SmART School - Week Two

Worked up my refined sketch, making the changes we discussed.

I scanned it and worked up my values on the computer. Still had some changes. Rebecca is helping me see things from a purely abstract sense, regarding the placement of shapes and values as they relate to each other. Here are the corrections in red.

 And the final sketch. 

Now to print it out, apply acrylic matte medium, and then oil glazes, keeping the colors  very muted...subtle jewel tones ala Rackham and Dulac. That's the plan. 

I must tell you how wonderful it is to be "connected" to the other students in this class. I don't feel so isolated here in my little studio. I know that twice a week, I can engage with them, share frustrations, learn from their skills and opinions and of course, receive valuable info from the instructors.

Let The SmART School Begin!

After much thought and financial consideration, I enrolled in Rebecca Guay's SmART School. It's sort of an extension of IMC. There are 4 incredible teachers to choose from. I had a hard time deciding but felt I wanted to continue with Rebecca and then monitor Eric Fortune's class. He does alot of conceptual paintings and I'm intrigued with that approach to art.

We were given assignments a week before the first class. I choose the Little Red Riding Hood book cover. It's for YA, 13-16+. Very different from the style I've been using for my grandson's little portraits. I have such a problem making decisions with my art. It's really become a deterrent to moving forward with my art. Rebecca gave me alot of great suggestions to help but the one that helped me filter it down was, "What do you want to say...what do you want the viewer to feel?".  

We had to come up with 10 thumbnails.

I wanted it to read strong. Good composition and placement of shapes. 

Below is the one I selected to propose as my final sketch.  

I really tried to instill it with emotion. Red had to be innocent, on the cusp of womanhood, tentative about leaving the path, yet curious to venture into the meadow of flowers. 

Also, we could portray Red in traditional, steampunk, sci-fi,...anything. I decided to go with more of a medieval look and make her snood the "hood".

I did have a tangent with the branch and arm, forming a V so I need to fix it.

Onward and upward. Rebecca has challenged me to do TWO a month. TWO. Oh, my. Well, maybe that will cure me of indecision?