Author Archives: Sheila

30 in 30, Day Two

Today was a struggle. I started a 9 x 12 portrait. One that I have been wanting to do for a while now. Right now it is in the ugly-time-to-trash it phase. I was trying to paint large and loose. Well, after five hours, I can no longer hope for loose. The thing is, the face is looking pretty good, just the rest of it is muck. So maybe I can save it tomorrow, and crop it way down, and have the gift for a friend I was trying for.

I am reminding myself, that watercolor is a difficult medium. I know what I am doing wrong… but It is not helping me to get it right. It is 8:24. I need to post my piece here to be able to post it on Leslie’s site as well. Done is better than perfect. Sometimes. Right?

I am not happy with this either. I toiled diligently, so it is going to have to do. So happy for all of my friends who are participating! Your work today is so awesome!

Acrylic, watercolor and pen 3 1/2 x 4

30 Paintings In 30 days, Day One

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Painting #1 for Leslie Saeta’s September 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. I started this on August 23rd and it has been sitting unfinished, because I thought I botched the background. I finally made the attempt to “fix” it. I scrubbed out the first layer which was Alizarin crimson and French ultramarine. Over that I layered Inktense Deep Indigo. I am so happy with the result. There is a hint of the red in some areas, and it brings a warm light in. I haven’t thought of a name for her yet, do you have a suggestion?

Watercolor 4 x 5, 140 lb Cold Press, © Sheila Delgado 2013

Acrylic on canvas panels

I have also added more layers to the canvas boards. I smudged, scraped, and applied paint with a twig. I took out some of the light colors, then added them back in. And I thinned the turquoise and then scrubbed a bit of that back on. There is a nice texture building up. I have lost count, but there are about eight layers so far. I have chosen some quotes from favorite poems, and I am planning to add those at some point. My hand lettering skills are a weakness, so I am crossing my fingers I can pull it off. Acrylic on canvas panel

Art Journal Pages, More Canvas Prep

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Acrylics, stamps, collage, pen.

JOURNAL I finished the journal pages last night, now that they are dry I can show them to you. I was unable to reach the artist, so her beautiful princess has to remain hidden. What do you think about my first try? I was really lovin’ the bright warm colors, but I realized I had to balance the dark areas. Once I did that, the contrast was just too jarring.

I found some paper doily scraps and I thought they worked well with the textures in the fair lady’s clothing. Inktense pencils in blue, black and brown gives the white of the doily an aged iron look. Next I added a watery wash of bronze mixed with just a touch of permanent magenta using a fan brush.

African Queen neck detail

I have been using this color mix for a while. I just love the warmth it adds. It is a major part of why I love the piece I did for Pauline Agnew’s Open Art Studio. Here are some detail shots. You can see that the mix can go from being quite bronze, to an earthy brick tone.