Author: Jim Blodget (page 3 of 15)

Gradients and Layer Mixing

Gold Gradient

Gold Gradient

I”ve been experimenting with ways to get gradients into my art projects on the iPad. I started the above image in ArtRage and filled the page with a gold color on a textured paper. I then opened that image in iColorama and applied a gradient and another paper texture and saved it. Next, I opened the iColorama image in Sketch Club and imported it into a layer. I copied that layer and used transform to resize and rotate it. I then used the eraser tool to create an interesting shape. I copied that shape into another layer and offset it behind the original shape and set the blend to Difference. I also copied the original paper texture, resized it with Transform, rotated it and placed it behind the two shape layers. Finally I copied the small paper texture layer, blurred it, and moved it over a bit to create a drop shadow.

I like the textures, colors, and gradients of this one.

Jim

Recent iPad Paintings

Trees of Gold

Trees of Gold

Since breaking my ankle I haven’t been able to get out on location to do any paintings. So, I’ve been working on the iPad. It’s been a while. I’m having to re-learn techniques. I did the above painting in ArtRage. It was an experiment in using metallic paints and the new Glitter tool.

Below are other paintings I did. In addition to using ArtRage I also used iColorama, Distress FX, and Sketch Club.

Jim

Broken Ankle Sketch

Broken Ankle Sketch

Broken Ankle Sketch

This morning I was looking at the sketch I did in the ambulance and began wondering how realistic or accurate a sketch has to be to capture a moment or describe an event.

Ambulance Sketch

Ambulance Sketch

The lines are shakey. My foot is barely recognizable. Most people would judge it a “bad” sketch. Yet, for me, it takes me there and I remember everything. The EMT who was riding with me was named Patrick. I remember what we talked about during the ride, how long it took, what the route was, that the siren was not on…everything, and I realized that the amount of realism in the sketch was irrelevant. A sketch is a diagram of an experience. There is a crossover to other senses and memory neurons when you draw and it works much like a certain smell or melody does to trigger feelings or memories.

So, today, instead of doing a carefully layed out drawing of my surroundings, I’m doing a quick pen sketch. The proportions are all wrong, the objects look wonky, and the lines look scratchy, but that’s the place and situation all right. There is my bag of pens and pencils, my medications, my sketchbook, my foot in a cast, my crutches, and all the surrounding mess that is our family room and a bit of the kitchen. When I look at it, I know that the lines look that way partially because my wrist and arms hurt so much from using those crutches and I know that the pain in that foot has kept me awake for two nights. That is the magic of sketching. It’s a process of observing through movement of the hand and arm. The extra time and effort it takes makes it much more potent than a photograph. At least for the artist.

Broken Ankle Photo

Broken Ankle Photo

Jim

The Orchard

The Orchard

The Orchard

I’m starting to get the hang of this sketching stuff. My proportions are getting better and I’ve developed a process I like. I start by framing an area in my journal with blue tape, and then I lay out the scene using an orange erasable highlighter.

The Orchard - Layout

The Orchard – Layout

I divided the frame in half both vertically and horizontally and sketched in the major shapes in each quadrant. Then I drew the blackest blacks with a brush pen.

The Orchard - Brush Pen

The Orchard – Brush Pen

Finally I added detail with an extra fine nib pen mainly drawing the darks rather than the contours.

The Orchard - Extra Fine Nib Pen

The Orchard – Extra Fine Nib Pen

This is a small sketch – 5.5 x 3.5 inches. Here is what it looks like on the journal page.

The Orchard - Journal Page

The Orchard – Journal Page

I then used a hairdryer to heat up the drawing which erases the orange highlighter.

Jim

The Flowers That Bloom in May

The Flowers That Bloom in May Cover

The Flowers That Bloom in May PDF (10.5 MB)

During the month of May I challenged myself to draw every day. I chose as my theme the flowers in our backyard. I’ve been spending the last month and a half writing a journal about the project, which contains a gallery of all my sketches and field notes about my methods, materials, thoughts, and discoveries.

The Flowers That Bloom in May” – PDF (68 pages, 10.5 MB)

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Sebright Gardens Sketch

Sebright Gardens Sketch

Sebright Gardens Sketch

This morning I drove north to the Sebright Gardens for my first visit. Salem’s Artists in Action group was meeting there for one of their Paint the Town outings. So, in addition to checking out the garden I also wanted to meet the group. I talked with Melody and Merren and learned about the group and their activities and meetings. Both were very gracious and welcoming.

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There’s No Place Like Home

Backyard Acrylic Sketch

Backyard Acrylic Sketch

If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with“.

I’m continuing my quest to find the perfect materials for painting on location. This isn’t it, but I’m getting closer.

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Geranium Gouache Sketch

Geranium Gouache Sketch

Geranium Gouache Sketch

Today I’m testing my homemade paint box before I take it out on location. I set it up on the back porch on top of my small Sony tripod. I’m painting with Holbein Acryla Gouache on a 6×6 inch canvas panel.

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Acrylic Lilies

Acrylic Lilies

Acrylic Lilies

This is my second try at painting a pair of paintings at the same time. I like it. It goes faster than painting two separate paintings because you save time preparing and mixing the colors. I worked back and forth mixing a color once and applying it twice.

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Yachats Beach

Yachats Beach

Yachats Beach

I’ve had this idea for a while now that I could do two paintings side by side of the same subject in about the same time as doing one. This is my first experiment to test my theory.

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Red Tulips

Red Tulips

Red Tulips

I’m experimenting today using Epson inkjet glossy photo paper. It’s an interesting surface to work on – unlike anything I’ve tried before.

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Portland Bridges

Portland Bridges

Portland Bridges

Today I drove Kris up to OHSU in Portland for an eye exam. The view from the 11th floor is spectacular. You can see three bridges spanning the Willamette river with Mt. St. Helens looming in the background. I sat near the window in the lobby to do this sketch.

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