Back to Art

Corel painter 12 work

2012-03-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

I have not posted in a long while. I have been working on reading instruction manuals for my camera, Photo shop elements and Corel Painter 12. I purchased this software and a Wacom drawing tablet so I could do more work digitally. I am including some drawings/paintings I have made.

"Apple" digital conte crayon with Corel Painter 12

This is one of the first attempts an apple drawing.

"Greg and Lucky" digital chalk

"Merry Go Round" digital colored pencil

This merry go round is in Washington D.C. on the mall right outside the Smithsonian castle.

Candy Store

2011-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

"Candy Store"

Water Color Study 9" 12 "

My water color study of the lollipops in the candy store on Galveston Texas . I really enjoyed working on this series, I think it was the bright primary colors. Hope it takes you back to your childhood.

Candy Store

2011-05-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

"Candy Store"

Colored Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"

Colored Pencil drawing of Lollipops I saw in a candy store in Galveston, Texas. I had fun with this, I enjoy the bright colors in this. In the background are those candy dots they sell.

Candy Store

2011-05-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

"Candy Store"

Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"

A pencil drawing of lollipops from a candy store in Galveston, Texas. I remember these big bright lollipops from when I was a kid. The candy store reminds you of an old time store with ice cream and all those candy brands you remember from the past.

"Candy Store"

Pen and ink Drawing 9" by 11"

Pen and ink sketch of the lollipops, behind them are swirl type candy of the same type. I enjoy working on both of these projects.

Hibiscus Water Color

2011-05-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

"Hibiscus"

Water Color 9" by 11"

Watercolor of a hibiscus grown in my back yard. I was pleased with how this came out. Hibiscus are on of my favorite flowers. Their colors can be so brilliant.

Lily Water Color

2011-05-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

"Lily"

Water Color 9" by 11"

Watercolor of Lily in growing in a local park. Based on a picture I took las August. I was not as pleased with the end result of the water color. I was trying to get the effect of the bright sunlight and the shadows was hard.

Lilies of the field Colored Pencil

2011-03-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

"Lilies of the Field"

Colored Pencil 9" by 11"

Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

Colored pencil study of the lies in the park last fall. It reminds me of Lent and Easter so I guess it is a good time to post this. I am not as pleased with this, I need to work on the background images.

Lilies of the field.

2011-03-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

"LILY "

Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"

Pencil study of Lilies in the park near my house. The pencil drawing was done last fall. Some of the last flowers left after a long hot summer Pencil drawing was started on site then finished at home with help from photo reference. The Pen and Ink was all done at home.

"Lily"

Pen and Ink Study 9" 11"

Peony Water color

2011-02-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

"Peony"

Watercolor 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

My water color study of a Peony based on Jacqueline Gnott's Instructional Water color DVD "The Queen. I was very pleased with how this turned out. It is sutler then the colored pencil study. the flower fills softer in this water color.

Magnolia

2011-02-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

My study of a Northern Magnolia. Used the instruction DVD from Jacquelin Gnott as a basis for this study. From her "My Favorite Things" DVD. I was pleased with all four of the studies. I added colored ink to the pen and ink drawing. The magnolia needed some pink touch to it.

"Magnolia"

Water Color 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

"Magnolia"

Colored Pencil 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

"Magnolia"

Pen and Ink Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

"Magnolia"
Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2011

Tulips

2011-02-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

My study of tulips. I used the instruction DVD by Jacqueline Gnott " My Favorite Things" as a basis for this study. I was fairly pleased with the results of this study.

"Tulips"
Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio

"Tulips"
Pen and Ink Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio

"Tulips"
Colored Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio

"Tulips"
Water Color Painting 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio

Straw Berry

2011-02-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been remiss.

I have not posed lately. I have been working on my art work however. I also bought a new camera and have been trying to learn how to use it. I am posting a study of a strawberry that I worked on at the end of 2010. I am posting all 4 media studies all at once. My favorite is the colored pencil one. I am not as happy with the water color study. Hope you enjoy this touch of summer.

"Straw Berry"
Water Color 9" by 11"
Copyright @ S. Ciaccio 2011

"Straw Berry"
Color Pencil 9" by 11"
Copyright @ S. Ciaccio 2011

"Straw Berry"
Pen and Ink 9" by 11"
Copyright @ S. Ciaccio 2011

"Straw Berry"
Pencil 9" by 11"
Copyright @ S. Ciaccio 2011

Peony Colored Pencil Drawing

2010-09-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

"Peony" colored Pencil Drawing 9"by 11"

Copyright by S. Ciaccio September 2010

My colored pencil study of a Peony based on Jacqueline Gnott's Instructional Water color DVD "The Queen. I was very pleased with how this turned out. Peony's are so complex, it is easy to get lost in the petals.

Peony Pen and Ink Drawing

2010-08-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

"Peony" Pen and Ink drawing 9" by 11"

Copyright by S. Ciaccio August 2010

My pen and ink study of a peony. Image and idea is from Jacqueline Gnotts instructional DVD "The Queen". When I work on the pen and ink studies I am really forced to plan the shapes and forms. Peonies can seem very chaotic.

Peony Pencil Drawing

2010-08-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Peony " Pencil Drawing 9" by 11"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio August 2010

Pencil drawing of a peony, the idea is from Jacqueline Gnott's instructional water color video "The Queen" I enjoyed doing this one. I always love peony's and how they bloom around Memorial day.

Iris Water Color

2010-08-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

"Iris" Water Color 9"by 12"
Copyright by S. Ciaccio 2010

My watercolor study of the Iris still life, based on Jacqueline Gnott's instructional DVD. i really had a hard time with the particular water color this is my 4th attempt at it.I am not sure why I struggled so hard with this one. I am not completely happy with the back ground on this one.

Iris Colored pencil

2010-07-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Iris" Colored Pencil Drawing 9" by 12"

Copyright by S. Ciaccio July 2010

Colored pencil drawing of iris study. The idea is based on Jacqueline Gnott's instructional DVD. I was not really please with the background of this drawing. I think it should be darker. I will have to work on Iris's again.

Iris Pen adn Ink

2010-07-22T10:25:00.001-07:00

"Iris" Pen and Ink Drawing 9" by 12"

Copyright by S. Ciaccio July 2010

Pen and Ink drawing of Iris study. The design based on Jackqueline Gnott's watercolor instruction DVD "Morning Light" Out of the 4 studies this is the one I was happiest with. I love the look of an Iris.

Iris Pencil Drawing

2010-07-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Iris"
Pencil Drawing 9" by 12"

My study of an iris. The idea and design came from an water color instruction DVD by Jacqueline Gnott. I have purchased several of her instruction DVD's on water color and I am slowly working my way through them. I have not posted very often lately but have been working on these studies. I found the Iris difficult to do and after several false starts these are the results. Still not that pleased with them. The pencil study was ok but the water color one really had me struggling.

Pear in Basket Water Color

2010-04-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

"Pear in Basket" Water Color

9" by 11" 250gsm paper

My water color study of the pear in basket based on Jacqueline Gnotts instructional water color video. I was trying to develop my technical skill. I was pleased with the results and really learned a lot .

Pear and Basket Colored Pencil

2010-04-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

"Pear in Basket" Colored Pencil

9" by 12 " 250 GSM

My colored pencil study of the pear in the basket still life. The idea was from Jacqueline Gnott's water color instruction video. I really enjoyed doing this piece. I was pleased with the results.

Pear in Basket Pen and Ink

2010-03-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

"Pear in Basket" Pen and Ink

9" by 11" 250 GSM

My pen and ink study of the pear in a basket design This is based on an instructional DVD by Jacquelline Gnott. I found this study fun with the different textures and trying to depict lace. the studies in pencil and pen and ink really forces me to think about values and shapes. It helps me resolved problems and become familiar with the subject before interjecting color into the study.

" Pear in Basket"

2010-03-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

"Pear in Basket" pencil drawing

9" by 11" 250 GSM

I purchased a instructional water color DVD by Jacqueline Gnott. I am trying to improve my water color techniques. I greatly admire her work, and have a link to her work on my blog. This idea is from her DVD "Pear Princess". She paints the most amazing pears. This is the pencil study of the instructional video. I will be posting my usual four studies. I was pleased with the results.

Water Color Orange

2010-03-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Orange" watercolor

9" by 12" 250 GSM

This is my water color study of the orange still life. I am fairly pleased with it but may go back and darken the orange a bit. I think it gets light to fast as you move up the side of the orange. Sometimes it is hard with water color to know when to stop. Many times I go to far and then you can not take it back, it is better to darken things a little at a time.

Orange colored Pencil

2010-03-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

"Orange" Colored Pencil

9" by 12 " 250 GSM

My colored pencil study of the orange still life. I like the orange sections in this piece. I used a pumice stone to create the orange peel effect on the orange. I am not sure if i like the background or the choice of color. Like I said before I will have to come back to oranges again another day.

Orange Pen and Ink

2010-03-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

"Orange" Pen and Ink

9" 12 " 250 250 GSM

My pen and ink study of the orange still life. I had fun with this study but like the pencil study I think i will come back some time and try another orange. the orange peel texture really took over this drawing and i may try a more subtle approach some time.

Orange Study

2010-03-19T15:42:00.001-07:00

"Orange" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12" 250 GSM

I have had a busy February and March. This is my pencil study of an orange. the orange peel is hard to depict. I really emphasised it on this drawing. I noticed the drawing tended to grow more stylistic then I had really wanted it to. I will try oranges again sometime and attempt a more realistic drawing.

Indian Con Water Color

2010-02-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

"Indian Corn" Water Color

9" by 11 " 140lb paper

This is my water color study of the Indian corn still life. This is the last of the Indian Corn study. With all the traveling I have been doing, I slowed down on the art work. I have to think of a way to make my materials more portable and packable on airplanes. Guess I will have to pack less of something else, books? clothes?

I am very happy with the results of this water color. I like the bright colors I was able to achieve.

Indian Corn colored Pencil

2010-01-30T06:38:00.000-08:00

"Indian Corn" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 lb. paper

My colored pencil drawing of Indian corn, this exercise is from the "Colored Pencil Painting Bible". I really had fun with developing this work. You would really be surprise how long it took to build up the layers of colors. Indian corn really provides a wide range of colors.

Indian Corn pen and ink drawing

2010-01-27T12:34:00.000-08:00

"Indian Corn" Pen and Ink Drawing

9" by 12" 80 lb paper

My pen and ink drawing of the Indian Corn . I was very pleased with how this study came out. It took a lot of time to build up the layers of shade. I watered down some of the ink for the gray parts.

Indian Corn Pencil Drawing

2010-01-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

"Indian Corn" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12 " 80lb paper

I have not been able to work on my art as much as I would like lately. I did this piece before Christmas. I really enjoyed working on this still life of Indian Corn. Each piece in this series took a lot of time, but was very enjoyable to work on. I was trying to depict the different colors you find on an ear of Indian corn.

Water Color Nectarine

2009-12-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

"Nectarine" Water Color

9" by 11" 100lb. paper

This is my water color study of the nectarine still life. I was fairly pleased with the result. I was happy with the terry cloth dish towel in the back ground. The colored pencil study was over worked i think but I stopped in time with the water color.

Colored Pencil Nectarine

2009-12-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

:Nectarine" Colored Pencil

9" by 11" 100 Lb paper

My study of the nectarine still life in colored pencil. This was the first time I tried to depict cloth with colored pencils. I was fairly pleased with the results. I need to work on how to depict folds and shadows in materiel.

Pen and Ink Nectarine

2009-12-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

"Nectarine" Pen and Ink

9"12" 100 Lb. paper

My study of the nectarine still life in pen and ink. A nectarine has a mottled skin, it is not fuzzy like a peach and it is not shiny like an apple or pear. Just like with the pencil the pit and the hole were the pit was were the most challenging.

Nectarine Pencil sketch

2009-12-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

"Nectarine" Pencil Drawing

9" by 11" 100 lb. paper

My study of a cut nectarine. I found depicting the pit was more difficult that I had imagined. Working on the texture of the dish towel in the background was fun. Even using Adobe it is hard to get the pencil drawing to get rid of that reddish orange cast so having a true picture of the work is complicated.

Water color Garlic

2009-12-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

"Garlic clove" Water color

7'' by 9" 100 lb. paper

My water color study of a clove of garlic. Once again I chose a smaller paper for this garlic study. Looking at it makes me want to make a pot of sauce.

Garlic Clove Colored pencil

2009-12-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

"Garlic" Colored Pencil

5" by 7" 250 GSM paper

My study of a garlic clove in colored pencil. The smaller size of this series made it quicker to finish. I am very behind on the blog and will try and get more current.

Garlic Pen and Ink

2009-11-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

"Garlic" Pen and Ink

5"by 7" 100lb paper

My pen and Ink study or a garlic bulb. the papery skin of a garlic bulb was hard to represent with pen and ink. I think I did a better job of it with the other media I used. I do like how the pen and ink forces you to depict things with a line.

Garlic Study

2009-11-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

"Garlic" Pencil drawing

5" by 7" 100lb paper

This is my pencil study of garlic. I worked on a much smaller scale with this study. I was able to finish the study much quicker because of the size. I was able to complete the 4 different media studies very close to each other because of it. There is nothing like the smell of cooking garlic to get me hungry.

Wine with Friends

2009-11-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

"Wine with Friends" Water Color

11" by 15" 140lb paper

My water color study of a wine bottle and a wine glass . Painting the green wine bottle with red wine in it was a challenge for me. I will have to do more studies of glass objects to improve my skills. any time I try a new surface depiction I find how much I have to learn.

Wine Bottle Colored Pencil

2009-11-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

"Wine with Friends" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 lb paper

This is my colored pencil study of a wine bottle still life using colored pencil. I felt fairly good about this first attempt at a glass bottle an wine glass with colored pencil, I still have a lot of techniques to learn but at least it is recognizable as a bottle of wine.

Wine bottle Pen Ink

2009-11-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

"Wine with Friends" Pen and Ink

9" by 11" 100lb paper

My pen and ink study of wine bottle , wine glass and wine opener. Went with more of a line effect on this study and now I am wondering if it would have been better with a pointillism effect. I may do a second study on this and then compare the two drawings.

Glass of Wine

2009-11-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

"Wine with Friends" Pencil Drawing

9" by 11" 100 lb. paper

My pencil study of a wine bottle and glass of wine. This study presented me with the task of representing glass with liquid inside and the shinny metal cork screw. It was very challenging but fun., and the fact I had to drink the still life later made it more so.

Red Bell Pepper Colored Pencil

2009-10-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

"Bell Pepper" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 lb.Paper

This is my colored pencil drawing of the red bell pepper still life. When I first started using colored pencil I was using them more to plan colored for a water color of the same subject but them have become much more then that now. I fell lie they stand on the own now.

Red Pepper Pen And Ink

2009-10-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

"Red Bell Pepper" Pen and Ink

9" by 12" 100lb. paper

This is my pen and ink study of a red bell pepper still life. I am finding my work with pen and ink the most interesting. Since ink is always the same value you have to learn how to get contrast with using line direction and placement. Each media presents it's own problems and elements to learn how to control each study has taught me something.

Red Bell Pepper Drawing

2009-10-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

"Red Bell Pepper" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12" 100 lb. Paper

A still life study of a red bell pepper. I was interested in showing how the seeds look inside a pepper and how different the texture is form the outside of the pepper to the inside of the pepper.

Tomato Water Color

2009-10-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

"Tomato" Water Color

11" by 15" 140lbs.

My watercolor of the tomato still life. I have not posted as regularly as I would like. I have been working but also some travel so that has slowed me down, plus I was cutting mats for my other work. I will try and do better.

Tomato Colored Pencil

2009-09-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

"Tomato" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 lb. paper

This is my colored pencil study of the tomato still life. I used the orderless mineral spirits and the colorless blender with this study. Who knew that colored pencils were so much fun, way past coloring maps in social studies.

Tomato Pen and Ink

2009-09-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

"Tomato" Pen Ink

9" by 12 " 100lb Paper

This is my pen and ink study of the tomato still life. BLT anyone? I found cutting the tomato open and drawing the a interesting challenge. The different textures were fun to try and depict with the various media I used.

Tomato Drawing

2009-09-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

"Tomato" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12" 100lb. paper

This is my drawing of a tomato still life. I am fairly happy with this piece. I feel like my drawing ablity has increased with these studies, I am glad I am learning something. Slow but sure.

Bing Cherry Water color

2009-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

" Bing Cherry" watercolor

11" by 15"

My water color study of Bing cherry still life. This is the 4Th in the Bing cherry series, I am fairly happy with the results. I am still trying to figure out how to illustrate highlights on textures like a Bing cherry skin.

Pen and Ink Bing Cherries

2009-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Bing Cherries" Pen and Ink

9" by 12" 100 lb paper

My pen and ink study of a Bing cherry still life. I found depicting the texture of Bing cherries a challenge. I decided the a pointillism approach was better then crosshatching. I may have to go back and redo some of these pen and ink still life's and try a line approach with cross hatching instead of the dotting approach of pointillism.

Bing Cherries

2009-08-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

"Bing Cherries" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12" 100lb paper

My attempt at a still life with Bing cherries. I love Bing cherries, I wait for them every year, of course you can get them year round now if you want to pay an arm and a leg.

Apple Water Color

2009-08-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

"Apple" Water Color

!!" by 15" 140 lb paper

My water color study of the apple still life. I used some of the knowledge I gained with the colored pencil exercises to help with the color on this piece. I was happy with the results. My problem is the photography . the green frame around the apple is not crooked in real life the photo makes it look lopsided. something about the way I have the camera set is creating this optic effect. A mystery that needs to be solved.

Apple Colored Pencil

2009-08-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

"Apple" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 lb paper

I used the techniques from colored pencil panting bible for this study. It has been a excellent reference and practice source. Learning how to layer the colored pencils has really helped me with not only colored pencil but with water colors. I am pleased with the results here. I plan on seeking some expert advice on photographing art work soon.

Apple Pen and Ink

2009-08-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

"Apple" Pen and Ink Drawing

9" x12" 100lb. paper

This is my pen and ink study of an apple still life. I notice that my pen and ink work has a different quality from the other three studies i do. the pencil, colored pencil and water color are more concerned with realism, while the pen and ink tends to be more stylistic. I am not sure why, it seems to me something that the media I chose dictates.

Apple Drawing

2009-08-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

"Apple" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12 " 100lb. paper

I continue my study of supposed "simple" still life with a study of an apple. You can get lost in the details of the apple skin. I am trying to learn how to render the highlights on the apple.

Water Color Pear

2009-08-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

"Pear" Water Color

My watercolor version of the pear still life. I was pleased with the coloring of the pear but not the beads of water. Need to work on that , some times you learn more from your mistakes then your successes. Planning on finding some water color workshops to go to so I can increase my technical skill.

Pear colored Pencil

2009-08-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

"Pear" Colored Pencil

9" by 12" 100 Lb paper

I use the "Colored Pencil Painting Bible" by Alyona Nickeson, for these exercises. I was pleased with the results. The color layering in these exercises is a very good way to review color theory. Remembering that you should go back to the primary colors to create various colors you see. I find it helps to remember breaking down the complex to the simple parts.

Pen and Ink Pear

2009-08-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

"Pear" Pen and Ink drawing

9" by 12" 100lb paper

The pear still life in pen and ink. I really struggled with the water drops on this one. I need to keep working at it. I start with a pencil drawing first to work on size and values, second I usually work on a pen and ink. Pen and Ink is unforgiving, no correcting mistakes or do overs. You can not erase ink.

Pear

2009-08-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

"Pear" Pencil Drawing

9" by 12" 100lb. paper

I started thinking about going back to basics. I set up a very simple still life. I wanted to concentrate on simple shapes. I wanted to really practice basic skills with various media. What you find when you do this is how complicated this can be. Once you really concentrate on one object and try to capture it's form, texture and color you find out what a learning exercise this is.

Petunia Water Color

2009-07-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

"Petunia" Watercolor

11" by 15" 140lb cold press paper

The last of this petunia series, the poor petunias have been finished by the Texas heat. Hanging baskets quickly dry up in July and August down here. I would like to work a little more realistically. Time to search for some workshops either to go to get some video demonstrations.

Maple leaf Colored Pencil

2009-07-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

"Maple Leaf" Colored Pencil

This is the second drawing I have used mineral spirits. I plan on practicing more and more with this technique. I need to find some heavier weight paper, then I used on this piece.

Colored Pencil Petunias

2009-07-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

I used a different technique with this drawing. I have been reading "Colored Pencil Painting Bible" by Alyona Nickelsen. She suggests using a solvent to mix the layers of colored pencil together. This was my first attempt at using a solvent . It really helps blend the various layers of colors together. I plan to practice this technique more.

Pen and Ink Petunia

2009-06-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

"Petunia Basket" Pen and Ink Drawing

11"by 14" 80 lb paper

Pen and In k drawing of the petunia basket in my back yard.

Back yard Petunia

2009-06-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

"Backyard Petunia" Pencil Drawing

11" by 14" 80 lb paper

Drawing of a petunia basket i have hanging in the back yard from my china berry tree. They were really beautiful this spring but now Texas is in a major heat wave and the petunia's are getting leggy and. the heat is really effecting all my plants now.

Bird House Water Color

2009-06-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

"Is Anybody Home?"

watercolor

11" by 14" 100lb. paper

A watercolor painting of a birdhouse on a cotton wood tree. The birdhouse is a wren house with a very small entry hole for the birds. When you get up close and look in you can see it has been stuffed with nesting material over the years. You wonder how many generations of wrens have been raised there.

Bird House Colored Pencil Drawing

2009-06-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

"Is Any Body Home?" Colored Pencil Drawing

11" by 14" 80 lb. paper

My colored pencil drawing of the bird house on a cottonwood tree in Nebraska. this drawing is from a sketch I did April. The only green that was showing was the moss on the side of the tree. I really like to do these images in sets of four, using different media on each rendering. They are the same yet not the same. I am trying to decide if they should be displayed as a set of 4 drawings and painting or viewed individually.

Pen and Ink Bird House

2009-06-10T15:44:00.001-07:00

"Is Anybody Home?" Pen and Ink Drawing

11" by 14" 80 lb. paper

I have been working on my art, I just have not been posting as I should. I finished the backyard fence repair from Hurricane Ike just in time for the next hurricane season. The heat is on in Texas so going outside for journal drawing has had it draw backs. I have not kept up that habit as I should.

Two Journal Sketches

2009-05-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

Copyrght by S. Ciaccio 2009

Petunia Sketch

These are are two journal sketches I worked on this week. As I promised myself I tried to get out more and work on some quick sketches. Playing with the water color, in an an effort to have fun with my art wok instead of being concerned about how it will look.

Cactus Water Color Sketch

2009-05-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

"Cactus Water Color Sketch"

I took my water colors outside and painted the same cactus. I enjoyed the process. I promise myself that I will make time to do this more often. I found myself thinking back to my water color classes in college, most of the time my work resembled the bottom of the Platte River, nice brown muddy water. It wasn't till the last 3 weeks I finally discovered not to overwork or over think my work. Just go out and play with it!

Sketching

2009-05-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get in the habit of sketching more. I am finding it hard to get back into to practice of just drawing for the fun of it. Sometimes the fear of "creating" something profound gets in the way of just going out and drawing. I get too wrapped up in making "ART" and forget just to have fun with it. We need to paint like children when all we wanted was to have something to put on the refrigerator door, stop worrying about a larger audience .

Bird House Pencil Drawing

2009-05-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

"Is Anybody home" pencil drawing

A drawing of a bird house on a large old cotton wood tree in Nebraska. Cotton wood trees have a very rough bark, that is very intesting It was April so the trees did not have leaves yet.

Sketch done in Nebraska

2009-05-04T14:48:00.001-07:00

My Lucky Dog

2009-04-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

My Lucky Dog"

My Pencil Drawing 11" by 14" 80lb paper

A drawing of my son with Lucky. Lucky was a golden retriever an excellent dog for a young boy. Lucky played a great game of baseball. My son would spend his summers with Lucky on the farm in Nebraska. They had a great time. Probably not my best drawing but its from a photo I have always loved of the two.

Hill Vew

2009-03-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

This is the last of the pictures I wanted to post of my old work. It of the farm from the hill north of it. What you see is the great Platte Valley. The Oregon Trail went throught this Valley going west. My family homestead this farm .

Farm landscape

2009-03-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Moss Roses and Wind Mill"

Water Color

This is a view from the the farm house to the east. In front are some moss roses. In the middle grown is the edge of an old wind mill, a corn crib and a small granary. I painted these pictures of the farm I grew up on several years ago.

The Lane Home

2009-03-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

"Country Lane"

Water color

This is the 1/2 mile lane to the farm I grew up on. I painted this several years ago. The corn is just starting to tassel on the side of the road. You can see the house and the farm buildings off in the distance.

Nebraska Wood Shed

2009-03-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

"Wood Shed"

water color

I painted this a long time ago. It is a painting of the wood shed on the farm I grew up on. It is a spring day in Nebraska. You can see the chicken house in the back ground. The big saw we used to cut logs on the right side.

Maple Leaf Water Color

2009-03-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

"Maple Leaf"

Water Color 12" by 16" 140 lb. paper

This is the first time I used a salt technique with water color. I enjoyed the process but I am sure you have to be careful not to over do it. As a potter I used salt in the kiln and it produces a orange peel look on glaze. Learned a lot on this piece.

Maple Pen and Ink

2009-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

"Maple Leaf on Walk"

Pen and Ink 80lb paper

The pen and ink drawings are hard to take photos of the glare is increase. I need to take a photography class soon. Each new thing i learn leads to three more new things I want to learn. Is that good or just attention deficit.

Maple Leaf on Daily Walk

2009-03-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Copy right by S. Ciaccio 2009

"Maple Leaf"

Pencil Drawing 11" by 14" 80lb. paper

They planted several new Maple and Oak trees around an retaining pond near my house. They put them in right after Hurricane Ike hit so they were not hurt by the storm. There is a walking trail with a nice brick sidewalk that I use for my daily walk. I picked up some of the leaves this winter and took pictures of them.

"Hurricane Ike Sun Flower" Water Color

2009-02-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

"Ike Sun Flower"

water color 11" by 15" 140 lb paper

The last of this sun flower series, time to concentrate on something else. I used a recycled paper with this one but was very disappointed in the durability of the paper. It just did not hold up to the paint and water. Learn as you go. I have picked several instruction manuals some have been very good. I am also learning from other blog sites and "American Artist " magazine has been very informative. Never stop learning!

"Hurricane Ike" Bloom

2009-02-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

"Hurricane Ike" Bloom

colored pencil 14" by 17"

A colored pencil study of the open sunflower. I wanted to add more background to this last study of the sunflower. Horticulture seem to be what catches my eye as I look around for subject mater.

Sun Flower Bloom Pen and Ink

2009-02-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

When drawing this sunflower and looking at others I have seen, I am always struck by the arrangement of the seeds in the sunflower head. It is what is know as the golden ratio. http://www.geocities.com/jyce3/pineandsun.htm I found an excellent we site that explains the occurrence of this ration in nature. Math and Art together can be a very interesting study, they have more in common then you would suspect.

Hurricane Ike Sun Bloom

2009-02-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

"Hurricane Ike Bloom"

pencil drawing 11" by 14" 80lb. paper

Hurricane Ike sunflower blooms, right after they bloomed we had to replace the fence behind them so we had to take the sun flowers out. I am not pleased with the way the photo turned out, I am still learning what is the best way to take pictures of art work. Not sure what type of sun flowers these were they had very narrow petals on the blooms themselves.

"Almost a Sun Flower" watercolor

2009-02-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

"Almost a Sun Flower"

watercolor 11" by 15" 140lb paper

This is the last of the "bud" series I have almost finished the sun flowers I will be getting those posted later this week. I have worked on the picture some more since I took the photo and will post that as well. I darkened up the leaves a bit more.

The good news is it is almost spring here in Texas and we will be getting our spring flowers soon. I can go out and get some photos of those to work on.

Colored Pencil of Almost a Sun Flower

2009-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

I am still amazed a how much fun the colored pencils are. I notice that my technique is very heavy handed. I build up very thick layers. that is hard on the paper and at some point the work will not take any more pencil. Colored pencil remind me of how exciting it was to get a new box of crayons when you were young. My technique gives that waxy build up you get from crayons. For me there was never a better present then a brand new box of cayongs. Their smell can still get to me.

Pen and Ink Sun Flowers

2009-01-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

I unpacked my ink pens I had packed up many years ago when I did not have time to use them. I had forgot the different lines you get with pen and ink versus pencil. I enjoyed exploring the media again and have resolved it will not be the last time.

Stuck on Sun Flowers

2009-01-17T15:52:00.000-08:00

"Getting Ready"

Pencil Drawing 11" by 14" 80lb. paper

I took a lot of pictures of these sunflowers that were growing in the backyard. I like to garden but due to the nature of the soil here in Texas I am forced to do it in containers. Having the time to follow these sunflowers daily progress was very gratifying. Since Hurricane Ike planted them September 13 they had to get a lot of growing in before December. They are all gone now due to reconstruction of the fence that Ike blew down as well. I made every one work around them untill they had finished blooming.

Water color Study "Ike Sun Flower Bud"

2009-01-16T14:19:00.001-08:00

" Hurricane Ike Sun Flower Bud"

Water Color 11" by 15" 140lb paper

I have found I like to use different media on the same subject. Still learning want works, what I like and how to balance time. I find it difficult to find time for all I want to do. I at first thought it would be hard to fill my days after I retired from teaching because it( teaching) consumed all my time, but as in many thing in my life "God laughs" . Where does the day go? My art has centered in on exploration of media on this subject the sunflower hurricane Ike planted.

The "Ike" Sun Flowers

2008-12-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

"Sun Flower Bud"

Colored Pencil Drawing 11" by 14" 80lb paper

A colored pencil study of the sun flower bud .

Sun Flower Pencil Study

2008-12-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

"Sun Flower Bud"

Pencil Drawing on 80lb paper 11" by 14"

When hurricane Ike hit I had bird seed stored outside in a storage container. The container was turned over and bird seed was spread all over the back yard. The sunflowers started to sprout soon after. I made several studies of these "Ike" sun flowers.

Must Have Coffee ( Water Color)

2008-12-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

"Must have Coffee"

Water Color on 140lb. cold press paper 11" by 15"

A water color study of coffee grinder, and French Press. I finished this in November but I am just getting around to posting my work. I have a lot to learn on how to paint glass and the copper of the French press was also an interesting problem. I have a lot of study and work ahead of me in learning how to illustrate different textures.

Colored Pencil Study

2008-11-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

"Must Have Coffee "

Colored Pencil Nov 2008 14" by 17"

I find that I like to work on the design with pencils first, then complete a color study with colored pencil before I start to paint. The layering of color with the colored pencils was fun

Storage Shed

2008-11-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

"Storage Shed"

Watercolor 11"by 15" on 140lb cold press paper October 2008

Completed this in October 2008, I had started it in September but Hurricane Ike slowed my work down. I am learning or relearning how to work with water color. I am not happy with the trees and realize I need to complete some studies of trees.

Must Have Coffee

2008-11-01T10:55:00.001-07:00

Must Have Coffee Pencil Drawing 10/2008 11' BY 14"80lb paper

This is a pencil drawing of a toy coffee grinder my great Aunt had when I was small. I remember playing with it and grinding up soda crackers. I included a copper french press and one of my favorite coffee cups.

Cabin Drawing

2008-10-19T05:28:00.001-07:00

A detailed drawing of the storage shed. Pencils 11" by 14" 80lb. paper. October 8th 2008. The seat in front is a chair made from an old milk can with an antique tractor seat welded on top.

More detailed work.

2008-10-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

A color study of the storage shed. Colored Pencil 14" X 17" on 60lb. paper. September 2008
Colored pencils are intersting to work with. I enjoyed the layering of colors to produce the cobble stones and the shaded areas.

First drawings.

2008-10-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

The first planning drawings were done in September 2008. This is a pencil detail of the small storage shed. Measures 8" X 10" on 80lb. drawing paper.

Detailed drawing of the cabin window. 8" by 10" 80lb. drawing paper

Detailed drawing of the cabin window. 8 "by 10" 80lb drawing paper.