I took a break from oil painting yesterday but I did this little ink and watercolor sketch. I also added a little bit of gouache. I’ve tried to paint this scene in oil with no success.
Gouache is something I think I’d like to try more. I only have a limited number of colors now so am not able to do work in gouache alone.
ink watercolor and gouache in moleskine
I referred once before to some of my feelings about having worked full time as an artist. I came across an excellent blog yesterday by a woman sharing about the process of establishing herself as an artist after having completed her Fine Art degree after the age of 50. It’s very insightful and I recommend it. Her name is
Sue Favinger Smith.
I have occasionally had trouble photographing my oil paintings, particularly when they’re still wet, without a glare. While reading one of my absolute favorite painting blogs by Carol Marine, I found her reference to another blog (that’s why they call it the web), Strobist, with a description of an inexpensive light box.
Here’s my adaptation of it using a simple wooden frame and tracing paper.
After making 3 frames, I attached tracing paper with a stapler and use clamps to hold the 3 frames together. I place a piece of white foam core over the top and clip a lamp on each side pointing them through the paper at the painting.
Bill Sharp - paintings blog 
Very beautiful work on your blog.
Incredible watercolor sketches- very loose
well composed, filled with wonderful bits of texture and pattern
really inspiring!
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Hey Bill,
This photo Box is a great idea! Before blogging I only took photos so I could keep track of what galleries had. Now I find myself unhappy with the image and have been thinking of ways to improve my photos. Think this would work on a large scale? Say 30×40’s?
E
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Hi Elio,
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on a larger scale. If you get too big, you’ll probably need stronger lights. Check out the link in my post for more information from the Strobist site. There’s a movie there where someone uses a similar light box and a camera connected to a computer using a remote capture program. I’ve done it that way but find that it works just as well if I just put the camera on a tripod and bracket the shots. I just have an inexpensive Cannon Powershot A40 and it does ok. I do wish I could manually focus it though.
Bill
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Brian, I appreciate your kind words. It’s always nice to get feedback, positive or critical.
– Bill
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GORGEOUS GORGEOUS CHAIR, BILL!!! LOVE THE DETAILS AND THE ATMOSPHERE!!! SO INVITING!
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Bill, I take my hat off to you. Very beautiful sketch! Ink and wash is one of the most difficult to do.
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Thanks so much Lin, I appreciate your encouragement.
Swee, Thanks very much. You have some very interesting articles on your blog. I’ve enjoyed your work as well.
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Love your ink and watercolor sketch!
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Beautiful work Bill. The watercolor is just perfect–so fresh and bright. Have you used the box yet to photograph oils? I might have to build one too, though my overhead flourescent seems to not create too much glare.
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Was wondering if a polarizer would work on oil painting glare?
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Jeff,
I’m not a photographer but doesn’t a polarizer affect the color?
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Bill,
A good polarizing filter should not filter color and would cut the glare from oils.
Mike
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hee man looks great!!
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You’re an incredibly talented artist. I’m loving what I’ve seen so far!
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The sketch is beautiful. Something about how the light is expressed is very captivating.
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Jeff and Mike, Thanks for the suggestion about the polarizing filter, I’ll keep that in mind but this setup works well enough for me and it was free!
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Photo Buffet and Microdesign Websight, thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I’m glad you liked my work.
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Hi Martha, Thanks for the compliment. It’s especially nice coming from someone whose work I admire so much.
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Looks very nice, keep up the good work!
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