Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Finished Color Hummingbird Sketch


Here is yesterday's pencil sketch with  DR PH MARTIN'S "Radiant CONCENTRATED Water Color" Dyes applied.  Now days they call them "India Inks", but it's probably the same thing. It's just that mine are from college days and are rather ancient. These dyes are so concentrated, you only need a tiny drop and a little water to do a lot of painting. One set will last you a lifetime and beyond! They are so snappy that just a dab will jazz up any transparent watercolor hue. They are very staining though, so you have to be extremely careful with that. (ie: I wish I had done the wings with straight watercolor. Adding a tiny bit of the dye to the wash made it less soft with more hard edges.) I'm so glad I dug these dyes out of the basement this summer! They give me something interesting to study, experiment with and work on.

It was a really good summer for me. This daily discipline adds direction, training and self control to my life. This regimen would not have been possible for six summers now, without this blog. Believe it or not, I even had a blast this summer sketching things besides hummers! The season started off with how to draw a horse. Sandwiched in the middle there were more hummingbirds, cats, elephants, deer, twisters, flowers, Jon Gnagy, UWO people and landscapes. And of course it just had to end with more and more hummingbirds! Along the way, various drills, drawing aids and exercises were explored. Two minute gestures, blind contour drawing, rule of thirds, values and multiple techniques were covered. There is a wealth of information here and on my various other sites for those who are eager to learn. My hope is that people will make good use of it. I'm not selling anything here or making money on this blog in any way. It has been a project of love and growth and of sharing. Thanks to all who read this and follow along, especially the participants and those who sent work in to share. Your comments and insights on my humble offerings are always most appreciated!

Wishing You Abundance Always,

Sandy Sandy Spiritartist

"Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.  Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life."  ~ Henry L. Doherty

8 comments:

  1. Hey SandySandy,

    These are spectacular. I have some Dr PH Martin's green india ink that I've been thinking of trying to paint with. You've given me something to think about as usual.

    I really love your blog,

    xoxo

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  2. Thanks Vicki! I do so appreciate your participation. I loved your elephant and deer sketches you submitted in June. Thanks again!

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  3. I am so glad you found me Sandy because otherwise I wouldn't have found you! This is absolutely GORGEOUS!! I LOVE humming birds! And you have such a beautiful blog too! For some reason I haven't been able to follow you today because the link isn't working, but I will try again next time :0)

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  4. Thanks Sandra. This daily blog is June -August. I post to my other blog, Sandy Sandys Web Log throughout the year. Thanks for the nice comments!

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  5. Your sketches are very nice and I appreciate your tips on sketching

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  6. Sandy, you have such a beautiful movement to your art. It just flows in such a lovely way.

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  7. Thanks Lois and Julie! I really appreciate your comments.

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  8. The birds are very gentle. I love how soft and delicate the work is. Very lovely and beautiful work.

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