Sometimes you just have to let the image speak for itself!

Digitally Painting Animals online course starts up next week….e-mail me if you enrolled and have not yet received information to join the forum.

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Sometimes the reference photos I have to go by are not the best….washed out, and just not enough detail. So….you do the best you can…I find everyone looks a bit younger due to the lack of detail. I happen to like the character lines on a face…it adds depth and is more interesting to sketch out or paint.The above is actually my sister. …she liked the fact that this style made her look a little younger.

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A nude, but not really….a sketch for todays blog post.

Rainy days in the forecast for the next few days here in the Atlanta area….while we need it, I hate when we get too much of it all at once. Lots to do inside and yes….still the big Give Away….working at getting video up on the blog….stay tuned.

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A girl and her dog of course Still very much as works in progress, but it is taking shape very nicely. Also trying to finish up on the Chickadee Painting all the while taking breaks throughout the day trying to get to several projects started and play with the dogs. Very spoiled they are….sun is shining, warmer spring temps here in the Atlanta area…three dogs at back door…..wanting to run, chase butterflies and play, play , play.

Print give away sometime this week….so for those interested stay tuned!!!

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I get soooo many questions about smudge painting….so easy. Classes are not needed all you have to do is PRACTICE. The above was a demo that took about 10-15 minutes to complete….you of course would take your time and do a much better job of it then I….this is just a very quick demonstration. In Photo-shop make your adjustments, after making a duplicate of course….I wanted the above to be soft….so I sharpened (usm)….just not a lot…..adjusted contrast, saturation, levels. Then clicked on the smudge tool and chose my brush. Very important once started to to vary brush size, strength…lighten, darken in those areas that need it (you can even add color).

I know so many that do the eyes this way as well….I just blacken them and paint in what I want.You can smudge the background….or just paint on layers with several different colors…adjusting the opacity along the way. It is soooo important to make sure you cover the entire image….push those pixels around. I use smudge painting when I am short on time and need to show a proof, or for retouching an image…or just want an overall softness to an image. There are so many wonderful examples on the net….really the best way to learn is to practice, practice and more practice.The above image was taken with a Nikon 5200 a couple of years ago. The dog…my beloved Phoenix who died last July. While I think of him so very often…the arrival of spring he has so been on my mind. Our walks looking for wonderful things to photograph…fun times playing and doing agility. Yes…I do so miss my Phoenie…

On a brighter note… first day of spring. Rocky the Golden is getting over an injury, yet again. While his Pano has improved, he hurts himself so very easily.Yesterday I happened to spy my first Monarch butterfly for the season….what a lovely dance it put on flitting here and there. Rocky, with Frisbee in mouth spied it and soon both he and the butterfly were what seemed to be chasing one another…Rocky, running, spinning…until the butterfly flew over the fence. Poor Rocky, still with Frisbee in mouth just looking over the fence. My camera was inside, of course, and I knew well enough best to watch the dance then dash off for the camera. Maybe another day. Nice to know my big goofy Golden is still very much a puppy a heart.

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A quick sketch for today’s work…interesting in that sometimes casual and messy just works….this is a fine example of that!

The big count down….tomorrow the mac is being delivered….so for the remainder of the day I will be trying my best to make room for it. If I disappear for a few days it is because soooo much to learn…that is if easy to install software etc. I have not forgotten the “give away” prints….stay tuned it is going to be fun!!!!

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I hide behind color to help keep me safe…

Always feeling out of place.

The colors are comforting…

warm tones, cool tones..

earth tones.

Always hiding behind color for I feel safe.

Cloudy day here in the Atlanta area….calling it a day to hang out with the puppies before the rain starts….they need exercise and play. The above portrait is indeed a self portrait that was completed this morning. I have been meaning to do one….just other more important things on my to do list…with that stated, it was on my list to complete….so did!!!

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Another busy day….multi tasking several things at once….as usual. Working on several “On the Easels” for the time being, this was just a quick warm up to get the creative juices flowing.

16×24 Art Paper

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After a lonnnng day I needed to do something fun.

11 14  Art Paper

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I did not take the original image…lots of little distractions being edited out, leaving their pose and the background…well sort of anyway….dislike the grass they are in front of so removed that as well. Hopefully I will be completing this in a day or so….check back soon. The hairline is off on both boys, and little one does not even have a face yet….tomorrow.