Stage 2, Value Sketch

At this stage I have added ultramarine blue with the alizarin crimson to create a very dark purple. I have used this to lightly fill in some of the darkest darks, to further the value sketch. At this stage I am still pleased with how the painting is going. It took about 20 minutes to complete stages 1 and 2.

Painting in Oils, Stage 1 - Line Drawing

The next few blog entries are of different stages of creating an oil painting. I am painting a scene from a sketch I did on site. I was sitting on the banks of the White River, near the NCAA headquarters, looking southwest at the bridge that leads to the zoo. This is the first stage, the line drawing with alizarin crimson on an orange primed canvas. I have also scrubbed in a little of a value study.

Stage 3 - Color Notes

Nearing the final stage, here I have filled in the color notes, approximately what I'll end up with. There is probably a little too much paint on the canvas, so it's getting hard to keep the colors from getting muddy. I'm not entirely happy with it, the water color is wrong, and I need to add a reflection of the bridge. The contrast isn't great enough, either. It may be a few days before I get this finished and published.

Einstein

Just completed this portrait of Einstein for my brother-in-law, Pete. Hope it looks like hime, the dog that is!

Bob, Portrait in Pencil

Did a quick 15 minute sketch while my husband was watching TV, then worked on it more the next day. I love pencil, it's so easy to blend! I think I captured him, or at least all but the back of his head!

Debby Painting

This is my friend Debby. She is working on an oil painting from yesterday's plein aire class. I'm not sure it's still considered plein aire if you spend more time in the studio than on site...

Greenhouse at the IMA

This is the latest painting done for Jerry's class, yesterday was finally a comfortable temperature in which to stand for 3 hours. I'm getting happier with my results. Either I've lowered my expectations, or I'm improving!

Bridge at the IMA

Started this painting last week in Jerry's class, but reworked it some this morning. Added more folliage at the top, and more color in general. I think I'll rework it again, darkening the flowers & shrub in the right foreground.

Pond Behind Butler

This was the first painting that I felt happy about using different colors than I actually saw. Who knew I'd like purple rocks?

Grounds at the IMA

If I had painted it, you could see the IMA just peeking out from behind the center tree. Chose not to, as I was working on trees and folliage.

Fountain at Butler

This was a difficult painting, as there is a lot more going on than I'm used to painting. It still feels a little stilted to me, could have been edited better, leaving out some of the concrete lot.

Bridge Over the Towpath

The next few paintings are ones that I have done in Jerry Point's plein aire painting class. I just reworked this one from last spring, it now has more color and depth, but could still use work.

Bob with the Remote

My husband is willing to sit still long enough to draw him in only one of two positions, this one, and sleeping.

Faces in Concrete

KAREN MASBAUM

I had a hard time getting into drawing the whole building, but liked these faces that are carved in concrete on the front of the Blacherne on Meridian. They were difficult to see because they are a little high up the face of the building, and not very big.

Pedestrian Bridge Over the White River

This is my first time using Photoshop Elements to organize, edit, and upload an image. Very frustrating! I'm sure I'll get the hang of it someday...

Holcomb Observatory

Did this with the Urban Sketchers group, Butler Campus is so beautiful, we'll have to return here to sketch again.

Barbara at Petite Chou

As part of Urban Sketchers, Barbara, Connie, and I met for breakfast in Broadripple. I had a difficult time getting into the mood to sketch, this is the result. Need to keep up the practise!

Leadville CO & Southern

We took a historic train ride into the mountains from Leadville CO to the Climax milybdenum mine. Had one short break where we got off the train to stretch our legs. I had only been sketching this for about 5 minutes when the train whistle blew, signalling it's time to re board. I'd heard they had left people behind before, so I wasted no time in scrambling back up the hill.

Camp Site

This was our campsite at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southern Colorado.

On the trail in New Mexico

Mineral Creek, Gila Wilderness, NM

Finally back from 2 week road trip. We would choose the hottest area of the country to go to. Drove 3 days, through Arkansas, Texas, into New Mexico. Had planned to backpack in the Gila Wilderness, but temps over 100 each day discouraged us. Did get in some hiking early in the day. This is from a rest stop along Mineral Creek, where there is ruins from old gold mining sites. Just gorgeous!

NCAA Building

When I got out of the gym I sat down in the shade to draw this, the NCAA Headquarters. The building was recently re-opened after renovation. It sits on the canal, but I was in the grassy amphitheater near the White River to draw this.

My Kitchen

This took longer, I did it over a couple of sittings. Was playing with my new markers.

Guitar Player

The reason the guitar case is empty.... This was done in about 5 minutes. Bob does not sit still for long.

Guitar Case

Decided to post some of my very rough sketches. This was done in less than 10 minutes. Just trying to capture the "untidyness" of the bedroom.

Downtown Skyline

Another skyline from the library. It's a favorite subject.

Along the Canal

Several of us "Urban Sketchers" met on the canal this morning, and this is my result. One of my favorite places in the city.

Sketches

These are sketches I've done this week. I enjoy going out for a walk early, before the heat gets too bad, and taking along my sketch book. It's very relaxing to sit and sketch after a stroll, sometimes with an iced latte. A very pleasant way to spend the morning.

IMA Love - Redone

Here I've changed the ground level on the left, making it come down to the foreground instead of up to the foreground. It's nearly imperceptable in my reference photo (smaller photo above), but it's there.

IMA Love

Oil Painting

This painting was done as part of a plein aire class with Jerry Points. After finishing it (I thought), I realized a problem of perspective. Can you pick it out? Hint: it's on the left side. I'll correct it and post a photo in a few days.

Just finished this oil painting. This is my sister, Anne's, and Pete's dog Cody. He had his motorcycle goggles on, ready to roll.

These are two oil paintings I did recently. The tree was done last week in Jerry Points' oil painting class. Was nearly ruined when a lightning storm arose suddenly.


The painting done in last night's class is not web-worthy, but this morning I attempted to use what I learned in the class. The painting of the orchids given to me on Mother's Day is the result.

This is the view along the Canal Walk from a bench under the arbor, looking south towards the NCAA headquarters. It took about 2 hours to complete, all on site.

Two of us met at the Indianapolis Art Center to sketch. It was a beautiful morning, with light cloud cover. This is the view of the back door seen while sitting on a garden wall. A light breeze kept it comfortable. The sun was high in the sky, and bouncing off all the concrete surfaces.

We participated in the neighborhood yard sale yesterday. It was, as usual, partially successful, stressful, and a good way to meet and greet neighbors. After pocketing our $72 profit we went out to celebrate. This was our view dining at the Rock Bottom Brewery downtown. It was done in the true spirit of sketching... quickly put down on paper between bites of salmon and fries and swigs of beer. Lots of areas not completed, details left out.

This is a pen and ink drawing started on site, in the West Martello Gardens in Key West Florida. I love the old brick structure overgrown with tropical flora. One of my favorite places in Key West.

This is the view from my table as I had dinner with a friend at the Old Point Tavern. It was nearly 7pm, and still quite sunny. I love daylight savings time! I've had a good week, art wise. Hope to do a lot more in the near future!

This pencil drawing of my son and his son was done from a photo. Avery is now 2 years old, and even he recongnizes that this is a picture of his Dad!

This is a pen and ink drawing done from a photo of my oldest 3 children, taken many years ago. It is done in pointilism, which took many hours to complete. It is one of my favorites!

Cathedral

The Cathedral was drawn in pencil from a photo taken by a friend. It is of the St. Anne de Beaupre Cathedral near Quebec City. It won first place in its division in the Will Vawter Art Competition in 2006!

These are two of my most recently completed sketches. The first was done on Sunday morning, it is the view while sitting on my front porch. It was a very sunny day.








The Second sketch is of a building on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It was almost finished when the rains came, I was lucky to get to my car before my sketch book was drowned!

This Charcoal drawing was done in the open studio at the Stutz Building last night. It took about an hour. I've been drawing this model for several months, but this is the first time I felt that I got her face right! The lighting was very interesting and provided good lights and darks.

Karen's Spot is created!

Welcome to Karen's Spot!

I hope to keep my family, friends, and myself, up to date on what's happening in my life. More specifically, this Spot will be a place to share my artworks, thoughts, and observations with anyone who cares to view them. I hope I will hear comments from many of you, both positive and constructively critical. Thanks for spending some time with me!