What's going on at school right now

Husky -  9x12" Graphite on paper 

©2012, Helen Read 

We have hit the point in the semester where my students are learning to do a shaded drawing in Drawing Class.  So here's my example of what we are doing.  They went to the computer lab and chose a photo (something up close and with good values).  It had to be a photo of a large enough file size.  Then they put it into photoshop and cropped it and resized it to be a full page in size.  That became their reference photo.  Then we put a 1" grid on it and they used the same sized grid on a piece of drawing paper. 

Using that grid, they learned to transfer their image square by square.  

And finally, after erasing the grid, they began to shade, learning to adjust their values and be accurate in even that part of the "transfer".   

Not only is it an exercise in drawing realistically, its also an exercise in learning to observe carefully, which really is the main ingredient in drawing well.
For 14 yr old - 18 yr old eyes, it takes a lot of concentration and diligence to pull this off!  

So far, they are doing a pretty good job!   I'm proud of them.  :) 

Spring Robin

Spring Robin,  8x6" Watercolor on paper

©2012, Helen Read 

ready to mat and frame 

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This was a little experiment today.  I was using a new paper for watercolor.  Actually, I've used it before, but just not for a watercolor painting.  Its paper meant for markers.  Its very smooth, and it is not very heavy.   I really like the way it accepted the media - a very free-flowing effect with color merging into color.   So, while this is a simple little painting, it has some
pretty cool effects of quite a variety of color.  

Celebration!!

Celebration,  8x12" watercolor and mixed media on paper

© Helen Read 

ready to mat and frame 

A couple months ago, in the dead of winter, I visited a conservatory which was in full bloom with tropical plants.  It was like walking into a little piece of the tropics when we had snow on the ground outside!  One of the first plants that caught my attention was this one.  It was in full bloom with these starbursts of tiny flowers, some of which had not yet opened.  They reminded me of fireworks!  They seemed to a small celebration unto themselves!  

This painting harkens back to a more abstract approach, and one that uses the contrasts of darks and lights.  It also features some metallic paints to further enhance its color. 

The Front Garden ~ Featured Painting for March!

Featured Painting for March

The Front Garden,  5x7" Oil on canvas 

©2012, Helen Read
Ready to Frame

SOLD

There's something very intriguing about an older home nearly obscured by an overgrown setting.  This small painting depicts that mystery.    This was done as part of a Virtual Paint out challenge, where we are given a general location and then go by Google maps to find a "spot to paint".   

This is painted from a (virtual) location near St. Petersburg, Russia.  

As I looked at that area, I found this scene very intriguing and mysterious!  It seems like there should be a very interesting story to accompany it!  That's part of the mystery, I guess!