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PMP Newsletter
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
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Yes it is finally here! The second PMP Newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading in a little more detail about some of the exciting things members are doing on the site. Roy Simmons.
Congratulations to Brian Morrison Chosen as winner of the April Challenge ‘Tonal Interpretations’ Read all about it Inside this issue!
Coffee Man by Brian Morrison
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Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Artist : Brian Morrison. Source Photo: Li Newton
You will have noticed Brian Morrison’s excellent ‘Coffee Man’ on the cover of this newsletter. Brian was chosen as the overall winner of the April Challenge ‘Tonal Interpretations’. We also feature here Nicola, Michael and Nancy. We must also thank our new ‘Challenge Guru’ Suzanne, who is running things for us, over to Her for some excellent ‘virtual interviews’ of our Artists. (RS)
APRIL 2012 PAINTING CHALLENGE: TONAL INTERPRETATIONS The month of April 2012 brought us out of a long and fierce winter in many areas of the world. But before we left the black and white of winter, we challenged all of our PMP artists to make a one color only painting; a Monochrome. The challenge was called Tonal Interpretations, using any photo on PMP, any medium, any size....but with only ONE COLOR. The challenge was met with over 25 very creative entries! We chose one Grand Prize Winner, and three runners' up. Their work, along with a little "Q &A" with each of them, is in this issue of PMP's second newsletter. Our Grand Prize Winner is Brian Morrison, who painted a portrait using only Nescafe Coffee! Let's get to know him a bit better…
Brian, when and how did you know you wanted to be an artist, and can you tell us a little about the art you like to create? I was coached and encouraged by my parents from a very early age. They always told me that I "was going to be an artist", so I assumed that they would be correct. That's what you expect when you are five years old! I have always been drawn to art that is 'less than mainstream'. I have dabbled in animation, pyrography, (wood burning), caricatures and silhouette cutting. The last two have earned me money, and have been doing so for the last sixteen years. So I suppose you can now see why painting with coffee attracted me.
As the Grand Prize Winner of the April "Tonal Interpretation" painting challenge using only one color for your painting, what or who inspired you to paint your entry, "Mr. Forbes," with Nescafe' coffee? Have you painted in this unusual "medium" before?
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Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
The April challenge came about at the right time for me, as I had just attempted to recreate an old sepia photograph I had found on Morguefile using coffee as a medium. It was one of those stern looking family portraits. I used thin washes - gradually building up the painting in layers. When the challenge came along I decided to try something with a stronger contrast and light source. Li Newton's excellent photograph of Mr Forbes was perfect for this.
Were there differences in using coffee, rather than a medium like watercolor, and did you have any problems bringing up a good range of tones using only the coffee's brown hue for your monochrome painting?
The painting of Mr Forbes was done in two sessions. The brightest areas of the painting were left as white paper, (I should say card stock). I roughly painted in all the mid tones and left it to dry. I then ensured that the coffee was of a thick enough consistancy to add the darkest tones. The area around the eyes was also left white. I added the details here last. It is the reflection of light in his eyes that makes the original photograph so appealing. One thing that I have learned is that coffee, as a medium, cannot be removed once it has dried. This was the main difference to using watercolour.
Did you sketch your monochrome portrait of Mr. Forbes first, or did you just jump right in with your "java" paint and "wing it?" Were you pleased with the outcome of the painting? Would you recommend this type of painting to other artists?
I did a light pencil sketch first for Mr Forbes. As I mentioned in the last answer, there is not much room for error in coffee painting, so proprtions had to be correct. I felt it reminded me very much of my woodburning days. The finished effect is very similar.
What did you look for in a photo for this particular challenge and how important to you, as an artist, are the multitude and variety of photos available on Paint My Photo?
Choosing a photograph to work from was easy. There are so many wonderful photographers on PMP. I am so grateful for the opportunity to use their work.
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Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
If you had an alter ego, who could make any type of painting at all, what kind of work would he create? Can you describe how he would paint the photo of Mr. Forbes that you used for reference?
Alter ego??? I have too many of them already! :-) I once saw a picture of the Mona Lisa displayed in the Ripley's Museum in Florida. It had been created using small squares of toasted bread. An amazing idea and very effective! Watch this space!
Your coffee painting is a winner, Brian! We're so glad you have become a member of PMP, and that you share your work with us! Could you remind us of your personal website and any other venues where we can view the work that you have painted? Congratulations, and thanks, Brian, for participating in the April challenge! We hope you will continue to enjoy the inspiration you find at PMP for many years to come!
My work can be seen in various places on line. PMP for a start. I also update my blog quite regularly and display my work there. It is titled 'Life of Brian', You can also follow me on twitter, where I go under the name @Ripintier. Finally, why not add me as a friend on Facebook.
Thanks once again to Suzanne who has done a fantastic job organising all these wonderful contributions, and also Roy of course! What can I say? A wonderful site!
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
Continuing Suzanne’s interviews now with our runners up, Nancy, Nicola and Michael. Interview with Nancy Wininger,
What can you briefly tell us about yourself and your creative endeavors? Do you have a personal website (or other venue) you would like to share with us so we can see more of your work? No personal venue or website except PMP. Live in Fairhope Alabama, teach colored pencil classes to adults and summer art camp for kids. Will be teaching acrylic in the fall as well. I love watercolor but it escaped me until I decided that the only way I would do it was detailed. I tried being washy but that doesn't work for me. So as a result, my watercolor and colored pencil both might look like acrylic when I get through with it. I learn something new everyday and strive to be the best at whatever I do.
As challengers and runners up of the April Tonal Interpretation Challenge on PMP, what inspired you to choose the photo you used as reference, and the ONE COLOR in which you chose to paint your monochrome piece? As you look back, would you have chosen a different photo, and used some other color? My granddaughter is beautiful and I know she loves purple so that I why I chose her picture and the color as well. No other photo comes to mind and I have always wanted to do a monochrome anyway so the challenge was perfect for me.
What challenges did you find in painting with only one color in your chosen medium? Did you enjoy painting this way, and would you do it again? Any tips for other artists in painting in monochrome?
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
Making sure the value was appropriate for the area I was working. I did enjoy painting this way and would do it again sometimes. I believe that it helps to learn how to see values and can be used in any painting. In fact I would say that values are the most important part of a painting.
I think you will agree with me that Paint My Photo is a great community to be a member of, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...but out of curiosity, how did you come to find out about PMP and what significance has it had on your work? One of my fellow artists told me about it. I love it at first site! I found the photographs inspiring and the fact that I can use them was all the more wonderful. I love to see how other artists interpret the photographs and can learn from that too. I appreciate the photographers so much and can't thank them enough. I am not a photographer so would never have enough resources from which to paint. I tell all my students about the site and have gotten great feedback from them about it. To all the photographers: Whether I use the photos or not I really enjoy looking at them and seeing the wonderful compositions, exciting colors, and thoughtful scenes and I want to thank you all for sharing these with all members of PMP.....and keep up the great work.
Interview with NicolaB
What can you briefly tell us about yourself and your creative endeavors? Do you have a personal website (or other venue) you would like to share with us so we can see more of your work?
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
. Although I enjoyed painting as a child, I did not do any painting or drawing for many years after leaving school. Apart from doodling with my sons when they were young!! Then in 1998, I came across a TV programme called Watercolour Challenge. I was fascinated by three people creating three very different paintings from the same scene. I did not consider painting, myself, until the 4th and last series in 2001 when my family persuaded me to 'have a go'. My progress has been very slow! About 4 years ago I started seriously drawing as well. I still feel very much a beginner with watercolour but I am more at ease drawing. Watercolour is still the medium that I love most and drawing second. I intend to try soft pastels and coloured pencils eventually. I have a page on Fine Art America
As challengers and runners up of the April Tonal Interpretation Challenge on PMP, what inspired you to choose the photo you used as reference, and the ONE COLOR in which you chose to paint your monochrome piece? As you look back, would you have chosen a different photo, and used some other color? The beautiful photo by Edmond Williams stood out for me as soon as I saw it.. I really liked the light on the flower against the dark background and I was fairly sure it would make a successful drawing. When I started the drawing I didn't initially consider the Tonal challenge. That came later when my drawing looked like it would turn out okay!
What challenges did you find in painting with only one color in your chosen medium? Did you enjoy painting this way, and would you do it again? Any tips for other artists in painting in monochrome?
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
I think, for a successful drawing or monochrome painting, there needs to be a good range of tones from the very light to the very dark. Converting a photo to black and white is a big help. I have never painted in monochrome but I think the colour I would choose would be connected with the subject.
I think you will agree with me that Paint My Photo is a great community to be a member of, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...but out of curiosity, how did you come to find out about PMP and what significance has it had on your work? PMP is an excellent site and a very valuable asset for artists. I first heard about it in a comment on idrawandpaint. I have always enjoyed taking photos but since being a member , I take a LOT more!
Interview with Michael Yates
What can you briefly tell us about yourself and your creative endeavors? Do you have a personal website (or other venue) you would like to share with us so we can see more of your work?
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
I started painting in watercolour about 3 years ago and was not happy producing flat, lifeless pictures so I have tried to copy many artists' style. On a visit to the library I came across a book by John Blockley and immediately took to the way he interpreted nature. Since then I have tried to use a loser style but find it so hard to stop myself adding detail. I don't think I will ever 'develop my own style', I enjoy trying different things all the time. Last year on holiday in Sussex I went to an exhibition by Jeanette Clarke and loved the way she presented paintings of buildings with a lot of white space. I have tried her approach on a lot of pictures during the past year but am nowhere near her skill level. Photos of my paintings, besides those on PMP, are on ‘idraw and paint’
As challengers and runners up of the April Tonal Interpretation Challenge on PMP, what inspired you to choose the photo you used as reference, and the ONE COLOR in which you chose to paint your monochrome piece? As you look back, would you have chosen a different photo, and used some other color? It was a no-brainer for me. Ruth Archer's photo of a Venetian canal was entitled Siennas and Ochres and, apart from the blue tarpaulins on the gondolas, was as near to one colour as I could want. The only other contender I found was Ruth's photo entitled Santa Maria della Salute which I could have painted as a B&W using Payne's Grey but I liked the idea of trying Yellow Ochre and am pleased that I did. My thanks go to Ruth for sharing her photos with us.
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
What challenges did you find in painting with only one color in your chosen medium? Did you enjoy painting this way, and would you do it again? Any tips for other artists in painting in monochrome?
As I draw a lot, I am used to monochrome pictures but my main challenge for a 'coloured' monochrome was getting the tones correct. For Siennas and Ochres I drew two sketches using a 4B pencil to highlight the diferent tonal areas.
I had painted one monochrome (almost) before for the 'two colour' challenge in October '11. I really enjoy the challenge and have been pleased with my results.
I'm not expert enough to give tips but my approach to Siennas and Ochres was as follows: i. identified the range of tones that the picture was to contain ii. mixed up 3 large washes of the chosen colour - light, medium and dark. ii. left the lightest tonal areas of the painting white iii. started the painting with the light wash iv. added the dark wash areas v. used the medium wash to add shape vi. left to dry - when everything lightened up!! vii. used the 3 washes (and mixes of them) to intensify the tones and add depth viii. left some of the lightest tonal areas white and diluted the light wash to use on some.
think you will agree with me that Paint My Photo is a great community to be a member of, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...but out of curiosity, how did you come to find out about PMP and what significance has it had on your work?
www.paintmyphoto.ning.com
Paint My Photo
Challenge Winners Artist Interviews by Suzanne Wallick
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Other Selected Works Top:
Nancy Wininger
Middle
NicolaB
Bottom:
Michael Yates
Like a lot of people I searched the net for 'free' photos that I could try to paint. The copyright aspect of copying other people's photos worried me but luckily I came across PMP and was immediately spoilt for choice. It has a fantastic collection of photos and it is interesting to see other people's interpretations of them. I was surprised to see that Roy only lived a few miles from me.
I go to two art clubs and am always telling people about the PMP web site that Roy set up. When I joined PMP you could upload a lot of photos in a session and I did. I think it is great to offer people the chance to have ago at one of my photos and love to see the results of those that do. After the rules changed to help manage the disk space, I started up my own extension to PMP in order to share many more of my photos. They can be found at paintphotos.co.uk
Well I think you will agree, worthy ‘winners’ and although it may sound a cliché, every one of you who creates, whether with brush or camera are winners. Making Art is worth doing, worth studying, and life enhancing. Whatever you perceive as your level of skill, I am sure I speak for our interviewees when I say that the journey is also the destination. So I just want to again thank Suzanne our ‘Challenge Guru’ who is doing such a great job. RS.
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Paint My Photo Where Artists and Photographers Meet
I Packed My Bags And in them I put…
It’s that time of year again when we are looking forward to that well-earned holiday, perhaps a sleepy Greek island, a bustling city or on the ocean waves. How many times have you reached your destination, seen the beauty that surrounds you, and regretted not taking some art materials with you? I know I have more times than I care to remember!
The recent change to hand luggage content has also contributed to making carrying liquid materials all the more troublesome. However, I have devised a method that enables me to carry enough materials in my suitcase without compromising weight and space that I thought others might find useful.
My travelling kit consists of:
A small Colman’s Mustard tin in which I carry my watercolour paints (any small tin will do – it stops them getting squashed) A small artist’s sketchbook (A6) Watercolour paper cut down into small pieces sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard – usually the backs of old watercolour or drawing pads. I don’t carry anything larger than A5, usually smaller. A wrap containing Whatever pencils I decide to take An eraser Swan Stabilo water-soluble pens (cheap as chips and brilliant to use) A few watercolour brushes, plus a brush with handle that contains water that you squeeze to release.
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Paint My Photo
I Packed My Bags
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
And in them I put…
Ruth Archer is an Administrator on PMP and heavily involved in the
Travelling with just a few selected watercolour paints is marvellous for
technical aspects of the site as well
helping to develop a limited palette – I try to carry only one red, one yellow
as an Artist and Photographer.
and one blue, plus burnt sienna and Winsor Violet. I try to assess in advance which combination will best suit my destination.
Some of my favourite triads are:
Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Gold & Cobalt Blue Alizarin Crimson, Raw Sienna & Ultramarine Blue Alizarin Crimson, Indian Yellow & Prussian Blue
I use other combinations as well – why not try some of your favourite colours and see what works for you?
I hope this will inspire you to find a little space in your suitcase!
Ruth Archer One of Ruth’s Venice Photos
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Nature V Nurture Paint My Photo
From Judith Farnworths Blog
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Judith is known to many of you as the leader of the Loose Watercolor group. She also has a blog, well
I have just started trying to set up my own website....... am only on the
worth following.
first page so far and the first thing which strikes me is there are so many decisions to be made and decisions and I don't go together, can always see too many options then am doomed!!! So I can see this will be a long
I was really blown away by this Blog post of Judith’s. She has put into
process if I have to deliberate over every aspect!!!!! Will need to pursue this as I can't afford to actually have one built so may take a while but will keep at it.
words how I feel about talent, and As I was writing the "About" bit it seemed relevant to mention desire which
the desire to create. I am so grateful
I know is absolutely key to improving as an artist. Desire will drive
She gave permission for me to
everything you need to do. I believe we are all born with our designated,
reproduce it here The paintings on
genetic amount of talent, intelligence, personality etc etc, but the key is how do we use that? Very much a nature versus nurture discussion.
the following 2 pages are by Judith This is how I think about it.
Imagine our talent is like an elastic band and we are all born with our own unique band... that band might be thick, thin, long or short but that is where we start. The crucial bit is what influences our band and how much we are then able to stretch it. Someone who has no access to a musical instrument or has never learned to read music may never discover they have perfect pitch, their musical band remains unstretched , it may be a lovely thick juicy band, whose stretchabilty knows no bounds but its potential will never be recognised. Someone who has a much smaller band but has been introduced to the wonders of music may stretch their band to a much greater size possibly because of their own desire and the opportunities afforded them.
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Nature V Nurture Paint My Photo
From Judith Farnworths Blog
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Judith is known to many of you as the leader of the Loose Watercolor group. She also has a blog, well worth following.
And so it is with art..... some will be blessed with awesome talent which neither they, nor the rest of the world will ever come to recognise. Either their talent has never been awakened or maybe they don't have the desire to pursue it and that is where the rest of us come in......just how big our artistic band is, becomes somewhat irrelevant when pitched against desire. Desire will stretch your elastic band as far as you will ever want, the human potential knows no bounds when it is married to desire. Desire will teach you everything...... it will push you to practice, to seek knowledge, improve technique, experiment. Desire is all it takes, you DO NOT need any special talent you just need to want to do it..... anyone can paint and how good we become depends on how far we stretch our elastic band, it will never snap it will stretch to wherever you need it to stretch to. Please think about this whenever you are feeling despondent... you can do it, practice will help you both improve and cultivate the desire, the more you do the more you will want to do.......I am living proof that desire rather than innate talent is what is needed....... here endeth the first lesson!!!
Judith Farnworth.
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Paint My Photo
Roy’s Ramblings
Where Artists and Photographers Meet
Time moves on and PMP continues to grow steadily, we now have over 30,000 photos and around 3,500 members (June 2012). It seems we are here to stay and I need to think how we can progress. One thing I would like to do is get the site to the point where we no longer have to ask for donations. Before I say any more let me say that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have generously donated, you all know who you are, thanks so much.
So there are ways of raising funds for the site, one way is to charge for membership THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN!! So please don’t worry on that score. Another way is with some advertising, which we are doing. I have been having some technical issues with that, but that is another story. Still another way, and this is quite exciting in my opinion, is with ebooks and other products made by members with the support and help of myself and others. We have some amazing Artists on here and I am sure that there is a book or two in many of them! It is easy to think you can only make a book, or an instructional video etc if you have somehow been anointed as an ‘expert’ perhaps by being a full time Artist (we do have quite a few of those) however it may be that you have a particular skill in an area that others struggle with. Assembling that knowledge into a readable, logical, well illustrated form could benefit many. All I need is the words and the photos to put together into an E book. A revenue share with the site would be agreed, If this goes ahead it will be a standard arrangement across the board. Anyone interested please contact me, all will remain private until you are ready to announce your book to the world! If you have ever thought there may be an instructional Art book in you, but the technical aspects of getting it produced and marketed put you off, this could be the way for you to try the water. Now the above was written before I discovered another new and VERY exciting development with google+ hangouts (hangouts are video chats with up to 9 people) Just last Month Google announced that hangouts could be broadcast on the web. They show up on youtube as a live broadcast which anyone can view, and also are then saved to youtube for later viewing as well. Rather than discuss that here I would like you to hop on the site and read this forum post. Finally an apology- I have been neglecting our photographers L Please forgive ! Next issue will be a photography special so any ideas for articles would be appreciated! Happy Creating Everyone!
Roy