Art Practice January 14th, 2016

Hi!

One of my goals this year is to improve my human figure drawing. I don't intend to go full realism, but I'd like to improve proportions and understand movement and shape. And, to make my wishlist go over the top... I would love to develop some fantasy art!  But focused on strong female characters with beautiful armors. You know, confident women <3

Why that focus?  Oh well...  You see, I'm kinda sad that fashion media is focusing on the weak aspects of us, ladies. What I love about fantasy art, is that even if you get half-naked women, many artists chose to make them look strong, daring, without making them look too manly. I love the approach, but I'd love to give them a bit more of clothing, but beautiful, elegant armor or clothes <3

2016 is the year I'm daring to dream a little hahaha. I hope this practices let me get a firmer ground so I can move on to painting again =)  Here are my first practices of this year, hopefully I will get better with time !


Hola!

Una de mis metas para este anio es mejorar mi dibujo de figura humana. No pretendo llegar al realismo, pero me encantaría dominar un poco más las proporciones y entender movimiento y forma. Y, para hacer mi lista de deseos más grande... Me encantaría crear arte de fantasía!  Pero enfocado en personajes femeninos fuertes, con armaduras bonitas. Ustedes saben, mujeres seguras de sí mismas <3

Por qué ese enfoque?  Bueno... Estoy muy triste que la industria de la moda está enfocándose horriblemente en nuestras debilidades. Lo que me fascina del arte de fantasía, es que a pesar de ver mujeres semi-desnudas, muchos artistas eligen mostrarlas como personajes fuertes, retadores, sin que eso signifique hacerlas ver muy masculinas. Me encanta este acercamiento, pero claro que me gustaría dotarlas de más ropita, pero bonita y elegante <3

Así que, 2016 es el anio en que me voy a animar a soniar un poco más. Espero estas prácticas me ayuden a tener una base más fuerte para poder sentirme mejor al pintar =)  Aquí les presento mis primeras 2 prácticas del anio, espero poder mejorar con el tiempo!

Face practices.
Quick sketches focusing on faces.  (3/4 views drive me crazy T^T )
0.3mm lead pencil, 6H MArsLumograph Staedtler pencil, Tombow Monozero eraser, Knock eraser on mixed media paper.

Action pose and armor layout practice.
She's inspired on Rogues. Fast movement, silent killer. Armor is meant to be an intricate leather design. Lighter to allow easy movement.
0.3mm lead pencil, 6H MArsLumograph Staedtler pencil, Tombow Monozero eraser, Knock eraser on mixed media paper.

I hope you like them =)   Thank you so much for watching! Remember to follow my updates through the links below:

Espero les gusten =)  Gracias por su visita!  Recuerden seguir mis actualizaciones a través de los siguientes enlaces:

www.facebook.com/dianitaart

artbydianita.storenvy.com

www.artbydianita.com

dianitaarts@gmail.com

"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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"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

www.artbydianita.com

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www.twitter.com/dianita_art

2 small paintings in progress

I'm working on 2 small paintings, aiming to use all my available material while I'm still at my parents house, I think I'll be moving to the USA next year, so I want to make sure I don't leave here anything unused that will just cause a big mess (in case that mom wants to use the room for rent or just if she wants to enter and clean it )

I'm overcoming lots of fears with this works, they look so simple, but the progress has been hard and I try not to go down everytime I know I need a break from them. But I like them, because of what they're teaching to me, like patience, planning and that "wtf? I'm changing this because I want it to be different!" feeling.  And i feel free.

The one at the right started with a different, more childlish kind of face, I elongated it and worked with a more soft-kinda realistic touch. I'm getting inspired by Soey Milk 's paintings,  she's my biggest inspiration as for today, I know I hugely feel inspired by women like Audrey Kawasaki, Karla Ortiz, Jel Ena, Stella Im Hultberg, Alice Savage and a huge list of incredible artists I follow. Including my best friends Tamisery , Piquipauparro , Bee-chan  who inspire me, not only with their art, but with their lives as well.
I would love to be half as incredible as they all are, and all the amazing artists I follow on all the social networks I'm in.

I'm working and redesigning my life to finally be where I'd love to be. It's been a long process, and I was even awarded with the most incredible husband and lots of friends, I can say that all I went through was worth it.  So, on to keep working =)

Thanks for reading (if you're not just a spam reference site =|)

Dianita

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Current Painting

This is the current stage of a big painting I'm making. I'm finally happy with her features and the horses, but as I changed it a bit, compared to the original sketch, I'm sorting out options to unify her hair and the horses coming out of it.  Colors are locked, just this tiny details missing and then to finish it.  I wish I had ArtResin to seal it up, I would love to see it with that beautiful glow.

I hope I can find her a home, I would't want to take her with me to the USA next year, it is bigger than my usual works =|

Thank you for reading! Have a great start of the week!


********** Español************


Esta es la etapa actual en que se encuentra la pintura que estoy haciendo. Finalmente estoy feliz con su look y con los caballos, pero como cambié el diseño final a como estaba en el boceto a lápiz, aún necesito estudiar opciones para unificar la sección donde los caballos emergen de su cabello. Los colores ya están bloqueados, solo faltan un par de detalles y listo, a darle los últimos toques y terminarla. Ojala tuviera a mi alcance ArtResin para usar como sellador, me encantaría ver esta pintura brillante con esa capa de resina.


Espero que pueda encontrarle hogar, no me gustaría tener que llevarla a Estados Unidos el próximo año, es más grande que mis trabajos usuales.


Gracias por leer mi blog, que tengan un muy buen inicio de semana !


Dianita.

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New painting for Sev Ven´s show "Love, Sex, Magic"

"Forbidden"
Acrylics and Oils on wood.
12" x 7" aprox.
August 2013

Available
For purchase info, contact gallerysevven@gmail.com . Ask for their payment plans ;)


My painting for Gallery Sev Ven's show "Love, Sex, Magic". Highly inspired by Charmaine Olivia's beautiful paintings and Soey Milk's paintings too.  =)

Remember that you can find me on FB too!  at Dianita's Art

"Solitude" Pencil Drawing

Finished her a few days ago, but haven't had the time to scan and post her til now

"Solitude"
Graphite on Paper
5.5" x 8.5" (approx)
2013

My Facebook page:   Dianita´s Art

My Etsy Store:  By Dianita

Nature Ladies Series now on Etsy

Finally, my little girls are up and waiting for a new home =)

They are lovely small drawings with an approximate meassure of 5 7/8 in x 8.5 in  (15 cm x 21.6cm) made with Staedtler fineliners, Sakura Pigma Brush, Hybrid Metallic Gel Pen on Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  I made around 15 sketches, and I'm just uploading the ones I've finished already for you to check them out.

Please, visit my Etsy Store  to see them and my other available drawings! Or click on each one to check their individual pages. Of course, the scanned image is not how they really look =(  it ate the quality =(

This following 2 are already on hold <3

Thank you so much for watching!
Don't forget to visit my Facebook Page !

Have a wonderful day!

Nearly finished ACEO card

After 3 weeks I'm finally being able to work on this lady of the first 4 ACEO's I planned to make. This Lady is part of the "Inner Secrets" serie I'm developing.  She's still keeping some secret from me, but she's now speaking clearer than she used to, it is just matter of time for her to let me know something else <3

She's already on hold, but other girls (ACEO sized and bigger drawings) are available on my etsy store <3 

Thank you for reading, have a wonderful day!

Dianita

Feedback from a buyer from Canada

I received the most artistic-self-stem booster a few days ago from a buyer that purchased a little drawing bundle I was offering on etsy. 4 Miniatures that found their way to Canada =)  

This were the words from the buyer:

"My girls arrived today and they are all just so lovely Dianita. Thanks so much for letting me adopt these very special original drawings, I am awed by your talent, and you are just the biggest sweetheart ever. So kind and quick with communications, everything shipped with care and arrived so quickly too. Now off to the framers to sort out their permanent homes. Thanks again for being such a wonderful artist, person, and having a great Etsy shop!"

It is always wonderful to read what other people say about your work, I've made artwork for friends and I keep their excitement and comments on my heart.  And it is kind of educational for some members of my family too...

I'm very very happy to be able to share my work with so many countries in this world. My ponies have gone as far as Australia, Germany, UK, Italy, soon also to Finland. But now some of my current drawings are also going to other countries, starting with Canada and some also staying in Mexico and in the USA.

Very happy even if I'm also very sad for having to go back to Mexico for some months again. 

Have a wonderful day everybody
Dianita

Macabre Magnifique at Gallery Sev Ven April 19th

Hi hi!

One day less for Macabre Magnifique Show at Gallery Sev Ven!
April 19th, in Huntington Beach, CA 

2 of my works will be hanging along with works from other wonderful artists  like Jel Ena, Laurie Mc Clave, Linda Rand, Meesha Goldberg, Ryan Myers, Tracy Perdue and a long list of incredible people!

I'm not sure if we will be able to attend to the opening, it is around 7 hours of driving and being on friday, hubby will have to miss that day of work.  But hopefully this won't be the last time I'll be able to submit my works to this gallery =)  I hope to be able to go to a show some day <3

I'm actually very very proud of this, I don't really understand how this art world moves, I just get comments like "whoa! Huntington Beach? That is awesome!"  I'm not sure about this, but it really lifts my spirit a bit more =) I'm very proud and happy to be accepted on a show out of Mexico, now I will be able to tell my parents that all their patience is going to pay off, they will be able to say that their girl had her art exhibited in California <3   (for most of the people back at home, exhibiting outside Mexico is a big thing...  perhaps I will be able to finally get some respect =P )  Even if it is a small and new gallery, for me is like a show on the most important place in earth!

Thanks to lovely Kat M. for the opportunity! <3 
And my husband and my friends and family for their long time support in my hardest times,
I love you all <3<3
Have a wonderful day <3
Dianita

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New art in the making, ACEO size

This is a new ACEO I made, will be available either on my Etsy Store or my Bigcartel one, still deciding =)  Happy to be practicing a bit more of shading and expressions, I looove working with pencils <3

You can follow my art and progress shots on my FACEBOOK PAGE
Or if you want to purchase a piece of my art, you can check my ETSY SHOP


Sadly this are my last 23 days in Tucson, not sure for how long =(  I'm trying not to go down and keep drawing, this time I can spend visiting my hubby is battery charging for me to go back to the messy life I live with back at Mexico.  But it's a good time to learn that I can live blocking all stress and focus on work if I focus enough =)  I might take a week and a half break when I go back due some social stuff and to get used to fight for my bed against Kitty when I'm back at my parent's house... =|

Today I got outside to spray sealant on some drawings,  got absorbed by the lovely weather, sunny but not hot, windy but not cold. A perfect weather for me to get teary eyes and to know I'll be missing the desert more then I thought...  Who knew?  I just don't feel happy to go back to a humid weather and less when I will be arriving at the start of the hottest season of the year...  Lovely 45 degrees (Celsius) feeling like 50 or perhaps more...  But that's the easiest of my worries...

Art will be work and therapy at the same time...

How I would love to learn to make a small pallet house at my piece of land where I can spend the day drawing without worries xD  Might have to save for it and learn some basic building stuff =P

Well... until I leave, I'll enjoy my time here, it is so incredible to be blessed with my husband and an incredible life changing experience that has been visiting this country 2 times by now.

Have a wonderful wonderful evening everybody

Love
Dianita

The end of a nightmare

"The End of a Nightmare"
Pencil on Paper
5" x 7.5"
March 2013

I'm very happy with the achievements I made with this drawing (personal ones).
I used an image from Emmatyan (DA) as reference for the expression and the pose.

Thank you for watching <3

Dianita



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New Piece - Destiny

I can finally call this girl "finished"




"DESTINY"
Acrylic & Pencil on Wood
9 1/8 in x 6 3/8 in

I'm very very happy with how this turned out, I was concerned about loosing her, I was really in love with the pencil stage! I'm very happy I could make her justice with the acrylic paints  =)  I'm very satisfied with the achievements with this little image.

Thanks for looking! ^^

Good Thoughts - Finished Art

I finally finished this lady!



"Good Thoughts"
Pencil on Paper (acid free 190gr/m2)
5.5" x 8.5"

Got a bit rush of inspiration by discovering the works of Fuyuko Matsui. Playing with concepts and trying to add something a bit meaningful instead of just working on a lovely nude lady. I just wish that the scanner could have got the texture right, this is too sharp, the original is softer looking.

Also, I lost a bit the fear of drawing a different nose, this one reminds me to my own hehehe, I spend too much time critiquing my nose, I know. So I wanted to give this girl a more "non-perfect" look to her nose (<-for hollywood standards).

I like to work with this weird ideas
=)

Thanks for looking
Have a wonderful evening
Diana

Good Thoughts Wip (drawing)

WIP of a drawing I'm making and trying to finish =)





Bad thing for me right now is that I have some problems with my eyes, not sure what's in the environment today but certainly is something that's messing with my poor eyes... and hubby's too.. =|

I hope to finish it in a couple hours... and well, scan it tomorrow morning when hubby is not glued to the PC playing Sim City   =D 


Have a great evening <3


Dianita

Lady with Cat

"Lady with Cat"

8.5" x 11"

Pencil on Acid free paper

For sale on my Etsy Store
https://www.etsy.com/listing/125131153/lady-with-cat-original-pencil-drawing-85?

I love to draw hair like that <3 

I'm under the big influence of Gabriel Moreno's art, Stella Im Hultberg and Alice Savage <3