The Artful Nerd

I originally started this group of paintings at the end of April for May the 4th. (preface: I have no work life balance, I have to take vacation to work on art or finish projects.) These little paintings were meant as a way for me keep up with my skills, and not languish into doldrums, and to get me in the cycle of making small art so I can list them on a monthly pop up shop at etsy. But, the day job and other things get in the way of arting. I just can’t take these long stretches between drawing and painting, i feel rusty, and frustrated.

I really struggled with this paper, As I started painting (Jyn Erso was the first one) I realized why I don’t like painting on canson multi media paper. Any wash layering lifted the previous paint layer, I ended up doing a lot of light layers trying to not disturb the layer under, I finish with colored pencils and acrylic highlights.

Ashoka was especially difficult, cad orange, and cad yellow hate this paper, layering was absolutely out of the question, so were colored pencils, I had to break out the gouache. Next batch will be on Arches hot press.

Here are all of the progress shots:

I wanted to get so much more done this vacation, but it seems it wasn’t in the cards for me this time. At least this group of paintings are done, I have frames, but I need to cut some small mats.

I have more days off the middle of this month, I will definitely spend it painting and making art.

In the mean time if you feel like chipping in a little to Dominic’s medical bill fund – I take donations at Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/conniefaye

This weekend was super productive. Almost ready to start painting "Siren", need to print "Simon " and "Bad Fish" to size tomorrow and get them onto watercolor paper.