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Nov 5, 2014

"She lights her own path" Newest drawing

Hello, how's everyone doing?

It has taken me a bit of time for updating this blog, mostly because of my lack of pictures. I've forgotten to take pics of the progress on my latest drawings =|  I'm so sorry about that!

Here's the last one I made past month. I tried (not hard enough) to participate in a challenge of 30 days of creativity. It ate me in the 8th =(   It was all my doing, because I couldn't stand leaving this drawings without finishing! So, because of that, I just had 8 finished ones, instead of 30.

So, this is the last one I created, I will post 1 each day, so you can have the chance to check them  =)



"She lights her own path"
Pencil on Canson Mixed Media paper.
7" x 10"
2014


Here's a little close up on her face, the drawing itself is small so there's not much detail, but I must admit I really had a great time drawing her face =)



I used Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils 2H, 4H, 2B, 4B, 6B.  Blackwing Palomino and Alvin Draft/matic 0.3mm with 2B leads.

I hope you like her =)
Thanks a lot for stopping by!
Have a wonderful day!

Dianita
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Aug 6, 2014

"The Dragon's Keeper" a new oil painting.




"The Dragon's Keeper"  started as a very very ambitious idea for me. I was pretty scared because I wanted to add elements I was not comfortable with and take a chance on a different composition.  Of course, i'm used to single character portraits and no backgrounds, so it was a big and scary picture for me!

The sketch is something I'm honestly going to frame.  I loved it so much!   You can check the sketch, I had it stored in a box because we moved to a house a couple months ago.



When facing the moment where I had to start transferring it to the canvas panel, I was seriously thinking on just going full pencil shading on it, I have a big fear of oil painting because I've faced lots of disasters when working on them.  It might have to do with the fact that I lose the pencil marks under the layers of oil paint or the fact that I get too excited and start this "tunnel-vision" stage where I work work work and in the end I repent!  It happened like 3 times this with this pair!

I'm too ashamed to post the big mistakes, after the first attempt, I even changed her face. I liked the expression, but her head came up too big =(  The next time I did have something really interesting, but oh yeah!  I over worked it and it turned to be a very very awful attempt to make a human face.



(I can't believe I didn't continue with this option...  it was beauuutiful and I messed it up and couldn't get her to look like it again T.T)





And, after some days of crying, anxiety and what-not , i decided that this was going to be the last attempt before stopping for a longer time to take a break from her.

During all this process, one of my best friends and one of the artists I incredibly admire, Tamisery  , gave me some pointers and helped me to develop a bit more the idea. As well as revisions with colors, composition and lots of details.  I hope i can paint like her someday T.T  She and her husband are the most amazing and talented people and they always find the time to help me with my art.

And also, my husband, he was the one who gave me the hugs I needed when frustration was overwhelming me.  He knows that I want to be good, but I somehow have troubles understanding theory and I'm so tired of making mistakes that not doing a nice painting or piece really really shakes me completely. He's the one that helped me with a more commercial-type-of-client perspective.    Of course, I know this is not his cup of tea, but he made his best and helped me a lot along the way with the colors and situation.

Well, after almost losing my mind with this, I have to admit that I learned LOTS !!!

- I used a pattern style of transfer from sketch to board.  I copied the sketch on printer paper and started cutting each shape as a pattern and copied it on the board.  This was helpful as I always lose proportion when doing this without any help.


- I learned bits more of human anatomy.  And it is the first actual foot I ever paint that looks acceptable! (hey! I must celebrate small victories, right?)

- I painted a Dragon!!!  (Hubby's favorite part)


- I learned a lot of suggesting textures on oil painting.  The scales were fun to do!

- From the beginning to the end, I kept her story the same. She's not afraid of the dragon, as she's the one who's protecting him.

- It actually has a story! =D   





"The Dragon's Keeper"
Oils on Canvas Panel
11"x14"
2014

Purchase info directly with dianitaarts@gmail.com



After reading and listening to 2 podcasts during my daily walks, I really felt more comfortable taking chances.

This podcasts are:

Create & Inspire  by  Aunia Kahn


Art Marketing Action  by Alyson B. Stanfield  (sadly, it's not updated anymore, but the podcasts that remain are sooo good!)

I hope you enjoy this blog entry, please, let me know in the comments if you have any question, or suggestion. Please, be polite! I know I'm always learning new techniques!
Have a wonderful week!


Thanks for watching!


Dianita


Feb 13, 2014

WIP Photos of latest painting - Fotos del proceso de mi última pintura

ENGLISH: Back in December, a friend of mine asked me for a painting of a horse running in the beach. She liked the painting I was making back then, but she wanted something bigger and with sunset colors. 

I began searching for references and inspiration and started working on it. I lost some pics of the process, from the start to mid-point, but I'm sharing here some of the detailing shots.


ESPAÑOL: En diciembre, una amiga mía me preguntó si podía hacerle una pintura de un caballo corriendo en la playa. A ella le había gustado una pintura que estaba haciendo en esos días, pero quería algo más grande y con colores del atardecer.

Inicié buscando referencias e inspiraciones para comenzar a trabajar en la imagen. No encuentro más fotos del proceso, especialmente desde el inicio hasta la mitad =(, pero les comparto unas fotos del proceso de detallado.



Colors blocked/ Colores bloqueados:

 

Adding some shine to the coat:


By this point, I asked my friend Tamisery for her opinion on this painting so far, and she pointed out some technical issues that I tried to fix in the best way I could  (like the horizon line that has to go a bit up than where I did it =|)  and that I had to make a choice with the perspective of the horse)

With her advice, I moved forward and then it became again something a bit more logical for me. 
En este punto, le pedí su opinión a mi amiga Tamisery , ella me comentó que veía algunos problemillas técnicos que traté de corregir de la mejor manera posible (por ejemplo: la linea del horizonte, que debía ir un poco más arriba de donde inicialmente estaba =|  y que debía tomar una decisión sobre la perspectiva del caballo)

Con su consejo, pude avanzar con mejor paso porque, al fin, la imagen tomó un poco más de sentido para mí.



 More detail on coat (water line already placed above of original line)/
Más detalle en el pelaje ( la línea del agua ya corregida)


A bit shadowy  =(  I use to paint at nights when I'm at my parent's house to avoid noise or the eventual favor that steals most of the day.

Esta foto salió un poco oscura =(  Normalmente pinto en las noches mientras estoy en casa de mis papás, para evitar ruido y el eventual favor que hay que hacer que consume todo el día =|


My first attempt with water splashes, first time working on something like this, I was absolutely terrified

Mi primer intento con las salpicaduras en el agua, es la primera vez que hago algo así, estaba aterrada


And, after thinking about it, I did some more work to it, because it wasn't quite convincing for me yet.  I searched for more reference images and then, to hold my breath and make the changes

Y, luego de pensarlo un rato, seguí trabajando en esa zona, porque aún no me convencía. Busqué más imágenes de referencia y así, casi casi conteniendo la respiración, me puse a hacer las correcciones


 



 And well, this is the finished image before taking it out for a more formal photo.  I was quite happy with the water, it added the movement I wanted to portray =)

Esta es la imagen terminada, antes de llevarla para afuera para una foto más formal. Estoy bastante satisfecha con el agua, le añadió un poco más del movimiento que quería agregarle =)




This is the finished image, photo taken with my lovely camera. It was a bit of a cloudy day, but it showed lovely.

Esta es la imagen final, fotografía tomada con mi adorada cámara.  Estaba un poco nublado, pero me gustó mucho como salió.



The image is 90cm x 70 cm, Oil on Canvas.  Not for sale.

La imagen es de 90cm x 70cm, Oleo sobre tela. No está a la venta


Thanks for watching!
Gracias por su visita!

Feb 8, 2014

Year of the Horse... Very fitting! 2 new paintings!


I just finished 2 paintings for a friend, who, in exchange for them, got me in to a wonderful workshop from David Alonso, owner of "Brio Natural", a technique that reminds me to Pat Parelli's method of Natural HorseManShip  <3

It was an amazing experience, and well, I paid it with art. So I couldn't be happier !

I'm making 5 paintings for him. 3 of them are delayed ones I promised him a long time ago and 1 new one that was in progress when we agreed on it and an original ACEO card.

The first one I want to show is this:

"In the beach"
Oil on Canvas
50cm x 40cm
2014

It's my FIRST painting completely based on a photograph, I'm quite proud of it. I still need to learn more of landscapes, but to be the first, I think I nailed it!


And my 2nd one

 
"Mezcalero"
Oil on Wood
Around 33cm diameter.
2014


Based on a photo I took of one of my friend's horses.
I've received lots of visits to this photo on FB, almost 490 in 2 days! It's a big achievement for me =)

I'm so happy I'm finally being able to close cycles on pending stuff.

Well, that's it for today.

Happy New Year and lots of love and health and prosperity for this new year that just started.
Thanks for watching!