Monday, November 6, 2017

every picture tells a story

pic 1

pic 2

pic 3

pic 4

pic 5

pic 6

pic 7

 pic 8

pic 9



pic 10

The first three were drawn on a sketch pad.
Transferred to watercolour paper by number four.
Then ink.
Then base colour shading.
Adding colour washes.
What's outside the window?
Good enough.
Time to start another.

Even simple things aren't always easy, are they?



10 comments:

  1. Now, that's a story: Where has the creature looking over the chair-back in pic 2 vanished to? :)
    Thank you for ten pleasures for my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it, Sean. I tried a couple of versions of the other creature but he diverted attention away from the girl and the one under the chair. The dogs enhanced the the whole image by maintaining the focus.
      You're welcome ten times. :)

      Delete
  2. Each picture is charmingly unique and stands magnificently on its own. So happy you presented them to us. Your post reminds me of what Leonard Bernstein illustrated, in Joy Of Music, which I read a long time ago. It showed that Beethoven wrote 4, maybe 5, beginnings for his Fifth Symphony. He finally settled for the one we know. But each one was fascinating and worthy to be used, and might have been as enhancing. Sometimes, I regret that, today, so many writers delete, as they go along, first versions of poems and chapters. It's so interesting to examine Ode to a Nightingale's manuscript and witness Keats'creative process. I wish I could have a look at the portfolio you have accumulated with the years. Your work is always so captivating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for your most heartening words, Claude. I remember watching Leonard Bernstein's television programs too, some of which our friend Sean has so kindly posted in recent weeks. Bernstein was definitely a genius too.

      My own work, either in development or final forms, can't hold a candle to the artists you've mentioned but I do agree it's good to be able to see the outlines of paths not taken. Until very recently visual artists had no way of recording progress and it's a nice thing to be able to do. More often than not I'm so involved I don't always remember. I'm glad I did so this time. There are a few others I recorded parts of which I may post here now you've been kind enough to let me know you enjoy seeing them

      Delete
  3. Were you or the mysterious stranger "drawing the crowd?"...:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm guessing the erased character the mysterious stranger?

      Delete
  4. Hi Susan
    Yes a 字值千金" picture is worth a thousand words and thanks for depicting all the fine work leading up to your splendid last work. Now can we continue the picture story with a picture story of what mysterious scenes lie outside as seen from the window?
    Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi lindsay,
      I'm glad to know you enjoyed seeing the process. As for what's out the window we'll have to wait and see what happens - there are so many possibilities, aren't there?
      All the best

      Delete
  5. Each picture is beautiful and each gets even more so! Thanks for sharing your process, Susan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words, Marja-Leena! It's
      always a treat to see you've stopped by. :)

      Delete