This has been turning into a series. Not a series related to each other in any way other than that they are all of children loved by others, who would like to see their dear faces frequently. I feel a bit Beatrix Potter saying “dear faces”, but that is kind of how you feel, especially as a grandparent. While in the midst of parenting, I know it is much more difficult to see the forest for the trees. Sadly, but there it is!
Maybe someday, someone will find a cache of baby teeth and wonder what it was all about. This little guy lost two in two days — I think he’s happy the tooth fairy will come but even more than that, it’s just fun to wiggle them out!
The de Young Open is now — open! This well-designed show is a delight, and will be up until January 3, 2021.
There are so many (over 800) wonderful works of art from talented and creative local artists, you really should go see it if you are in the San Francisco Bay area. See the current exhibition list. The artist opening day was fun, but busy and I plan to return to see more. My artwork is in Gallery 8. Many of the artworks are for sale (mine is not). Support artists in the time of COVID-19!!
July #30faces30days from Sktchy was an awesome way to learn more about procreate and drawing the human face. To see them “closer up” check out my sketching instagram @2minuteeggs. Sktchy has a session each month, with great teachers. I loved all the different styles, some specializing in cross-hatching, some gouache, cartoon or comic style, or a restricted color palette. It was sometimes hard to get started on the day’s drawing, and it was interrupted by five days out of town, but I got through it!
30 faces closer to 500!
While painting by the River Tweed with some friends last fall, which seems 3 decades ago, a fisherman kindly lent us a couple of chairs so we wouldn’t have to sit on the ground. He said he had been fishing in that spot for 40 years or so.
a carpenter from Elk, California who has worked on boat projects as well. The right paper helps! This portrait was easier to work on than the last one. I was wanting to try lots of detail in the hair, but set the drawing up too small for that.
When was the last time I picked up a pencil to draw with??—it might have been about 4 years ago. I’ve been wanting to return to working on the faces project and drawing with graphite just feels fun. My original goal was 500 faces, just because it sounded neat, but is that even possible at this slow pace? Doubtful. This felt difficult, I was not happy with the blending of tones — maybe it was the paper or the pencils, or just how much time had passed. Here is a portrait of a woman I admire.
faces 50, 51, 52
Weekend Warriors – 2-day portrait workshop. Randy is a great teacher – relaxed but informative and supportive. I find his work inspiring, wonderful images capturing a feeling of a place without being slavishly detailed, and lots of luscious brushwork.
These are two sketches and a full-day portrait which I did over this intensive weekend. I scrubbed one. It’s good to throw paintings over sometimes, it makes it easier to abandon those which aren’t going in the intended direction. Don’t hang on – move forward!!
Micaela Marsden 