Day 13 - Suffolk poppy field

[vilakins]

It's the weekend: more time to do naart but I didn't think I'd manage it today as I went to sleep in an armchair with Jasmin curled up on my lap. However this took about an hour. It's based on quarryquest's beautiful photograph and done in Artrage's virtual oils. I used a few techniques I learned using real oil paints in two classes I did last year, and I definitely think oils or acrylics are my thing rather than watercolour.

Suffolk poppy field



My NaArMaMo 2011 Gallery is here; go up a level for the others.

Comments

[elmey]

Oh, that's pretty. The poppies really pop (sorry!). The textures are so different from the watercolor picture, it's kind of amazing.

[vilakins]

I'm very pleased with hos this came out.

I really haven't got the hang of watercolour. I've seen some gorgeous styles I'd like to do but I don't think it's my medium.

[toft]

Oh, that's beautiful!

[vilakins]

Thank you! :-D

[nautile26.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful; such great depth. I can just imagine those poppies dancing in the soft summer breeze. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm very pleased with how it came out; I'll have to do more in this style.

[ultrapsychobrat.livejournal.com]

This is gorgeous! I love poppies. What is artrage? A program?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Yep! Click on the link I give to see. It mimics artistic media really well (colours blend and run etc) and is very reasonable to buy. You can also find vid tutorials or demos on YouTube for it. :-)


[Edit] 2.6 is the cheapest version (http://www.artrage.com/artrage2.html). I thought I'd only spent $25 or so on the first version I got (I upgraded later).

[ultrapsychobrat.livejournal.com]

I'll check that out--thanks.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

When I looked at that I thought it was a real oil painting it's lovely. As one who has done acrylic and watercolour and sat next to some one doing oils, I agree that oils and acrylic are best. But I would recommend acrylics simply because they are water based, no smell and they wash out if you get any on your clothes.

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Pretty!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

With acrylics you don't get the texture of oils, I think, but I'd definitely go for them in reality. They dry a lot faster too.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Yes you do, you just have to use them very thickly. I wish you could see the painting I sold in real life, that was done in acrylic and it had texture to spare.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

That's amazing! I may have to look into that program... just to see if I can :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It was designed by some NZers and is really very reasonable to buy! Artrage Studio is only $40 (http://www.artrage.com/artrage-studio.html). After playing with the media, I think oils or wet-on-wet watercolours suit me best, but with each tool you can use presets or muck about with the settings yourself. A lot of fun, and the layers and undo help a lot.

Oh, wait. This one's the cheapest (http://www.artrage.com/artrage2.html). I thought I'd only spent $25 or so on the first version I got.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Such a stunning picture, yes, it looks like a real oil painting. It is very cheerful and peaceful. And I can remember that photo, so I really admire your art!!!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

When I saw it, I knew it would be a good one to paint. I may look around for more inspiration. Maybe one of your photos? :-)

[quarryquest.livejournal.com]

I am very impressed - we could go into business; I'll take the photos and you paint the pictures and we make them in to birthday cards!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I would love to do cards in different styles! I have no idea how to get into it.

Your photography really should get a wider audience, you know. I noticed some of your photos no longer show up (just black with a white triangle) which is a pity. How about setting up a free Google site and putting them up there? It would be great to be able to browse them.

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

Lovely stuff.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! Both the original photo and your painting!

If you want to look into the possibility of marketing your (collaborative) work, I suggest you go to Zazzle.com and study everything they have available to explain how it works, etc. It costs nothing to set up a store and you upload your own art or photos, and create whatever products you want to, and bingo! it's available to the whole world. I have a store there (search on threeoutside) and have actually made some money, despite hardly ever updating my stuff. I intend to apply myself vigorously to doing that eventually, but not yet. Anyway, check it out.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I might have to look at that. I keep wondering about contacting makers of greeting cards but I'm sure they're inundated with better artists. I've half set up an Etsy shop for knitted and crocheted goods but I hadn't considered doing anything with artwork.

You have some lovely stuff with a great variety. If Greg wore ties, I'd get him a couple of the plane ones.

Idea! Set up a shop then buy him a mug with my Bulgarian lighthouse on it. :-D Thanks!

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Funny you should mention the plane tie. That one just surprised the heck out of me- that's the single item I've sold the most of, and it was sheer experimentation. I NEVER thought anyone would buy it; I just wanted to see what it would look like. I think I've sold eight of them now. It baffles me. In a good way!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

People love planes and it's a classy, subtle tie!

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you!

But...duh...I just realized - I've sold a couple of the plane ties, but it's the bookshelf ties I've sold the most of.

*tink tink tink* Is there anything in this thing? No...brains or anything? *tink tink tink* Guess it's empty. *sigh*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The bookshelf tie is very striking but Greg dislikes sticking out so I'd go for the planes. :-)

Are they all your own photos? They're gorgeous!

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I only use my own photos, or in a few cases, drawings.

[azdak.livejournal.com]

It's lovely. I'm amazed at how quickly you did it - it looks as if it ought to have taken much longer!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I thought when I'd dozed most of the afternoon away that I wouldn't have time but I thought why not see what I can do in two hours--and I finished in one! I have to say that the two classes I did last year gave me some tips that were very helpful: just darken the background at the front and throw in random grass strokes. :-D

[azdak.livejournal.com]

just darken the background at the front and throw in random grass strokes. :-D

LOL! I always find it amusing how simple the the tips and tricks are that people employ once they've got past the basics of an art and are talking at a higher level. "Throw in a few random grass strokes" sounds so banal, and yet it makes such a difference to the picture.

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

That's lovely!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-D

[quabazaa.livejournal.com]

Holy crap!!!!! Amazing! It looks so real :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The cheapest version is only $20 (probably US) too! I upgraded to the next one after a while when they gave me a good deal.