Tag Archives: #sheilazart

Two Pots

My new scanner arrived. Yipee! I had to wait about a month for it. I played with the settings to get a true to life image. I used a piece that I had scanned on the older machine.

There are over a dozen combinations of settings, the interface is very easy to use. I do like that it is powered by USB. So I just need to connect it to the laptop, and it is ready to go. No need to wait for it to warm up. Nice! It was recommended by a couple of artists I follow.

I need to get used to having to preview first. It really is useful, as you can change the settings if the image is off, and then scan for the final saved image.

Two Pots was painted on a spiral-bound pad. I didn’t realize the scanner lid is removable, it expands to hold books. On the left of the image, I can see that it is blurry. Where the rings are. I will need to be more aware of that.

Below are some of the different settings. You might not be able to see much of a difference in some of them. The first one is an illustration setting. That was interesting. It simplifies the image to color “blocks”. More like a vector image. Or cartoon.

Below you can see the Epson scan and the scan from the old machine. The Epson is more true. Haha. Well, the blooms are. The vase and the background in the original are closer to real life. I’m fine with that. I know I will need to make adjustments in Photoshop as usual. It is just how the different colors reflect the light. I will work with the settings and see how close I can get them. But I’m sure they will be different for each piece. I have scanned about a dozen photos, and they came out true to life.

Day 30, 4 x 6 Watercolor and pen on paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

This scanner is so slim. About an inch and a half. And it is so lightweight! About 3 pounds. It has a kickstand and you can scan while it is standing on its side. I love that I can tuck it away, and pull it out when needed. I don’t need to sacrifice valuable desk space.

It is so light and easy to connect. It will be perfect for travel. Visiting family, and sharing old photos. Oh, did I say? It is an Epson Perfection V39.

Happy week everyone!

Little Star

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Most days, I wake up with a song in my head. Nah. Not a Pollyanna “song in my heart”. Haha. It’s often a very annoying song. Playing on repeat, before I am even fully conscious.

I usually try to figure out, where the thought might have come from. Was it something I saw, something I read? Maybe a silly clip from Youtube. If there is time, I will look the song up, and listen. Usually, that clears my internal playlist.

Today, the opening line of Little Star came to mind. And that made perfect sense, as a title for these wonky flowers. Maybe it was meant to be. I painted them before bed last night.

Learning – The Never-Ending Journey Of An Artist

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I signed up for Sketchbook Revival, knowing full well I was going to miss some of the sessions. I almost passed, but I am so glad I clicked that button. I am in the process of catching up now. It is a two week event, and there are two sessions each day.

Those of you who are in the 30-Day Creative Gathering would love this as a continuation of your daily creative practice. I’ve been introduced to so many terrific artists and found a couple that I had lost touch with.

The session with crayons was so meditative. They all have been. Listening to the instructor, using the tools, finding myself in the moment. Not at all concerned with an outcome.

Of course, I found myself drawing flowers. I had just finished a search on tulips, and their simple shapes were fresh in my mind. I layered color after color. Yellow, peach, red, coral. Turquoise, bright blue, sage, teal, asparagus. More yellow.

When I had finished, I wiped of the crayon dust, and was surprised to find it left a nice sheen on the leaf. I took the tissue and rubbed the entire drawing. Laughing at myself, but this took me right back to childhood, and grade school.

I may have the sessions out of order. I did not realize in the beginning that there were two each day. In this next session, we explored automatic drawing. Using different pens, exploring the marks. Automatism refers to creating art without conscious thought, accessing material from the unconscious mind as part of the creative process

This session passed so quickly, and yet seemd to last a long time. I think I missed some of what was being said, I was so into making marks on the paper. Haha.

Automatic Drawing. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Automatic Drawing.

Karen Abend, the event organizer, led a session on Intentional doodling. We started with observing nature. Taking notice of the shapes, and then using that to create more abstract shapes and patterns. You have seen this paddle plant before. I don’t think I will ever tire of the round leaf shapes.

Intentional Doodling. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Intentional Doodling.

Along with the sessions, each artist offers freebies to continue practicing their method. Some are worksheets, others free video tutorials, and even some short classes. SO MUCH learning. Mindfulness and intention are keys. The intention to focus on the moment. On the process.

Those reminders are always welcome. It is so easy to forget that key creativity. For me at least. Haha. I will continue with these lessons. JOY filled!

I am not sure how long the sessions will be available. Some of the freebies are still available, it looks like until the end of May. Take a look! Treat yourself! Enjoy!