Painting Pickster Tips
Sharing Innovative Ways to Paint & Create!
The Making of a Pattern
Part 1 - Mountain Climbing by Design
Part 1 - Mountain Climbing by Design
Featuring "Unicorn Fraktur" by Erika Joanne
A Single-Layer Paint & Pencil Pattern >>
The design process isn't as easy as it might appear,
at least in my case that is...
However, in the end, all the work gives me GREAT satisfaction -
which is why I do what I do and love it!
A Single-Layer Paint & Pencil Pattern >>
The design process isn't as easy as it might appear,
at least in my case that is...
However, in the end, all the work gives me GREAT satisfaction -
which is why I do what I do and love it!
PAINTING PICKSTER TIP:
Creating a successful design requires inspirational ideas, sketches, planning, working with color, concentrated focus,
time, and patience to accomplish.
The process and challenge of each design
usually consists of a struggle, similar to that of
climbing a mountain as you will see...
DESIGN STUDY #1
Here I was inspired by the Medieval time period and wanted to incorporate that into a paint and colored pencil fraktur design.
My refined sketches were transferred to watercolor paper
in order to start the acrylic washes of color and colored pencil.
I'm at base camp ready to start the journey...
Creating a successful design requires inspirational ideas, sketches, planning, working with color, concentrated focus,
time, and patience to accomplish.
The process and challenge of each design
usually consists of a struggle, similar to that of
climbing a mountain as you will see...
DESIGN STUDY #1
Here I was inspired by the Medieval time period and wanted to incorporate that into a paint and colored pencil fraktur design.
My refined sketches were transferred to watercolor paper
in order to start the acrylic washes of color and colored pencil.
I'm at base camp ready to start the journey...
DESIGN STUDY #2
In the next step of my "Unicorn Frakur" design
I decided to keep the basic design intact
and tweak the color a bit by adding darker grays.
I had the desire to include
a contrast of darker colors in the design
...but it still wasn't working for me.
One step at a time, working my way up
each switchback of the mountain...
|
DESIGN STUDY #3
With this work-up I changed the color of the unicorns to a light brown and removed the band around the neck. Clearing my path, I was onto something... I went ahead and tried a new combination of color on the flowers. I liked the yellow but decided the overall floral design needed some re-working. Back to the drawing board I went... DESIGN STUDY #4 The design was redrawn here. It was simplified and more space was given between the elements for a less cluttery feel. A large heart replaces the vase and the flowers were changed a bit. Each unicorn was given a new stencil-like darker look with added mane, horn, and tail design. Okay, now I was moving higher and higher up the mountain with each focused step... DESIGN STUDY #5 I was liking the aqua tints on the flowers, so more was added and the yellow adjusted. I definitely needed to tone down the unicorns so they were lightened up a few values to see the shading and remove the flat look. I continued to balance the design with darker colors and connect with the color of the unicorn. Starting to crest the mountain and see the light on the other side... |
DESIGN FINALE
Just a few more adjustments in color was needed. I felt the red was overpowering the design so I changed the largest element - the heart, to yellow. Then the highlights of paint were added to bring more interest and soften the design.
I'm happy to say the mountain was eventually conquered with a combination of determination, patience, paint, and colored pencil
within the walls of
my studio.
Enjoy this Fraktur Pattern & Others like it!
Over 6000 Nutcrackers
I'm not sure why the allure...
but Nutcrackers are simply fascinating to me. Maybe it started with the magical story of Pinocchio and the toymaker and all things so charming.
I can envision walking the quaint cobblestone streets of that story at Christmastime in search of the perfect Nutcracker... Do you think Gepetto carved nutcrackers too?
How fitting it is to live near one of the largest Nutcracker Collections in the USA.
I've been there and it's truly amazing!
Painting Pickster Tip:
If you are ever in Washington State, please take the opportunity to visit the city of Leavenworth (don't think prison... think olde world Bavaria). Nestled in the Alp-like mountains of central WA is a Nutcracker Museum that you must-see!
It has over 6000 Nutcrackers on display. YES, 6000! You could say it's a Nutty Nutcracker Painting Pickster Experience. Leavenworth is an adorable place you're sure to cherish.
PS... Grab some cheese & chocolates while you're there!
http://nutcrackermuseum.com
Enjoy those Nutcrackers! :o)
but Nutcrackers are simply fascinating to me. Maybe it started with the magical story of Pinocchio and the toymaker and all things so charming.
I can envision walking the quaint cobblestone streets of that story at Christmastime in search of the perfect Nutcracker... Do you think Gepetto carved nutcrackers too?
How fitting it is to live near one of the largest Nutcracker Collections in the USA.
I've been there and it's truly amazing!
Painting Pickster Tip:
If you are ever in Washington State, please take the opportunity to visit the city of Leavenworth (don't think prison... think olde world Bavaria). Nestled in the Alp-like mountains of central WA is a Nutcracker Museum that you must-see!
It has over 6000 Nutcrackers on display. YES, 6000! You could say it's a Nutty Nutcracker Painting Pickster Experience. Leavenworth is an adorable place you're sure to cherish.
PS... Grab some cheese & chocolates while you're there!
http://nutcrackermuseum.com
Enjoy those Nutcrackers! :o)