Category Archives: Mixed Media

Swagger And Stride

Rooster, 10 x 10 Acrylic on canvas. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

This Rooster was commissioned by my good friend for her new home. I put it off for months. Feeling like I had no idea how to paint a rooster. That feeling was with me every step of the way. And when I was ready for the final feather details, the fear really kicked in. Haha. But then I thought, “Dude, you can always paint over it!”

So, here it is done. And I am laughing at myself because it was not as hard as I thought. But I won’t be telling my friend that. She’ll have me painting roosters from now until Christmas. Haha. Well, there are a lot of cool roosters out there. 😉

It was exciting to see him “plump up” as I added the mid-tones. Yay! I felt like I had the neck and tail too dark, while I was working. Now I think they might be too light. I am happy though with the overall look.

I feel like I could work more on the tail. It could be better. Most of the shapes in the reference photo are subtle. There are two tail feather areas I wish I had done better. I wanted to keep the large top feather more white than it appears in the reference photo.

Roosters make me think of fancy victorian ladies in their big poofy dresses.
Hey, if ya’ got it, flaunt it! Haha.

This Brewster is signed, sealed, and ready to ship to a very excited Naomi. Whew! She loves it. Thanks, everyone for following along. I appreciate your encouraging words 🙂 God bless!

“Gratitude turns what we have
into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos into order,
confusion into clarity…
it makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Melody Beattie

Paying It Forward

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Sharing some of my COVID snail mail. These have added JOY and LIGHT to my life. I know there have been others, some were shared as part of an exchange. If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize. Just know that your card was very much EnJOYed and appreciated! Thank you all!

This hand painted card was oversized. There are silver circle details throughout. It’s really too bad metallics don’t scan well. Delightful!

May you stay safe and well as we begin the return to “normal”.

Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.
Maya Angelou

Bunny Bolt

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Bunny Study, 8 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

You knew I would paint him sooner or later. When I worked up the courage.

Calling this a study, as I feel I learned a lot in the process. I am going to paint him again. It was fun. I lightened the image I used as a reference after I did the painting. So you would be better able to see details. He appeared much darker before.

I botched one of the ears. And I edited the lighter ear areas digitally, as they looked much lighter in the scan. But, not thinking, I should have gone back in and darkened the outer edges more. My values are muddled a bit as well. But I am really happy with how he turned out!

Finally did the color chart for my larger palette. This small task was very meditative.
I have three colors on the lid. (center top row)
Not so clean after today’s painting. Haha.

After many months, I finally finished painting this small table. My plan was to do a wood grain effect, to compliment my bed. But the raised panels would have required extra prep work. I applied the base coat and then put it off.

I wasn’t sure which direction to go next. When I bought it, it was a distressed, rustic white. It was a perfect size and a bargain. And I knew I could easily change the finish. I had an abundance of this blue, more indigo than a royal. And in a fit of wanting to get it done, that is what I went with.

I can always paint it again if I change my mind.

Three layers of paint. Two of a satin varnish that turned out to be much too glossy. And an additional layer of matte varnish to fix that mistake. Thankfully, I was chatting online with Sea Dean. I was bummed about the finish and decided to ask her opinion. I knew she would have some helpful suggestions. While we talked about the options, I remembered I had the varnish I used on the legs to my desk. Well, If I could find it. Haha. Being organized doesn’t always help when you are forgetful. Hahaha!

Blessedly, thankfully, after a few minutes’ search, I had my hands on it. Yes!!

THANK YOU, Sea!!!

I painted the “antique brass” handles a crisp metallic silver. And then aged them a bit with a watered layer of brown craft paint. Sealed them with the matte as well. Three full days of painting. Whew! And WOO WHOO! Laughing here. The table is only about a foot by two feet. I am so pleased with how it turned out. All of this with what I had on hand.

I am not sure if you can really see the difference, but the glossy is above, and the matte is below. I highly recommend this product. It is creamy and easy to apply. It dries quickly as well. It feels wonderful to the touch.