Value Sketches, Color Studies, Watercolor Graphite, by Leada Wood,Texas Artist

"Lilli" by Leada Wood ©2016

I recently attended a watercolor figure workshop with Peggi Habets. She is an amazing instructor and artist. Peggi says to achieve a likeness in a painting, the values have to be accurate and that is the tricky part. The values are perceived in relationship to the other values surrounding it. Very difficult to take a piece of white paper and sculpt it into a 3D representation of a person. We did thumbnails sketches, value studies and color studies before we ever started our subject. It was interesting and a little addictive.

The top painting was my first attempt, next is my value sketch, and color study. I still haven't captured my subject to my satisifaction but I can see growth along the way. After I got home I wanted to try something new. The bottom value sketch was done with watercolor graphite and was really a learning curve to sketch with a brush. One of the things I learned along the way is that I need to use watercolor paper instead of drawing paper. I think I will try the water soluble graphite on hot pressed paper next time.

The class stirred up memories of why I wanted to paint when I first began. I always loved Mary Cassatt, Norman Rockwell and John Singer Sargent's work. The way they captured a likeness of everyday life and recorded it. I know I have a long way to go but the fun is in the trying.

Fun In Dallas, by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Here we are at the Dutch Art Gallery's Pursuit of the Southwest opening. Bootman, Katie and Bel were kind enough to accompany me to this sensational event. Bel, me, and Katie are pictured by one of my paintings that was juried into the show. It is always fun to go into the city for a weekend especially with my girls! They have been to many openings with me but this was their first trip to the Dutch. They seemed very impressed with the large inventory and quality of work. They are artists too and notice things like that. We had fun looking at all the various paintings and styles and picking our favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

No trip to Dallas is complete without seeing some of the sights. We visited the arboretum's 12 Days of Christmas display. The girls are standing in front of some colorful fall foliage in the garden. 

 

 

The designs of the structures as well as the design of the characters of the song were amazing.

 

 

 

Here we have 8 maids a milking...wouldn't it be fun to design or create one of these displays?

 

 

 

 

6 Geese a laying. Just showing random favorites...all wonderful in their own way.

 

 

 

I do have a thing for birds...7 swans a swimming...

 

 

 

 

I especially liked 5 golden rings. The white Polar bear was awesome! So much thought, work and creativity went into the gardens wonderful interpretation of the 12 Days of Christmas and they are open some nights too. I imagine the garden would be stunning with all the Christmas lights aglow. If you are in Dallas Texas during the holidays try to go be the arboretum and enjoy the splendor of the 12 Days of Christmas. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.

 

 

Purple Passion by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Purple Passion was juried into the Dutch Art Gallery's Pursuit of the Southwest show opening Saturday December 6th in Dallas, Texas. The first 25 attendees will receive original art as well as first chance at the art. It's always a fun event at the Dutch and I would love to see you there!

Purple Passion is a form of batik using Unryu paper which is very thin and transparent and a bit tricky to work with. I really enjoy the process of batik as you never know how the paper will take the paint or if it will make it through the process. Have a great week!

Purple Passion by Leada Wood copyright 2014