Study Values, Choosing Wisely and Being Present

The view from my hotel window in Assisi was so wonderful. This image is cropped so that I could see more of the texture in this watercolour, mono-print. If any of my artist friends want to "play" then here are the steps to creating mono-prints:

• Begin by purchasing several pieces of CLEAR (not frosted) plexi-glass plastic.
• Bevel (you can purchase a bevel for under $20-) or you can sand the edges of the plexi-glass, doing this, gives an interest to the border of your finished art work. (Optional)
• Wash the plexi-glass and gently polish with comet cleanser. Rinse well.
• Coat the entire surface with a diluted gum arabic solution. 60 water, 40 gum arabic. Let plexi dry overnight.
• Place plexiglass over a sketch, a finished pece of art or a photograph.
• Now you will see through the plexi-glass at your image. 
• As you paint directly onto the plastic surface, add small amounts of gum arabic to your water based paint as this will give the colour more texture and retard drying time.
• When finished, place a piece of hot press paper or special print paper over the piece of plastic, plexiglass.
• Burnish the entire surface (I use a wooden spoon)
• Peel off the paper.
• Enjoy your beautiful, watercolour mono-print!

When I did this watercolour of a vase of flowers, I focused on keeping the colours of each rectangle, the same value. I appreciate the movement in this composition.

The landscape above is of the Assisi valley. I was in a 14TH Century convent during the summer of 2007. The former convent is now an elementary school. A small group of painters (me among them) were able to rent spaces in the buiding. The views were so amazing.

Close to Assisi, another mountain top town in Umbria called Spello. The Villa Fedelia was a perfect place to paint.

A song in my heart

I woke up at 5AM today. I've been cleaning my studio and organising my art supplies. I prepared a small and inconspicuous, travel-size art kit. I am going to the J. Paul Getty Villa in Malibu this morning. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the main entrance of the Getty Villa on Pacific Coast Highway. My plan is to sit on one of the bench's along the pool. I'll be painting,

 small (postcard) size watercolours. (to be posted tomorrow)

Warm wishes,

Faern

A song for my Italian friends...

Voglio restare così,
magari fino in fondo.
Il mondo attorno ormai
non mi interessa più.
Mi basta averti qui
e stringerti così.

Mi basta un gesto tuo,
un sorriso,
una parola,
e un attimo così
vale un’eternità.
Accendi un fuoco e poi
restiamo soli!
Noi.

Voglio restare così,
magari fino in fondo.
Il mondo attorno ormai
non mi interessa più.
Mi basta averti qui
e stringerti così.

Mi basta averti qui
e stringerti così.