Monday, October 3, 2011

Monday Art Class: Challenged by a Cherub and the SCVWS Members Show

"The Apple of My Eye"
12" x 16" pastel

At my weekly drawing class for the last two Mondays, I have worked on a still life containing an 8-inch cherub and an apple on lace. Bob always reminds us that though we are working in pastels these days, our class is all about drawing. I was able to achieve a good likeness here of something known as a putto, though we were calling it a putti. According to Wikipedia:

A putto (plural putti) is a figure of a human baby or toddler, almost always male, often naked and having wings, found especially in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art

Bob makes the rounds and when he got to me, he saw problems with values, a drawing problem. The cloth behind the putto was a pale beige shiny fabric. However, the values of the cloth looked too similar to the values in the putto, so Bob went to town with green and grey. This is something I would have considered with my watercolors because I am in charge, but in Bob's class, I try to be fairly true to the still life. He also reemphasized getting the value patterns established first and then little detail is needed.

SCVWS Members Show, October 3 thru October 29, 2011:

Postcard Art: "Group Therapy" by Michael Rogan (c)


Our Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society 44th Annual Show opened today at the Sunnyvale Art Gallery. I entered "Family Duet" into the show. I recently got to paint at the Carmel Paintout with Michael Rogan who's art is featured on our promotional postcard, above. The shows and receptions are always so well done. If you live in the Bay Area, do come by to see all the wonderful art and enjoy some refreshments.

251 West el Camino Real, Sunnyale, CA
Sunday, October 9, 3:30 - 6:30 pm

An unhappy accident has made me the new leader of SCVWS a few month's early, so I am stepping into the position now, rather than in January. I will be kicking off the awards ceremony.

You are also invited to participate in or attend our Flower Painting Competition on Saturday October 22, 12:30 to 4:30 (all artists and mediums welcome). The Gallery is a combination floral shop, cafe, and art gallery, so the owner will be creating arrangements that the artists will paint. The competition includes awards.

9 comments:

Barbara Pask said...

Your pastel is just lovely. Your drawing skills are great and the values seem perfect. Love that edge on your lace too.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for teaching me something new, Mary. I hadn't heard the term "putto" before but so cool to know.

I am still blogging besides the art history challenge blog. If you click on my name on this comment, it'll take you to the new blog.

Your hand with pastels lends a dreamy timeless beauty to this piece. It is truly lovely!

Arti said...

What beautiful soft pastels... Your hand is magical! And all the best for your new post.
Have a fabulous week ahead Mary:)

hw (hallie) farber said...

I've enlarge you pastel piece twice and I love the putto and apple--perfect placement. Beautiful, Mary.

What is it they say? "If you want something done, get a busy person." I think that's you! You will be a great leader.

Peggy Stermer-Cox said...

Hi Mary,
Congratulations on your new leadership position. I do like your putto; such an interesting pose he's in! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Nice pastel piece.

Nina Jørgensen said...

Ahh that flower event sounds awesome! And loving the reflection in the apple you made with pastels. Interesting that the winged-babies have a technical name, I didn't know that! I always found working with pastels quite hard, I think you are really good at it!
Hope everything is well!

Rosemary said...

Mary, I just found your blog and love this post! I didn't know the "putto" had a name? Your pastel is lovely - especially that reflection on the apple - yummy! You are a busy lady!

Mary Paquet said...

Thanks to all my friends for the nice comments. Had to miss drawing en plein air this weekend due to a Board meeting for the watercolor society. I hope to draw next Monday.