Tag Archives: sheiladelgado.com

Uppercase Magazine #54, Abstract Art

Misty Horizon. 8 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
Misty Horizon. 8 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

Misty Horizon was published in Uppercase Magazine. The acceptance letter arrived over a month ago. I’m so excited to finally be sharing this great news with you.

Uppercase #54 has arrived.
Uppercase #54 has arrived.

Here is what I had to say about creating abstract art. I had just come home from the hospital, and I was so worried that I would sound like a dork. Haha. I was very grateful to be home in time to meet the deadline.

Arduous Abstracting. Sheila Marie Delgado
Arduous Abstracting. Sheila Marie Delgado
Defining Abstract Article, Page 86.
Defining Abstract Article, Page 86.

I submitted five pieces. The others were acrylics. I had no idea which had been accepted, until my copy of the magazine arrived today. How exciting!

Abstract submissions, Uppercase Magazine. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.
Abstract submissions, Uppercase Magazine. © 2022 Sheila Delgado.

The magazine is available at Joann craft stores. You can also get a sneak peak at the awesome abstracts in Janine’s flip through here. Inspirational! I’ve discovered new favorite artists!

Thanks so much for taking a look, whew that was a long one!

Like, comment, share and subscribe. 🙂

Each piece is available in my Society6 shop on a variety of items. Now on Sale!


Collections
Sand and Chili
Sandy Shore
Blue Ice
Turquoise Stream
Misty Horizon

7/6 – 7/12 25% OFF


Outdoor rugs, yoga mats, yoga towels, beach towels, welcome mats, can coolers,
picnic blankets, sling chairs, folding stools, outdoor floor cushions, sun shades,
coffee mugs, travel mugs, tablecloths, table runners, placemats, coasters,
water bottles, wine chillers, cutting boards, serving trays, acrylic trays,
acrylic boxes, desk mats, stickers, notebooks, stationery cards and wrapping paper
15% off everything else (excludes digital gift cards)

February 2020 30-Day Creative Gathering, Day 19

Day 19, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 19, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

I love how the sky turned out. This is the inexpensive paper I bought from Hobby Lobby. This time, the texture is really noticeable. Love it! The key is using a sedimentary color.

A work in progress. I think. I need to add shadows. And the sand feels too… something. Too orange, too red, too busy. Too hot. Scottsdale was extremely hot the day I took this photo. And what are those rocky shapes along the edge?? And why does the sky have horns? Haha!

Still, I would say that I am happy with this piece. I had fun working on it.

I haven’t found a name for this plant. I think it is an Octopus Agave. It looks like a giant air plant. Most of the Octopus Agaves grow out from the center. This one was shaped more like a mohawk.

I want to paint this again. I used the photo as a reference for the shapes, but for some reason, I didn’t use it for the light.

Day 19 Reference Photo, SMD
Day 19 Reference Photo, SMD

‘The Creative Habit’ is basically about
how you work alone, how you survive
as a solitary artist.
‘The Collaborative Habit’ is obviously about
surviving with other people.
Twyla Tharp

Testing, Testing…

 

Light and Dark. 8-23-18, SMD

Light and Dark. 8-23-18, SMD

A chance of rain still. The next few days. The golden grasses are all a brilliant shade of green. Well. You might have to look closer, or just take my word for it.

 

Green on the hills. 8-23-18, SMD.

Green on the hills. 8-23-18, SMD.

 

NEW TOYS. I MEAN SUPPLIES.

I purchased these, so excited to try new art toys. Michaels, Artist’s Loft Water Soluble Wax Pastels. It was the first time I saw them in the store here. Looking online, I found that they have been around for at least two years. Oh well. They are new to me, and I thought I would share.

 

Water Soluble Wax Pastels by Artist's Loft®

Water Soluble Wax Pastels by Artist’s Loft

 

If I had to give these a rating, it would be a 2 out of 5. You can see below, the strength of pigmentation. The pinks and yellows all but disappear. There are 24 colors, no names though. It is hard to tell some of the colors apart. You can see it here, and in the test sheet below, that the colors do not blend easily. Most of the color stays where you put it.

 

24 Colors.

 

The pastels looked messy in the package. It also looked as if one of the purples had melted all over the wrapping. Not a big deal to me, but for gift giving that would be a disappointment. The pastels are covered with a white haze. I think it might be the ingredients separating, blooming  like chocolate will. Funny, but I didn’t even notice that at the store. I must have been really excited!

 

First look.

 

I pulled a few colors to test and compare with Caran d’Ache Neocolor II. The pastels are really creamy, they go on smooth and are fun to draw with. First I laid down a heavy patch of color. For the second square, I pulled wet color from the first, to see how much color would be lifted. The third patch, I put a small amount of pastel. I added water, and spread the color. I pressed hard, to blend the color completely. But as you can see, the original marks remain. The Neocolors are the four at the bottom.

With the four samples on the right, I tried to blend two colors together. Red and Yellow. On top, I used a wet brush to pull color directly from the pastel. Very little color transferred. The second sample, I pulled color from the still wet samples on the left. The two side by side samples, I drew the colors on to the paper.

 

 

I was disappointed in the pigment levels, and how hard it was to get color directly from the crayons. But I do think that these would be great in mixed media for texture and mark making. Glad I had a 40% off coupon though.