Mixing Pencil Sketch with Canvas; Face Study

Face Study

 

 

As an artist, I think it is important to try new techniques and ideas.  I made a large canvas and painted it with a tan acrylic paint.  It hung on my wall for weeks as I tried to decided what to paint.  I love sketching and pencil work and even like the illustrations on how to draw a face, etc.  I actually like the lines left in and think it adds an interesting element to the sketch.  I got out my pencil the other day, after about my third cup of coffee and started sketching.  I wanted to convey raw art and really liked the tones and simplicity of the piece.  Once I finished my sketch I sprayed it with an acrylic matt finish to protect the pencil lines and prevent smudging.  Two of my daughters pointed out to me that the painting looked like an older version of my grand daughter.  I will let you be the judge. 

My sweet grand daughter

  Perhaps I have her sweet face in my sub-conscience and her likeness ended up on my painting.  Her sweet outfit was made by my youngest daughter and my middle daughter is the photographer.  I am so proud of my kids and the creativity they have. 

Mixed Media Art with Antique Postcards

Want to learn how to do this?
Art Class Scheduled on: September 14th, 2013    2:00 - 4:00 pm
30.00 per person (materials included)
Choice of 6 different postcards to choose from.
Where:  Frou Frou Galore 26420 Preston Ave, Old Town Spring, TX
Call today to reserve your spot (limited space)  281-459-0711
Artist/Teacher: Tamyra Crossley

The Sweet Life

Pearls of my Heart

No. 6031 Lady

No. 27 Lady

Mermaid

Gypsy Queen

Gypsy Girl

Farm Girl

Evette

Bird Watcher

Ballet Toes

Enchanted Wood

My newest Mixed Media works start with a vintage postcard (some I own and digital downloads can be found in my etsy shop; Ivory Coast www.etsy.com/people/ivorycoast,  others I have digitally downloaded from favorite etsy shops; French Kissed; www.etsy.com/people/FrenchKissed  , MDR Grafix Postcards; www.etsy.com/shop/MDRGrafixPostcards , just to name a few.  I use canvas, scrapbook paper, paint, stamps, ephemera and pens.  I start with a blank canvas (handboard canvas is easier to work with but you then have to frame it or glue on a ribbon and backing piece).  I mix 2-3 coordinating colors together and paint (acrylic) the entire canvas.  While it's drying, I will take my vintage postcard and start collecting coordinating scrapbook papers, stamps, bits of paper ephemera, etc. to add to the canvas.  I used just plain old Elmer's glue, clear, but you can also use a Gel Medium to adhere each layer.  After I glue the back of the sheet I use a plastic putty knife to work out any air bubbles.  I like to start with the largest piece of paper first then slowly build layers.  The last layers are the small ephemera or stamps and then I will either use a stamp and ink pad or hand write areas with a sharpie.  A fun project and great way to preserve some vintage postcards.  Originals for sale at; Frou Frou Galore, in Old Town Spring, TX http://www.froufrougalore.com/
Prints can be purchased at; Etsy, Shop Studio Quest, www.etsy.com/people/studioquest , or Fine Art America, artist: Tamyra Crossley , www.fineartamerica.com , or tamyra-crossley.artistwebsites.com

Vintage Gypsy Collection

Survived the move!  Every time I move I am reminded how much I dislike moving.  As you fellow artists know you need lots of craft and art supplies so everything gets jumbled and of course has to be boxed and carried to the new place.  It is times like this that I re-think doing so many different things and having so many interests.  Now that the move is over it's time to get busy and have some fun.  Above is my latest creation of re-purposed clothing, lace and embellishments.  It reminds me of a gypsy which inspired the name.  It currently is for sale (each piece sold separately)  in my booth upstairs at Frou Frou Galore in Old Town Spring, Texas.

Sepia Brown Only

The Wait

Like using only one color to see what you can do with shading.  This is a classic look and something I had a lot of fun with.

Postcard Art

Dreamed of in a Girl

Always looking for new ways to market existing pieces of art and decided to create some new pieces from both full works of art and parts of an existing piece.  I took my original work "Dreamed of in a girl" and added some scrapbook paper to the bottom to create a different postcard.

Dreamed of in a girl postcard

Then decided.....what if I cut into two pieces, one to highlight the eyes....

Blue Eyes

One to highlight the red lips...

Dreamed of in a girl

What I ended up with is four potential postcards, each a bit different and unique.

ATC Cards

Daisy Girl

Fairy Girl

Love the history of the Artist Trading Cards and have traded a few with my sister.  I was invited to a gathering the other night of fellow artists and we were asked to bring along two cards (one to give away and one to keep).  Since I was busy looking through the book Fairy-ality, a wonderful collection of fashions created by using God's beautiful bounty, I decided to use this as my inspiration.  What I love about these are they are quick, fun and don't require a huge commitment.  It is also the perfect place to try your hand at something new. I traded mine and received a beautiful one in return entitled "Dream".  I had a wonderful evening and came away inspired.

Cleopatra



Cleopatra

 Could I make something interesting with just a fine black marker?  That was the challenge I set for myself.  I had picked up a few technical drawing books at a used book store and was amazed at some of the detailed drawings.  Got out my smooth drawing pad, began a rough sketch in pencil then went over my main lines in ink and thats when the fun began.  My favorite was the outside border of just scribbles.  No thinking is involved in this and it was really relaxing.  I stressed a bit about trying an ink drawing, afraid that there is NO room for error.  That really isn't true, if you make a mistake simply add on to make it part of the overall design.  It was fun and I will have to try it again.  Maybe with other colors!

I dreamed of a girl.....

I dreamed of a girl

It is quiet this morning so I started to sketch.  Pretty soon the watercolors came out, then the ink and next thing I know paper scraps, stamps and glue.  As I added a bit of this, then a bit of that the woman became a bit clearer in my minds eye.  It isn't everyday I paint a woman with blue hair but I think it works.  I looked through my word cut outs and found "I dreamed of a girl", perfect!  Overall, I am happy with the result.  Hope you like it too.