Just a Relationship

Here's what I learned this week:

• Faces don't have edges, so don't draw them that way.
• Use 3-4 values to create recessional curvature, and eliminate edges
• The reason this technique has us sketch then paint is so we can work out the problems ahead of time with a more malleable medium. 
• If your surrounding values don't look right, then whatever you're trying to depict won't look right.

 

I've been trying to come up with something different, or cool, or exciting to tell you guys. But my relationship with art right now is kind of like that point in a human relationship where you've been dating for a while and you can just sit and do your own thing and not talk. It's comfortable, and yeah you guys do cool and exciting stuff sometimes, but really the two of you have adopted a daily pattern and that's okay. 

I work on this piece when I can, but right now it's mostly on Sundays. It started snowing this week, and my little corner is right by two windows so I'll usually have a cardigan on. I'll pop open a San Pellegrino or a Fentimans and pretend I'm European. By the end of a session I'll have graphite all over my hands and sometimes on my face.

It's a simple relationship. 

Love \\ Christelle

Coming Back

One of my favorite things to do after a lesson in South Jordan is to run up to Utrecht up in Salt Lake City. It's nested in this tiny old street, all under construction, but surrounded notable neighbors including Chipotle and Barnes and Noble. Both of which I visited after picking up some pencil lead.

I finally made it up to South Jordan for a lesson. So much has changed. Darin's getting ready to move to a new home, Kelly's no longer at the Academy, and Kathy's finished her 5 foot by 3 foot painting, which she began glazing.

But there's nothing like walking into Darin's home re-experiencing that wood-y sweet smell that reminds you of how well you fit when you're just working on your art. Belonging somewhere that consistently pulls good out of you. 

Notice how worn Joseph is. His wrinkles, his posture depict the weight of the world. The angel, on the other hand, is perfect, she's idealized. Darin and I discussed the fact that maybe Mengs wanted to differentiate men from celestial beings. What do you think?

Love \\ Christelle