Work in progress and hello
This blog is an experiment. Because I live in a rural community, my internet service is expensive but frustrating. Some programs work better than others though so I am hoping that blogger works better than my current home at WordPress. If not then I will not be blogging at all as it's a very nerve wracking experience for me.
Above is a self portrait in progress. It's of my younger self. I am trying to bring it to a close but have lacked the inspiration. I need to show it to a friend who delved much deeper into fine art than I did. I hope she can give me tips. I'm open to tips from readers too.
For any of you from WordPress reading here, I'm doing okay. I scan next week and feel neutral about it. I don't want my hopes up like last time so I'm bracing myself but am praying to St. Jude.
For any new readers, I have stage 4 colon cancer and this as a very big challenge in my creative endeavors. It also makes it very hard to remain upbeat like so many other creative blogs are but I am trying to find happiness essentially in little things.
And there it is, my first post. So good so far.
Dear Linda.. Not been getting some of your updates on WP. and sorry only just saw this link.. I had my modem turned off a couple of days..
ReplyDeleteI hope this works ok.. I have a blogger account too. but replying with my WP one then I will log in with my blogger account.. xxx
Hi Linda.. just another quick comment Keep praying, for I am praying with you Linda..
ReplyDeleteSending LOVE.. and great first Post.. xxx <3 Sue xx
I am also not getting updates regularly over there from others. I have tried everything to resolve it but I think I need my provider to help next. I will add your blog to a linkist. Maybe it will alert me from there when you post. It seems to be working sea essay so far. And yes, I will keep praying. I feel strongly that it will take a miracle at this point.
ReplyDeleteSending much love your way, and here's to Miracles.. xxx They Do Occur ... Keep that Belief.. xxx <3
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you came and visited my blog, with your new blogging location. I had no idea! I look forward to catching up, again.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the picture, I think you're doing really well! Is it in charcoal? Only suggestion I can think of, is to use an eraser to capture some shine-spots on the hair. A little on the ringlets, and the crown where the light would be touching. Also, erase a broken line, where the dark hair meets the dark background - just a suggestion, not a full line of white. That may help to add a little more perspective depth? :)
Chris, I wanted to make sure that blogger was working before telling to many. Wordpress was so bad that it gave me heavy anxiety. I was not going to tolerate that here too.
DeleteThe drawing has a history that was on its WordPress post but I didn't put it here. Its a shapeshifter. As such, she isn't really seperate from her background in the ordinary sense and the hair is more of a nest as she is shifting into hawk. That area needs definition for sure though so good point. However, its meant to remain abstracted with edges blurred. I am hoping to get her face to come forward more though. This is where I usually give up too soon so hoping to push further this time. I need fixative but keep forgetting to buy it so there she sits awaiting the next steps. No hurry apparently:) knowing this backstory now, what do you think might help?
Oh, I see now. Nice origin story. When you say "push further", in which direction do you mean? More abstract, or more depth to the details, already present? Because I'm great with details, not so much abstract, lol. When I think abstract, I try and imagine the sensations and emotions, rather than the details that I want to convey.
DeleteRegarding "details" though, I did work experience with a professional photo restorer, way back when. He was trained in Germany, and asked me to sketch an office stamp he had, to look like a photograph. I guess he was teaching me "values", between light and dark. He told me, whenever you see a dark edge, it must be contrasted with a bright white one. But not a hard, straight line - it needed to be broken into one long, and no more than two short.
For example, on her jawline, where the black shading is butted up against it, erase a thin, broken white line, on the existing highlighted side. Don't span the entire jaw length, just where you think the white would make the shading pop, the most. My German teacher said, it's generally where the darkest shading is. They're not to be treated like a "general" treatment of the overall picture (ie: you do it everywhere). It's highlights only, where the darkest shades meet the lightest. You might want to pop a few (tiny) dots, in the corner of her eye, where the lashes are creating a mass of dark. To give the illusion of the lashes catching the light.
But that's only if you want to go down the "detail" track. Have fun with it!
Interesting. I will give it a try. It certainly cant hurt. I need tk get more bird into her face tol but as I said not a high urgency.
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