Saturday 21 March 2009

Big scary tiger!

Sometimes the world doesn't take you to where you're expecting to go.

I went to an art workshop today, to a place I know very well, along with people I know very well. And I expected the day to go the way it normally does. The world has a pattern I am familiar with, and I tend to follow my own template within that pattern. Its what I expect. From previous experience, long since followed and understood. And so, I expected the same today.....

It wasn't difficult. The workshop was entitled "Animal in pastel" and the woman running it does beautiful pastels of dogs, cats and horses mostly. She also had brought along a stunning pastel of a hare, along with some landscapes, and some portraits. She mostly works on commissions of people and their pets. Particularly pets. I knew all this before I went. I knew she did pastels. I CAN do pastels, but am never as happy with them as I am working in oils, acrylics or watercolours, because I prefer a brush or pencil in my hand. I like the fine point you get with those tools. With pastel I can never seem to get the fine detail that other artists do, some very beautifully. So, I have a huge chunk of pastel in my hand and don't achieve the fine detail that I like, even as a loose painter. I don't mind getting dirty, as you always do with pastels. Its just the end result I don't seem to get. But still, that's all background information. I go to the workshops regardless of the subject matter because I ALWAYS learn from them regardless of the subject matter and the medium. EEEEEEVVVVVEN if it's a still-life in pastel - which would probably be my least favourite choice of art workshop!!! :)

Anyway, on to to-day. Last night I sorted out all the stuff I would need for today - art bag, pastels, pastel paper, kitchen roll, sketching paper, pencils, old shirt to wear, old towels, newspaper to catch the pastel dust, and the photos of the subject matter. I knew I wouldn't be drawing a domestic dog, although wouldn't have minded a fox or a wolf, maybe, for the interesting colours and tones. Nah, I much prefer cats. Any cats really. Big cats, domestic cats, lions, tigers, leopards, panther, any of those. That's what I do. Cats. Ok, I found a good selection of photos of big cats, and tigers in particular, and went along to the workshop armed with them. Sorted!!

But the day didn't go to plan. Not at all. The pattern didn't follow the normal way of things. It wasn't because there were only four people on the course instead of the expected 18 or so. It wasn't anything to do with the weather even, that was unseasonably warm and sunny for the time of year. No, none of those things. It may have been down to the tutor, who chose to do a beautiful Alsatian dog for her demonstration. That MAY have had something to do with it. But I still can't account for the fact that my big scary tiger, the one with black and white stripes, the one with huge amounts of burnt sienna, and staring yellow eyes, turned out like it did. I just can't understand what went wrong!!!!! How can it have happened? How COULD I have produced this painting from my carefully collected photos????! What went so terribly wrong??!




MMMmm........ I can only put it down to the fact that the photo was very appealing. And the fact that I REALLY enjoyed the drawing the subject matter, and really enjoyed doing the pastel. REALLY! And I am incredibly pleased with the result. And I don't normally like pastels!!!! And I don't do cute!!!
(The painting isn't signed because I haven't cropped it for a frame yet, but other than that is is all but finished).

Its all very worrying, this. I'm SUPPOSED to be an Erotic Artist! I think I need to re-consider.................................... LOL !!!!!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's funny. When we received our fanny painting from you I really wanted to send you a note that said 'WTF is this? Dogs playing poker!!??'
I even had the pic and email ready to go, but ♀ beat me to the punch and sent an email of her own. We'll send you pics when it's up on the wall. I blogged about receiving it a few days ago.
Cheers,
sss

Indi said...

'WOW'... bloody 'ell! I love this pastel of a golden Labrador pup, yeah it's terribly cute, like me you don't do cute but ... come on how could you resist the 'cute' part? So I guess because this wasn't your normal line of work, it's classed as a learning curve? We're all learning new things in our lives, you in your art..

Jackie Adshead said...

Sweat shop sissy - That would have been really funny - well, when I'd known it was a joke!!! And I know I haven't painted a picture of dogs playing poker (yet!) :)

Thanks, I look forward to receiving the photos when you get it hanging on the wall.

Jackie Adshead said...

Indigo - What do you mean its a cute golden Labrador pup? I thought it was a big scary tiger!!!! LOL yeah, that's how I got to do the painting, I couldn't resist it! And yes, its a learning curve - I'm learning that cute dogs are more appealing than big scary tigers! :)

Fitzy said...

I love the big scary tiger, oh wait a minute, where did I put my glasses........................... oh, is the tiger in disguise by any chance? Or was the big scary tiger frightened away by the cute little puppy dog? Or at the weekends does the big scary tiger simply like to dress as a cute little Labrador puppy? Or is he perhaps a Fantasy Tiger?

It certainly is a lovely drawing, so does this mean that you have conquered drawing with pastels? It seems that a whole new career does indeed beckon! From Erotic Artist to cute and cuddly Animal Artist in the pounce of a single big cat! Or should that be in the bark of a small puppy dog?

It really is great, but does this mean that my commissions will now come out all cute and cuddly! lol

Jackie Adshead said...

Fitzy - He is ALL of those things!!! LOL

It does indeed look like I've conquered drawing with pastels! But I shall still be continuing with the erotic art, but as for your commissions, I think they are safe in the style that we have already discussed..... unless I reach for a pastel in mid drawing, and who knows WHAT may happen.... you too, could come out all cute and cuddly with appealing dark eyes and a wet nose...... :)

nitebyrd said...

Jackie, many times the artist doesn't choose the subject. The subject finds the perfect artist instead.

This dog challenged you to do something you thought you wouldn't and damn it!, you passed the challenge with flying colors!

Spiky Zora Jones said...

I think an artist goes where the mmuses oull them to.

That is a fabulous painting and show the a different side of you...I personally love it...I do. I thik it's fantastic.


You are so talented...I mean that.

I love to read you, it's as if I can hear you talk of it...and I see how you love it all.

You rock my dear...more please.

Ciao sweetie... :)

DJ Kirkby said...

That puppy is adorable! ;) I've linked back to your 'Tree of Life' post today because it is Chopper's birthday tomrorow. A year gone by already. xo

Trixie said...

well there yoiu go...you've just opened yourself up to a wider audience! LOL!

Jackie Adshead said...

Nitebyrd - Mmm... that's a very good point. The second I saw the photo of the dog I knew I wanted to paint it! And I'm delighted that the challenge of it worked out as this lovely pastel!

Jackie Adshead said...

Spiky - Yes, that's very true, the artist goes where the muses pull them to.... and I'm delighted you love it!

And that's great to hear that you love my words too - I really enjoy talking about this subject! Its my passion.

Jackie Adshead said...

DJ Kirkby - Thankyou! And thanks for the link re the "Tree of Life" painting that I did for his birthday last year - how quickly the year has gone!

Jackie Adshead said...

Trixie - Yeh, that's good isn't it!!! LOL