Tuesday, April 10, 2012

One Thousand Times

I have faced this screen One Thousands times. That's 1000 blog post since May 2006!  I knew it was coming up and I gave some thought to how or if I should celebrate.  The celebration part hasn't materialized yet but I decided my 1000th post would be one of the things that gives me the most joy. And that is sharing and showing and telling.  So yesterday, before I got too far into this page in my Postcard Journal, I started taking photos. 


For this page I'm painting a "fake" of "The Bride" 1893 by Johan Thorn Prikker (1869-1932) who was from the Netherlands.  I'm not sure what Professor Doctor Tad Keys will have to say about it, but here is what I can tell you. 
I am painting on the book page and before this first photo, I used gesso with sage green paint to cover the big dark alphabet that was on the page.  I do not always use gesso but I knew this sketch was going to be very detailed and could not handle any visual/mental interference.

I used vine charcoal on the larger shapes and then used a pencil for the small detail.  
I tried to "read" the layers that I could see and it seemed the whole page had a green cast.  In other words, every color had some green in it. That is why I started with the green under painting. Once I was happy with the sketch, I went over the charcoal lines with pencil and then wiped away the charcoal dust.  I was at the desk here in town with limited supplies; therefore, I used a Sharpie Fine Point and went over the heavy lines. Now I regret that I could not wait to get home for a finer pen.
Here I have painted the funny flower shapes that looks like heads or skulls to me. I used titanium white and the purpose was to save the shapes/sketch.

Very subtle changes here.  In the first one I started adding a green glaze over the dress area with Jenkins Green fluid acrylic. I also used titanium white with matte medium over the dress. In the third shot, I started adding very light layers of color within the other shapes and painted the white flowers again. At this stage, if feels a lot like coloring book or paint-by-number.  But remember, I am trying to fake this. 
Little by little more layers of color. Notice the dark outlines are being faded out in some areas.
more color definition 
Today, I brought a black Vellum Writer and used the fine point to outline some of the shapes in the background.  The thinner line in the background gives some depth.
It is hard to tell what I have done but I just kept gradually adding layers of color.
Here I started working the background in the top. But notice, I have painted the tulip stems away in the bottom left.
more layers of color
I painted the white monkey heads back in, the white lines around the bride, the black line detail and signed it.

I could take this a bit further but I'm happy with it and will see what Professor Dr Tad Keys has to say.
I hope you enjoyed this One Thousandth post.

14 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful, as usual. Happy 1000th post!

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  2. A celebration of dedication and turs out to be fun. It is also a motivational thing to keep a blog going. Sometimes I wonder if I let things like blogging, gardening all of lifes things make me a slove to their upkeep. Right now I don't feel that way at all.
    This is serious business and I can't imagine the inspiration of how to go about it, you are a deep thinking artist.

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  3. I enjoyed your 1000th blog very much....but then I've enjoyed every single one of them I've read!!

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  4. Congratulations on your 1000th post. How Exciting!! I've only been following you for a short time, but I have thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful bits of art you share. Plus your postcards are just rockin!!!

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  5. Gobgrats! And tnkx for sharing this beautiful post!;o)

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  6. Congrats on your 1000th!
    That is some accomplishment
    And I loved the painting and watching it's birth!! Very cool!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS!

    What an amazing feat. 1,000 posts. I have to say, they were all adventurous, creative and wonderful.

    Your blog is probably my favorite one because you tell things as they are. You are not afraid of putting yourself out there (the bouncy ball post) and I can sense your honesty.

    I look forward to reading your next thousand posts Sharon!

    Hugs,
    Cheryl-healing woman

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  8. Congratulations Sharon on your 1,000th post. It is so fun for me to get to peak in on your day and your life. It makes me feel not quite so far away ;)
    love you,
    Kristen

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  9. Sharon, thank you for sharing your process and congratulations on your 1000th posting!

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  10. Congratulations on your 1000th post! Still my favorite artist & blog...you inspire us all and we learn from what you share. Thank you, Sharon!

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  11. Sharon...congrats on your 1000th post! I love this bride piece. Thanks for showing how you achieved this masterpiece. You are very patient to add layers and layers...I love it!
    Mary

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  12. congratulations on reaching the 1,000th mark! I, for one, am very grateful for everyone of your posts. Although I do not get a chance to comment as often as I would like, I look forward to your posts and the beautiful artwork you create. Your generosity in sharing your techniques and process are always so inspiring. xoxoxoxo

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  13. Congratulations Sharon, each and every one of your 1000 has been worth the read - or the viewing. Looking forward to the next 1000.

    Darla

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