Friday, November 9, 2012

Paint Party Friday, Sunday Sketches and a bit of a new direction

Hello fellow art lovers. I couldn't post last week as last Friday we had our school's annual Twilight fair and this year I was put in charge of the face painting stall. Face painting isn't really something I've done a lot of except for messing about with my own boys. But I managed it, 4 hours of really busy fast face painting, I was absolutely exhausted afterwards and didn't realise just how tiring it is! :0)

This week I've been able to relax a bit with my art and I decided one day to try something different. I've started drawing while I watch tele again and I must say that I find it so relaxing! I'm really enjoying it. I've been trying to challenge myself by playing around with a bit more realism and it's been great to push my boundaries. So here are the new ladies I've been working on this week!

 Here is my first girl, I wanted to keep my surreal or fairytale style in there but make it more real at the same time. I think that I was staying in my comfort zone a bit and even though I was a bit nervous about attempting something new I'm glad I did.
 This second girl is actually a portrait of a friend. She asked if I could do one of her in this style and set me a challenge......
 I'm really happy with her as it really does look like her! :0)
 This girl was more of an experiment and trying to work from a different angle, side views intimidate me a bit and even though this isn't a full on side view I felt that this angle was a bit of a challenge.
 I'm very pleased to say that she sold just hours after a drew her when I posted her to my facebook page so that was exciting! :0)
 This last girl was the biggest challenge of all with her upturned face, something that I would never have tried to tackle in the past but with each piece I'm finding my confidence.

I'm happy to say that I've found a new exciting direction with my art which I really wasn't expecting to do but I guess it goes to show even those playful little sketches can really make a difference :0)

Hope you are all having a good week and I'll visit soon :0)

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful faces. I often sketch while I'm watching tv. :)

Anonymous said...

Ah face painting - I remember doing that during my time as a holiday rep when I ran a kids club one summer!!
I love your new style. The hair is brilliant especially and I really like the whimsical aspect of the hair being held up by little flying creatures! Congrats on selling one so quickly as well!

Anonymous said...

oh, and I hope this means you'll join in with my Face Forward idea seeing as you have a talent for portraiture!

Carolyn Dube said...

Your ladies are fantastic! How exciting to find a new direction- you are so right- that the muse can from any thing you do! Happy PPF!

denthe said...

Your sketches are beautiful. love the way you did their hair! Congrats on the sale!

Unknown said...

beautiful ladies. I think the one with the blue hair is my favorite. Happy PPF!

WrightStuff said...

Ooh I love these. The hair is really something special. There seems to be quite a bit of change in the air at the moment - lots of people trying something new which is fab fun.

The blue haired lady is my favourite too (though it's a hard fought battle with the hippy chick with flowers in her hair!).

Marji said...

I agree with Lisa - seems there is change in the air for a lot of artists. I love this new direction you are taking. Lovely work. It is fun to see our confidence grow with practice. Keep going, these are fabulous! Happy PPF

Regina said...

I think it's good to stretch ourselves out there a bit...just to see where it will take us. YOU did an outstanding job with all of these beauties!!

Hugs,
Regi

Magic Love Crow said...

Your new faces are amazing! I love the expression and movement! Congrats on the sale ;o) Take care Nicola ;o)

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful new sketches, great expressions. Happy PPF, Annette x

Sinderella's Studio said...

great post - inspiring! and awesome art!!!!
cheers, dana

Tracey FK said...

That is an exciting new direction... these are really lovely... that second one of your friend is simply gorgeous with that hair...xx

Mary C. Nasser said...

Wonderful portraits!
Congratulations on your fast sale, too! Woo-hoo!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Lynn Cohen said...

What a talent you have, such detail and emotion showing. Lovely.
HPPF!!!

wednesday said...

Love this new direction! These portraits are so striking and beautiful. Whatever you are doing is working, keep at it.

Anne Manda said...

These are super beautiful! Love the ones with the fairy tale atmosphere and the red haired beauty, it has a wonderful contrast of the deep colored hair and pale skin - and the flowers on her hair <3!

sharon said...

These are beautiful, I especially love the one of your friend. I have also noticed that a lot of us are experimenting more and changing.

MS Raghav said...

brilliant sketches... i especially like the hair of each one of those!

carol l mckenna said...

Elegant faces ~ wonderfully illustrated ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Tam Hess said...

It's so much fun when you find a new direction! Love your girls, beautiful. Face painting sounds like so much fun. I want to break into that someday :)

Tammie Lee said...

these are wonderful Nicola. I love their faces, fabulous hair and the sweet little bugs!

Katie said...

Love your style!

Linda Richardson said...

lovely drawings and great to keep challenging ourselves!

Viola said...

You are not used to? draw faces?? wow! your faces are absolutely wonderful!! and you are clever! you should keep it up! :)

manomij said...

Keep pushing those boundaries it is looking very good!
ManonX

Kristin said...

Oooh, you've been busy! And I really love the take on realism you have here - the colors and angles are really pretty and expressive - and congratulations on your fast purchase! Bravo, xoxo

Alexandra MacVean said...

They're beautiful. I LOVE how you gave the first two a fairytale feeling. Brilliant. :)

Unknown said...

I like what you've done with their hair Happy PPF!

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