Overlaying Colors

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Elisa Choi

I was studying how to overlay colors and decided to try my hands on this exercise of painting a still life of a swede and a pear.

Since watercolor is transparent, we have to put in the lightest color first then gradually build up the color as we work so that some of the underlying colors will show through. I managed to put in light paint first by diluting it with water. Then I started mixing bolder colors to give it depth and tone.

Still this painting is quite a “disaster” for me. However, I am learning how to layer colors using watercolor paint but often I find it frustrating that the colors don’t just blend in but instead they look like another set of colors just piled in. Also, I learn not to control watercolor but it’s funny how hard I always try to fix it which results to more chaotic mess.

I am sharing this with Paint Party Friday and needing your advice: Have you ever tried layering colors using watercolor paints? If so, how do you do it? Any tips on how to avoid colors running around each other? How do I blend the colors harmoniously?

Thank you everyone and have a great weekend! God bless you all!

To be Published Work

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Elisa Choi

I found out about 100 Illusrations through Diana Evans, a proud founder of this awesome project and an active member of Paint Party Friday.100 Illustrations helps to market and get our artworks out in the world by publishing it into a book. In order to achieve this, it requires the participation of 100 illustrators by submitting their works. The current theme for this project is: My Favorite Food.

I am thrilled that my work is included in the 100 Illustrations. Aside from experiencing my first of having my work published, I get to step up and try my hands on more professional digital art–>that means drawing the food as realistically as possible.

My favorite food of all time is anything noodle-based. I love pasta and noodle soups. This Oriental Noodle Soup is drawn digitally in PhotoShop. I have tried different brushes to achieve the consistency of the soup. Also I use some photos of my previously eaten noodles (yes, I photograph almost everything I ate) and copy its color using the color picker of PS and use it in painting the veggies and seafoods so that I can achieve a more natural color.

Now, who wants to have a taste of this delicious treat? It looks good enough to eat. I can already feel the craving right now!

I am sharing this with you all at Paint Party Friday hosted by Kristin and Eva, thanks guys! Also, I encourage you all to join 100 Illustrations. It’s a fun experience and you get to see your work and all those talented artists around the world in a deliciously colored book. It’s still a long way to go before it reaches 100! So start deciding about your favorite food and draw! Thanks much Diana!

Have a blessed weekend ahead everyone!

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Elisa Choi

I created a rough drawing of a girl waiting outside the train station. I was waiting for someone while making this sketch. The colors are done digitally using PhotoShop.

If you observe the drawing you can see either two things: (1) There are imperfections all around this sketch, or (2) The colors and the “imperfections” depict creativity and echo a certain personality of the artist.

If you think about it I have the choice of improving my drawing such as making the arm more realistic, making the shirt loose, straightening the bars and many other nitty-gritty observations.

However I love the evidence of the pencil marks left on this drawing. I love how quickly everything is done including the colors. You can see how the background is just a mixture of colors creating a somewhat concrete abstract. Everything is done the first time without dwelling so much details on it. The purpose is granted: Pure Enjoyment.

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. It could be a beautiful creation for some or an unappreciated art for the inner critics. It could be a disrespectful creation or a self expression. But whatever holds true art will always have a special place and meaning in our lives. Before we begin to do something (not only in art) we must always remember to be sensitive enough to the people around us.

Sharing this with you all at Paint Party Friday. Have a great weekend ahead! Let us keep ourselves busy with paint and enjoy the process of creating! I look forward in seeing your works!

The Tone in Colors

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Elisa Choi

I fancy architecture. I draw this piece from the cover of my watercolor pencil case. I am studying tone in colors and thought I could apply the concept in this drawing.

I color this with Derwent watercolor pencils. You can see how the light and shade (tone) are created on where the sun and shadow hits the different parts of the structure. To make a tone darker, I learn to add black + the original color varying the intensity with the former. To achieve a lighter effect, I add more water.

I love the vividness of the colors. I love how a little black can create a whole range of tone that makes a drawing three dimensional and more interesting. What I am aiming to achieve next is to make drawings as accurately as possible.

I am sharing this on Paint Party Friday and hope you might learn something. If you have additional lessons or experiences to impart about tones feel free to share them in the comments. I love to hear them (and respond)!

I hope you all have a great day! God bless everyone!

I will Return Wholly

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Elisa Choi

Ask God for wisdom to know right from wrong, not just in everyday things, but in all things. Ask Him to show you when your thoughts are not from Him.
    Ask God to give you His joy, to bind up all the emptiness inside of you and fill it with His complete joy.
    Ask God to bind up your need for attention, your pride, your envy, whatever is standing in the way between you and Him.
    Ask God to show you how to put HIM first, Others second and yourself last.

These are the words of wisdom from God to one of my creative and spiritual mentor (if I may call her), Kelly Watts who shared these with me. I have a lot to work on. Everything in baby steps.

Sharing this with Creative Exchange

Make Time for You and Art

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Elisa Choi

The above is a quick sketch of a dog inside a bag at a tea shop. I did not include the man who owns both because he is soon to leave. Since I have done it on a normal paper I cannot color it with watercolor so I photographed it instead and rendered the colors digitally. Then I added some snowflakes because that idea has been in my head for a while. I love how the dog fits inside the bag but I hope he is comfortable.

I have been bringing a typical pad paper (without lines) wherever I go since it’s light. While I am waiting for someone, eating with a friend I would pull out my pad and start to sketch what I see using a typical pen.

The experience is rewarding because sketching on-location trains my eye to observe the things that people take for granted like how the shadow and light falls into places, how there is a rusty color on one side of the tissue holder or how the creases on the waiter’s uniform makes a unique design and the list goes on. Moreover, I feel a certain kind of solitude while sketching. It’s like the world has stopped while I am trying to capture a portion of it with my hand. I will have to continue to squeeze in some drawings wherever I go and whenever possible to further improve myself.

In my previous post I have written about living life and my struggle to make time for some drawings. I have been ”listening” to your suggestions on how to make time for creative pursuit. I really appreciate what this community has done providing me with your wonderful experiences and being determined to make time for art. Thank you so much for the inspiration! I am sharing this with Paint Party Friday.

Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something every day, for no matter how little it is,
it will be well worth while, and it will do you a world of good.~Cennino Cennini

PS* I got the above quote from a newsletter called ArtFull (a dose of art and inspiration) by Dana Barbieri. Seriously you guys should go and subscribe to her beautiful newsletter. It is a wonderful inspiration that can keep us going in our art endeavors! Go click her name above. Thanks much Dana!

Do what you love. Love what you do.

Monthly Archives: September 2011