First, thanks to the people that came to say hello after my mom's shameless plugging.
The Mexico City idea is from The Virtual Paintout challenge. The challenge is old, from a couple weeks ago, before I even joined blogger. But I decided to do it anyway, because I have nothing better to do, and because I am not imaginative enough to think of something to paint on my own.
So I spent most of yesterday on it. It took a while to find a picture of Mexico City that I enjoyed. I wanted one that would show it the way I pictured it in my head. I saved the Google picture this time, something I wish I had done with my Corsica picture, but didn't think of.
I think it came out nice, aside from some smearing/warping in the windows of the nearest building. Those bars over all the windows are kind of tough. Even my rose bush smeared into it slightly, making it pink, but thats all right. Also, there are yet again cars in the photo, but I left them out. And you can see that I stubbornly avoid clouds. No reason to ruin the picture..
Jess, this is really beautiful. You found a great spot to capture as well. I had a hard time in Mexico City (and Lisbon, Portugal). You have a great eye and I love the details you've been able to incorporate here. Skies do not always have clouds, as you know. Wish I had your style. Mine is just off. Check out Bill Guffy's blog today: http://billguffey.blogspot.com/ He is the one who runs the VPO challenge and he posted about one of the women who submit bringing the same project into her classroom (she is a teacher). Really neat to see and read. What a great idea for teachers too. Anyway...I love this one. I'm hoping to teach myself framing as soon as income tax refund arrives. Save your works and we'll frame them once I get the tools!
ReplyDeleteWhat medium is this? Is it watercolor? It has a really cool look.
ReplyDeleteMom, I saw a few nice places in Mexico City (and a lot of not so nice ones), but I liked this one best because I've always pictured a lot of flowers and colorful buildings.
ReplyDeleteNancy, hi! This is in watercolor, but the scanner's brightness usually washes out the colors (here is the original scan) - only the dark colors survive. So after I get it on the computer, I put a layer on top of it in Photoshop, set it to multiply (it makes the layer a see through tint) and lightly add a little more color. That's why I usually just tell people I use mixed medias. But the base is watercolor and a little colored pencil on some of the tinier details in that back row of buildings, and pencil outlines :)
I really like the original scan too and am glad Nancy asked. I wondered myself but assumed watercolors. As to how you know things in Photoshop, I just am in awe. I know nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe physical original looks a little better than that, it's just the scanner that makes it so bright (admittedly, the physical is still not as colorful as the finished version, though). I don't really know that much about Photoshop, but since I took that class in high school 10 years ago (omg I was 16) I do know what multiply does!
ReplyDeleteHello and welcome to the blog world! Your art is beautiful your mom is right. Very nice! I hope to get back into the challenges soon too, they really are quite fun and I've found I am growing as an artist with each one I do. Tj.
ReplyDeleteHi TJ, thank you. The challenges have definitely had me creating some things I normally wouldn't!
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