Who’s The Queen For February? : Daily Art Practice
A bird that keeps flying into our window. He even brought a friend the next day and they both hit the window.???
Book Corner
I was visiting my local library this morning, and I spoke with the head Librarian. She asked me if I had blogged about a humongous book (the size of my torso) that I was returning and I mentioned that I hadn’t had time. So today, since I am lacking in topics to chit chat about, it is as good a time as any to share some of my most recent books.
I know you can’t tell from the picture, but this was seriously the biggest book I have ever seen. It was SO heavy, I had to take several trips to the car because I could only fit this book in my arms. You may want to get this from your local library instead of buying it. It has beautiful full-size pictures of art and textile from all different time periods in history to the present. My favorite time periods were the Egyptian, impressionist and Asian.
John Singer Sargent Watercolors
The pictures in this book were stunning and I was surprised at how vibrant Sargent’s color palette was. I thought I was going to recognize most of the paintings, but I didn’t. His most famous paintings were done in oil. I loved flipping through the various subject matters in this book and found it to be very inspirational.
Mastering Composition Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting
I didn’t have the chance to read through this book in it’s entirety, but I would highly recommend it based on what I did read. I plan on going back through and studying this book as it had examples of what to do and what not to do when it comes to composition. The explanations in this book were clear and easy to follow.
Beautiful lettering is an art, one of which I would love to learn. I can’t tell you how many books I have read on Typography but I still don’t do it well. Practicing is not the word that comes to mind when I think about writing words but just like every art form, there is a technique. I really like this book because It takes you into people’s sketchbooks to see how they practice and incorporate lettering in to their daily process.
The Great British Bake Off Big Book of Baking
I LOVE watching the GBBO and I am always inspired to bake after watching a season. I haven’t been baking a lot recently and there is nothing better to get me in the mood, or at least thinking about baking, than a book like this. The pictures are colorful, and I enjoy that some of the recipes included are from the contestants.
February Queen Portrait
I completed my next queen portrait. Can you guess who she is?
My process in coming up with the final portrait took quite a turn. I made 3-4 different drafts and the above sketch is #3
This is my final sketch, using StencilGirl stencils as my starting template.
Here I worked out some color palettes using my book, Complete Color Harmony Pantone Edition.
Below is my first draft using one of the color palettes. I loved this one as I am drawn to cooler colors but feedback from others said I needed more red.
My second color palette fit the mood of what I was going for so this is the one I chose.
If you want to see more of the process above, I have detailed photos on my StencilGirl Column HERE.
The Final Draft
That was all practice! For the final draft, I used Arches Watercolor Paper and Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors 48 Colors. I used the Fineline Masking Fluid Pen, to mask off the smaller areas. I love that this particular bottle of masking fluid has a very small tip. As for the color palette, I chose warmer colors than used for my final draft.
Did you figure out who she is?
Tea Day
I am joining the Tea Day Ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea today is Tension Tamer. Believe it or not, I used all 6 boxes since the last time I posted about buying this tea at discount. This morning I went back and bought another 6. I guess saying I would recommend this tea, is an understatement.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Good evening Kate, A great list of books you shared-the first one sounds interesting-full of art and very large. Enjoyed seeing the end result of your painting-no I do not know who she is but I am not usually in the know-smiles
Happy T Kathy
You might want to put some of those window clings on your window. Birds can’t see glass so they fly into it because they don’t know it’s there. My guess is that there is something they like either to eat or they feel protected, and when they fly they don’t see the glass. Wow you had some great books last week.. And your queen came out amazing. You definitely need to frame her. Have a great T day Kate and week ahead too. hugs-Erika
Your queen is a very neat imaginary being. It made me think of when I was a child and always drew queens and princesses in imaginary finery. I guess I have lost that facility now.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Poor birds, I agree with the idea of putting some kind of visual marker on the glass.
Tension Tamer is good as I recall, but it’s been a long time since I had any. Happy T Tuesday.
Your painting came out lovely as always. Even all the practice ones were fabulous! I have no idea who she might be though.. oh wait a minute.. maybe the Queen of Hearts…I forgot about all the hearts… i was trying to think of a real person..lol Happy T day ! Hugs! deb
Poor birds. Happened here, too. I now have a small vase with a flower on the window.
Beautiful Queen – please give a way who she is!
And have a happy T-Day!
Beautiful art this week, but I don’t know who the Queen is! Happy T Day, Valerie
Kate, the books all look and sound fabulous as is your queen adventure and ending products. I have so much to learn. You find the best cookbooks and teas. Happy T-day and hugz
Your windows are too clean1 Sometimes birds see their reflection and think it’s a competitor. As Erika suggested window clings will help. No clue on the queen, but she is beautiful in all her iterations. Come to Boston, visit the MFA or the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum to see works by Sargent. Want to save money, go to the Boston Public Library and see the Sargent murals on the 3 rd floor for free. You can also go on a free art and architecture tour at the library. Happy T Day
I don’t know my queens. It made me think of the queen of hearts in Alice in Wonderland. All your art work is wonderful, as usual Kate. And wow, on the huge book! I rarely go to the library as I check out my books on the app Libby and then they go back to library without me having to drive there! Happy T Day,,
I agree with Erika about the clean windows needing a guard.
The very first drawing I thought looked like an Egyptian Queen. However, the more you refined the image and made her jawline more “V” shaped, I think she must be the Queen of Hearts. Just lovely.
So glad that tea works for you. And if it helps, that is what is important. Thanks for sharing all those books you read last month, your awesome drawings, and your tea with us for T this Tuesday, dear Kate.
I can’t say much about the book, but I love all of the drafts o your portrait.. Just brilliant. Have a lovely day today.
Dear Kate, I don’t know who the queen is but she is breathtakingly beautiful!
Strange birds visit you… maybe they want to be painted by you too?
All the best – Traude❤️
PS: Could it be that my comment on your previous post ended up in the spam folder (or in data nirvana?)
The books you read look interesting – I haven’t watched a whole Bake Off programme since Mary Berry left. Seeing the stages of your paintings is absolutely fascinating. She is beautiful! Belated Happy T Day, Chrisx
Wow your library has an interesting collection of books. I love your queen of hearts? I’m guessing. I also really loved the version with the teal background. Sorry for the late visit, I’m really struggling with the cold at the moment. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx