Thursday, June 14, 2012

LITTLE DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS



Vickie H. gave me permission to show this drawing I did of her grandgirl, Miss P.  I am always taken by red hair. 

I took my Moleskine watercolor journal and the photo, along with some drawing tools to the Bahamas.    Even though I took my time with this, turning the photo upside down to make myself see shapes, not "nose" and "eye" and so on, and even measuring, I still aged her and made her face less full that it is in the photo.

Thanks, Vickie, for giving me permission to show my results on the blog.  It kept me sane for 2 days on San Salvador and I do appreciate that.



And I am behind for my June postcard SWAP paintings.  I still have one to do but this is the one that will be mailed out this week.  It's going to Ohio, so it won't take long to get to its new home (I hope).



I painted it and then used some pen and ink to get some of the flowers a bit more interesting.








I know you are all waiting for beautiful seaside landscape paintings from me.  I'll print some of the best ones out and try - but, so far, I've been unable to capture the beach and sea to my satisfaction.  But I'll try (afterall, I couldn't do landscapes before I started teaching my beginners and now I'm doing those! ha ha)

I had a new student come Tuesday to my beginner group - but I lost a student (I think she will return, but unsure).  So still just 2 for now, which is fine.  It gives me plenty of time to really help them and talk to them and ask them questions about what they like and don't like about what they are doing so I can give them suggestions for fixing things they want to fix.

16 comments:

Gaylynn said...

Wonderful portrait Rhonda! I see the wind blowing her hair. Bravo!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Rhonda,

I'm so glad that you used this photo and that it kept you sane while you were at the research center.

Miss P loves it,

xoxo

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Gaylynn :)

The best compliment is that she loves it, Vicki! :) I've put a touch of color to it today and will share - and then, mail it to you if you send your address to me via email. It may look just like her in another year or so :)

Christiane Kingsley said...

Rhonda, the drawing is beautiful!

Christiane Kingsley said...

Rhonda, the drawing is beautiful!

Vicki Greene said...

Excellent drawing Rhonda! When you learn how to paint seascapes please let me in on the secret. I live in Florida and it seems that I should be able to paint a seascape.

Arti said...

I like the drawing, its fresh and beautiful :)

Autumn Leaves said...

Wow Rhonda! Both pieces you've shared are just stunning. I think this watercolor floral is my favorite of all your works. It just resonates within! I didn't know you worked in portraits; this is just exquisite. I too am drawn to redheads. My oldest daughter is a redhead as are both of her kids. I was born a redhead myself but mine, alas, darkened over time to brunette with red highlights. Now it is mostly gray (if I were to leave it alone).

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Christiane :)

Vicki, I'll share anything I learn about seascapes. So far, I haven't been as successful as I'd like with them. Susie Short's DVD on painting waves helps, but it's like everything else - you have to keep practicing and I rarely do water scenes. Maybe time to start!

Thanks, Arti and Sherry :) Sherry, I do everything but architecture and landscapes (although I've had to revise the "no landscapes" part of that since I'm not doing them while teaching my beginners). I, too, was born with red hair - named after Rhonda Fleming, my father's favorite actress at the time.

Vandy Massey said...

I love those glorious deep blues and purples in the flower painting. So rich and beautiful. I think it is one of my favourites of your paintings.

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

your portrait is amazing!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, Vandy and Carol!

Unknown said...

Goodness, you're doing so many great things! I like the portrait and the reminder to turn to photo upsidedown and see the shapes. I really love the purple flower painting, those colors just appeal so much to me! It has such an intense, joyful feeling to it. I didn't know you were teaching classes, I'll bet you find it very satisfying and it probably helps you with your own art as well. At least, that's what I think it would be like to teach classes, lol. I look forward to seeing more of your work and reading about your travels!

RH Carpenter said...

Well, just catching up on things I left undone when we went away, Katherine. Thanks :) Glad you enjoyed the flower painting - that seemed to be a favorite with many viewers. Maybe I'll do another larger one (this is just a postcard size with added pen and ink).

JANE MINTER said...

beautiful flowers rhonda

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, Jane. It means so much to receive positive feedback from you because I so admire your ability and style with watercolor.