Lots of artwork to share this month and I will be posting some of the interesting stuff I've been working on. My aim was to get away from acrylic painting for a while and concentrate on some of my other artistic talents. Pastels, watercolor and charcoal drawing as well as graphite. I'm in the middle of a pastel drawing of a family of elephants and have done or have in process several watercolors of sunflowers and other floral paintings both landscape and still life I will share with you, or you can view them at http://kandakis.DeviantArt.com/gallery. Normally, my supply keeps up with my ability to produce, but I believe I can do more.
I'm still trying to get organized with my supplies. As I get more, the supply bin gets obsolete and I have to rethink the organization. If I don't stay organized I can't enable the thought processes enough to concentrate on ideas and concepts for the next work. Having free shipping with my online account makes it easy to order a bunch or one thing at a time without being too expensive even though the art supply store is only one block away (its a long block); And, I really hate to wait in line during the holiday season.
This month I also want to pare down choices for color to the basic primary three, maybe an extended palette on those choices. Mixing colors is very important and you really don't need 50 colors to paint a painting, that's just clever advertising on the part of the art supply dealer telling you that you really need those (maybe newbies). After all, they're in the retail business. The problem with a limited palette, I find, is being able to create optical blacks and really rich dark colors. I don't use black by itself, and sometimes mix a transparent black to darken or mute a tone. It really creates a cool green if you mix with any yellow, so its convenient.
I learned this month that if you don't keep your work flat in front of you on the easel it can result in false interpretations of the subject. That explains a lot about my past drawings being out of proportion no matter how much I tried to fix them.
So, keeping those sable brushes handy...back to work, so much to do, so little time.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
July and August 2013
I have done some florals that I have posted on my deviantArt account here: kandakis.deviantart.com/gallery
Most of them are florals because we haven't been having much of a summer, most of the weather has been foggy, overcast and cool and they cheer me up, especially the red ones. I'm just starting to climb out of the funk. I have also revised some of my paintings that I wasn't fond of, just because I still have them around.
I would like to get back to doing oils, so I think with the weather improving I will take my pouchard box easel outside. If not to paint the landscape and surroundings but just to paint from photo. At least the odors of the "odorless paint thinner" will not permeate my abode.
Stay tuned...
Most of them are florals because we haven't been having much of a summer, most of the weather has been foggy, overcast and cool and they cheer me up, especially the red ones. I'm just starting to climb out of the funk. I have also revised some of my paintings that I wasn't fond of, just because I still have them around.
I would like to get back to doing oils, so I think with the weather improving I will take my pouchard box easel outside. If not to paint the landscape and surroundings but just to paint from photo. At least the odors of the "odorless paint thinner" will not permeate my abode.
Stay tuned...
Monday, June 17, 2013
Summer 2013. Work going well and I have managed to paint a few. I am concentrating on a white or lighter background with red flowers. Mostly poppies and tulips. I have sold the Absinthe painting with the green fairy. Hopefully we can create more in this kind of genre for sale.
I have met a few artists lately and gotten some sales tips. Most of them who are successful follow the art fair trail, not for me. Since I am a stationary artist, limited to shows in my own town or close by, I concentrate mostly on word of mouth and social networking. I do pass out my business cards when the opportunity presents itself. These artists are doing "Wine Country" and related themes, which I am so burnt out on. It doesn't really show talent to paint wine bottles all day and acres of vineyard, but I guess that's what the tourists want. I do like the black and white cow themes and have done lots of them myself, kinda cute, you know? SoCo is also famous for its apple orchards and chickens and redwoods. Maybe do some painting of those later.
Ordered some more paints from Amazon and got most of them yesterday. Waiting for more. I do love the transparent oxide colors as they give a wonderful effect when glazed over a more vivid color. Kind of like a Rembrandt glaze makes a painting look. With the textured paintings I am doing lately, it really gets a cool effect going on.
I have met a few artists lately and gotten some sales tips. Most of them who are successful follow the art fair trail, not for me. Since I am a stationary artist, limited to shows in my own town or close by, I concentrate mostly on word of mouth and social networking. I do pass out my business cards when the opportunity presents itself. These artists are doing "Wine Country" and related themes, which I am so burnt out on. It doesn't really show talent to paint wine bottles all day and acres of vineyard, but I guess that's what the tourists want. I do like the black and white cow themes and have done lots of them myself, kinda cute, you know? SoCo is also famous for its apple orchards and chickens and redwoods. Maybe do some painting of those later.
Ordered some more paints from Amazon and got most of them yesterday. Waiting for more. I do love the transparent oxide colors as they give a wonderful effect when glazed over a more vivid color. Kind of like a Rembrandt glaze makes a painting look. With the textured paintings I am doing lately, it really gets a cool effect going on.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Early Summer Thoughts
It's past Mid-May and I haven't updated this blog in a long time (new job, tax time, yada, yada). I am working as a cashier at Target and it's pretty hectic. So much so that I really haven't settled into any routine where I can keep up with my art.
However, I have gotten new supplies, gels, gessoes, and some inspiration for a few new paintings but still in the planning stages as well as finding a few frames in the dumpster. I thought of doing Venice or Italian cityscapes and thought these would be appropriate for summer paintings. Also looking for a source (affordable) for some really good super smooth Arches watercolor paper that's excellent for drawings. What I like about drawings is that you can do them anywhere due to minimal supplies being needed. Not like lugging around an easel and paint and brushes to do landscape paintings. Weather is really nice outdoors lately, so maybe I will get out, at least to photograph some really good scenes.
However, I have gotten new supplies, gels, gessoes, and some inspiration for a few new paintings but still in the planning stages as well as finding a few frames in the dumpster. I thought of doing Venice or Italian cityscapes and thought these would be appropriate for summer paintings. Also looking for a source (affordable) for some really good super smooth Arches watercolor paper that's excellent for drawings. What I like about drawings is that you can do them anywhere due to minimal supplies being needed. Not like lugging around an easel and paint and brushes to do landscape paintings. Weather is really nice outdoors lately, so maybe I will get out, at least to photograph some really good scenes.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Beware the Ides of March
Well, half of March is over. I have done a few paintings but I haven't been able to paint as much as I would like due to some other commitments. I would like to set a schedule for painting everyday, but its more difficult that I thought.
Of course, you can always find my stuff on Kandakis.deviantart.com/gallery, if you're interested I can quote you a really good price. The painting below is my latest. It's of Sedona, Arizona which is in the Grand Canyon area. I still have some detailing to do but its mostly finished. It is 16x20" painted in acrylics on stretched canvas, ready to hang as no frame is needed (painted sides).
Of course, you can always find my stuff on Kandakis.deviantart.com/gallery, if you're interested I can quote you a really good price. The painting below is my latest. It's of Sedona, Arizona which is in the Grand Canyon area. I still have some detailing to do but its mostly finished. It is 16x20" painted in acrylics on stretched canvas, ready to hang as no frame is needed (painted sides).
Monday, February 25, 2013
February Artworks
Well, February has not been a busy month for creating art for me. I have managed to paint a few acrylic paintings in my spare time.
These are all acrylic paintings on canvas. The Horses, Silver Chaser with Pears and Roosevelt Island paintings are larger: 16x20 and the Red Poppy and Orchids are somewhat smaller 11x14. The Red Poppy is a tribute to Georgia O'Keefe, in case you recognized the work. I enjoy doing tribute paintings because it helps me understand the artist and their process. Point being: paint what inspires you, rather than waiting for the big inspiration which cramps the creative flow.
I enjoy working in acrylics because they have the same depth of color as oils without the excessive drying time and odor.
I enjoy working in acrylics because they have the same depth of color as oils without the excessive drying time and odor.
Discovering the Color of Copper
I need to discover the colors used to convey to the viewer the color of copper as I am painting a lot of it lately. As you know, articles made of copper look very different from each other in terms of surface, texture and color. There are shiny pieces, dull and oxidized pieces, reflective qualities to deal with on the shiny ones and color differences in the range of copper colors from yellow to pink to greenish/bluish.
That said, I begin to understand what colors I might want to put on my palette to convey the article I am painting; a rather new, lacquered "oil" kitchen decanter made of copper with a brass ornament on the front. Solder joints are visible in some areas and it resembles the color of pewter. There are raised ridges around the circumference with a tapered design wider at the bottom finished with a brass handle. The design reminded me of an old antique oil can.
So, I first chose Alizarin Crimson is my red of choice owing to its transparency and ability to mix well with transparent greens to make transparent brown tones required in the underlayer of the copper article, and if I want some warmth I can add some transparent yellow to this mixture. I have found its always best to start the paintings with transparent colors and move towards opaque ones later on. Alizarin also mixes well with any transparent yellow to make a vibrant transparent orange. You can add some Titanium White to the orange mixture to obtain an opaque orange color but titanium white does dull the fieriness somewhat. I use this mixture as well as a good Cadmium Orange for highlights and glazes. Adding yellow over the orange makes for even greater highlighted areas. Pure white doesn't look good on copper but you can add a transparent colored glaze over the top of the white.
I like to use Phthalo Magenta in the shadows along with Burnt Umber. Viridian and Alizarin mixed with white makes a highlight to use in the shadow areas that isn't too bright, but still warm. You can move from warm to cool with these colors. The reflective nature of copper suggests cool next to warm all over the surface.
That said, I begin to understand what colors I might want to put on my palette to convey the article I am painting; a rather new, lacquered "oil" kitchen decanter made of copper with a brass ornament on the front. Solder joints are visible in some areas and it resembles the color of pewter. There are raised ridges around the circumference with a tapered design wider at the bottom finished with a brass handle. The design reminded me of an old antique oil can.
So, I first chose Alizarin Crimson is my red of choice owing to its transparency and ability to mix well with transparent greens to make transparent brown tones required in the underlayer of the copper article, and if I want some warmth I can add some transparent yellow to this mixture. I have found its always best to start the paintings with transparent colors and move towards opaque ones later on. Alizarin also mixes well with any transparent yellow to make a vibrant transparent orange. You can add some Titanium White to the orange mixture to obtain an opaque orange color but titanium white does dull the fieriness somewhat. I use this mixture as well as a good Cadmium Orange for highlights and glazes. Adding yellow over the orange makes for even greater highlighted areas. Pure white doesn't look good on copper but you can add a transparent colored glaze over the top of the white.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Finding Inspiration for Art
Finding inspiration is the most difficult part of the artistic process.
It's pretty easy picking up a few brushes and some good paint and canvas because Michael's and Aaron Brothers are just a block from my house and they have sales all the time. I've recently gotten an account online with free shipping (AMAZON Prime). Frames are more difficult because they are so expensive. I have scoured thrift stores in the past, but I think everyone caught on to that one. I purchase good frames with copy artwork at discount stores, then rip out the artwork and put mine in. Problem with this is that whoever puts these things together uses a bunch of glue and staples, so taking them apart is not for the faint of heart.
So, about the inspiration...sometimes I find myself just staring at that blank canvas, so I paint it red or black or something just to get rid of the whiteness. It doesn't always help, but it does cut down on the glare. Just kidding. Usually the inspiration comes first, then you sort out the particulars (what medium, what size canvas, is this a commissioned work, a gift, or something to hang on my wall), although I don't think it matters much I try to put the same quality craftsmanship in all of them. And it just kind of gets going from there. I can get inspired from my photographs (Sonoma County landscapes, family, people I know, as well as other copyright free references). I do not copy other artists or copyrighted materials, but I can be influenced by a style or something they've done.
My favorite paints are acrylics. Lately, I have switched from pastels, charcoal, oil paint, because they're extremely messy or there's lingering toxic smells even with odorless paint thinner. I really don't need any mediums with acrylics(just water). Sometimes I can't tell if my finished paintings are done in acrylic or oil, so I must keep notes for each piece. I then photograph each piece and add to my webpages. So far, so good.
I have created some business cards with a piece of artwork on them, done inexpensively at Office Depot, just to get started. I include one of these and a certificate of authenticity with each work. I think it's more professional that way. Also, I never use the post office for mailing anymore as they have lost my work before and it took a month or longer to find it. Not good for your business and there's no compensation for that through them.
It has been said that my best work is photo-realistic portraiture in graphite, Drawings do take a long time, and you have to do the darkest tones in charcoal else you'll get that horrible graphite shine, but the result is worth it. I still like to have fun painting, though. And did I mention that I've given my daughter, Kimberly, complete reign on criticism of each art piece. She has a good eye for detail and what works. She's also a budding chef. Yum! We're slow cooking a pork roast tonite to cook all night long for pulled pork sandwiches tomorrow.
Kandakis' gallery at deviantArt
It's pretty easy picking up a few brushes and some good paint and canvas because Michael's and Aaron Brothers are just a block from my house and they have sales all the time. I've recently gotten an account online with free shipping (AMAZON Prime). Frames are more difficult because they are so expensive. I have scoured thrift stores in the past, but I think everyone caught on to that one. I purchase good frames with copy artwork at discount stores, then rip out the artwork and put mine in. Problem with this is that whoever puts these things together uses a bunch of glue and staples, so taking them apart is not for the faint of heart.
So, about the inspiration...sometimes I find myself just staring at that blank canvas, so I paint it red or black or something just to get rid of the whiteness. It doesn't always help, but it does cut down on the glare. Just kidding. Usually the inspiration comes first, then you sort out the particulars (what medium, what size canvas, is this a commissioned work, a gift, or something to hang on my wall), although I don't think it matters much I try to put the same quality craftsmanship in all of them. And it just kind of gets going from there. I can get inspired from my photographs (Sonoma County landscapes, family, people I know, as well as other copyright free references). I do not copy other artists or copyrighted materials, but I can be influenced by a style or something they've done.
My favorite paints are acrylics. Lately, I have switched from pastels, charcoal, oil paint, because they're extremely messy or there's lingering toxic smells even with odorless paint thinner. I really don't need any mediums with acrylics(just water). Sometimes I can't tell if my finished paintings are done in acrylic or oil, so I must keep notes for each piece. I then photograph each piece and add to my webpages. So far, so good.
I have created some business cards with a piece of artwork on them, done inexpensively at Office Depot, just to get started. I include one of these and a certificate of authenticity with each work. I think it's more professional that way. Also, I never use the post office for mailing anymore as they have lost my work before and it took a month or longer to find it. Not good for your business and there's no compensation for that through them.
It has been said that my best work is photo-realistic portraiture in graphite, Drawings do take a long time, and you have to do the darkest tones in charcoal else you'll get that horrible graphite shine, but the result is worth it. I still like to have fun painting, though. And did I mention that I've given my daughter, Kimberly, complete reign on criticism of each art piece. She has a good eye for detail and what works. She's also a budding chef. Yum! We're slow cooking a pork roast tonite to cook all night long for pulled pork sandwiches tomorrow.
Kandakis' gallery at deviantArt
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