Spring Palette

When I first started painting my figures I used Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton and Liquitex paints because that is what I was taught to paint with.    However, as I mixed colors that were impossible to remix perfectly to touch up my figures, I finally decided to give into the wide array of colors available in craft paints that could end that misery.

I am now a craft paint junkie.  I still do my test palettes, such as you see above, because as you all know the colors never dry the same color you see when they are wet. 

This spring inspired painted page will soon be cut into individual squares with the brand and color placed on the back.  As I'm trying to decide on what colors to use on a figure I can place the colors side-by-side easily to develop the color scheme.  This helps me quickly judge what shade of a color will work best with the other tints and shades found on this page.  It is sort of like creating your own paint chips from the colors you have on hand.  Spray them with varnish and they will last you for years.

It's an easy little thing that I hope becomes a tool for you too! 

Have fun painting!
Laurie

"Winston" Is Done, Now On To Little Squash Head

I finished "Winston" yesterday after painting his bucket, Easter egg, stockings and bunny slippers, and putting German glass glitter on his bow tie. Here he is amongst his works-in-progress buddies!!

Those silly slippers took me hours to paint, but "Winston" likes the look so isn't that really all that matters? After all, you can't name something like "Puff" and "Fluff", and not give them some detail and character.

I also decided to carry the circle motif from Winston's body onto the top border of his Easter bucket, and then painted a coordinating egg. I had some lovely Bethany Lowe tinsel that matched the German glass glitter on Winston's bow tie so I used it like Easter grass to give a cushion for the painted egg to be placed in. I think it all helps pull his look together.

"Winston" is now a happy little wabbit!!

Below, is a new little squash head I worked on last night. So much work yet to be done on him, but his head just clicked for me and that made me a very happy painter. He hasn't told me his name yet so I will have to introduce you at a later date.

We have sunshine today and we are suppose to be in the 40s so I am thrilled!! Off to the studio to go soak up some of that sunshine!

Have a great day!
Laurie

WIP Update and My First Robin This Spring

WIP update...I'm gaining. Hats have been made, scepters sculpted, buckets pinched, faces added and second coats completed. I still have a lot to do to finish this group up, but I feel good about checking items off of my list. Speaking of list, I didn't use to create them. I'm finding now that lists keep me on track so they are now a part of my creative life. Do you create lists?

They don't look like much now, but I'm hopeful!!

This morning when I opened the door blind I was greeted by a robin (on the grape vine), a Eurasian collared dove (on the ground) and a group of house finch (everywhere). Why is this exciting? This is the first robin I have seen since winter started here, and the doves just returned to the yard the end of last week. I also heard them report that the first Sandhill cranes have arrived on the Platte River (just south of town) for their annual migration rest before starting north. We have about 4 good weeks of crane viewing and it is a sight to behold. They rise in groups off of the river in the morning and then return to the river in the evenings for overnight protection. The skies are filled in the morning and night and their ballet in the sky is something everyone should see at least once in their lives. Yes, there are crane fests, crane watch gatherings and the Rowe Sanctuary where you can have guided tours. Such a wonder of nature. Shhhh, I think Spring is coming

Have a great day all. I need to get back to this group of white clay misfits!!
Laurie

Bartholomew Bunny

Here is the last little fellow of mine for the update on SpookyTime Jingles this month, "Bartholomew Bunny." Bartholomew is a fastmache, paperclay, wood, German glass glitter and tinsel figure painted in acrylic paint and sealed with a matte polymer varnish. He is hand sculpted and painted by me and Elwood (that darn cat is getting pretty good with a paint brush....I will try to capture a picture for a future post!)


Bartholomew has a sweet little face, and unlike my Halloween boys, I think you can trust him with the small egg at the bottom of his tinsel wreath.

"Bartholomew Bunny" is a preppy little rabbit that loves his polka dot sweater vest, matching dress socks and glittery bow tie. He is shown carrying a green tinsel wreath with a coordinating Easter egg painted to match the design in his sweater vest....a little over the top? Bartholomew smiles, .... he doesn't think so!

Don't forget that SpookyTime Jingles Marketplace is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week....wink!!

Laurie

Bernhardt Bunny (alias Pinkie)

There has been pastel paint in my studio......oh my land!!!!! The little fellow below is "Bernhardt Bunny", but was given the nickname "Pinkie" last week by a very serious little boy. (Consequently, the name has sort of stuck with him.)

"Pinkie" is sculpted from paper-mache and paperclay, and has German glass glitter on his bow tie and gold tinsel surrounding the Easter egg carried in his paws. The body is painted in a highly decorative egg pattern with lots of circles, dots, horizontal stripes and diamonds adorning the surface. The same color scheme on his body is used to decorate the egg he carries, and if you look closely at his inner ear color, nose and eye color, you will see that the color palette continues onto his head. To tone down the pastels and give a more vintage feel the piece is finished with a burnt umber wash.

This little bunny will be on SpookyTime Jingles Friday night at midnight. (EST) Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!!

Have a great evening!!
Laurie

Bunny WIPs

They aren't much yet....just heads on body forms, no arms or feet to speak of, but I thought I would share with you that the bunny "wabbits" are coming next month. They will all have a smile, of course, and baskets with eggs and stories to tell so as I mix clay and watch the little faces evolve I'm having a thought that I need to make one big Easter egg piece of some sort. Hmmm.....the wheels are turning.

Not to worry, the vampire wabbit is a vegetarian too, just like all of my good little vampires and counts.

Stay tuned...more to come!

Have a great day!
Laurie

Spring is Coming!

Even though we are in the single digits here today...brrrr, cold, I just know spring is coming! The little Pumpkin Boy below is an indication of the approaching warmer weather as he is adorned with a green dyed raffia collar and curlycue on his head. (Anytime you see green in this shade you have to think spring-right?!!)

He holds a small Easter egg in his spindly little fingers, and has a body painted in a pattern similar to a decorated egg as well. He is thrilled with his little "prize" and rubs his tummy in anticipation of getting to eat it!

This little guy is up for grabs on SpookyTime Jingles (Thursday night/Friday morning) March 13, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time!

Hope you are having a great week! Have a great day and happy creating!

Laurie