Old Glory...it's Illinois basketball mania time

Old Glory
carbon pencil drawing on paper
11 x 9, double matted
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Original Pencil Drawing
$655.00
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It's basketball tournament time everywhere. The sports casters refer to it as 'Hoops Mania". Our local high school is done but the University of Illinois is still in the game. I don't watch as much basketball as I used to and never did follow the professional teams...but thought this drawing was appropriate and might just stir some good memories.

As I worked on this carbon pencil drawing, memories of my own High School days flooded my head. I remembered the small gyms we played in, cheering until we were hoarse, and the excitement of riding the bus to the game with the team. Things were different then...times more relaxed and definitely more innocent.

On the way to the basketball game the team always sat together in the front of the bus. On the way home...we were allowed to pair off in couples. I still remember holding hands in the dark on the ride home, and my first kiss.

The drawing Old Glory is not just about the game, but also about the 'freedom' to enjoy the game. Despite ALL the negative issues that make the news today. We who are fortunate enough to live in the United Sates and enjoy the freedoms offered by living in a true democracy have much to celebrate.

The American Flag is the symbol of our freedom. Old Glory, as it is referred to, stands for who we are as a nation and a people. Our American Flag has been burned, stomped on, and desecrated by many over the years...yet she still flies strong.

The old basketball and shoes are a reminder of our youth when life was much simpler. School, the Friday night ball game, getting a date for the weekend and cruising the town square...don't we all remember when?

I also took some WIP photos and put together a drawing tutorial when working on Old Glory and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the techniques used.

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Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 (in Context)

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Red Apple with Green Grapes

Red Apple with Green Grapes
Original Watercolor on 300# Arches
7 x 81/2
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Original Watercolor
$65.00
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This is my latest watercolor effort. When I say Effort, it was a definitely an effort because of my paper choice. I ordered a 'sample' package of watercolor paper and this was one of the rough sheets. I've never worked on rough watercolor paper before...don't think it was really suitable for this subject. Perhaps it would be better suited for landscape or perhaps architecture.

As you can see, I'm working on those dark backgrounds again. Each time it comes out a little better. As usual, the colors don't show up great here. The background looks rather flat in color here, when in fact it has many subtle colors in it.

My biggest challenge with this 'rough' paper was trying to get smooth edges and make the surfaces appear shiny...I decided that this paper would probably be better when you want to show more texture.

So...anyway, up for critique here.

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John 15:4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:3-5 (in Context)

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"The Arrangement"

The Arrangement

Watercolor on paper...9 1/2 x 15

This is another one for the 'wine window' my framer is doing in August. I attended a wedding some time ago where the wine for each table was incorporated into the center piece. It was really quite well done.

Each table had two bottles of wine and a cork screw was included in the grouping along with the grapevines you see and an assortment of grapes. I took lots of photos and combined them for this painting. I wanted kind of a misty illusive background and am pleased with that...but as usual the subtle colors are not showing up well.

Hope to get one more done in time for framing.

The weather is beautiful here today. Should be painting but think I'm going to take my camera and go for a bike ride.

See you later and thanks for stopping by.

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John 2:9
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
John 2:8-10 (in Context)

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New Watercolor..."Hidden Perfection"

Hidden Perfection
7x9 1/2 watercolor on paper

This is my latest watercolor painting and this time I am pleased. I just wish the colors were a little more accurate in the photo...going to have to work on that some (in my free time).

My framer and dear friend...has these wonderful huge display windows and is doing a 'Wine' themed window for August-September. I hope to get a couple more pieces done before the end of the month. After the 'Sea Shell' fiasco...I considered putting away my paints! Soooooo glad I didn't.

I promise, when the window is done I will post pictures. As always...I'm open to critique. I know it is difficult from the photo. The original has stronger burgundy tones on the leaves and grapes. There is even some in the background that seemed to 'take' more purple in the photo.

My camera will do a 'custom white balance'. If I have time I'll try to set that up next time. Love my camera...the lens is great at capturing detail. I think it's the lighting that's throwing off the color.

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John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-6 (in Context)

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Saturday's Watercolor..."Standing Together"

...Standing Together...
Watercolor 140# Arches

Well guys, I'm posting this only because I said I would. The painting does look a little better than the photo. The background and foreground are fairly accurate. The cherries are considerable brighter when looking at the actual painting.

This painting is waaaaaay different than the first ones I did. I've seen the really dark backgrounds used and liked the contrast...obviously I need more practice at this. It looks a little muddy here, but when looking at the original...I think that is actually one thing I managed to avoid.

Obviously...unlike many of you thought, I have not found my 'style' yet:(

One lesson (of many) learned here...Friskit does not last 10 years! I had planned to use friskit on the stems so I could do smoother washes on the background. Got my brush all soaped up and when I opened the friskit jar...it was a mucky mess. Absolutely unusable.

Trying to paint this dark around those skinny stems did not give the look I wanted.

I also REALLY had a difficult time staying out of this one...it is definitely overworked in a few places. I learned that I had to have more paint on my brush than I expected or the painting lightened up on me. And, if I used the paint too thick (not enough water) it tried shiny!

I wish the cherries popped in the photo like they do on the original...they're actually the coolest part of the painting. I'm going to also have to learn how to do a little better on my photo editing.

Anyway...I'm open for critique and advise. I look forward to your opinions.

"The Clubs"...carbon and graphite pencil

...The clubs...

ORIGINAL Carbon and Graphite Drawing on paper
9x7, double matted
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Original Pencil Drawing
$495
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Also available in:
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The Story Behind the Image: It was early evening and the mist was rolling into the low places on the course. Everyone was joking and adding up their final scores. The golf bag was just sitting there in the cart. The light reflecting from the club heads and the deep shadows caused by the late day sun were what caught my eye.

I was never very good at this sport, and tonight I was just along for the ride...but for those avid rain or shine golfers, this is drawing is for you.

I used carbon pencil for this drawing...concentrating on the "mood" of the scene. The angle of the setting sun produced wonderful shadows and the fog rolling in added a certain mystery to the drawing...all this and the reflections on the club heads themselves made for what I considered a very interesting setting. I used a piece of felt to create the smoky background and chamois to render the shadows and reflections on the club heads (used some graphite here).


Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques

Tutorial...see the full progression of this drawing.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Perfect Companions...carbon and graphite

...Perfect Companions...
Charcoal and Carbon pencil on paper, 7x9
*This is the companion drawing for "Martini Time"
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Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
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The Story Behind the Image: I love the smell of a good cigar. The cigar and drink have been "Perfect Companions" for years. I had a special friend who enjoyed his scotch and his cigar...and to this day when ever I catch the pungent fragrance of a cigar I think of him. He would have enjoyed this drawing.

I've always enjoyed drawing glass. The secret is to NOT draw the glass and it's contents but to draw the shadow shapes seen in the glass. I generally use graphite for glass and other reflective objects because graphite itself has a reflective quality and will add this to the drawing. Even when used lightly graphite always has a shine. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal. In this drawing I used graphite's qualities to my advantage...applying graphite with various blenders until the shape of the glass and the liquid began to take shape on paper. For the cigar, I used carbon pencil. I applied it directly to the paper for the darkest areas and then blended to show the grain and texture of the tobacco leaves.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Afternoon Tea...carbon and graphite pencil

...Afternoon Tea...

Carbon and Graphite pencil on paper, 9x6, double matted.
Limited Edition of 300
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$79.00
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The Story Behind the Image: I did this drawing as a gift for a dear friend. She faithfully helps me all summer long set up and take down for my art fairs...no small job I might add. She is originally from England, still has her lovely accent and is just a pleasure to be with. You never visit her home but that you are offered a cup of tea.

I love drawing glass because of all the complex shadows and highlights. Carbon pencil was used for the darks and mid-tones, blending with a chamois square into the lighter areas. I used a #B graphite pencil for the reflective portions of the cup to bring those areas forward. Graphite has a natural shine even when used very light. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal

Afternoon Tea is all about shadows and reflections...the more you look, the more you see. The shadows of the cup and saucer on the table and the light they reflect back into the tea. The shadow of the teabag on the left side of the cup, the small tea leaves that have floated to the top of the tea bag, and the way the string moves down the side of the cup into the saucer...even the tiny tag on the end leaves a shadow on the saucer.

Lastly, and not to be ignored, is the handle on the cup...poised and ready for you to take a sip. It's amazing how something so simple as a cup of tea can be so multi-faceted.


Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

The Chosen One...carbon and graphite

...The Chosen One...

ORIGINAL Carbon and Graphite Drawing on paper,
7x6, double matted,
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Original Pencil Drawing
$495.00
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Secure Purchase...with PayPal
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Also available in:
Small ...open edition Giclee Print @ $40
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
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The Story Behind the Image: This was a particularly enjoyable piece do do...not only because of the subject but because of the story that lead to doing this set-up.

My daughter and I were preparing dinner and my grandson (then around seven) wanted ice cream. I said "dinner will be ready soon, why not have a piece of fruit instead". As boys will be boys...he picked up a fork from the table, "stabbed" the pear and said "I choose this one"!

I later set up the experience from memory as you see in this drawing.

I purposely chose a pear that had been knocked around some. I liked the texture it added to the drawing. It was a great subject...notice how the skin swells around the tines of the fork, the smooth texture of the fork in contrast to the bruising and marks on the pear.

The background is done in carbon as is most of the pear. I used some graphite on the fork to bring out the highlights and enhance the shape.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques



PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

The Fork and Spoon Club...carbon and graphite

...The Fork and Spoon Club...

carbon and graphite on paper, 6x9, double matted,
Limited Edition of 100
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Limited Edition Print
$79.00
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The Story Behind the Image: I had this image for some time before I actually took the time to lay out the drawing. It was one of the more pains taking drawings that I've done and has proven to be one of my most requested prints. In fact I could have sold the original time and time again.

Viewers comment over and over that The Fork and Spoon Club reminds them of when their children were young and responsible for emptying the dish washer...and I can totally relate.

I used mainly carbon pencil in this drawing, applying it directly to the paper in the darkest areas and using a blender to apply the softer shadow areas. Graphite was used where I wanted to pull the subject forward...as in the reflective bend in the handles and some in the reflective 'bowl' of the spoon.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Grapes and Pears...carbon and graphite pencil

...Grapes and Pears...
Carbon and Graphite Pencil on paper...9x7, double matted,
prints available

The Story Behind The Image: This is a more traditional still life arrangement and my latest piece for the 2008 show season. I'd like to say I took the photo but I can't...I found it in the Wet Canvas photo library and immediately knew it would make a great drawing. The shadows and highlights were perfect for my style of work.

I used carbon pencil for the dark background, applying it directly to the paper and blending with a stump until I had complete coverage. For the cloth on the table and other dark shadows, carbon was applied and blended into the lighter areas. The grapes and the lightest areas on the bowl were rendered in graphite...giving them shape and bringing them forward.

The drawing "Grapes and Pears" is on cream toned fine art paper, presented in a double cream toned mat. This piece is offered as an Open Edition Print...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Grapes and Pears, a still life"...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Milk and Cookies...carbon and graphite

...Milk and Cookies...

Carbon and graphite on paper, 7x8, double matted,
prints available
Sold

The Story Behind the Image: My daughter, Tamara, is a pastry chef in New York and these are some of her cookies. The bottle of milk was purchased special for this still life set-up...if you look closely you can see the cream that has floated to the top.

The photo was taken as the morning sun shown through the dining room window. I love the shadows on the glass and bottle of milk...expand the image and you can even see the shadows that the letters in the name "Ronnybrook" made on the milk in the bottle. And then there are of course the cookies...the one on top with the frosting is my favorite.

I took lots of photos as usual and improvised a back drop by using a drawing pad and my grandsons notebook. Oh Yes...I ate the cookies and drank the milk. After all, photography is hard work!

The drawing "Milk and Cookies" is on cream toned fine art paper, and offered in two sizes of Open Edition prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Milk and Cookies"...learn more



PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Martini Time...carbon and graphite

...Martini Time...

carbon and graphite pencil on paper, 6x9, double matted
prints available

This is the companion drawing to "Perfect Companions"

The Story Behind the Image: Martini Time was a special request by someone who had purchased the drawing, "Perfect Companions". She was a martini fan and her husband liked to sip his scotch and smoke a cigar. They wanted the two drawings for their bar area.

The photo for this drawing was taken from a vantage point just below eye level. I used carbon pencil for the darkest shadow areas, and graphite pencil to indicate the clear, reflective areas of the martini glasses. The shiny graphite is perfect for rendering reflective highlights on glass. I really like this drawing...the subject is timeless and the angle of the photo is unusual.

The drawing "Martini Time" is on a cream toned fine art paper and presented in a three inch double mat. It is offered in two sizes of Open Edition Prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Perfect Companions" ...learn more
"Martini Time" ...learn more

Pencil Shavings...carbon pencil

...Pencil Shavings...

carbon pencil on paper, 6x7, prints available
double mat.
Sold

The Story Behind the Image: This drawing was developed as the signature piece for my blog. I felt not only was the pencil significant to the form of art that I produce, but also significant as a tool used for writing.

The Random House Dictionary defines shavings as.."the part left behind or the part that remains after the greater part is removed."

The drawing "Pencil Shavings" represents the little parts of ourselves left behind whenever we interact with others. Be it negative or positive...we are molded by these interactions and enriched by what we receive.

As for the "point"...well, we are always making a point to someone about something; in the way we dress, in how we interact with others, with the things we speak and write, and yes even with our art.

You ask "What is my point"? You are what makes my blog work. It's not just "my drawings" and my articles that people come back to see...they also return to read "your comments"! The sharing of opinions and information is what blogging is all about. Without your input, my blog becomes simply a collection of my thoughts. So, why not....Make a "Point" by leaving a comment?

The drawing "Pencil Shavings" is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat. It is offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.



Links:
Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Pencil Shavings" ...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Salad Fixins...carbon pencil drawing

...Salad Fixins...

carbon pencil on paper, 6x9, prints available,
double matted.
Sold

The Story Behind the Image: This drawing is really about how the light plays around in the shadows. Notice how the light comes through the holes of the colander and shines on the dark wall behind. The outside of the colander is full of reflected light, causing both light and shadows on the vegetables and the egg...the more I studied the photo, the more I saw. By the way, I did make a salad.

I said this drawing was all carbon pencil but actually I did use some graphite on the egg and colander for the reflected highlights.

The drawing "Salad Fixins" is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat. It's offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Salad Fixins" ...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment