmmm, there *must* be a perfect place for her somewhere to hang in my house.

Thinking.

Hard.

Very Hard..

Even Harder...

Ding!  (Light-bulb moment)

I'll hang her in the laundry.

It's the perfect place.

Why?

Because this is the room in my house where all things dirty go to get clean. See? Agree? Perfect!

Anyway, hope you like her, I hope to see you 'round soon!

Kate
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Pencil Practice - Look In My Eyes

Look in my eyes,

Look in my eyes,

Don't look anywhere

Except look in my eyes

You are now feeling sleepy - verrrrrrry sleepy.


When I click my fingers, you will look again at the faces of these two women and truly believe they are the darn best pencil drawings you have ever seen.  You will then offer me a million dollars for the honour of owning them.

*Click!*

Did it work?

No?

You actually think they are only so-so?  You don't want to offer me a million dollars?

What, not even a measly buck?

Oh well - worth a try!

Hope I made you smile.

I'll see you soon,

Kate
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