Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Watering cans and dainty shoes

In art class this afternoon, Casey set up a still life outside...after we enjoyed a delicious lunch of Courgette soup with sesame seeds, followed by a wonderful tomato, coriander and pine nut quiche and ended with strawberries and blood orange dessert and madeleines...I hope you are all drooling now..

It was tough getting into drawing afterwards, but we did the best we could. We had a friend there whose shoes we all admired, so she unceremoniously stacked her shoes as part of the still life....

I wanted to try a different medium today. The first one is done in a walnut stain wash and then finished off with pen and conte in different colors on Arches HP. Although not the right medium for those dainty shoes, I did it nonetheless, since I haven't worked with it before. I do like the medium and will definitely experiment more.
I thought I owed it to those shoes to make them look kind of pretty, so the second is done in pen and watercolor on Arches HP. The composition is a bit off in both cases, among other things, but let's say I felt like watching the world go by rather than joining it. (See what Judi says about this "watching the world buzz by"... http://everythingiscontextual.blogspot.com/2007/04/work-is-for-birds.html


22 comments:

Teri said...

Well first, I am drooling reading about that wonderful lunch. Then I went right into amazement over that new paint and then into awe over those shoes!! Yo all have so much fun on your art dates!! Wish I could join you.

Lin said...

What a juxtaposition of materials --!! And yet all treated beautifully by your hand!! LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY!

Anonymous said...

Lovely work, and what amazing shoes! That must have been a fun day.

caseytoussaint said...

Wow, that was fast! These look great. I'm really impressed with what you did with the 'brou de noix' I'm going to have to try that.

Lynn said...

Whoa, those shoes rock! What a happy, quirky composition this turned out to be. You did an outstanding job on both paintings.

Anonymous said...

I like this both very much. Same scene but so different because of the color and medium. And what a neat idea to add shoes to the still life.

Lindsay said...

I like them both but I like the walnut wash one best! Gives it an air of Morrocan Mystery. And btw, you guys are having entirely TOO much fun! What foodies you are!!! Yes, I am drooling and I even just finished dinner.

Brenda Yarborough said...

What a fabulous lunch and an even more fantastic art session. I love both of these and can't say which I like best. I DO like the dainty shoes thrown in, they are unexpected as if they were kicked off in favor of gardening.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

This is my first time visiting your blog and web-site and what joy it's been. I love your watercolors and the way you use color ... what a delightful touch your drawing and paintings have.

mARTa said...

well, first of all....I love the one in brou de noix best...it's mysterious. Second.....I am thrilled that I'll be able to share one of those wonderful meals with both of you in just a few months!

Rita said...

Just wandered through your blog and love your work!! I aspire.... :)

platitudinal said...

I like the monochromatic look of the first painting with walnut stain. Each object seems to compliment each other and no one competes for the sole attention --- even those pretty shoes in the middle. It gives a feeling of harmony.

On the second painting, there’s no doubt who is the star of the picture … before I read your writing, I thought those were the sandals you use when you’re gardening. Fancy Ronell! Hehe. Bzzzzzzzz …

E-J said...

Great juxtaposition. Imagine gardening in those shoes! :-) Each of these is lovely in its own, quite different, way. Forgive my ignorance, but what is a walnut stain wash?

artnewbie said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your kind comments. Well, I just love these pictures, especially the dark stain one - exotic, and such fun! Diane.

suzanne cabrera said...

These are both gorgeous. I'm particularly drawn to the first one. Though the walnut wash isn't necessarily "dainty" it realy allows the shoes to shine. You do a wonderful job of adding highlights which helps a whole lot. Oh, and your meal sounds wonderful as well...sure beats my subway sandwich!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Is walnut stain what I think it is? Something one rubs into one's skirting board! Whatever it is, is is so effective and I adore the shoes. It must be the French influence to wear such shoes to art class!

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Gosh this whole post is just fantastic. I love the top picture Ronell - but then I am always taken by anything in sepia tones. Really stunning.

Unknown said...

Wonderful - I have to echo the others' love of the juxtaposition of the items in the still life - and I have to envy those SHOES!!! :D

Isn't it grand to have an art buddy? Lucky you!

laserone_ said...

REALLY beautiful pieces! I'm amazed that you used a walnut stain, it turned out incredible! :)

biteyourowntail said...

i love the contrast between the delicate beaded shoes, and the watering can. This is a great image, beautifully executed. Like the sepia version too

Anonymous said...

Those shoes are so very dainty and pretty! Nice job on both of these sketches. Thanks alot for the food cravings!

Jana Bouc said...

Wow! These are both fabulous. I love your work and woke up this morning thinking about and picturing your menu paintings from the last time I visited.