Smiley Faces

Click Here to Bid (5x5in. - GOUACHE - starts at $75)

I'm pretty sure I know why people love alpacas, besides the fact that they're fuzzy and soft. They always look like they're smiling!

And now for some art app updates based on your feedback (I will also update the ArtByte).

MY IPAD CASE: This is the one I got. It was under $30, and most are. Note that you'll need to get one that fits your specific ipad.

COST of APPS: I once paid $700 for the desktop version of Photoshop, and now pay $9.99/mo, so compared to that, all the art apps for ipad are super cheap!!! I can't remember exactly how much I paid for each one (and now that I've paid the prices don't show anymore), but they are all under $15, and usually a one-time fee. Some you get for free (or very low cost) but have to pay a little more to use ALL the features. The great thing about that is you can try out the app first and make sure you like it before you pay.

PROCREATE: 

Apparently they added a feature recently for reference photos. To see it: touch the wrench icon > touch "canvas" > toggle "reference" > touch "image, then "import image". You can move this little window around and resize the image (within the little window).

OR, you can split screen your ipad, opening procreate (or any app) on one side, and your reference photo open on the other. It's really easy to do - here's a video that shows you how.

Also, you can trace an image (in any app that has layers) by inserting a photo on a layer, and then tracing onto the layer above it (and then hiding or deleting the layer with the photo). I feel like a dufus not thinking of that! But so thankful that you guys kindly share with me. : )

Little Miss Sunshine

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

Another alpaca, this one a bit silly.

Thank you all for the many recommendations about what to do with my piles of gray!! My favorite was to buy empty tubes from Dick Blick and store the paint there until I need it. I think I may keep them in the freezer too, just to be on the safe side. I'm also thinking of buying some little pill organizers and putting any paint that's on my palette in there (and then in the freezer) when I go on trips.

Last night I attended a local show that several of my friends were in. The paintings were all landscape and I got totally inspired by them! I came home and did an experimental landscape from a photo, and then painted all day outside with friends. I'll post those soon.

An Alpaca Afternoon

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

I have 2 faces for you today. One is human and one isn't. You be the judge.

This guy to the right is from my silly face file, though he's got more silly hair than face. I used the same pre-mixing technique as before. I don't have a lot to say about it yet, but here's my current list of pre-mixing pro's and con's:

Pre-mixing pro's:

• Easier to keep the whole color scheme cohesive
• Easier to mix in-between colors - just mix a little bit from two piles together
• Easier to compare tiny shifts in value (which you have a LOT of in a face)

Pre-mixing con's:

• It can be hard to get the same amount of color variety as when you're mixing one color at a time (like I usually do)
• I have big piles of paint leftover that I don't know what to do with! I mix it all together in a big pile of gray, which gets bigger and bigger. It sits on my palette and dries out. I hate wasting paint!!! I'm sure there's a solution?