Day 3 of portraits

Here is the progress on 2 paintings of my sister-in-laws great grandparents. I'm on about my 4th hour of painting. It's been a few years since I have used oil paints so I only paint a little at a time so I don't get sick from the smell. 

Leif faces 15-18 months

Here are some photos from Leif over the summer. Probably about 15-18 months old in these. His facial expressions are so great! Not sure if I like the greyscale or the colored one better.

Arrow Head

Here are two more drawings. One had a theme of different arrows. the other was just experimenting with the pen and nibs.

Preparing a Canvas with Gesso

How to prepare an acrylic painting canvas

What You Need:

• Gesso
• Wide brush (At least an inch, wider if you have a large canvas)
• Sandpaper that is 240 grit  (if you want to sand the layers in between each other for a smooth painting)

1. Buy a tub of premixed white gesso and give it a stir. You don't want lumps on your painting. It  really comes down to personal preference. I work from a tube to put it directly on the canvas, I also don't usually paint larger than 16x20. If I am painting a large number of paintings or a very large painting, I buy a tub to save on coasts and I can control the amount of gesso on my brush for each stroke.
2. The first coat should be diluted with a touch of water. It will soak into the fabric and help to prevent cracking. This is a very thin layer.
3. Allow to dry, then apply a second coat. This layer does not need to have water added to it. If you want a more absorbent surface, add another layer.
4. Apply a final coat using the pure, undiluted gesso.

 TIPS:

1. Using a 3 inch decorators brush, apply the gesso directly to the stretched canvas in even strokes. Work from the top to the bottom of the canvas, in parallel strokes from one edge to the other.
2. When applying the gesso turn the canvas 90 degrees between coats to insure an even coverage.
3. Sand between layers to get rid of any brush stokes if you desire and smooth surface
4. Wash your brush out immediately in running water then use a brush cleaner to thoroughly remove the gesso out. It’s worth cleaning it twice even if you think it’s clean.

Why Gesso?

1. My main reason for gesso on a canvas is to save costs on oil or acrylic painting. The first layer of paint will soak a significant amount more into the fabric than onto a layer of paint.
2. Helps stiffen canvas for a more firm surface to work on.
3. If working with oil paint, it will prevent the oil from soaking through and ruining/staining anything it touches behind the painting. 

New Year's Resolution 2014

My New Years resolution... I'm not usually one to do this but I thought this year I would try. I've realized this week that I have 4 major quilt projects started, 3 paintings that are so close to being finished, a few knitting projects in progress and a bed room that is dying for some new paint and clean up. My resolution is to be more self motivated on my own projects and complete them. Sometimes putting my own projects first isn't a bad thing. Happy beginnings to everyone! I wish you an amazing 2014 

Cross Quilt

Here is a quilt I did as a gift for Caleb's parents for Christmas this year. It fits on a California King size bed. It took about 3 weeks and my aunt used her quilting machine to put the backing and batting in. I am very pleased how it turned out and I am excited to see their reactions! I would also do this pattern again. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.

Recycled Can Craft

Here is a simple craft to do on a rainy afternoon. After eating some spaghetti o's for lunch, we washed out the cans and broke out the construction paper and this is what the kids came up with.