I am just relaxing here in Maryland while Kali slaves away at work and at school. Hahaha! Seriously, I am. And she is. Working hard. Her. Not me.
Kali is in a really busy part of life right now, learning and studying and working and doing homework and working some more and going to more classes and . . . well, you get the picture. Her life is a little overwhelming at this point. Mark and I were concerned about her taking care of herself during this particularly trying time, so I am visiting to make sure everything gets done - like eating, and sleeping. You know - important things like not getting sick. Cause 'ain't nobody got time for that!
While Kali's at school or work, I am drawing. A lot. And having fun. I have been able to get back involved in Dion Dior's Mastering Twinks series of classes and combined some of my new knowledge with the postcard swap. I know people have said this at least a thousand times, but I really do wish the cameras could pick up all the shine and glimmer these beautiful little pots of Twinkling H2Os bring to the palette. Such gorgeousness at my fingertips. I love it! This little postcard is winging its way to my friend Donna Hornsby, who I hope to maybe one day actually meet in person :). Enjoy, Donna.
Tomorrow I will outline a few basic steps for you to draw a lovely free-hand mandala. It really is very easy. I promise!
Butterfly in the Wind
A child is . . . . . . .
A butterfly in the wind
Some can fly higher than others,
but each one flies the best it can.
Why compare one against the other?
Each one is different!
Each one is special!
Each one is beautiful!
~ Author unknown ~
I have been trying like crazy to get back to my twinkling H2O lessons. I think everyone else has been finished with the class for a couple weeks and I have been having trouble getting it done because of traveling. I started this prismatic several weeks ago and just finished it last night. I've got a long ways to go till I am comfortable with the twinks, but like the poem says each one is different, special, and can be beautiful - we just need to open our eyes to recognize it.
I am knee-deep into Dion Dior's Mastering Twinks class and I am loving it so far! These tiny pots of beautiful, shimmery color are wonderful to look at, mix and blend, and to just wash across a page.
Color swatches. You can never have too many. Quite awhile ago, I started a color journal using a Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook. The pages are wonderfully starke white and they hold up to plenty of water. Most of my colors involve the use of water, so that is an important element to consider.
I have color swatches of various watercolor pencils (I think I must own stock in the Derwent company!), watercolor tubs, pastels, markers, and pens. It's great to keep swatches of them all in one place, and I can flip back and forth through the pages of the various media to decide what approach I want to use on a piece of art.
I took Dion's Silks class last year, and those pots of color are very similar to these little pots. Bright and shimmery. Twinks have bits of mica infused into them, which give you gorgeous washes of sparkly, yummy color when released.
In today's swatch project, we matched up primary colors with natural colors and laid them out in two separate charts. I didn't care as long as I got to swirl, and twirl, add a little ox-gall here, and a little water there. Such fun!
I don't remember now where I saw this earlier today. One of the other students posted a photo of her storage for the pots. You have to get the twinks all wet and puddled up good before they are at the consistency they need to be. Then you have to let them dry completely before putting the lids back on. Sometimes this can take days and I just don't have the room to have little pots lined up all over the place drying out. I really liked the way this lady stores her pots in drawers. I had one of these little 3-drawer bins that I wasn't using, so I pulled it out to use. I put the primary colors in one drawer, and the natural and mono-tone colors in another drawer. I spritzed and ox-galled them right in the drawer and sat the drawer on the table top so that I could paint straight from the drawers. When I finished, I just slid the drawers back into the cabinet where they will stay until dry. Or until I use them again :). What a great idea! Another painting project tomorrow. Yay!!!!!
Shine
(lyrics by the Newsboys)
Shine.
Make 'em wonder what you've got,
make 'em wish that they were not
on the outside looking bored.
Shine.
Let it shine before all men.
Let 'em see good works, and then,
let 'em glorify the Lord.
When you let it shine,
you will inspire
the kind of entire turnaround
that would make a bouncer take ballet,
but out of the glare
with nowhere to turn
you ain't gonna learn it on "What's My Line?"
Shine.
Make 'em wonder what you've got,
make 'em wish that they were not
on the outside looking bored.
Shine.
Let it shine before all men.
Let 'em see good works, and then,
let 'em glorify the Lord.
Shine.
(Stillman & Birn Zeta Series Sketchbook, water colors,
Twinkling H2Os, micron, uniball pen)
Focus. Becoming focused. Staying focused. That is frequently hard for me to do.
I am just completing the first week of Dion Dior's online class Mastering Twinks. I have been waiting for this class to open so I could finally learn how to properly use these wonderful little pots of paint. Kali and I first saw Twinkling H2Os at a scrapbook convention we went to 10-12 years ago. The product was new then and we learned what little they were able to teach us at that time. They've been stashed in my desk since then.
In Dion's class I hope to learn how to use them to their fullest capabilities. The first week is usually where I lose interest with an online class. The instructor - and the material - really have to catch and hold my attention. I think Dion has accomplished that.
Week one? Drawing a free-hand mandala. Above is my second one. Not as detailed as the one I posted yesterday, Dion told us to leave some room to add color. Color? That was the second part of lesson one. I am still working on my painted mandala. Hopefully I will be able to post it later today. Focus? Yes, and having a blast so far!
Ta- da!!! My first ever, hand-drawn, figure-it-out-as-you-go-along mandala! I am taking one of Dion Dior's art classes, called Mastering Twinks. I've been waiting a long time to get in this class. Dion's work is beautiful and she will be teaching us how to use these incredible watercolor-type paints called Twinkling H20's. Class just started this week and we are learning how to relax by drawing free-hand mandalas. This was my first one - and I know I need to go practice some more - but I am very pleased with this first attempt!
If you are interested in Dion's class Mastering Twinks, registration is still open for a couple days. You can check out all her classes here. I will be posting some of my art from the class here on the blog. However, since these classes are part of Dion's career and the livelihood for her family, I won't be giving away any class lecture material or information. You will have to take her class to get that :). Mastering Twinks! Gotta love it!
