Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Empty heads




With my hand still a bit out of kilter I've been working with other art techniques and mediums that require a different way of holding a tool and the trick seems to be working for my hand mobility.  I think I'll be picking up a palette knife again tomorrow or the next day.

Like most artists, shopping trips for something, anything, involve keeping an eye out for objects that have potential for compositions.  Last weekend I found some glass heads and I couldn't resist one for the studio classroom.   There were several colour available, including bottle green and cobalt blue but I liked this one that was almost clear with a hint of turquoise in it.


Of course I had to play around with a quick sketch of the head using pen and watercolour wash in a totally unsuitable sketchbook that ripples with the moisture.  But that's fine.  My sketchbooks are working tools, not designed to be works of art in their own right.

I'll be setting up some compositions with the head to find just the right one to do some drawing and painting with it.

13 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

This is something I never do: look for things to use in still lifes when I'm out shopping. But maybe I should. I like this a lot although my first thought was, "How could she have passed up the cobalt blue one?" ha ha

Jeanette Jobson said...

My eye is always on the lookout for objects that I can use in still life set ups or other interesting things when I'm out shopping.

And the cobalt blue glass was too dark. It wouldn't have had the same level of transparency that I wanted.

Anonymous said...

LOVE this! Can't wait to see all the ways you use it.

Jennifer Rose said...

I'm always looking at fruit and veggies for interesting things but never pick them up since I wont eat them :p

that is a really cool and useful head for an artist to have :D

Jeanette Jobson said...

Isn't it fun Tracy? I have tons of ideas floating around for compositions for this head!

Sometimes I eat what I buy, sometimes not. I know, wasteful,but I look on it as investments in art. :)

I'm almost tempted to go back and see if another is there, as they weren't expensive. Literally about $15.

Jennifer Rose said...

at that price i would def. picked up a few :)

theartistsday said...

Lovely fluid rendering of the head.
I sympathise with your difficulty using a palette knife. I had a frozen shoulder and it meant I couldn't work on an easel. It restricted me quite a lot but then I got quite addicted to painting 12 x 12 inch pictures and I still do. I hope your new way of working works out.

Clipping Path India said...

I have read your blog post on "Empty heads" related information and found your nice blog site. so thank you very much for sharing this valuable contents. I will visit again to read more post.

Celeste Bergin said...

yes, I love the coke-bottle color...and you did a fine job describing it!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Mary, I'm pushing the knife again and my hand is protesting a little but so far so good. Its amazing how we artists can work around physical issues isn't it?

Clipping path, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the blog.

Celeste, yes! Coke bottle! That's the colour isn't it? It didn't register until you said it.

JANE MINTER said...

really nice sketch ...great find and subject ...sorry to read you have trouble with your hand jeanette ...hope it heals in time and you can work round it

http://www.designercountry.com/ said...

This is something I never do: look for things to use in still lifes when I'm out shopping. But maybe I should. I like this a lot although my first thought was, "How could she have passed up the cobalt blue one?"

Jeanette Jobson said...

Different things catch my eye when I'm out doing errands. And some of those things come home with me. The transparence of this head was what appealed, but I agree, the cobalt blue was beautiful and one of my favourite colours. But not as transparent as this one.