YODART

By Yodarox

[yodarox99]

Paigeeworld Nyan Vs Aoi Contest #NyanVsAoi Find out how to join here www.candacerohrick.com/nyanvsaoi

[yodarox99]

Paigeeworld Nyan Vs Aoi Contest #NyanVsAoi Find out how to join here www.candacerohrick.com/nyanvsaoi

[yodarox99]

Paigeeworld Nyan Vs Aoi Contest #NyanVsAoi Find out how to join here www.candacerohrick.com/nyanvsaoi

[yodarox99]

Paigeeworld Nyan Vs Aoi Contest #NyanVsAoi Find out how to join here www.candacerohrick.com

[yodarox99]

Yesterday was a productive day. I did my first plein air of the year in my brand new Moleskine Watercolour Travel Journal. I painted a bridge going over a river, chosen so I could get good use of my new Cobalt Teal Blue watercolour by Daniel Smith. I also made a cherry pie entirely from scratch and, of course, gave my dog plenty of snuggles as he so obviously needed.

[yodarox99]

New watercolours, my current travel palette, and a new painting!

[yodarox99]

This is Winsor Newton Cotman 140lbs watercolour paper. I bought this along with a Strathmore pad (which I used up before I tried out this paper). I’ve been trying to use it up, so as not to have wasted money on it, but I’m fed up with this paper. I don’t recommend it and I don’t think I’ll finish the rest of it, unless I use it for colour swatches. To me, it feels as if it’s not absorbing water or paint. The colour often beads up on the surface and is not distributed evenly, or even close to it. It hardly colours the paper except for where you lift your brush, where you will end up with a drop of fully saturated paint that refuses to spread by itself or with help. A damp, nearly dry brush can pick up a majority of dried paint by brushing gently across the paper (even if it hardly touches, so don’t get it confused with scrubbing). To me, it doesn’t seem absorbent almost at all; therefore, I recommend saving your money to spend on better paper. I’ve used cheaper and lighter weight paper before which took watercolour better than this did. I was using a mix of Cotman and artist quality paints that I’m familiar with, so I know how the paint usually reacts. Even if you’re just a beginner, choose a different paper. There’s better student quality paper out there.

[yodarox99]

Current work in progress of a red panda. Not even close to being done but I got some of the base colours and tones laid down. I'm certainly excited to finish it! Although the figure almost reminds me of a bear, hopefully that'll lessen as I work on it

[yodarox99]

Having some fun with Yupo paper, ink, water, and rubbing alcohol. Super fun!

[yodarox99]

Experimenting with black paper. Love the vibrancy of the pencil crayon against the dark background. If you want to see more drawings against the black, check me out on paigeeworld.

[yodarox99]

Mermaid WIP. Practicing with gouache. This paint and I have a love-hate relationship. For the most part, I enjoy the blending but it's so frustrating! I can't get the right water-to-paint mixture and occasionally while I try to blend colours, it just lifts them instead.

[yodarox99]

Sneak peak of a current work in progress!

[yodarox99]

At the end of July, I will be heading to an art college about a day's drive away. For the week I will be attending a portfolio prep course. I am extremely excited and have already ready acquired some of the necessary supplies. I got a tackle box in order to hold all of the supplies. I also got synthetic charcoal, charcoal pencils, some compressed chalk sticks, a large portfolio, and three sheets of Bristol paper. The paper I got was Strathmore Vellum Bristol which supposed to be ideal for things like charcoal, which I need for the course. Overall, I can hardly wait to go!

[yodarox99]

Here is a work in progress photo of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. As a writing class, we travelled to watch Bard on the Beach. Professional actors perform Shakespeare plays on the beach inside an extravagant tent as a part of Bard on the Beach, the company running all of it. Romeo and Juliet was the play that we went to see, directed by Kim Collier who also directed Hamlet. The costumes and set were splendid, especially Juliet's dresses (other than that they were partially see through). Although I have not fully read the original play, my English teacher gave us a summary to read because he did not want us to read it, I have heard that it was done well and kept very close to the original. The actors did very well, obviously having practiced loads before hand to really nail their roles. It was performed in modern speech with hints of up-to-date touches wound into the story. The audience really enjoyed those elements, bringing them some humour in different situations. Hailey Gillis starred as Juliet alongside her Romeo, Andrew Chown. They received a standing ovation for their acting and the enjoyment that they had in the overall show. I recall them mentioning that it was Hailey's first performance with them, but I can't entirely remember. The production was considered successful as the audience was wild about it, even giving a standing ovation. Most found it hilarious. The acting was well done and the setting and costumes were beautifully made. However, it did appear that the hem of the dress ripped. I think that visual aspects complimented the overall mood of the play. Even though most liked it, I personally did not. I really enjoyed the set and the costume design, but I did not enjoy the overall play. It had far too many sexual jokes, which is not something that I find funny. So I can't recommend it and I especially do not suggest bringing children. If you're someone who finds that type of thing funny, you'll love it, but I cannot recommend that anyone watch it.

[yodarox99]

Practicing watercolours with Winsor and Newton Cotman paints

[yodarox99]

"Family Tree" is the painting at the top left (sorry it's rotated. Up is not up). I also have two bookmarks that I made for the grade 3's sale. Before 20 minutes into the first class, my painting was sold, the giraffe bookmark was sold, and the children's fable I had written and illustrated was sold. When I returned around lunch time, my last bookmark was sold. It was rather crazy to know that it sold quite quickly but they were priced cheap and it was going towards a good cause. Either way, I hope that all of my artwork finds good homes.

[yodarox99]

So you want to buy copics

My experience with copics have been overall amazing. Although they're rather expensive for markers, they're completely worth it if you're into art. They run about $8 (Canadian) per marker and refills are available for about $10 but can refill the marker 6-10 times. They blend beautifully and can create professional work once you learn how to work with them. So if you would use them often, it would be a better deal in the long run than cheaper alternatives like the prismacolour markers. If you're thinking of starting out with them, it's a good idea to first consider what types of things you'll be colouring the most. For those sticking to people, I would recommend getting a set of skin tones. The great thing about getting a variety of skin tones is that the darker colours can also double as hair or eye colours. My favourite that works wonderfully for both skin and hair is E15. After skin tones, slowly add in some of your favourite colours to ensure that they're colours you'll use. If you enjoy plants, get different shades of greens or floral colours. If you know what colours the plants of landscapes you enjoy the most, make sure to invest in those tones. For those who tend to work in graphite or who aren't big on using colours, fear not! There are many different shades of grey markers! Personally, I like the cool toned greys but there are also warm, neutral, or toner greys. My advice is to consider your chosen subject that you tend to draw. What colours are necessary for you to draw that thing? What colours would you like to add on for added affect when you have extra money to spend on them? What colours do you not like? What colours won't be practical for you to use? Which colours would you not use very often? Start with what you'll need for your chosen subject matter, then slowly add on starting from what you like and would be more likely to use.