Abstract Art: Part 2

Hi everyone,

How are you? I’ve got a sick little Claire at home with me today. Doesn’t it just break your heart when your little ones are sick? No fun. :(

While she naps, I wanted to post the photo I promised of my finished piece of abstract art but first I wanted to show you the crazy journey this painting took me on.

Some details about this piece…it is done completely in acrylic paint. I did use modeling paste and gel mediums to create texture which my friend requested. A lot of metamorphosis took place as I tried to navigate my way through the process of abstract art.

It started here…a rather linear and geometric composition…

then meandered into a bizarre landscape complete with waterfalls….not completely sure how this happened….No, I was not intoxicated. lol.

BUT then I remembered…I was painting this for SOMEONE else! This was not what she wanted at all! Geez…

So it became this…

We delivered the commissioned piece the other evening and her and her husband were thrilled! We propped it up on their mantel to gaze at it while we sipped some bubbles. I hardly spoke the entire drive over because I was so nervous but to see the delight in their eyes…well that said it all! I was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for the opportunity!

I had completed my first commissioned work and it felt good. I took home two HUGE canvases for me to start on more projects for her. I can’t wait to get moving on those…although they are simultaneously scaring the crap out of me.

Is abstract art my future? I doubt it. Am I in love with this piece? No, not really – but the fact that my art could bring happiness to someone else and be a focal point in their home – makes this entire experience so worth it! I’ll keep you posted on the next two experiments…I mean projects. ;)

xo,

Ivy

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Abstract Art: A new challenge

Hi all! How’s life? I’m a little giddy right now because I just finished another piece of art.

This time, it was a LARGE (for me) piece of abstract art. The client (a dear friend) had a very specific color palette and she wanted it to feel very organic – no strong linear elements or sign of anything recognizable. Eeek!

You guys know my work…it’s detailed, mostly realistic and nothing even close to abstract. I hesitated when she asked me to do this project but agreed thinking it might be a fun challenge. She insisted that there was no rush. No deadline. That helped my nerves…somewhat.

Within the next couple of weeks, I ordered a large easel and gathered some supplies. Before you knew it, I had taken over our living room, setting up in the bay window to take advantage of the light.

Sitting face to face with this large canvas I felt serious doubt. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing!? Pushing past the fear, I proceeded to get my paints on the palette.

Almost mechanically, I began applying color slowly with control and then, as my logical mind excused itself from the room, my whole body relaxed. An art trance. Peaceful and serene, I trusted my hand.

My hubby sneaked into the room and snapped this pic of me with his phone. I hardly noticed him. :)

This was just one of the stages this painting went thru. It actually looks nothing like this now. I will share a pic of the finished piece next week after it is installed above my friend’s mantle.  She loves the finished piece and has already commissioned me to do another one! I couldn’t be more thrilled and humbled. Looks like I found a sweet patron for my passion. My fingers itch to begin the next project!

My lessons from all this –

1. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

2. Don’t let fear prevent you from growing.

3. Go outside the box and revel in the freedom.

****and most importantly****

4.  Trust your gifts.

Try something new soon and feel the thrill of stretching beyond your own limits.

xo,

Ivy

Creating Art on the IPad : A Walkthru my process

Hello! How are you? Summer is winding down and I’m SO ready for Fall! It’s my favorite season and I always seem to find much focus and peace as we all settle into our routines.

Today, I wanted to share my process on how I created one of the pieces of digital art from my last post. I got lots of responses and wonderful feedback – thank you so much.

Okay here we go…

Using Procreate on my iPad, I create a painted background using various brush tools. My favorite are wet round brush and old brush. I also downloaded the water brush kit from the app store. It has beautiful washes and watercolor effects. Fun!

You build in layers so this would be my first layer or my bottom layer.

Next, I select an image that inspires me. I usually find these on Pinterest. Now, this is the cool part! Look, I love to draw faces and people but for me drawing freehand on the iPad was awkward and clumsy. Maybe I just need a ton of practice but I couldn’t achieve the detail I wanted! I was frustrated so I went on the hunt for an app that might be able to create digital sketch effects like those on Photoshop – enter USketch. You can run any photo image thru this app and it will create a sketch. Very cool right!? I have erased certain elements of the image to suit my needs. This is a separate layer that lies over the top of my painted backdrop.

***tip – you could also take photos of your own sketches and use those! Just use the iPad camera snap away and its ready to import into Procreate ***

Then I start to lay in color behind the sketch on another separate layer. I used the wet round brush for most of the color but make sure you try the smudge tool too to soften your edges and blend colors. You can see here too that I imported a honeycomb pattern and placed that over the painted background. I erased it in places and reduced its transparency to soften the effect.

I imported this vintage rose image from the Graphics Fairy and made it a multiply layer so it is transparent. Another awesome app I use is called Eraser. It will remove the white background from an image so you can overlay/collage it with ease into your composition. Very handy for creating digital art! Love it!

Finally I added in these bees. Another find on the Graphics Fairy. Used the Eraser app to get rid of white background, duplicated the layers and moved them into place.

Finally, I added some drips and splashes of paint as well as a few tape like shapes to create some linear elements. And she’s done.

This is such a pleasing way to create digital art! Very forgiving and easy to learn. Let me know if you have questions! I would be happy to help.

Have fun and enjoy your weekend!

xo,

Ivy

Creating art on the iPad

Hi there friends! I know it’s been quite a while since I last posted but this summer has been so busy! A few days ago, I actually got the chance to sit quietly with a cup of coffee and watch another video from my class with Jeanne Oliver.

This time she was exploring the power of creating artwork digitally on the iPad using an application called Procreate. Being a Photoshop lover, I was skeptical but I’m so glad I watched because Procreate is surprisingly addictive, easy to use and quite robust. I began to create small digital illustrations on my iPad and have been obsessed ever since.

Here are a few pieces I have created already…

I have been having so much fun making these. It’s amazing to create art while on the go. Stay tuned, I will be breaking down the process of how I completed this last piece very soon – complete with some handy tips and tricks!

Hope your week is going well.

xo,

Ivy