Sunday, June 7, 2009

Illustration Friday: "Craving"


A portrait of the artist as a multitude of cravings. As the saying goes: you are what you eat.


My effort with acrylic paints were slightly better this time. However, I was rather annoyed with the whole thing for a while into it. I have so much more of a grasp on drawing, but I'm still figuring out a lot of things with acrylics (and painting, in general). I had enough gumption to stick with it and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.


I think acrylics was a good medium to use on this subject, partly because of all the creamy frostings involved. By the end of it, I did have a better understanding of the medium and how I work with it:


1. I much prefer the heavy bodied Liquitex paints I have rather than the Grumbacher tubes which are more "runny." The Liquitex feel more like the thicker oils I was more used to in college.


2. The extender I have is pretty useless.


3. I'm beginning to like the quicker drying time - it serves my impatience well, allowing me to rework areas almost immediately and to utilize dry brush effects that I like.


4. I really need to invest in some better paint brushes.



I also fell back on the "easier for me" expressionistic color palette rather than taking the time to mix more natural colors. But the, sweets tend to be more colorful anyway. So, it works.


Anyway, my family arrived home from camping today. My oldest daughter made me a portrait of her own from nature as a present as today is my birthday.






13 comments:

Kassi Isaac said...

nice work- very intresting & yummy! x kas

ArtQwerks said...

Wonderful Painting! Love the colors! I would be a Fig Newton if I was what I ate. I consumed a half a package of them just yesterday! Bummer, I would not be so colorful, eh? I love the portrait your daughter created too! Quite the artist herself!

GumballGrenade said...

First what a kind and thoughtful present from your daughter! Creativity is clearly something your family embraces. Second, love the illio. Great thoughts on medium matching subject. It's so clever! I don't think the picture even finished loading on the screen before a giggle escaped!

Edrian said...

happy birthday!!! I think the colors and textures are so yummy! I really can't tell that you are 'learning' the medium. You've done a great job!!!

Cheryl said...

Classic. I love this idea and it's well rendered.

MagicMarkingsArt said...

Diane ~ this is wonderful ~ I love the concept, and the way you've adapted to the acrylics. I would have thought this was your medium, if you weren't so hard on yourself :)

josh pincus is crying said...

SWEET! (no pun intended.)

Rui Sousa said...

NICE ONE! REALLY GREAT JOB!It´s a well done work, and it´s a great interpretation of the subject.

adrienne trafford said...

i looked like that yesterday after i ate a piece of cake, and two chocolate bars dipped in peanut butter. Beautifully done - i love this!

Natura said...

:) so, so fun and yummy!

ELLA ELVIANA said...

i should really try to paint with acrylics again.. your painting is lovely, diane, wonderful colors. and happy birthday!

Tom Barrett said...

Looks awesome!

Diane Smith said...

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I'm happy with the outcome...but it was an uphill battle. Now, excuse me please. I'm off for a bowl of ice cream.