The moon was rising over Mingus while I worked. I think somehow it found its way to the paper. That was not a conscious decision. I just felt it needed some brightness.
While editing, I thought to tone down the Tawny. The pink. Does it look pink to you too? Tawny is listed as a light brown to brownish-orange color. This is the mid-value of the color. You may not notice a difference. But I’d be curious to know which you prefer.
This quote has been in the back of my mind for weeks. I did multiple “faux” mono prints today, tried a shoelace and stencils for some pattern. No success. There was paint left on the palette, so I thought to do some simple color blocks, and use them as backgrounds.
I scanned the art, and the colors were true to life. I rotated each piece, and enlarged it to fill the design canvas in Photoshop in a pleasing manner. Below are the originals. I am sharing the technical process for Nelvia McGrath, who is learning Photoshop.
I really wasn’t happy with them, so I “cropped” quite a bit. Not much of interest here. I could have painted on top of the original, added to it that way. A tree, shapes. But I guess I am tired today, nothing came to mind.
I added the short quotes, chose a fill color and font. I worked with word placement and alignment. On the first one, I used a “stroke” or outline to the lettering for added definition. You can see it where the white letters meet with the white of the background. In the second quote, the dark color made a stroke unnecessary.
The blocks of color made me think of Rothko. I had eliminated so much of the actual art from view, that this quote of his seemed to fit perfectly.
I have managed to make progress on revisions to a few of the pieces I have done this month. Nice, I don’t feel completely unproductive. Haha. I added a coat of Gel Matte Medium to the succulents, and I really love them now. It toned down the shine of the yellow pen.
Inspiration from a book shared with me by Natasha Papousek. And a video from Barb Mowry that landed in my box today. Wanting to try mono printing, but not having any of the “proper” supplies. I picked up my dollar store glass trivet and my Fiskers brayer, which I am sure is meant for something else. Cheap Master’s Touch 6 x 6 paper. Four puddles in a square ceramic dish. Ready.
I did five prints very quickly. Scanned to edit. While adjusting to get the colors true to life, these songs popped into my head. Thought to add sheet music. Hey now!
Thank you for the sheet music, Christiane! And thank you all for the inspiration!
Months ago, saw an artist who watercolors on wet paper, taped to a glass trivet. I have seen this technique before, but the video reminded me. Searched and searched. For one 12 x 12. Amazon has a set of three. Didn’t want three, and not at that price. Searched some more.
Watched a crafters video, making decorative trivets on the cheap. Fabric and modge podge. And, Ta-Da, a Dollar Store glass trivet. Round and square. slightly smaller than 8 x 8. Woo Whoo!
I went to the largest Dollar Tree around, and noticed that they have expanded their craft offerings. Great! I found small rubber jars, meant to hold salad dressing, that I think might work with alcohol painting supplies. A short bulb I needed that was more expensive at Walmart. And a small cutting mat. WOW! For a buck?
Dollar Tree Haul
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. Chinese proverb
