| steve's profileDolby ArtPhotosBlogLists |  Tools  Help |
|
|
July 28 PAINTING SNOW
Some artists find painting snow easy, some find it hard. It also depends on which medium your painting in. Most artists find watercolour the hardest to paint snow. That's true; you have just one attempt with watercolour to get it right. With acrylic and oil you can have numerous attempts to get it right. Like I said before, what you put down in watercolour you can't take it back. The key to painting snow with watercolour is to let the paper do most of the work. Look at the picture below. Even though the painting looks complicated, look at the snow and see how I achieved the look with a few simple brush strokes; just simple brush strokes here and there. I used the shadow colour to make the snow look more realistic. Remember painting snow in watercolour, the less you put down the more convincing it's going to look. CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
The second picture looks even simpler with less brush strokes and just the paper doing most of the work., again with the shadow colour. Dont over work the shadow colour, if you do it can sometimes look confusing. CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
So what do you need to paint snow in watercolour? 1. Watercolour paper, 2. A good shadow colour(mix in previous blog). 3. Practice. 4. Patience.
PAINTING SNOW WITH ACRYLIC AND OIL Painting snow using acrylic and oil is an entirely different skill. The colours are basically the same, you just have to apply the paint different. With watercolour you leave the paper white for the snow. With acrylic and oil you have to paint the snow on the canvas instead of leaving the canvas white. Of course, in the real world snow isn't white. It's a mixture of colours reflected from the sky just like water. If you're going to paint an early evening atmosphere you're not going to paint the snow white. EXAMPLE BELOW CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
If you applied the paint this way in watercolour it would look wrong. There are restrictions with watercolour compared to acrylic and oil. With acrylic and oil you have the freedom to do whatever you like; not with watercolour even though it's a fantastic medium. HAPPY PAINTING
April 22 COLOUR MIXING WITH WATERCOLOURCOLOUR MIXING WITH WATERCOLOUR
 There are some people who are natural colour mixers and some who have problems. When an artist first starts out they buy a set of about 20 different colours. That's great at first just to get acquainted with your paints, but in time you have to limit your colours to learn how to mix. Some artists make the mistake of carrying on with their 20-something paints and never learn how to mix their colours. Also, their paintings will start to look patchy and artificial. If you just limit yourself down to six, making sure you have the primaries, you will learn how to colour-mix and your paintings will look more real. Experiment with your six colours; that is the key - experimentation. Take a break from painting and just concentrate on colour-mixing an hour a day. Soon it will become second nature. Anybody can colour mix, you just have to get used to your colours and understand them. Every artist has a different set of colours for each subject they paint. An artist who just paints flowers has a different set from an artist who paints portraits. Mine is landscape, which are earthy colours. An artist who paints flowers has more fresh and vibrant colours. Below I have done a few diagrams to show important colour mixes that might be useful in your paintings.
As a landscape painter, I see a lot of greens. When I'm out and about painting, especially when I see masses of trees, I use Hookers green which really helps me get the green down. I dont use just Hookers green. I add other mixes to it, which really creates a fantastic earthy green. Of course, I mix my own greens but this really helps me get it all in one go. In the picture below are my primaries and the earthy green mix.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR A LARGER VIEW
Other important colours to learn to mix are shadow colours. In the diagram below I've included a useful mix for shadow, distant fields, mountains, trees, etc. Remember, cool colours like blue, etc. recede. Warm colours like red, etc. come closer to you. CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR A LARGER VIEW
I don't like using ready-made black for my landscapes. A lot of artists use black to darken their colours. If that is your preference, then that's great. Me, personally, I think it makes the colour look dead, especially in landscape painting. With mixing your own black it will look more alive and fresher; also you can mix different types of blacks to your own preference. If you want a grey colour, add more water to the mix. If you look at the diagram above, it shows you how to mix a simple black and grey.
Say you're making a dark brown. Always put the dominant colour first. So that would be BLUE first, then RED and a touch of YELLOW. If you were making a light brown, then that would be YELLOW first, then RED and a touch of BLUE. Again, just practice, practice and practice and you will learn how to colour mix.
THE ROCK EFFECT This has nothing to do with colour-mixing, but I have included my technique called the rock effect using the dry brush technique. I'ts really effective in foregrounds CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR A LARGER VIEW
HAPPY PAINTING
April 03 A SHORT FILM BY STEVEN DOLBY
A SHORT FILM BY STEVEN DOLBY MUSIC COMPOSED & PERFORMED BY STEVEN DOLBY ART WORK BY STEVEN DOLBY FILMED BY STEVEN DOLBY
I hope you enjoy this little film I made Steve.....
March 22 STEVEN DOLBY ON MUSIC STEVEN DOLBY ON MUSIC
Music, to me, is like art. You start of with a blank canvas and then you turn it into something special with your own style. I've been composing and performing music since I was 13 years old. I regard myself more of a composer than a performer. I mostly play synthesizer and piano, but I also play drums from time to time. I've always loved to experiment with different sounds, especially with synthesizers and samplers, and make them into my own sound. When I start to compose a piece of music I always start off with a drum beat (if it has one) and then the chords and it all develops from there. I tend to spend most of the time getting the sounds right rather than the compostion. If you're a musician then you will understand. The composition is easier than getting your sounds right in my opinion. It could be the best composition in the world but it has to sound good. I don't mean the engineering side, but your guitar, bass, strings, etc. They all have to fit and relate to one another.
I'm all for music software. Recently I've been using fruityloops with my Casio and it's fantastic. I can create some really great sounds and more complex sequencing.
EQUIPMENT USED
 This little synth is a gem, especially for sampling and quick playing because the keys are so flexible.
This is the mother keyboard of my music. About 90% of my music is created on this synth. It only has a 6 track sequencer, but it's okay, but I wanted more tracks so I got fruityloops, which has about 60-something tracks.  This is a great music software package, great for sounds and complex sequencing. There are better music software packages out there; this one just works for me.
To be able to create something with your hands for other people to enjoy is an amazing feeling. Whatever it might be - art, music, etc. I wouldn't change it for the world. There are extremely gifted and talented people out there who don't have the privileges like you or I to buy instruments, painting materials, music software, etc.
I've included some new compositions I've been working on. I hope you enjoy them. Press pause on the flash player to turn the music off.
song 1 click here This track was performed with my Casio and fruityloops. Its a short piece called Stakeout. song 2 click here This track was performed with my Casio also using a sequencer. It has an oriental feel, which I was trying to create. The track is called Lemon Tree.
song 3 click here This track was performed with my Casio, again using a sequencer. The track is called Black Forest.
February 21 GEORGE VLOSICH Etch-A-Sketch ManART NEWS
GEORGE VLOSICH - Etch-A-Sketch Man
 This is about the Etch-A-Sketch artist George Vlosich. I can always remember Etch-A-Sketches when I was a kid. I can remember my parents buying me one every year for christmas. But I could never do anything on them, and still can't. When I came across this artist, I was amazed what he could achieve with an Etch-A-Sketch. Apparently he started when he was just 10 years old. He went to Washington with his Etch-A-Sketch and drew the capital on it, and that's how it all started. Now at 27 he's world famous. His subjects range from portraits of famous people to baseball players. He has been on TV and radio and featured in over 250 newspapers all over the world. Apparently it takes him around 50 to 55 hours to complete a picture. Today, he still does demos of his work to people at the cooperstown baseball of fame, prints and originals are for sale.
I have to say not anybody can do this type of art, me for one. But it's amazing what people can do with different things you wouldn't expect from. Enjoy his work.
CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
HAVE A GO YOURSELF. USE YOUR ARROW KEYS TO PLAY CLICK BELOW TO PLAY
February 16 FOCAL POINTS & DETAIL IN YOUR PAINTINGFOCAL POINTS & DETAIL IN YOUR PAINTING
3RD'S
Most artists and photographers know the rules of 3RD's. For those who don't, don't worry it's not algebra. Below I've included some paintings, which are devided up into 3RD'S. Notice there are four rectangle shapes. If you have your focal point anywhere in or near the rectangle shaped areas, you have a good composition. Where the rectangle shapes are, it's where the eye rests and makes it easier to look at and appreciate a picture rather than your focal point being dead centre. Don't get me wrong, you can paint your focal point anywhere you want in your painting. These are just guidelines that can improve your painting to the onlooker.
CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
Also you want to try and help the eye lead to the focal point by using other objects in your painting. Look at the picture below to get a better understanding. CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
DETAIL IN YOUR PAINTING The more detail you put in your painting the eye automatically travels to. You have to be careful where you put detail in your painting. Obviously the focal point is where the most detail is added. If you want the foreground to be the area of interest you put more detail in the foreground, etc. If you put detail everywhere in your painting, you block out the centre of interest, which is the focal point. A lot of inexperienced artists make this mistake; also the eye can't relax when looking at the picture and is also confused. Example: say you paint a picture of a house, which is the focal point, and you place it in the middle distance. You have to be careful not to put too much detail in the foreground. If you do the eye will stop at the foreground instead of your focal point. Look at the pictures below to get a better understanding. CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
CLICK FOR A LARGER VIEW
Art is a great way to relax and have fun. Don't take it seriously or you wont enjoy it. I've been a professional artist for 5 years and I dont take it seriously. As I've mentioned above, It's not life or death, these are just guidelines that can improve your paintings. If your happy with your work, that all that matters.
February 01 MY MUSICMUSIC COMPOSED & PERFORMED
BY STEVEN DOLBY
SOUNDS CREATED BY S.DOLBY.
DRUM PROGRAMMING BY S.DOLBY.
ALL PLAYED LIVE.
THANKS TO SATURNS EYE FOR THE ADVICE ON RECORDING
I HOPE YOU LIKE MY MUSIC, ENJOY
CLICK ON THE LINKS TO LISTEN TO MY MUSIC
IF ANY NETWORK ERRORS APPEAR ON YOUR MEDIA PLAYER, JUST PRESS CLOSE AND PLAY AGAIN UPDATE: MORE MUSIC ADDED ON THE MUSIC BY ME LIST
January 30 WINTER SCENESPEACE & QUIET Acrylic winter painting, painted by Steven Dolby in the studio
THE FOOTPATH
Acrylic painting, painted by Steven Dolby on location
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. January 24 SIMPLIFYING YOUR PAINTINGSSIMPLIFYING YOUR PAINTINGS It's quite easy to overwork your paintings. Also, not knowing when to stop. Some paintings can look overworked, and overworking can ruin a painting. With a few brushstrokes you can achieve the results you want without overworking.
I have included some paintings just to show you how I simplify various objects in my paintings without overworking and acheiving satisfying results.
In this painting, the technique most used is the drybrush technique with simple brushstrokes. CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
This painting was painted outside. I wanted to capture the light before it started raining. Notice, no overworked brushstrokes, just simple strokes. CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
This painting was painted from the sketch below. I sketched this scene in the summer, but I used my imagination to paint the scene in winter. The paper did most of the painting CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. January 19 DOLBY ART FORUMJOIN THE DOLBY ART FORUM TALK ABOUT ART RELATED TOPICS OR ANYTHING YOU WANT CLOSED
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. January 16 Guest BookJanuary 14 ARTRAGE
I came across this art package called artrage. It has all the realistic simulations if you were painting a picture on canvas. It can be used with the mouse to paint fantastic pictures. It also has other options of using, pens, pencils, crayons and other tools. I've Included a quick 10 minute freestyle picture using artrage.
It has realistic looking effects, just like paint
Here are some of the fantastic talent using artrage if you take your time
CHRISTIAN SEGONNE
EDUARDO SCHAAL NOEL JOAQUIM FAIAD You can download artrage on the THINGS TO DO LIST HAVE FUN
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. January 08 ABOUT OIL
A lot of people have mispreconceptions about oil. They think you have to work on large canvases. Also, they think it's smelly and messy. Not true. I work on canvases as large as 30 x 60 inches to the smallest at 3 x 4 inches. As for the smell, there is a substitute for tupentine called low odor thinners, and it's only messy if you make it messy. When you apply oil to canvas, you will find it a lot smoother than acrylic. In my personal opinion it's a lot harder to control than acrylic. Also, you have to have lots of patience because oil can take months to dry if you are painting in the impasto style. Like I said in the getting started section, you don't need much equipment to paint a good picture. Some artists, well a lot, have hundreds of brushes and paints and equipment etc., but you don't need to. Another problem artists have is because oil doesn't dry straight away, it's very easy to make your colours muddy when applying paint to canvas. With acrylic, it dries in 5 minutes so when one layer is dry you can put another layer on top without the paint mixing in to the other. Like I've said before, the only way you will get to know and understand this great medium is by experimentation and practice. Every artist has their own way of painting, so enjoy it and don't take it seriously. With my oil painting, I have two different styles. One is my freestyle painting, where it's a more impressionistic approach and where I can experiment more with different colours and not worry too much if it looks right. The other style is my more detailed realistic approach, where I have to concentrate more. I've included some close up pictures of my paintings for you to get a better understanding.
FREESTYLE CLOSE UP (OIL)
FREESTYLE CLOSE UP (OIL)
REALISTIC DETAILED STYLE (OIL)
REALISTIC DETAILED STYLE (OIL)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. December 28 SMALL GALLERY
COUNTRY LANE BY STEVEN DOLBY (ACRYLIC)
IN THE 70s AND COUNTING BY STEVEN DOLBY (ACRYLIC)
BRIGHT AND WINDY BY STEVEN DOLBY (ACRYLIC)
THE WAY HOME BY STEVEN DOLBY (ACRYLIC)
LINCOLNSHIRE BY STEVEN DOLBY (ON LOCATION IN ACRYLIC)
COLD & MISTY BY STEVEN DOLBY (OIL)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. December 16 ABOUT ACRYLICABOUT ACRYLIC Acrylic is a take your time, sit back and relax sort of medium if you're painting in the impasto style. What I mean by this is that acrylic is a water-based medium, meaning you can thin it down with water and use it just like watercolour. The other style is the impasto style. You use the paint heavier and more thickly using less water.
Painting in the impasto style gives you time to correct, change or even remove things in your painting. Acrylic dries fast, but there are gels out there that slow down the drying time. Personally, I dont use any gels. Over the years I've gotten to use it in my own way. It's common sense really, the heavier you apply the paint on the canvas, the more time it will take to dry rather than a thin layer of paint.
Like I said about watercolour, there are various techniques to learn in all mediums that make your paintings look more convincing. The dry brush technique is a godsend, especially for doing hedges, tree branches, far distant trees, etc. To do the dry brush technique, make sure your brush is a little moist. Lightly dab your brush in the paint, get an old rag and wipe a little bit of the loose paint off. Then apply to the canvas in either upward strokes or downward strokes. Look at the bottom picture of the tree, this was achieved using the dry brush. In time and with practice, you will master this great technique. Last but not least, I strongly recommened getting a staywet pallette. A lot of people use plastic pallettes or even plates, and in about a minute the paint has dried. By using a staywet pallette this keeps the paint moist for weeks and it saves you paint and money. WARNING when painting with arcrylics, make sure your brushes are wet at all times. If you let your brushes dry out with acrylic paint on , your brushes are ruined. Clean with warm soapy water.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. December 08 ABOUT WATERCOLOURABOUT WATERCOLOUR
In all the various art mediums out there, watercolour, by far, takes some getting used to. When you apply the paint to paper, it's very unpredictable. It's like it has a mind of it's own. Example- when I'm painting a sky, 50 percent of me knows where the paint is going to go, the other 50 percent doesn't.
 Everything happens too fast when painting some stages of your painting, also you havent got time to think especially painting skies in watercolour. With oil and acrylic time is on your side, you can sit back and change your painting over and over again. Remember with watercolour, whatever you put down, you cant take back.
There are also various painting techniques to learn and to get used too. Some techniques make your paintings look more convincing and better. Personally I love the dry brush technique. I use it a lot, especially for my foregrounds, it creates good effects you want to achieve in your paintings.
 To get better and to have a more understanding of this medium, and in any
medium, is PRACTICE. In time you will learn your own way of painting in this medium, also you will become more confident and being confident leads to better paintings.
  
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. |
|
|
