Thankfully

7x5 water soluble graphite portrait sketch

Commission - nfs

Happy post Thanksgiving! What a perfectly lovely afternoon we had at Joel's on Wednesday. I got to paint and sketch a perfectly lovely young lady for a friend's Christmas gift. 

I think I made my model look a little older, unfortunately. But hopefully she will grow into her portrait! Lol

I started a second sketch using casein. But the eyes are all wrong. My limited palette of casein is an issue. As is my inexperience with the medium. I will finish this at home  either with oil or casein. 

Now - I don't want to ignore the fact that this is the biggest shopping weekend of the year (though I almost feel ashamed for us at all the desperate commercialization I'm seeing.) But truly in the spirit of expressing my gratitude to my friends and fans, I have a special discount for my email/newsletter subscribers only! Sign up today - in the right column ➡ and I will send you codes for 25% off and/or $100 off purchases over $500. My shop on ETSY is filling up with my studio inventory finally. Help me make space (literally and creatively) for new work!

Tyler Trumpets

A page from my sketchbook in casein

I've discovered a new medium thanks to James Gurney. I was intrigued by his use of casein in his sketches and wanted to try it. (you must look at and follow his blog!) I found a small set at a local art supply store and set to work last night. I like it a lot. For one thing, I can sit on the couch with my family in the evening and sketch. Casein paint is a water soluble medium made with milk proteins as a binder and it is permanent.

I've drawn and painted this man before so you probably recognize him. He is a very talented street musician in New Orleans. I thought of my nephew while painting this - he is a trumpet player in his high school band. Their band has had some wonderful opportunities to perform. Most recently during the Cleveland Browns football game. Unfortunately, my nephew is ill and was unable to join them. 

I still need to research casein more but I think I will like being able to sketch and develop painting ideas with it. I think I will need a couple more colors - a better red and green choice for sure. The Shiva set I bought has "Shiva" green (thalo?), an unusually bright ultramarine blue, rose red and Naples yellow as well as black and white.