Hope of the Clan

[Alexandra Tyng]

Debra,

I do like this technique of yours. It seems to work very well with your tendency to paint rather thinly and transparently, which works well in watercolor but can be problematic with oils (as it gives the impression you are not taking full advantage of the medium). Putting the watercolor wash underneath and pastel over it remind me of putting a thin undercoat of oil on the canvas and then building up layers of thicker paint. I imagine it must work in a similar way. The result has lots of body without looking overworked. I really like it and I think you should keep going with it.

[Debra Jones]

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

Debra,

I do like this technique of yours. It seems to work very well with your tendency to paint rather thinly and transparently, which works well in watercolor but can be problematic with oils (as it gives the impression you are not taking full advantage of the medium). Putting the watercolor wash underneath and pastel over it remind me of putting a thin undercoat of oil on the canvas and then building up layers of thicker paint. I imagine it must work in a similar way. The result has lots of body without looking overworked. I really like it and I think you should keep going with it.

It is funny you saying I work thinly but what you have seen of me is pretty thin. I glaze a lot. But my old style has always been the thickest kid on the block. I think I do more glazing because it is a good way to stay in touch with the drawing and not lose the detail when I work heavily from photos. Not diving in too deep so I don't have to go back into it too deep to correct. In life painting, I have done the same in the last year or so, but haven't done as much oil as I used to.

I think of myself as someone who watercolors like and oil painter, so it is a shock to be perceived as an oil painter who paints like a watercolorist - however, I agree. Because I have been doing so many watercolors it has crept into my oils. I really have not done five in a row to get back in shape.

BUT I am a pastellist. This sort of thing is NO work at all. Just comes out naturally. Not sure exactly how it can work for me, and it is a bit more messy, what with splashing the watermedia on first and then grinding away at the pastels, it is not something I do with ANYTHING else in the studio going for money. Too risky! So I do it for my own entertainment most of the time. I think it is time to stop playing with what I am trying to make into a style and keep working on my self-proclaimed niche!

[Mischa Milosevic]

Deb, beautiful work , I to like this side of you.
I hope I'm not late with this for I just have one nit pick the boys left ear gives the impression of being to thick and one more thing the chroma on the boys right seems to strong presenting the under eye as it has unnatural thickness.

I hope I was able to help

[Debra Jones]

I changed the title on this to HIGHLAND MAJOR, MINIMUS because I felt like the more interesting the title the more chance of stopping people!
And apparently it all paid off because I won FIRST PLACE in Pastels at the Arizona State Fair!

I just received the acceptance notice in the mail with some cryptic numbers, like a "1" in the column that says "place/ribbon". Since I am demonstrating down there tomorrow, I called to see if that was the vote or an award and I did indeed get first place in pastel, fifth in oil and an honorable mention in watercolor.

Good year for entering contests! Now, when the commissions start, I will relax and buy some clothes that fit!
dj*

[Julie Deane]

Congratulations, Debra! Beautiful work!

[Terri Ficenec]

Congratulations Deb - well deserved! and awesome that you had multiple works place!

[Patricia Joyce]

Debra,
Congratulations! Well deserved. I love your work and you have grown so much over the past couple years. This is a beautiful piece BTW. I just found it today.