Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Alleyway

You won't believe me when I say: I am pleased to unveil the THIRD drawing I have completed for 2010!



Yes.... only the third. (I'm not counting the nine I drew for the Enchanted Competition in January)

It's been a strange year so far. One where I've concentrated most of my efforts on getting business cards made, and organizing prints, and getting postcards made, and finding packaging, and co-designing a website, and trying my best to get to a level of believable business professionalism in order to be *ready* should my art career suddenly take off... with all that failing it's back to the drawing board!

"The Alleyway" took a long time to colour and finish. I am willing to right now admit my deepest secret and shame in my own work: my in-experience and fear and unhappiness in drawing backgrounds. This is only my second "out-doors" background. I long for the day when I can confidently draw out a crumbling gothic city, a chic outdoor parisian shopping arcade, a windy mountain top with a tiny delapidated shack, a dense tropical rainforest, a victorian cobblestone alleyway..... it seems so far off right now.

I also know that day will only come with -a lot- of practice. So here's to many more! *chink*

6 comments:

  1. The new picture is lovely.

    You'll get there with the backgrounds. It sounds like you're intimidated right now by the idea of doing them justice. Maybe doing some exercises to work on drawing scenes in a less finished setting (like sketches or charcoal?) would help you to feel more in control of the situation?

    Your work is already beautiful. Keep pushing yourself and it will be amazing. :)

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  2. I love "The Alleyway" and how my eyes focus on the girl. Another beautiful painting.

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  3. Thank you so much Eva for the calm words of wisdom and encouragement
    And Ashely for your sweet compliments!

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  4. It's beautiful! YOU'RE beautiful! I always try to keep up with what's going on because I LOVE your artwork and it sounds like lots of exciting things are happening with all of this "professionalising"! (which isn't a word)
    Anyway I'm off to look at your Etsy ;)

    <3Kimmi

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  5. This is a very beautiful painting that creates a lovely mood. Maybe while you're reading a book that you are really enjoying, a description of the landscape or an interior will capture your imagination for a painting. My own favorites are descriptions that have clouds in them...they make me feel like I'm inside the book.

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  6. Kimmi and Ruth, I wanted to thank you both for your encouraging comments!

    Kimmi - yours brought a HUGE smile to my face :-)

    Ruth - Clouds, huh? :-D I think I mentioned somewhere I'm reading Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake, and am just DYING to draw some crumbling gothic labrynthine architecture!!

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Oh! How did you know? I absolutely adore comments, thank you! :-) I appreciate all the feedback I get xx