Thinking Big

Well, I've kept my resolution to make more art this year. I just haven't blogged much about it.  Here is my latest big effort, and big it is. This is important, as I have a gallery show early next year and flat out need plenty of pieces to select from and some size variety will be good.

New mandala on full watercolor sheet (22 x 30")

I'm trying a new technique to get the ink on the page: drawing small then enlarging it using a projector.  Reasons why this might be good...

1. No construction lines to erase.
2. No construction lines leaving dents in the paper in open spaces.
3. Don't have to struggle with a pencil compass to draw a 20" circle.
4. Easier to draw smooth curves on a small scale.
5. Ability to start over on a new sheet without starting completely over if I f*** it up, which I did sadly in this case but didn't lose the many hours doing the initial steps.
6. I can theoretically do something in acrylic or oil without having to puncture the canvas with the compass point.

Some people in the art community think that projector are evil, but frankly if it is just me enlarging my own drawing I say to heck with them. I got the Artograph Flare 100, which was pricey, but has the ability to take multiple inputs (smartphone, thumb drive, USB, HDMI.) We can even watch a movie by projecting a DVD onto a blank wall, if there was  such a thing as a blank wall in this house.

This shows how big compared to other recent works.

 It's going to take about 8 times longer to paint the watercolors than a small one, so I'd better stop typing and get painting.

Happy New Year

New Year's Greetings. I hereby make my annual declaration that I have resolved to make more art and creative things in general. This includes paintings, drawings, stitching, knitting, writing, cooking, and such. May the new year bring great things for you and yours.

Starting with the finish, for those of you with short attention spans.

Trying a new ink - Noodler's X-Feather.
It behaved so well - so dark and rich, and as advertised it did not feather one little bit.

Unfortunately, my opinion changed when I hit it with water. Not as waterproof as advertised.
I'm looking forward to using it for black and white drawings though

Making the best of it by painting carefully.