tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42035486662882745322024-03-12T18:26:05.349-06:00Rita Salazar DickersonRita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-47982965827144035972017-04-03T02:42:00.000-06:002017-04-03T02:43:18.458-06:00The Copyist Program: Washington D.C.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had a dream and then I had an adventure. I met new people, faced new challenges and worked hard to accomplish my goal. And through it all I learned so much.<br />
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Let me back up a bit and say that for years, each time I had the privilege of visiting the <a href="http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb.html">National Gallery of Art </a>in Washington D.C. I would see the empty easels in some of the gallery rooms neatly placed out of the way but still very noticeable. Each one looked like they were waiting for someone. Curious, I asked at the information desk what the easels were for. That question was the first of many that eventually led me through the application process for their Copyist Program. Once accepted my excitement grew as I anticipated the portrait I had requested to paint. There were so many paintings to choose from but I had always admired and studied the work of <a href="http://www.johnsingersargent.org/">John Singer Sargent.</a> In the art world he has long been someone I respected because of his strong brush strokes and ability to confidently paint the likeness of fabric with such efficiency. I knew his portrait of <a href="http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.166470.html">Mrs. Henry White</a> would be a difficult challenge (her life size portrait was quite intimidating) but I decided that I might as well go for it and see what happens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc59R3ocWR25jBrWnFU4G7e2BcwvNKu1KigA41up_pj53odEgCwI1bopICIyT4CePW_TAuQmvaPZml1QdSkNX63l0dQ8NWuZpTAGC4fLXzsCeY7HW2HwW7e1gEYUepWvQ4whqT9EUaMG4/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc59R3ocWR25jBrWnFU4G7e2BcwvNKu1KigA41up_pj53odEgCwI1bopICIyT4CePW_TAuQmvaPZml1QdSkNX63l0dQ8NWuZpTAGC4fLXzsCeY7HW2HwW7e1gEYUepWvQ4whqT9EUaMG4/s640/IMG_0472.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Setting up my canvas made my heart beat faster. I was surrounded by greatness. To paint in this atmosphere where the walls were adorned with actual historical masterpieces almost took my breath away. My dream was about to come true.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I worked quickly sketching in her likeness with a thin wash of paint.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once the sketch was done I began painting her face -- using her features as my reference for the rest of the painting. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSDEVpmvRK_ss3YBAoJEVIGu0kHQMmeLmRxnCOWw1xPEmhFxzvNY-PYFkJGffshxjTwg1uAPaQk84U74xRbtchk7dukvWTuzcrcUyfs_IBTe_mOUOObSoYL8gS7VJYBsq2T56eo-KhOY/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSDEVpmvRK_ss3YBAoJEVIGu0kHQMmeLmRxnCOWw1xPEmhFxzvNY-PYFkJGffshxjTwg1uAPaQk84U74xRbtchk7dukvWTuzcrcUyfs_IBTe_mOUOObSoYL8gS7VJYBsq2T56eo-KhOY/s640/IMG_0498.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My excitement grew as I began studying her dress by laying down paint with values, colors and strokes as Sargent had. My goal was to copy it as closely as possible so that I could learn from Sargent's method. He was my instructor speaking to me through this painting; I tried to pay attention to everything he said.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLtO6lzuvT2eHpY1VVt0x8Me65NxfLOvN4dzTEcONGv3S-OYCxq3IUcM2u6N_ZUzYygWbdkQ2-lVLW4exbvlljqbOuiG8MzzpMQzmd9D_7qys_jH1Tp7gTW0F7cRRpvwVDp9t4Q-uXVU/s1600/IMG_0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLtO6lzuvT2eHpY1VVt0x8Me65NxfLOvN4dzTEcONGv3S-OYCxq3IUcM2u6N_ZUzYygWbdkQ2-lVLW4exbvlljqbOuiG8MzzpMQzmd9D_7qys_jH1Tp7gTW0F7cRRpvwVDp9t4Q-uXVU/s640/IMG_0503.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Time was running out. By this stage I was at the beginning of the last day of my extraordinary adventure. When I chose this portrait my goal was not to do a complete the copy but to see how far I could go with a portion of it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXb4r0ehyphenhyphenId834uhVfUcyt8r3sr1WwnQp5aWG41stJ4IWAahgdjt4n3fFfmt8KKN2VPfnM3pEv987kAaoF22G4NDMo7hFCfRfUT6r6HsSluK5JeLtR8XdtFDvFAnJqe145xxIv4K6EQI/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXb4r0ehyphenhyphenId834uhVfUcyt8r3sr1WwnQp5aWG41stJ4IWAahgdjt4n3fFfmt8KKN2VPfnM3pEv987kAaoF22G4NDMo7hFCfRfUT6r6HsSluK5JeLtR8XdtFDvFAnJqe145xxIv4K6EQI/s640/IMG_0522.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Each hour in front of that easel seemed like ten minutes. Visitors from all over the world would come and go, occasionally asking questions and taking photos of me and my progress. I especially enjoyed the groups of school children who politely asked me about my work and the Copyist program.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflmn7RLFvUSMAG9mGZOOmQQo9tWyGzXlivtVTKNGc1f0bsyw6vcYMBrMWKe5tCJQ-AXLPZT2cMlu71fkrNZKvnHlTWGD_pZMjalQ8RQH2pUvQp5hOG_Vzm8y81rmhdP6UUdVOtkpLWfo/s1600/IMG_0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflmn7RLFvUSMAG9mGZOOmQQo9tWyGzXlivtVTKNGc1f0bsyw6vcYMBrMWKe5tCJQ-AXLPZT2cMlu71fkrNZKvnHlTWGD_pZMjalQ8RQH2pUvQp5hOG_Vzm8y81rmhdP6UUdVOtkpLWfo/s640/IMG_0550.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was allowed to paint from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day. Four o'clock came quickly on my fifth and final day. I wasn't expecting to even begin to paint her right hand so that was an extra treat. Her gold bracelet on her left wrist was also a lot of fun. I loved Sargent's attention to detail when he applied it to her face and jewelry and then surprised me with the light and contrast that brought out the beauty of her satin and tulle dress.<br /><br />What a an absolute blessing and privilege this was! I can hardly wait to go back and apply what I have been taught to a new painting. Perhaps another Sargent?</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-23470217195644810982017-01-04T15:34:00.001-07:002017-01-04T18:22:08.032-07:00Wine Bottles Commission<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Painting commissions are always an adventure. The adventure becomes even more interesting when the subject matter is something that I have not painted a lot of before. This was one of those adventures.</div>
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I have always enjoyed and often admired some of the art on wine bottle labels. They can add so much drama and appeal to the wine. The challenge in composing this painting was to arrange the chosen bottles in a way in which they would enhance and compliment each other. It reminded me of curating an art show -- deciding which paintings would go well "hanging" side by side on a gallery wall.</div>
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It was not only a challenging commission but a fun one as well. The canvas was 24 inches high by 36 inches wide which gave me the opportunity to add extra drama by enlarging the bottles beyond life size. Painting the light and shadows on each bottle along with the art on the labels seemed a bit overwhelming at first and so I decided to remain calm and break it down to painting one bottle at a time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Stages 1 and 2: </b><span style="font-size: small;">Drawing the composition with a thin mixture of paint and mineral spirits allowed me the freedom to play around with the placement of the bottles without feeling too committed to the plan. As it turned out, I arranged and rearranged a couple of times as you can see by my lines. From there I went on to my first wine bottle (stage 2), painting it as efficiently as possible. Accuracy of the </span><i style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.opusonewinery.com/">Opus</a></i><span style="font-size: small;"> logo reminded me of the accuracy necessary in a portrait. Either it looks like the subject or it doesn't.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3: </b><i>Graceland</i>. With this purple and gold lined label and the tiny house in the center, I had to bring out my smallest brush that I bought specifically for this painting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Stage 4: </b><i style="font-size: medium;">1981.</i><span style="font-size: small;"> This eagle and its numerous twigs and branches along with the detail in the bird itself kept me on my toes. I didn't try to replicate every single detail but squinted my eyes to see and paint the general idea of it. The small lettering on each of the bottles was approached the same way. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5: </b><i>CAYMUS. </i>This <a href="http://www.caymus.com/">CAYMUS</a> bottle was the intended focal point, front and (almost) center. It was pulled forward to give it even more attention. There is something attractive about a tall, slender bottle of wine with a gold, artsy label and red cursive. (Once again, my tiny brush saved the day!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 6: </b><i>1982.</i> Another eagle to compliment and frame the CAYMUS bottle. These eagles were detailed but fun. As you can see, this painting had miniature paintings within the painting. And then it was on to a golden chardonnay...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 7:</b> <i><a href="http://www.aubertwines.com/">Aubert</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.properwines.com/">Proper</a></i>. Time was running out. This was a Christmas commission and Christmas was just two weeks away. I was so thankful that these last two bottles were a bit simpler in label design. I was also grateful for my past experience as a professional calligrapher. You just never know when past experiences are going to come back to help you.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 8: </b><i>The background. </i><a href="http://davidleffel.com/">David Leffel</a> taught me that if you want the focus to be entirely on the subject, keep the background simple. I used Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber to create this warm black.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wine Still Life</b><br />24 x 36", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson </b>(<b>c</b>) 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 9: </b><i>Completing the painting. </i>Once the background was done it was time to paint the foreground. I kept it simple. Adding the light hints of the bottles' reflections in the wood was the effect I was looking for. Because this was a commission, I intentionally chose a wood color that would go well with the new owner's home.</span></div>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-42566938353794451682016-10-14T22:05:00.000-06:002016-10-14T22:24:43.245-06:00Baby Isla<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This sweet little portrait was a long time in coming. I started it months before it was eventually completed. In between the beginning and the end was a flurry of commissions that demanded my attention. At last I was finally able to give it the attention that was required to finish it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Baby Isla</b><br />14 x 18", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPsuP3OKgkCfvTKjy2h0tv_kILBQtwDT7X6HtBmV1f135a3HPcUoYm16NiNcZO8mkVumGGBvaoWcoJTWgtVlB5osKKa6OyncwZCWZuaX1N92OpTu8IiBtwzwF_lG87k0taQVfoqGSpEg/s1600/IMG_9449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPsuP3OKgkCfvTKjy2h0tv_kILBQtwDT7X6HtBmV1f135a3HPcUoYm16NiNcZO8mkVumGGBvaoWcoJTWgtVlB5osKKa6OyncwZCWZuaX1N92OpTu8IiBtwzwF_lG87k0taQVfoqGSpEg/s640/IMG_9449.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1:</b> <i>Sketching in the composition.</i> I tinted the canvas first and then with the same thinned paint I loosely painted in the figure.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2: </b><i>Painting the head and shoulders.</i></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing that this was the first layer, I blocked in the major shapes and colors -- painting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet-on-wet">wet-on-wet</a>, or alla prima.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuM3R__O8vrb-CW-4MmiD7d7tAZguWQXsNU-dg8jBeCQ3Kqu_HArqJNHOG_iUX4VYXOf_kyUCwCVUwPVP1qZXPqo6mvmyW-lXSWOULMDDNBWFBdAp6OLVRMRoC6G7nSQbishAp-O8b0o/s1600/IMG_9447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuM3R__O8vrb-CW-4MmiD7d7tAZguWQXsNU-dg8jBeCQ3Kqu_HArqJNHOG_iUX4VYXOf_kyUCwCVUwPVP1qZXPqo6mvmyW-lXSWOULMDDNBWFBdAp6OLVRMRoC6G7nSQbishAp-O8b0o/s640/IMG_9447.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3: </b>The body, arms and legs were next. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4:</b> <i>Painting the foreground, background, fabric and basin</i>. My biggest challenge was to paint just enough information to make the cloth and basin believable. I also paid attention to my edges as I painted the background and foreground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5: </b><i>Adding more details to the background.</i> My goal was to keep this composition simple but I kept feeling like she was so alone in this big, empty room. After much deliberation, I added the shower curtain along with the corner wall and bottom portion of the bathtub.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Final Stage:</b> <i>Completing the painting</i>. One of the many final touches was the baseboard on the wall behind her. It seemed to complete the "frame" around her. From there I checked values, edges and color and made necessary adjustments. </span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-46739790086448086682016-07-21T14:17:00.000-06:002016-07-21T14:19:30.914-06:00Standard Poodle Portrait<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This standard poodle portrait commission gave me the fun opportunity to use lots of thick, rich paint in the subject as well as the background. It is such a beautiful breed -- he already had a lot to offer the portrait: textures, expression and interesting features that translate well in a painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSyHpOCwNnAKd-pTCdFC_9zW3ytkrLKLe0sXPZCShrZw52lkY7uR0CWXWdJFNI8iIN87v8eM9zgWobpjPlAhn8oADK4isMXYd20-69fDF8s3sqHUR9uEvMJVAnJY_8sabQ28VXXBFnPU/s1600/Poodle+stage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSyHpOCwNnAKd-pTCdFC_9zW3ytkrLKLe0sXPZCShrZw52lkY7uR0CWXWdJFNI8iIN87v8eM9zgWobpjPlAhn8oADK4isMXYd20-69fDF8s3sqHUR9uEvMJVAnJY_8sabQ28VXXBFnPU/s640/Poodle+stage+3.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trio</b><br />10 x 8<b> </b>inches, Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: The sketch. I loosely painted in the features with contour lines that would be easy to follow. My goal was to capture the likeness of Trio at this stage which made the rest of the painting so much easier. It was time well spent.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>: Blocking in. It helped to squint my eyes as I looked at the subject at this stage so that I could simplify what I saw and block in all the major shapes and values with a relatively large brush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stage 3: Completing the portrait. From here on out it was time to let loose and enjoy the creative process. Using lots of paint and coarse brushes I wanted to communicate to the viewer Trio's gorgeous coat and contrasting marble-like eyes. He was a joy to paint.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-1281880408564141082016-07-03T17:01:00.000-06:002016-07-03T17:01:27.344-06:00Pastel Portrait Commission <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm comfortable painting portraits in oil. Even though learning and growing as an artist is a never ending journey, I realize its easy to slip into a rut and do the creative process the same way every time. Therefore it was a nice challenge for me to work in pastel again. My brain had to wake up, look around and be alert. It was refreshing to pick up chalk instead of a brush...to press and rub and play with layers of color on paper.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Baby Girl Portrait Commission</b><br />14 x 11 inches, Pastel on Paper<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Painting a portrait with pastels seemed so appropriate for this beautiful baby girl. I was able to create soft lines and edges that matched the mood of this commission.<br />
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After lightly laying my first contour lines down, I began working with her eyes before moving down to her nose and then the rest of her face. It's so much easier not to smudge this way. I try to complete as much as possible the first time around so that I don't have to keep going in and reworking it.</div>
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My client kindly sent this photo to me of the portrait matted and framed. A well chosen frame is such an important part of the completed pastel. I was so happy with the results.<br />
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-90759825612455541182016-05-15T15:14:00.000-06:002016-05-15T15:21:20.956-06:00My Art Diary: August - December, 2016, Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I like fun surprises and as a commissioned artist each Christmas season never lets me down. As I look back on this last holiday season I have sweet memories of painting on stage at the <a href="http://www.cheyennemountain.com/">Cheyenne Mountain Resort</a>. Traditional Christmas carols were played on a baby grand piano as I painted in front of a live audience. The event was a women's brunch; the air was filled with anticipation and excitement for the season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Madonna and Child</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">36 x 48", Acrylic on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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From this painting performance someone in the audience commissioned me to paint a second image of the Madonna and Child. The client wanted it to decorate her mantel at home and requested a smaller size. My challenge was to paint it with the same feeling and freshness that I painted the original.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Madonna and Child, II</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">30 x 24", Acrylic on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In The Shadow of His Wings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">48 x 36", Acrylic on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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This was my third year of having the privilege of painting at the Remembrance Service held at <a href="https://www.woodmenvalley.org/">Woodmen Valley Chapel</a>. Each December the pastoral care staff hosts this event for the community allowing those who have lost a loved one to grieve and remember. It is always a somber yet positive and comforting service. My challenge was to paint an image that everyone could relate to and take comfort from. I was asked to visualize Psalm 57:1, "...<i>I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings..."</i> Those in attendance were invited to come forward and write their loved one's name in the shadow of the wings.<br />
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I love my job.<br />
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-89601223845216010412016-01-25T16:44:00.001-07:002016-01-25T16:55:07.269-07:00My Art Diary: August - December, Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the enjoyable aspects to creating commissioned paintings is the variety and wide range of work that comes my way. Though I do like painting my own dreams I also like the challenge of painting the dreams of someone else. Oftentimes it takes sketches, emails, conversations and more emails to land on that final vision that satisfies the dreamer. It's such a great feeling when everyone walks away happy. Mission accomplished.<br />
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In this post I'd like to share a variety of works that came my way because someone in each instance was inspired to give art as a special gift.<br />
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The following two acrylic paintings were given as personalized baby gifts. Isn't it fun to think about a newborn entering the world who is greeted with original art that honors him? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1ZM_hNgjDAmsp_hFN5Kgce9CFIXvOX3m2ZJcjmavoIrVO035Q3CKxt0Zz4vJAnsoMXuLoKTVX7EF6v8wQztDh8VBCDoPO12FTV_3L1ML9GA3aJG_TQ_iWyEtypKdqjG34Q-C7TTjjWY/s1600/DSC_0174+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1ZM_hNgjDAmsp_hFN5Kgce9CFIXvOX3m2ZJcjmavoIrVO035Q3CKxt0Zz4vJAnsoMXuLoKTVX7EF6v8wQztDh8VBCDoPO12FTV_3L1ML9GA3aJG_TQ_iWyEtypKdqjG34Q-C7TTjjWY/s400/DSC_0174+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NOLAN</b><br />16 x 20", Acrylic on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD80MU0fyRCk8-qs8exO24UCjISqX0HdOqg0w6MaTg-JPI-5T2oRYX5NjkS-weXvXIMAPKuVMSYUHeW0-kBrzLrl6PEWDsLoWaUEO0gUdfVuqtWxM4ZY81sQ2jd3yPn5K4Pxd8-cffsJg/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD80MU0fyRCk8-qs8exO24UCjISqX0HdOqg0w6MaTg-JPI-5T2oRYX5NjkS-weXvXIMAPKuVMSYUHeW0-kBrzLrl6PEWDsLoWaUEO0gUdfVuqtWxM4ZY81sQ2jd3yPn5K4Pxd8-cffsJg/s400/DSC_0188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>JACK</b><br />16 x 20, Acrylic on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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This next project was a birthday gift to a cadet pilot instructor. Who knew that one day I would be painting a flight jacket?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5ol2Z_EJ-XKGxFeyAVTf3do99aqsthsNJ3987DQEqSLQDGNlpJ0KtXScxDWyOQhZo16hCnyHdkVlPVc3DfSw4RrbzPKOUg5_l-hfqThR7YQcM_DdV6lcF0QVNegRQRSvy6eC57eWwBA/s1600/IMG_5559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5ol2Z_EJ-XKGxFeyAVTf3do99aqsthsNJ3987DQEqSLQDGNlpJ0KtXScxDWyOQhZo16hCnyHdkVlPVc3DfSw4RrbzPKOUg5_l-hfqThR7YQcM_DdV6lcF0QVNegRQRSvy6eC57eWwBA/s400/IMG_5559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Custom Personalized Flight Jacket</b><br />18 x 18", Acrylic on leather<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cedaredge Peach</b><br />6 x 8", Oil on panel<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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This last piece was a gift to myself. After spending the day picking tree ripened peaches, my next desire was to paint one.</div>
Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-7595922264466438002016-01-22T14:38:00.000-07:002016-01-22T14:46:17.705-07:00My Art Diary: August - December, Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mixed in with the pets that I wrote about in my last post, I was honored to paint these portraits that were to be Christmas gifts for loved ones. Every portrait has a story and this first one had an additional aspect to it, I was asked to paint<i> two</i> pastels of the same subjects. Same size. Same everything. Each would be going to separate families. The challenge didn't come until I had completed the first one and had it approved. Then it faced me. I needed to come as close as I possibly could to duplicating these two handsome boys -- keeping them as similar to the first portrait as possible. (I got to know these boys really well!)<br />
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I am usually asked to paint in oil so this was a change of pace to create in pastels.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Reid and Eli, I</b><br />20 x 16", Pastel on paper<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Reid and Eli, II</b><br />20 x 16", Pastel on paper<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerso</b>n</span></td></tr>
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After I completed Reid and Eli, I began the portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Carlson. It was also to be a Christmas gift. An added bonus with my work is the opportunity to take pleasure in hearing the story behind the painting...in this case the special memories shared between two people of a time and place they both enjoyed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvXRFAdSmHLNiQFk15FAmQsQIKdoBfnLq8Wy_6ca_UagGUnkKr3z3zcpmn3XLhrrWzZymG-3-gY7oeE0d9eub-onUsfoC0Qtl5XwUpfqRsAtOuGDQmGCI6eOXR4WZFYXJS9eUW7mwd8M/s1600/The+Carlsons%252C+16x12%252C+Oil+on+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvXRFAdSmHLNiQFk15FAmQsQIKdoBfnLq8Wy_6ca_UagGUnkKr3z3zcpmn3XLhrrWzZymG-3-gY7oeE0d9eub-onUsfoC0Qtl5XwUpfqRsAtOuGDQmGCI6eOXR4WZFYXJS9eUW7mwd8M/s400/The+Carlsons%252C+16x12%252C+Oil+on+canvas.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mr. and Mrs. Carlson</b><br />16 x 12", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-34370028765019069382016-01-18T08:41:00.000-07:002016-01-18T08:54:12.168-07:00My Art Diary: August - December 2015, Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As 2016 begins, I look back with a thankful heart at all that has happened since I last posted in this blog. It has been an amazing "season" of creating commissioned art, sprinkled with teaching art. My days have been full with a variety of mediums in my hand...from pencil to pastels, acrylics and watercolors, to oils... and the common thread has been sheer enjoyment. Although the consequence to all this creativity has been the lack of time to write about my experiences until now, I am determined to start the new year with a fresh update of my latest art.<br />
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With this first post, I have to say, pet portraits are so much fun. Each one is a privilege to create. When I am invited into someone's story, I get to see beauty not only in the animal but in the special relationship between the furry friend and his or her owner. And without fail, portraits make great gifts that touch the heart. As you can see from the photos, during these past several months I was able to get to know some beautiful animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjBJv5EKN363wrk7buIsAsNPIozjiOM2AlMHtuZqTmEM7eF91CCtzxBlzxkW4liiBEiMKl7giP2ety85yy_c0juU8DILIQs9L8tBodwHOCTpxAyiq3o81Bykct7s2RHpgPUwdNxfPXqk/s1600/Bartholomeow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjBJv5EKN363wrk7buIsAsNPIozjiOM2AlMHtuZqTmEM7eF91CCtzxBlzxkW4liiBEiMKl7giP2ety85yy_c0juU8DILIQs9L8tBodwHOCTpxAyiq3o81Bykct7s2RHpgPUwdNxfPXqk/s400/Bartholomeow.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bartholomeow</b><br />7 x 5", Oil on panel<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPVridNk4BtT-wBsnzr4mDF8ynLutHJLHCYqegx_cPwVyc4BZNdwjE_BWIDlE_iNzxQQfP6CWZc7EJjnRJQbAYX_lNAGzNOYA53iKyuinatGyDAt0BCQ44PX-tBrZOXklucvU32GcDOg/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPVridNk4BtT-wBsnzr4mDF8ynLutHJLHCYqegx_cPwVyc4BZNdwjE_BWIDlE_iNzxQQfP6CWZc7EJjnRJQbAYX_lNAGzNOYA53iKyuinatGyDAt0BCQ44PX-tBrZOXklucvU32GcDOg/s400/IMG_5528.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brenna</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">10 x 8", Oil on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDslEU765DHjNQhYk3Zlzdl-3SOr5lgY6522vy_ChK5h2JR-gFNIqn19HgJ2jKfUB_pCEqipUgxGys1Cl3sZ9ZpOf4rgttY5lsaHWgmxqpy-2VbVmkfCSy6NsikHNQwul6dOH__OcSFgA/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDslEU765DHjNQhYk3Zlzdl-3SOr5lgY6522vy_ChK5h2JR-gFNIqn19HgJ2jKfUB_pCEqipUgxGys1Cl3sZ9ZpOf4rgttY5lsaHWgmxqpy-2VbVmkfCSy6NsikHNQwul6dOH__OcSFgA/s400/IMG_5959.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Moet</b><br />10 x 8", Oil on panel<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dusty</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">10 x 8", Oil on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpF82tX_hNqKpefLVki5zhyphenhypheni-1_oND8HywhTaeqRRUWcbK33A1gK3mP4H7JSYXS536TbYmA6x9jz43xTDL12d5M4Wn9KRGtbvfRGmPROX59CdbKsYlR9uMfdRgCwso1-jzG8XapBI6iA/s1600/Stubby+II%252C+8x10%252C+oil+on+canvas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpF82tX_hNqKpefLVki5zhyphenhypheni-1_oND8HywhTaeqRRUWcbK33A1gK3mP4H7JSYXS536TbYmA6x9jz43xTDL12d5M4Wn9KRGtbvfRGmPROX59CdbKsYlR9uMfdRgCwso1-jzG8XapBI6iA/s400/Stubby+II%252C+8x10%252C+oil+on+canvas.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stubby, II</b><br />8 x 10", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Kbr9uYlhgasfNzxu_0Vfl6AKDvckkeRhznuSA0VZyIj5feobLB6vBEc7ZZU-kwVmtAItjRQVAUw4YVZNkB80h6n3iQmhvUyU0fqvpfBxWgRY-dnEoQrTwtXS1sB-eXUycoNyThL6mI/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Kbr9uYlhgasfNzxu_0Vfl6AKDvckkeRhznuSA0VZyIj5feobLB6vBEc7ZZU-kwVmtAItjRQVAUw4YVZNkB80h6n3iQmhvUyU0fqvpfBxWgRY-dnEoQrTwtXS1sB-eXUycoNyThL6mI/s400/DSC_0364.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Taylor</b><br />10 x 8", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5e0Adz-Horq3VUC7y24UMnQUkxKf8ZVP2I8ZlIwHMzOklV97_3Qagyw1NBMBlDJGzDQOZ3rsNUQZFvXaVZEWYF8bixgmU0UeUaeKZ42QOOdfxSTixqsGMnYkPfipoWdk4HfgTS5YWd8/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5e0Adz-Horq3VUC7y24UMnQUkxKf8ZVP2I8ZlIwHMzOklV97_3Qagyw1NBMBlDJGzDQOZ3rsNUQZFvXaVZEWYF8bixgmU0UeUaeKZ42QOOdfxSTixqsGMnYkPfipoWdk4HfgTS5YWd8/s400/DSC_0365.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dixie</b><br />10 x 8", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-2950761004255074712015-08-03T22:27:00.001-06:002015-08-03T22:27:35.768-06:00Beginners Drawing Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm enjoying this new "season" of my life where teaching has been woven into my life as an artist. Almost everyone, it seems, wants to learn how to paint and last November I readily agreed to teach an introductory class to painting. One class led to another and it has been fun watching students find joy and satisfaction in the creative process of painting.<br />
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But many eager new artists are unaware of the fact that drawing is the foundation of painting. To become a better painter, one must learn how to draw. Rarely do I meet those who are wanting to fine tune their drawing skills. Learning to draw well requires time, concentration and dedication. And bravery. So I was excited to see such an enthusiastic response to a <a href="https://www.woodmenvalley.org/index.cfm/PageID/3474/index.html">Beginners Drawing Class</a>. Some were there to revive their love for drawing. Others had never taken a drawing class before but had always wanted to give it a try. After three action packed hours of instruction, I was quite pleased with the results. Students drew and drew well!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkjAuw-Q6kLcrw0FBqWzDb0jQRz1q09bGM8i3x8Us9pgu54U9ZeMRzrXVIfX6jsekRZ00Yqafpk-3ioCpAurJPbeG5usVE8QQfp_fq3cc4zTS3vIClhEBoa5moxgBY3gK-5QvJiBuOmU/s1600/IMG_3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkjAuw-Q6kLcrw0FBqWzDb0jQRz1q09bGM8i3x8Us9pgu54U9ZeMRzrXVIfX6jsekRZ00Yqafpk-3ioCpAurJPbeG5usVE8QQfp_fq3cc4zTS3vIClhEBoa5moxgBY3gK-5QvJiBuOmU/s640/IMG_3261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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There were about 36 students that gathered on a Saturday morning in June to learn the basics of drawing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD3tZ6pBuq_4vMjJOWtp20lKhNWcYDA40nm_hnBMdDnmM70IpudKtSuBjBNdx3kmwLRiEIsSxIkQsPYi6XFk0hsXlnL1JGIZYylUijtwK0dJhGOm2ZxjN1L156WhPuqVjq8-HQSQaG-Q/s1600/9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD3tZ6pBuq_4vMjJOWtp20lKhNWcYDA40nm_hnBMdDnmM70IpudKtSuBjBNdx3kmwLRiEIsSxIkQsPYi6XFk0hsXlnL1JGIZYylUijtwK0dJhGOm2ZxjN1L156WhPuqVjq8-HQSQaG-Q/s640/9.jpeg" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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Value scales were discussed and created.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS7QklE4Krz9WJ16KHQtT1g5yIfnPj8c42xRUtjE_mKjtR8xhJaq6btlCod-7OCfT4ffVjqwcvqDd7-T5PgRaW-zCt6UwsC_wgkJK7fcjgw9rAIVs0KigK_Btig6rS1frUVD6RuEvMcg/s1600/8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS7QklE4Krz9WJ16KHQtT1g5yIfnPj8c42xRUtjE_mKjtR8xhJaq6btlCod-7OCfT4ffVjqwcvqDd7-T5PgRaW-zCt6UwsC_wgkJK7fcjgw9rAIVs0KigK_Btig6rS1frUVD6RuEvMcg/s640/8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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And then I pulled out my radishes. Yes, radishes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacI6hhaF4jG95GfV8WvNSFP-0X6fEBUgpS_b3LPoXoH6VhrnY6JLtyiaq_Rh1m0IJb4nD5jSxrA34M0slRSFDWFAPByWCN8q5HRy8zklbnrmUAWX1m7EtIzKpSjPiCB-n7NPGTfy8-Ko/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacI6hhaF4jG95GfV8WvNSFP-0X6fEBUgpS_b3LPoXoH6VhrnY6JLtyiaq_Rh1m0IJb4nD5jSxrA34M0slRSFDWFAPByWCN8q5HRy8zklbnrmUAWX1m7EtIzKpSjPiCB-n7NPGTfy8-Ko/s640/IMG_3262.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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They were drawn quickly at first and then with more time and study.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3VDBEfitpFC6I-R9rPChF-P0MOWAqtWXutikTProdjbaQ47CxklqkP3bS6LRCyfe3wxPf6t4khq9m1ifrCSmgWL20rh1IaQAMK9OGJW4oty_GiOK4wph9VyNKZiHomOcKnN48yR0msk/s1600/IMG_3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3VDBEfitpFC6I-R9rPChF-P0MOWAqtWXutikTProdjbaQ47CxklqkP3bS6LRCyfe3wxPf6t4khq9m1ifrCSmgWL20rh1IaQAMK9OGJW4oty_GiOK4wph9VyNKZiHomOcKnN48yR0msk/s640/IMG_3263.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPrhX4zYwJD2fW0RbjUkO27DuP7g1ycL4-lINsYVSt2tyDxpk2Zvq8KFIWYWtAlWrrC7dmpUNbPC1Jo9MYSa_DTOT7Yc71X7lzwbUBEWZeHTRdAKDaPL84k_B83AhIkTpvtJbq4zLRlc/s1600/5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPrhX4zYwJD2fW0RbjUkO27DuP7g1ycL4-lINsYVSt2tyDxpk2Zvq8KFIWYWtAlWrrC7dmpUNbPC1Jo9MYSa_DTOT7Yc71X7lzwbUBEWZeHTRdAKDaPL84k_B83AhIkTpvtJbq4zLRlc/s640/5.jpeg" width="498" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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And then, before I knew it, there were beautiful drawings of radishes all around me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs24r7iluEwFvcGWaWo1F-dLym1c7BMuh3rtg7GI4plmqxO1De2jzJ4xaze9eVs2WFgJKC_0-csFD4TlTsD2J67m49ZC5M5rkQCJBUlzCVSURMISQPsNHOaZI4qErrqGiyDKBZxKu-wsY/s1600/6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs24r7iluEwFvcGWaWo1F-dLym1c7BMuh3rtg7GI4plmqxO1De2jzJ4xaze9eVs2WFgJKC_0-csFD4TlTsD2J67m49ZC5M5rkQCJBUlzCVSURMISQPsNHOaZI4qErrqGiyDKBZxKu-wsY/s640/6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Photo credit: <b>Annie Stevens</b></i></td></tr>
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From radishes we moved on to hats. I placed a hat at the center of each table and using a single light source, everyone drew the hat in front of them. As you can see from this photo, the hat portion of my class was quite successful. Marvelous hat drawings surrounded me when only a short time before there was blank paper. Each person there experienced the challenge and beauty of creating something from nothing.<br />
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I am always moved by the power of art. </div>
Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-61656120612662279852015-06-28T20:49:00.000-06:002015-06-28T20:51:10.278-06:00Portrait of a Little Boy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When it was time to photograph two year old CJ for his portrait I wondered if he would get the significance of what we were trying to accomplish. Turns out, he did. Maybe it was the crisp white shirt (that soon crumpled and folded under his constant movement) and the large camera lens pointed at him. Or perhaps it was his older sister's oil portrait already hanging in his home that helped CJ understand that it was his turn. Regardless of the reason, CJ slowed down that sunny morning and followed instruction. I took tons of photos while he rested on that rock -- taking in his surroundings.<br />
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CJ loves the outdoors and rocks (throwing them is a favorite pastime.) And so it seemed appropriate that both of these elements would be a part of his portrait.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP39evR8SOlTVlYatRDYGuPmHf1QvvkCgMzmr9VNfmSBZ-lz-Uhx-M4PhJ0Ff0IYq787LE7WNaiJRN6hG2vwtwG86QQarBUP6-f8hh0WEPGrd2NG822b_KeuLMMBRY9_Q7kj_K-GziRc/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP39evR8SOlTVlYatRDYGuPmHf1QvvkCgMzmr9VNfmSBZ-lz-Uhx-M4PhJ0Ff0IYq787LE7WNaiJRN6hG2vwtwG86QQarBUP6-f8hh0WEPGrd2NG822b_KeuLMMBRY9_Q7kj_K-GziRc/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>CJ</b><br />20 x 16", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMsBB1PMSZXwW3oIdZyDjgauBEB_CZB3XCEIfiV7mM00DzmdCbk15Rna8zkl-YvZm-JLZLXSm8CYw1dmDp70Q4l0bFpUKK8u2SZGhgWTPp3RCft_MulF00ehBpg1sJHYdlXQ4Xtkf4OI/s1600/cj+portrait++%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMsBB1PMSZXwW3oIdZyDjgauBEB_CZB3XCEIfiV7mM00DzmdCbk15Rna8zkl-YvZm-JLZLXSm8CYw1dmDp70Q4l0bFpUKK8u2SZGhgWTPp3RCft_MulF00ehBpg1sJHYdlXQ4Xtkf4OI/s640/cj+portrait++%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: <i>Painting the contour lines. </i>I painted CJ's image with loose contour lines using a mixture of Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Earth Red thinned with mineral spirits. My biggest challenge at this stage was to slow down and study him as I worked on his features.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oPigSROBp2HEA4OyKA0veVSx8kaCyc4cbeQg7G5iBV9KETTjpmTLdYtC5HT6-rP-RYkAOfzRIpP4o6hK2No4ivZldFxCQfAFMgwzk96wwhyIHVjLlzn_kb2ZHOrlw-OIGIq46LtFPC8/s1600/cj+portrait++%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oPigSROBp2HEA4OyKA0veVSx8kaCyc4cbeQg7G5iBV9KETTjpmTLdYtC5HT6-rP-RYkAOfzRIpP4o6hK2No4ivZldFxCQfAFMgwzk96wwhyIHVjLlzn_kb2ZHOrlw-OIGIq46LtFPC8/s640/cj+portrait++%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2:</b> <i>Starting with the eyes...</i>Once I felt like I had his likeness I began painting the eyes, the focal point in this portrait.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxv6W8yIxPfxxhZkiWFInC3wAbtXlJFNH27XpIy0lWzVjSsmBZjkcLfZruO1SjOmJttFQ39pudJbb8Ec1AlE6rnlEAAlQDBdrxgXP5jUtxIKQTQr77CvTD3gThGZ-KYGqkkKmWl3XI_E/s1600/cj+portrait++%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxv6W8yIxPfxxhZkiWFInC3wAbtXlJFNH27XpIy0lWzVjSsmBZjkcLfZruO1SjOmJttFQ39pudJbb8Ec1AlE6rnlEAAlQDBdrxgXP5jUtxIKQTQr77CvTD3gThGZ-KYGqkkKmWl3XI_E/s640/cj+portrait++%25283%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3:</b> <i>Completing the face. </i>After the eyes I moved on to the rest of his face. Because the back lighting from the sun is slightly to his upper right, I realized that everything on his left side is slightly darker in value.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgJml37t1l6y0UZYBmuSx3qpgyzVK6-5hTSJ4crx2HOWaPqh-4z8F0UV5JcD5LGGwKJbNxkwIiZ1tyezNZT-TzRub1vW4JyT5vNgTq7NqfVFRnYZcN93o59jEyi4HYX9n5NQ878lrPZg/s1600/cj+portrait++%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgJml37t1l6y0UZYBmuSx3qpgyzVK6-5hTSJ4crx2HOWaPqh-4z8F0UV5JcD5LGGwKJbNxkwIiZ1tyezNZT-TzRub1vW4JyT5vNgTq7NqfVFRnYZcN93o59jEyi4HYX9n5NQ878lrPZg/s640/cj+portrait++%25285%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4</b>:<i> Painting the shirt. </i>I started his shirt by blocking in the darker shades of blue resting in the folds and creases.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHX2eKYLk7TcforMGS5NvBqII3d5XJWgNjS33bsOx-9V5Ik6fZpu1dJ8j59_Va0mmEIVj948NBy9FWnXp37y8QvgU6OUmAwN4yk-LGzuLidGWnVMiz0zDXSmIvr2fxZ0RsbTGkcL9-xY/s1600/cj+portrait++%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHX2eKYLk7TcforMGS5NvBqII3d5XJWgNjS33bsOx-9V5Ik6fZpu1dJ8j59_Va0mmEIVj948NBy9FWnXp37y8QvgU6OUmAwN4yk-LGzuLidGWnVMiz0zDXSmIvr2fxZ0RsbTGkcL9-xY/s640/cj+portrait++%25286%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5</b>: <i>Completing the shirt. </i>Once the darker values were in I began filling in the rest of his shirt with lighter shades of blues, purples, yellow and even some shades of pink.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRuAqUrQ3b7EclT7SO8YC7NkwYuqDl34LOomYr0dpLN29Z2Fujyqm_Jc1SbRAsjIS8oYEwEoIn8JcVxIfFWH8Z-Pn0yTobSxcAPSwDI10RVsTwGWqjVnZG5-w3KOH3Su_7rOk-dMvfjE/s1600/cj+portrait++%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRuAqUrQ3b7EclT7SO8YC7NkwYuqDl34LOomYr0dpLN29Z2Fujyqm_Jc1SbRAsjIS8oYEwEoIn8JcVxIfFWH8Z-Pn0yTobSxcAPSwDI10RVsTwGWqjVnZG5-w3KOH3Su_7rOk-dMvfjE/s640/cj+portrait++%25287%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Stage</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>6</b>: <i>Painting the shirt and hands. </i>When I was at a good stopping point with the shirt it was time to move on to his hands and blue jeans. Keeping the variations of the edges is important and it helps to work <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet-on-wet">wet on wet.</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv-DpsAL7LA3xF8Tpd7q3qwvnHvkmE3lMOgP1fc1_cWoyvFJFe81k76kVeQzdrcUZJNnuey9g8FDPIWwpWKGJQONK4Y9vW8hbTTavQoTwFd32j2y0tQRw1WqK7bTXRDNk5td1d0c64rU/s1600/cj+portrait++%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv-DpsAL7LA3xF8Tpd7q3qwvnHvkmE3lMOgP1fc1_cWoyvFJFe81k76kVeQzdrcUZJNnuey9g8FDPIWwpWKGJQONK4Y9vW8hbTTavQoTwFd32j2y0tQRw1WqK7bTXRDNk5td1d0c64rU/s640/cj+portrait++%25289%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 7</b>:<i> Painting the hair and ears. </i>I started this step by painting in some of the background so that the outer edges of his hair would be soft. Working with wet paint makes this step so much easier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2RpA1NVMqusnuuoEupizOQAgyj2pOecrO8z9rioOHAQt5RAwGgNGC_-C42g-XS9R764cxIz0qTKHFSebNatQTpRvEfqis8WKwfwUql-5y1Qkftq9zdDC3mrdu3asJkw-Ud5rXV4JrQA/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2RpA1NVMqusnuuoEupizOQAgyj2pOecrO8z9rioOHAQt5RAwGgNGC_-C42g-XS9R764cxIz0qTKHFSebNatQTpRvEfqis8WKwfwUql-5y1Qkftq9zdDC3mrdu3asJkw-Ud5rXV4JrQA/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 8</b>: <i>Painting the background and completing the painting. </i>I used a palette knife to apply some of the paint in the background. It helped create a rough and rugged feel of the rocks. I then used a brush to move some of that paint around and blend the colors together.<br /><br />When the painting was at this point, I left it alone for about a week and then came back in and reworked pretty much everything. (Taking out some detail, adding color, removing too much color in places, changing values, softening some edges...it's all part of my process.)</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-92158033271876707332015-06-08T17:50:00.002-06:002015-06-08T17:50:26.970-06:00Portrait Commission of Two Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At first glance, an oil portrait like this might simply look like a picture of two beautiful smiling people sharing a happy moment. But through the years I have learned and experienced that a portrait is not just a portrait. It is much more than that.<br />
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All portraits have one thing in common. They have a story to tell. This story begins (like all my previous portrait commissions) as a story about cherished loved ones who are being honored. And as the process begins one thing leads to another. Special memories are awakened that stir the viewer's heart and uplift the spirit. Emotions resurface that perhaps had laid dormant for a while. Loved ones are thought of and admired. A family heirloom is created.<br />
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There is power in a portrait.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88nGWTKd-ReVH2yLR__bMu1MjG5Ksw3FXixcKzx5O7qh3i-OIytmRvojBV9e6xt2pRPhwZZZa3lUuZYA5_gbQnMTTiCVVP6iRotLKt8YowHjireEKpF-FHGuavL40EEAKtejhLh3UpXo/s1600/Dianne+Rhodes+and+Mother%252C+Ema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88nGWTKd-ReVH2yLR__bMu1MjG5Ksw3FXixcKzx5O7qh3i-OIytmRvojBV9e6xt2pRPhwZZZa3lUuZYA5_gbQnMTTiCVVP6iRotLKt8YowHjireEKpF-FHGuavL40EEAKtejhLh3UpXo/s640/Dianne+Rhodes+and+Mother%252C+Ema.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mrs. Dianne Rhodes and Her Mother, Mrs. Emma Mae Grimes</b><br />18 x 24", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Once the decision for the commission had been made the excitement and planning began. There were lots of reference photos to study and analyze. This is the main reference photo I chose to work from though I used several others as well. Many questions were asked from my clients. "What size should the canvas be? How long will the process take? What about the framing? Can we use a linen liner?" I enjoy this process; its exciting for me as well.<br />
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I love the freedom of making changes and using the photos for reference only. Adjustments were to be made with lighting, composition, clothing, jewelry...its all fun!<br />
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I started the painting with a thin mixture of burnt umber and mineral spirits which I used to paint in freehand the contour lines of their images. From there I worked on Mrs. Rhodes' (on the left) face first and then moved on to her mother's.<br />
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Half of the lovely large necklace was covered by Mrs. Grimes' dress and so I revealed the full piece for balance and design.<br />
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The black dresses were nice for continuity but I wasn't sure how I wanted to complete them. I then blocked in Mrs. Grimes' hair, preparing for the waves that would add contrast with light and shadow.<br />
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At this stage I focused on the details...completing the hair...softening edges...hi-lighting the jewelry...<br />
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...details that make a big difference. At my client's request I added Mrs. Rhodes' hidden right earring. I think it was a good suggestion.</div>
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With input from my clients, the final decision was made to complete the dresses to the edge of the canvas along with other minor adjustments throughout the entire painting.</div>
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Once the completed portrait is approved it is either picked up by the client or delivered to their home. But this story had a different ending.</div>
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The date was set. Every small detail was carefully planned. A surprise dinner party was to be held in honor of Mrs. Rhodes.</div>
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I had the extra special pleasure of being invited to the unveiling in Atlanta, Georgia and was asked to take part in the presentation.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Photo credit to Josef M. Courtney</td></tr>
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To my right is Ms. Cherita Lewis, and to my left is Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Rhodes</div>
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It was a special blessing to be there and an evening I will never forget.</div>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-63421573487481224202015-05-18T13:56:00.001-06:002015-05-18T14:54:34.694-06:00Peonies: Painting Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is something to be said for creating something colorful, soothing and beautiful where only hours before there was a blank canvas and some tubes of paint. Painting from life teaches me so much more than a photo ever can. I love the entire process, from choosing the flowers at the market to setting them up in my studio with just the right light. When I am painting, I am lost in moments of color, texture and movement.<br />
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This fresh new painting project was in preparation for my beginners painting class at <a href="https://www.woodmenvalley.org/index.cfm/PageID/3474/index.html">Woodmen Valley</a>. I realized that painting peonies might seem like a daunting task for the beginner painter, but what a fun way to jump into painting; color, simple shapes and value brushed onto canvas in just three short hours. Our goal was not to create a masterpiece for each student but to learn the power of paint, touch on the academics of composition and to have fun applying paint to canvas. I think we can all learn something about ourselves if we dare to step out of our comfort zones and try something new.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Peonies</b><br />20 x 16", Acrylic on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN_iew9lfi1JKUGxvYBTmQ_OUVxfGuspvy0uIMHFeLWXlS5re5flsaTkqMDDLJpESRlgeoC3GYrLtqgDLbAezfuNlppdh7qnhZYB4YQDlOgSTi31RpavIgjpuA6RkTfKxWTWxKBs-xIc/s1600/Peonies+blog+post+(2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN_iew9lfi1JKUGxvYBTmQ_OUVxfGuspvy0uIMHFeLWXlS5re5flsaTkqMDDLJpESRlgeoC3GYrLtqgDLbAezfuNlppdh7qnhZYB4YQDlOgSTi31RpavIgjpuA6RkTfKxWTWxKBs-xIc/s640/Peonies+blog+post+(2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: <i>Setting up the still life composition. </i>It was a rather dark, rainy day but I was determined to paint from the natural southern light coming from my studio window. I arranged the three flowers following some simple composition guidelines that I could later explain to my painting class.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CTqBBpR8x-scJArmIvVo3jjGM49H5FCa3_bY9dOE8wamMmrFP7trHDEgTJH9Eu5_yReAHK1_WIZPyIJvBP_rngv6NXNRNHLxwpVq_IXrkH8aCZy8KRKuK9JrHB_esQhIj2Q88Q25dVA/s1600/Peonies+blog+post+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CTqBBpR8x-scJArmIvVo3jjGM49H5FCa3_bY9dOE8wamMmrFP7trHDEgTJH9Eu5_yReAHK1_WIZPyIJvBP_rngv6NXNRNHLxwpVq_IXrkH8aCZy8KRKuK9JrHB_esQhIj2Q88Q25dVA/s640/Peonies+blog+post+(3).JPG" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Stage 2</i>: <i>Painting in the lines of my composition.</i> Using a thinned mixture of alizarin crimson and white, I broke the painting down into thirds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMC-q_5ZWPnlQgIRwUohHUL9vkOoJefubMaC4bVuL623dQ2PCVGQuxlHWx6QbFbg8JlyLRYhtqYBG7_oIoYZ1iRjJf86a6mtKjb_-jwyk6J46jMmvpR_Bq_1tLebL71z8UdcpLAzx4Ec/s1600/Peonies+blog+post+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMC-q_5ZWPnlQgIRwUohHUL9vkOoJefubMaC4bVuL623dQ2PCVGQuxlHWx6QbFbg8JlyLRYhtqYBG7_oIoYZ1iRjJf86a6mtKjb_-jwyk6J46jMmvpR_Bq_1tLebL71z8UdcpLAzx4Ec/s640/Peonies+blog+post+(4).JPG" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3</b>: <i>Painting the flowers</i>. Thinking in terms of thirds, even in the values of the flowers, I painted them with a light, medium and dark pink. With a single natural light source from the window, seeing the three values was much easier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv1BtJd2riUB2PS5995O39RTm2B1ndeS9L7GQzTRhVCFABBMOgIisXK2z-nDzR87bElGRdPj3khSBVy8oFSiFQRqltVkGhWis7H__9h4YO49rbk8Phfw3coDRTV3XnN_ceQmLVPQVbsM/s1600/Peonies+blog+post+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv1BtJd2riUB2PS5995O39RTm2B1ndeS9L7GQzTRhVCFABBMOgIisXK2z-nDzR87bElGRdPj3khSBVy8oFSiFQRqltVkGhWis7H__9h4YO49rbk8Phfw3coDRTV3XnN_ceQmLVPQVbsM/s640/Peonies+blog+post+(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Stage 4:</i> <i>Completing the painting</i>. Once the flowers were done, I focused on the leaves, the foreground and background all at once. With acrylic, working <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1KMZB_enUS560US564&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=wet%20on%20wet">wet on wet</a>, I had to work fast so that my background and foreground edges worked in well with the flowers, the leaves and stems before the paint dried. Each leaf was 3 to 4 strokes. I put the main color of green down and then added the lights and darks of reds and yellows. I had fun adding the colors from the flowers and integrating them into the background and foreground.<br /><br />With the painting complete, I was ready to teach the class.</span></td></tr>
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First, I started the class with 8 x 10" canvas boards to create a color study. This starts the thinking process regarding color and composition. It also helps get the jitters out.<br />
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After spending a half hour or so on the color studies, we pulled out the 20 x 16" canvases and got to work creating the actual painting.<br />
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By the end of the second hour, colorful, fun peonies filled the class!<br />
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I walked around the class and started taking photos of all the great paintings that were being created right before my eyes. Enjoy scrolling down and seeing the variety of beautiful results.<br />
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Standing back and looking at all the multiple paintings of the peonies took my breath away. Each art student's style and personality emerged. We are all unique, like our paintings.<br />
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Here are some favorite quotes I jotted down while I was at the <a href="http://portraitsociety.blogspot.com/">Art of the Portrait</a> conference in Atlanta, Georgia a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">"I like to paint order out of chaos...It doesn't matter how large or how small (your painting is) its gotta be beautiful and intentional." </i>Quang Ho<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">"I look for passion, imagination and the means to communicate...Use all of your experiences, emotions, your life situation and put that in your paintings." </i>Everette Raymond Kinstler</div>
Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-81881087556396783092015-02-18T21:25:00.002-07:002015-02-18T21:28:35.471-07:00My Second Corporate Portrait: Part Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's always a relief when I reach this point in a portrait. Its time to leave the head alone and focus on the clothing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwG0C1yFbU40Bweuaa0igiV0j8mVMl77nqngaO1Pz4654VKXaxowV_sn67ks0JSa99MvVZYcoKl7jZNrZ-1pBiyzQ90O2Hs4pMP0lMU0zQ4Vkg23E-_-L17TRStRxeEre23e_Udc7gj8/s1600/photo+(79).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwG0C1yFbU40Bweuaa0igiV0j8mVMl77nqngaO1Pz4654VKXaxowV_sn67ks0JSa99MvVZYcoKl7jZNrZ-1pBiyzQ90O2Hs4pMP0lMU0zQ4Vkg23E-_-L17TRStRxeEre23e_Udc7gj8/s1600/photo+(79).JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 10</b>: <i>Painting the suit coat</i>. Painting a black suit coat with a single light source is a great opportunity to study values. I brushed in the darkest value first. I mixed two parts of Ultramarine Blue to one part Transparent Oxide Red to achieve the black that I needed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQLAnVhxwskpGIYi-D-ZzzQIdu7lEccOcpcDirL5DKrZ9_k4oB33zRLV3esmkhWNl7Z6bx0m-5BoFCbRBYbQFCgfv-n7MRUO-cvYQjjSptXTFkOClep-dpDR8uvz-IkOLkjdlXRIOHo/s1600/photo+1+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQLAnVhxwskpGIYi-D-ZzzQIdu7lEccOcpcDirL5DKrZ9_k4oB33zRLV3esmkhWNl7Z6bx0m-5BoFCbRBYbQFCgfv-n7MRUO-cvYQjjSptXTFkOClep-dpDR8uvz-IkOLkjdlXRIOHo/s1600/photo+1+(17).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then I worked in the lighter values. The next step was to blend the lights and darks at their edges to that they transitioned well with soft edges.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ovYC3NrcS9eqSaT_2BSjcbj3r0FAe1o5GrYsL3bHd5ZoOZc9jHu9shLjKdRKvnTgvN9TafqHHQXWB5aMx1aHb3Aqa9M3sbDBp5aYAm4DcVrHd5_p-A6OgT5UFZTI6G1qbI5uPgTh1PU/s1600/photo+(76).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ovYC3NrcS9eqSaT_2BSjcbj3r0FAe1o5GrYsL3bHd5ZoOZc9jHu9shLjKdRKvnTgvN9TafqHHQXWB5aMx1aHb3Aqa9M3sbDBp5aYAm4DcVrHd5_p-A6OgT5UFZTI6G1qbI5uPgTh1PU/s1600/photo+(76).JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 11</b>:<i> The hands. </i>I started the hands by blocking in the light and dark shapes. This underpainting helped me see their shapes in the simplest of terms.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz02yT5Exy84VRTpr7wWyKveXHDLhPBsTvI7MLmWJ4NP-QCRyj0bB1NCCoQ-yyS5a_1sxlN8tLeJgjKMsaUKGCnz23bgCwcanx_5x6QTdXAk_YVrN8QqhD8dvVIpYCievsYNoksgQqDuQ/s1600/photo+(84).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz02yT5Exy84VRTpr7wWyKveXHDLhPBsTvI7MLmWJ4NP-QCRyj0bB1NCCoQ-yyS5a_1sxlN8tLeJgjKMsaUKGCnz23bgCwcanx_5x6QTdXAk_YVrN8QqhD8dvVIpYCievsYNoksgQqDuQ/s1600/photo+(84).JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Working <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet-on-wet">wet on wet</a> paint, I then applied the second layer with additional color and values.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLCJUu0Ec2cpOhDZYDyErVuSNjsfYV-0LsHsYyYdB4pik9Gj1MBUlkmwp0EAq_1c-sAIXV4c00I7qeevpf2g17AfktgRTu3I1h5LnmsnjciBS3naW-cbAMq6MUWEHhiP91FCqWQHXkdk/s1600/photo+2+(19)%2BConor%2Bblog%2Bfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLCJUu0Ec2cpOhDZYDyErVuSNjsfYV-0LsHsYyYdB4pik9Gj1MBUlkmwp0EAq_1c-sAIXV4c00I7qeevpf2g17AfktgRTu3I1h5LnmsnjciBS3naW-cbAMq6MUWEHhiP91FCqWQHXkdk/s1600/photo+2+(19)%2BConor%2Bblog%2Bfinal.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conor McCluskey<br />BombBomb, CEO<br />36 x 24", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-87809365541183224892015-02-12T22:13:00.002-07:002015-02-13T09:32:49.703-07:00My Second Corporate Portrait: Part One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There are so many layers in the art world. The formal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_painting">portrait</a> is one of them. I meet many artists who, for various reasons, prefer not to go there. Regardless of the naysayers I have always been intrigued by the historical use of formal portraits as well as the challenge to paint them. As Aristotle stated," The aim of Art is to present not the outward appearance of things, but their inner significance; for this, not the external manner and detail, constitutes true reality." (I wish I could have been the first person to say that.)</div>
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One of my most recent goals was to add two formal business/corporate portraits to my portfolio. This is my second one.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWNkcQONvJJ3yONmUApl0xSB4t6Ce5Cbm6u0aKl510twMvJaHHhLHaSDVBSgrIcwaef3vitN2hsb1UIn4i8Kj8PQiTFrPO0grNAhkr-WSgB-pa3XKfyzyMni50iX6xOYNEK0zd3frRUA/s1600/photo+1+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWNkcQONvJJ3yONmUApl0xSB4t6Ce5Cbm6u0aKl510twMvJaHHhLHaSDVBSgrIcwaef3vitN2hsb1UIn4i8Kj8PQiTFrPO0grNAhkr-WSgB-pa3XKfyzyMni50iX6xOYNEK0zd3frRUA/s1600/photo+1+(16).JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>:<i> Painting in the image.</i> After tinting the canvas with a thinned mixture of Transparent Oxide Red and Ultramarine Blue, I used that same mixture to lightly paint in<a href="http://www.bombbomb.com/team/"> Conor's</a> likeness freehand.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Detail of the face.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLly4CW9HqLj07euZgRjLezYv61G92dd7dBei3p0U_d_CMRQCBAzZGI9UyBzTCBHp4LtddiZdobM-tiMAqAxsaeQyi_MXBzJmjIFPESxxrRjlv0Y7xJbiG9nZEfTPAlshzZ_C1bmtbl7w/s1600/IMG_3875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLly4CW9HqLj07euZgRjLezYv61G92dd7dBei3p0U_d_CMRQCBAzZGI9UyBzTCBHp4LtddiZdobM-tiMAqAxsaeQyi_MXBzJmjIFPESxxrRjlv0Y7xJbiG9nZEfTPAlshzZ_C1bmtbl7w/s1600/IMG_3875.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>: <i>Painting the face. </i>I begin this stage the same way I would if I were painting from life instead of using a reference photo: lightly brushing in the shape of the head with a thin layer of paint as I familiarize myself with the features.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt6DiJPKH5ps0XAAYt8bnSBw7yrN2mbfyKWcktnmuerWoWwpETqGH8XNSxR39nJ2s4G4g8xnV9futAsBhrwg7_zc5VI40Z22CunKmoqPL1zoi4OaFOU8UcClqNiUYtgSe4I58Rocn104/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt6DiJPKH5ps0XAAYt8bnSBw7yrN2mbfyKWcktnmuerWoWwpETqGH8XNSxR39nJ2s4G4g8xnV9futAsBhrwg7_zc5VI40Z22CunKmoqPL1zoi4OaFOU8UcClqNiUYtgSe4I58Rocn104/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3</b>: <i>The eyes. </i>The eyes tell the story. In this first attempt I aim for accuracy in shape, color and light.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrW_BQKoVrebEnRHCABE8JtSBBc8P5bVmgUaElym1c6ibAZzYRCAEiU6AlKk853td1dsRaLifEJAC0mZoNRtHjUSUBmt2EBS00DwbpkxDMAdi8NA-Rt0kEaHoioN6cZQg0RJlM79MWhc/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrW_BQKoVrebEnRHCABE8JtSBBc8P5bVmgUaElym1c6ibAZzYRCAEiU6AlKk853td1dsRaLifEJAC0mZoNRtHjUSUBmt2EBS00DwbpkxDMAdi8NA-Rt0kEaHoioN6cZQg0RJlM79MWhc/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4</b>: <i>Blocking in the face. </i>As I apply this layer of paint I pay attention to the planes of the face as I develop the likeness through light, contrast and shadow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984EyUakykOXLmHuhbpTkcjqy3capHdZKD9ZxUv1fp-xTBEJ6G2abPQ0WcBWVgH6tbLpyVMChYVZ6QRnTcyGeeB_kRteLOd_bG6W3dwRXqId-St5aM3Z-OV5byAb2QTr6GJBwGeGNgFs/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984EyUakykOXLmHuhbpTkcjqy3capHdZKD9ZxUv1fp-xTBEJ6G2abPQ0WcBWVgH6tbLpyVMChYVZ6QRnTcyGeeB_kRteLOd_bG6W3dwRXqId-St5aM3Z-OV5byAb2QTr6GJBwGeGNgFs/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5:</b><i> Blending the colors. </i>Once the paint is on the canvas I move the it around with my brush, pulling colors and values into each other so that they transition well.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaDZj76PWsxUGAiC9niQG3afSPHxrO7tgEaAIR_rhu6ER7QZtIqpmPCtToVU-_21oidJ72EXdndkgUzAmE5WfzjBu-lsxzBwtyM0Mt4qhLDa0YmJfFvfviMjI9Ae2ZIYye8mulmMVZt4/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaDZj76PWsxUGAiC9niQG3afSPHxrO7tgEaAIR_rhu6ER7QZtIqpmPCtToVU-_21oidJ72EXdndkgUzAmE5WfzjBu-lsxzBwtyM0Mt4qhLDa0YmJfFvfviMjI9Ae2ZIYye8mulmMVZt4/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 6:</b> <i>Completing the first layer (underpainting). </i>This is my last step -- blocking in the remaining shapes and colors of his face before I can complete it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh3vkdxpATW7dmaGv5a5NvJrSyx6uBIurKZ7rxBctliDAwybW28PrdBqBul3ZLI6JQxTtsi5epXOwl1ThMlNJZ0jKZ_O-6Y23wx7IAHYP1JDPOG16OLhDf8Ganeqi50sd_2Jm3xoa9fc/s1600/photo+(80).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh3vkdxpATW7dmaGv5a5NvJrSyx6uBIurKZ7rxBctliDAwybW28PrdBqBul3ZLI6JQxTtsi5epXOwl1ThMlNJZ0jKZ_O-6Y23wx7IAHYP1JDPOG16OLhDf8Ganeqi50sd_2Jm3xoa9fc/s1600/photo+(80).JPG" height="640" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 7</b>: <i>Completing the face. </i>I applied thicker paint for the second layer and then blended the colors and values together so that they transitioned well from light to dark and warm to cool colors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMTrSTVvxgRbakUneYx108xm8iLlDvXI9nmLLv2nkd3Cl651aDQABoQsnTk8QEPrJ9zqWaRgjkjGE7qEJz1GkCc9w93FU_pcmd2afzTUkcWGWXprRP87x4s9q0cUBOBGAyItddFBx9aU/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMTrSTVvxgRbakUneYx108xm8iLlDvXI9nmLLv2nkd3Cl651aDQABoQsnTk8QEPrJ9zqWaRgjkjGE7qEJz1GkCc9w93FU_pcmd2afzTUkcWGWXprRP87x4s9q0cUBOBGAyItddFBx9aU/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG" height="640" width="403" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 8</b>:<i> Blocking in the tie and shirt.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyIq5pT-atDaTGqStoJrZYmp56FrESr8B2NxRdkCDte8IfwZd7sFrxZfj0bL6lQsf0d-hiR3-3i3PfTSTe_p-l6WjChib8vhywy1rN_7eWYyQ8GX0LQ-qojWfCESyVYZmWdSjQ1Ccc_8/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyIq5pT-atDaTGqStoJrZYmp56FrESr8B2NxRdkCDte8IfwZd7sFrxZfj0bL6lQsf0d-hiR3-3i3PfTSTe_p-l6WjChib8vhywy1rN_7eWYyQ8GX0LQ-qojWfCESyVYZmWdSjQ1Ccc_8/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" height="640" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 9</b>:<i> Completing the shirt and tie. </i>The intricate design on this silk tie almost intimidated me. I decided to squint my eyes and paint my impression of it.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-17429759625779393142015-02-03T13:57:00.001-07:002015-02-03T13:57:29.861-07:00Pen and Ink Portraits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Along with my painting, I have been having a lot of fun sketching with pen and ink. It started out with the challenge of doing a drawing a day. And then, without really planning to, I moved from sketching inanimate objects to drawing people. There is something about capturing the likeness of another human being, on paper or canvas, that I cannot resist.<br />
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One drawing led to another and soon I was accepting commissions for small, 4 x 6 inch, pen and ink portraits. They make unique gifts that become family treasures. And from those original portraits I have also had requests for<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gicl%C3%A9e"> giclee</a> prints. The prints become additional gifts to extended family members.<br />
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Here are some of the portraits I have sketched recently. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeKW4no3cpxFJu7rKYESC0_6aZNWhqL5ZCnEq1tRz9elcrSSZN74OWsYd9rkc1ZZNmzwRS0B76PsxsWmOCT5qMHzLJHQJm1gLZN17YxQw15AEjmb9O6RB8I0foaIhDYqtfoAjWD9PpXI/s1600/IMG_3302+(2)%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeKW4no3cpxFJu7rKYESC0_6aZNWhqL5ZCnEq1tRz9elcrSSZN74OWsYd9rkc1ZZNmzwRS0B76PsxsWmOCT5qMHzLJHQJm1gLZN17YxQw15AEjmb9O6RB8I0foaIhDYqtfoAjWD9PpXI/s1600/IMG_3302+(2)%2Bcopy.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-74748481911327347732015-01-19T08:33:00.000-07:002015-01-19T08:46:11.583-07:00Remembrance Service<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is a verse, in the book of Isaiah, that had never been brought to my attention before until this past year:<span style="color: blue;"> <i>See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.</i> Isaiah 49:16 </span>...this became a comfort verse for me when my dad died.<br />
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To add to that, this past December was the second year that I had been invited to paint on stage at a yearly<a href="https://www.woodmenvalley.org/"> remembrance service</a> which is held to honor loved ones who have passed and comfort those left behind. What would I paint? The first image that came to mind was an outstretched hand of Christ. Open. Inviting. Welcoming. A visual reminder of the verse.<br />
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At the end of the service those who attended were invited to come forward and write their loved one's name on the palm. Amidst the freshly lit candles and photographs of those being remembered, this painting was the focal point as each person came forward with pen in hand. One name after another became a part of the painting, filling the palm and even spilling into the fingers. A quiet reverence filled the sanctuary. The air was heavy with the memories of those who had left us.<br />
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When I take a moment to look back at the variety of work I have had the privilege to create, I stand in awe. My life as an artist is a rich one.<br />
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<i>It was a large canvas, 36 x 48", which was a challenge to cover with paint in approximately 16 minutes. The logistics required that I paint the palm ahead of time, in my studio so that it would be dry for the signatures. This also gave me more time to paint the fingers, wrist and background during the music portion of the service provided by the gifted <a href="http://www.shannonwexelberg.com/">Shannon Wexelberg. </a></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZMftfxjxKopBlZEV72gnzVCvVWEFY8kVaALXCIdjJLhMd5wvKTObg7W7n4wSUi9QX8zqbEzUTm4eelf6qhC40Lm8y4WXxx-FwdxPTEfNvbtfJd-8o6raHSrAZBiUgmI5Z2huk9v-HEw/s1600/watermark+hand+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZMftfxjxKopBlZEV72gnzVCvVWEFY8kVaALXCIdjJLhMd5wvKTObg7W7n4wSUi9QX8zqbEzUTm4eelf6qhC40Lm8y4WXxx-FwdxPTEfNvbtfJd-8o6raHSrAZBiUgmI5Z2huk9v-HEw/s1600/watermark+hand+copy.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Isaiah 49:16</b><br />36 x 48", Acrylic on canvas</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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Painting on stage always takes me to a place where I have to creatively let go of my perfectionistic tendencies and let come what may. Along with the preparation it requires a giant step of faith.<br />
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-38588899542999986962014-12-26T13:00:00.000-07:002014-12-26T13:18:55.468-07:00Dog Portrait Commission<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUXNtzBRatN1oggewnWEVuzpQjR6pidrpmtMSkR60y8BPkozD3JXyJcXSsj2S9grazRUWQGn-o8LHSq9nvpVk1odNpW0bVu1U8Wzs27o8OTDqGgE2PWSf67gqTmKFOTiffEB7WxCkuqg/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUXNtzBRatN1oggewnWEVuzpQjR6pidrpmtMSkR60y8BPkozD3JXyJcXSsj2S9grazRUWQGn-o8LHSq9nvpVk1odNpW0bVu1U8Wzs27o8OTDqGgE2PWSf67gqTmKFOTiffEB7WxCkuqg/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dog Portrait Commission</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">12 x 16", Oil on canvas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson </b>(c)2014</span></div>
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These past several weeks have been extra busy with travel mixed in with painting and pen and ink sketches. Today I'd like to share a fun commission that I had the pleasure of creating for a new client who wanted to make this portrait a Christmas gift surprise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2VUufg9YOmIUaMOLivR0HgeEchBBn7gLa-D_qnd4eYmGuy8_Fq_-6NuDUjqSLJL3qIXXPEjAiNPBjsxcRuELq2Wu3EL2TUntC6qXbDkZZMI84nSBZAwPImTsMiT9jq_MMVisv04kCGk/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2VUufg9YOmIUaMOLivR0HgeEchBBn7gLa-D_qnd4eYmGuy8_Fq_-6NuDUjqSLJL3qIXXPEjAiNPBjsxcRuELq2Wu3EL2TUntC6qXbDkZZMI84nSBZAwPImTsMiT9jq_MMVisv04kCGk/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a>All of the preliminary work for this painting was done via email. After the initial inquiry, a variety of photographs were sent to me; I was given the freedom to create from those and work on the composition from there.<br />
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This is the photo I used as my main reference photo. As you can see, the ears on both dogs were cropped and by using the additional photos, I was able to paint them back in. Also, the photo was a bit dark in places and so I enjoyed the artistic freedom of adding light and color that I saw in some of the other photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>:<i> The sketch</i>. I approach every initial sketch for a portrait painting as though I am painting from life and so I paint it freehand, using the eyes as reference points for the rest of the features. Getting the angles and likeness right is very important at this stage. I really liked the pose of these two pooches; the way their beautiful faces came closely together, leaning into each other, was endearing.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>:<i> Blocking in the main colors</i>. Another nice touch to this painting was the way the the two dogs complimented each other with the color and markings of their coats. Because of some of their similar colors I was able to paint each of the dogs simultaneously. In this layer I did not worry about details and texture, instead I focused on their main shapes of color.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUXNtzBRatN1oggewnWEVuzpQjR6pidrpmtMSkR60y8BPkozD3JXyJcXSsj2S9grazRUWQGn-o8LHSq9nvpVk1odNpW0bVu1U8Wzs27o8OTDqGgE2PWSf67gqTmKFOTiffEB7WxCkuqg/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUXNtzBRatN1oggewnWEVuzpQjR6pidrpmtMSkR60y8BPkozD3JXyJcXSsj2S9grazRUWQGn-o8LHSq9nvpVk1odNpW0bVu1U8Wzs27o8OTDqGgE2PWSf67gqTmKFOTiffEB7WxCkuqg/s1600/photo+3+(10).JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3</b>: <i>Completing the painting. </i>This final layer is always pure fun for me. I enjoy applying thick paint with a palette knife and then moving it around with a coarse haired paint brush. Colors are enhanced and details applied. The final touches involved a small, fine paintbrush that gave me the ability to paint in the suggestions of their whiskers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The background was also a blast. My client requested light blue, grayish colors with touches of yellow. That was an easy request to fulfill since the colors of the dogs had already lent themselves to that type of background as a nice option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Painting commissions are always an honor for me. To be a part of a story where kindness and generosity is involved is so special.</span></div>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-73998731032795058722014-11-16T18:40:00.000-07:002014-11-16T18:48:12.014-07:00Aspen Tree Paintings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have never thought of my self as an aspen tree type of artist until I took my<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palette_knife"> palette</a> knife out. And then it was a completely different story. A palette knife freed me from so many inborn tendencies to make straight lines and consistent edges with aspens. I also had fun with color and texture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Vanguard</b><br />10x10", Acrylic on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson </b>(c)2014</span></td></tr>
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. Here is a step by step example of how I painted my second one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BWuYspu1fzmQ0GvaSWomlYgBFBIGRRHU-klUC3fZhyUdlWXYWh-ZqjNle8kDn12dklGq2M6b6bIDyRt_X7iAUbWYWaJ9EKZcotQzR7ZZaySJe4zX8AB6giKfS_sJfbbEg5HnTUOfbyk/s1600/photo+1+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BWuYspu1fzmQ0GvaSWomlYgBFBIGRRHU-klUC3fZhyUdlWXYWh-ZqjNle8kDn12dklGq2M6b6bIDyRt_X7iAUbWYWaJ9EKZcotQzR7ZZaySJe4zX8AB6giKfS_sJfbbEg5HnTUOfbyk/s1600/photo+1+(12).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: <i>Preparing the canvas</i>. Tinting the canvas with a neutral color of ultramarine blue mixed with burnt umber toned down the bright white surface and enabled me to see my colors more realistically.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS3ftIYxiRMpo5nVsHa2XHEMWFO1Lh2_NZYvHcRaMXNbdyoUlkiaC9EW2InMv9R0GlZe5-wwI3vyfRCiXX8eMDPSk6EiG93B1zWRQNnAptgV4M5J53Td3j-8X6ur254oBlahrlgSOrjQ/s1600/photo+2+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS3ftIYxiRMpo5nVsHa2XHEMWFO1Lh2_NZYvHcRaMXNbdyoUlkiaC9EW2InMv9R0GlZe5-wwI3vyfRCiXX8eMDPSk6EiG93B1zWRQNnAptgV4M5J53Td3j-8X6ur254oBlahrlgSOrjQ/s1600/photo+2+(13).JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once the canvas was completely tinted and dry I was ready to begin.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2:</b> <i>The underpainting.</i> With this first layer I composed the background with three different shades of blues and purples. I worked quickly to blend since acrylic dries fairly fast even with a paint medium mixed in.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI5GbRk8Ua6rn2Q_HtEuY-XtrXBIMK5GcO-2d4KzjPSiZGriyPKKes24yeWMBfQAgUNT3lL8aOvNozNT77-rBCIE57Fhyphenhyphen7-3K-Mc9aWuXshwXZepNzOglvjebwD8YvDDmhdrgItvI7Jk/s1600/photo+3+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI5GbRk8Ua6rn2Q_HtEuY-XtrXBIMK5GcO-2d4KzjPSiZGriyPKKes24yeWMBfQAgUNT3lL8aOvNozNT77-rBCIE57Fhyphenhyphen7-3K-Mc9aWuXshwXZepNzOglvjebwD8YvDDmhdrgItvI7Jk/s1600/photo+3+(8).JPG" height="382" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3:</b> <i>Painting in the trees. </i>I chose ultramarine blue to lightly paint in the shapes of the aspens.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zDJo2j24cek14kRZd4bwsyh3oX-yGV_Hqr9JO_0axXadBepSwT_yFwwdiqJaiDcJrmHnMqFDhitZokKdRhUUqPm0NS6kGA-umJt7F88xMoKXaovpT7hijtBIf34EYlu1etO-4-NvH0o/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zDJo2j24cek14kRZd4bwsyh3oX-yGV_Hqr9JO_0axXadBepSwT_yFwwdiqJaiDcJrmHnMqFDhitZokKdRhUUqPm0NS6kGA-umJt7F88xMoKXaovpT7hijtBIf34EYlu1etO-4-NvH0o/s1600/photo+4+(2).JPG" height="400" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...And then I added a layer of white.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatvARMFuV-mXoqSBVXSFA5WrjduG2QBLalQMmXMgclePGjWUoDdkn_QU_zNkhmhAmoYXSJg-nT-8SEHiDUBj1APc4HU-yD3PHCtyXGdPK9Zn0xvduVUbIhaI8d4i39tUzlN5ugMDBFfU/s1600/photo+1+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatvARMFuV-mXoqSBVXSFA5WrjduG2QBLalQMmXMgclePGjWUoDdkn_QU_zNkhmhAmoYXSJg-nT-8SEHiDUBj1APc4HU-yD3PHCtyXGdPK9Zn0xvduVUbIhaI8d4i39tUzlN5ugMDBFfU/s1600/photo+1+(10).JPG" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4</b>: <i>Using the palette knife. </i>Once I had the underpainting of the trees in place it was time to apply the rest of the paint with a palette knife. The very nature of aspen trees gives me the freedom to interpret them with very few restrictions.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Whisper</b><br />8x8", Acrylic on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson </b>(c)2014</span></td></tr>
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Both of these paintings will be at <a href="http://g44gallery.com/">G44 Gallery</a>'s annual Holiday Show, November 21-December 24. There will be forty-four artists represented. All work is for sale. If you are in the area I hope you can stop by.<br />
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-49186385721516280312014-11-10T14:56:00.000-07:002014-11-10T15:56:23.906-07:00Draw Every Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The thought of drawing every day used to overwhelm me. Perhaps it was because an art professor in college once told me that every artist should draw at least two hours a day. He did draw and he was good at it. But did I really want to devote that much time to it each day? No. And so I didn't. Painting takes up most of my time. It was a good excuse.<br />
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I really wanted to draw though so I started out with lower expectations than the two hour challenge. What if I drew for 5 minutes, or ten. Or maybe at the most 30 minutes? Surely I could carve 15 minutes out of my day for drawing. Plus, it became self motivating when I was giving out sketch books like the art fairy to my adult children (who are artists) and challenging <i>them </i>to draw. And then when my son, Adam, challenged me to a drawing a day, I had to walk the talk.<br />
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I've heard it takes 3 weeks to develop a new habit. Now, almost 2 months later, if I don't take a few minutes out of my day to sketch <i>something, </i>I miss it. There is satisfaction in the doing. My eyes are getting stronger. I'm training them to see form, shape and shadow with confidence and much more quickly. To speed things up I usually use a pen so that I don't take time to erase and try and make it better.<br />
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I encourage you to draw. Don't let it become a big deal. Make it fun; draw what you like and what inspires you. It doesn't have to be perfect. If you only have 3 minutes, take 3 minutes. Keep it simple. And you don't have to show anyone unless you want to.<br />
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Here are some samples of what I have been drawing. Below each sketch is my inspiration for drawing it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFjUDSEV0zPRdMn8GL0om8F4xGpYYxxUtERRgUCXSvEbkiHO_nfeuj1FhlF2y6Kgd4JRTy9A2s8Vzx-kq3yfyye6c7OMLGrCTRN5gHNUwTkdFNJxf52oILgV91XkboLu8D7R8QI1NqDQ/s1600/photo+(69).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFjUDSEV0zPRdMn8GL0om8F4xGpYYxxUtERRgUCXSvEbkiHO_nfeuj1FhlF2y6Kgd4JRTy9A2s8Vzx-kq3yfyye6c7OMLGrCTRN5gHNUwTkdFNJxf52oILgV91XkboLu8D7R8QI1NqDQ/s1600/photo+(69).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I like to think of each new day as a blank canvas. An opportunity to start anew with fresh ideas, hope and expectations for great things to happen. (I set up a miniature easel and canvas on my table.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qO0j_aBBr2AxeJzS_68Dd6ntQb9Imo3uGuu-C1aqh7VS7Y4_mmKAr67uPdgkNHbQRXTpNKG_VTbZzh9ax9J5B7Jd-v1q9PwVMAGGVFCEsxya9EV8OeiUa4kNLt2EzjkWNJCU1SbDIP8/s1600/photo+2+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qO0j_aBBr2AxeJzS_68Dd6ntQb9Imo3uGuu-C1aqh7VS7Y4_mmKAr67uPdgkNHbQRXTpNKG_VTbZzh9ax9J5B7Jd-v1q9PwVMAGGVFCEsxya9EV8OeiUa4kNLt2EzjkWNJCU1SbDIP8/s1600/photo+2+(8).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite old paintbrushes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAlwsoo3g3vMc3DnFCJWF0oJyC6zt-tbEMHjMP4MzjY5gmMOuDoD_5lTeaG4gYXbSO-RSBtz3KJIny7If2y_gTHSiEe9nVGV3zs_JwwSjNtBWvo0QcIENptkYxg7VhHMorc7hoX4hf4c/s1600/photo+3+(6).JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A feather floated off the table where my husband ties flies.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUO1gU8DRUU2Zua5CLWetv6XW7OMLFS94GBzhmCE7cae6lJp2b8k5ce4IOBPoGrqhYgQ0W1OgeHaFkb6RDujakmF3UqXKR9fa34NqL81pOkAE3WlxfycfM72d2vVpRfAZlwXpxY3-0Lw/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite honey jar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntDOBtajDqzTrZbDLSB4npoOZ48A09M1cWiQzbnpygScVvLaE3cY1bcJoDmYLv4TGXIR8h9Ex08mo_zf_A7GksmqWwa0_DB2ITXjl0XEXPtaCvqEvGESKnjuJp-KtNb_hg39a8zcx8l8/s1600/photo+1+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntDOBtajDqzTrZbDLSB4npoOZ48A09M1cWiQzbnpygScVvLaE3cY1bcJoDmYLv4TGXIR8h9Ex08mo_zf_A7GksmqWwa0_DB2ITXjl0XEXPtaCvqEvGESKnjuJp-KtNb_hg39a8zcx8l8/s1600/photo+1+(9).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I enjoyed a few minutes outside on a warm October day looking up at this small tree branch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQwQhX9sCkehH_OgWTXbtTwl3ImIgS1_RE0JC570AVDk0pqLsK3X8YsPFPBLqStITgnKEqwGkbKSoDZDkh-PAr2irKKj5-6WxqipwUCSNJHQu5OauoYaZ1qEFgkTjpmUus39VPq9vYE8/s1600/photo+3+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQwQhX9sCkehH_OgWTXbtTwl3ImIgS1_RE0JC570AVDk0pqLsK3X8YsPFPBLqStITgnKEqwGkbKSoDZDkh-PAr2irKKj5-6WxqipwUCSNJHQu5OauoYaZ1qEFgkTjpmUus39VPq9vYE8/s1600/photo+3+(5).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is one of the last jars of canned peaches that I put up last summer. I hadn't canned peaches in years.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIOG6SpjeqgZeBrgDORN45-0AEMc4dRiZxK_6fdK0NlV7Pr5UrRpM5vabN5dmazGt2qLwUdGR1wbewUCJqY4R4qnWLET2YUn0D30Jq_8YB0yDdLba049-tg9oTuLJny8XQ64f7rqeWmc/s1600/photo+2+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIOG6SpjeqgZeBrgDORN45-0AEMc4dRiZxK_6fdK0NlV7Pr5UrRpM5vabN5dmazGt2qLwUdGR1wbewUCJqY4R4qnWLET2YUn0D30Jq_8YB0yDdLba049-tg9oTuLJny8XQ64f7rqeWmc/s1600/photo+2+(10).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I attended my granddaughter's birthday party. I sketched quickly before the candles were lit. I gave her the sketch as an extra little gift.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilihkriFqyUDG7bT6SCUllA8l8H-yF_3ov7eh_du0GlM7K3UfwJ3cUp0LgEKdHqO269GpHlbxVKYloe7RWUUAeXRMejq_KfIDA-5XiQHTBG4omLsbWVKXASfzJZdY3aQFuoo3x_esIaWg/s1600/photo+1+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilihkriFqyUDG7bT6SCUllA8l8H-yF_3ov7eh_du0GlM7K3UfwJ3cUp0LgEKdHqO269GpHlbxVKYloe7RWUUAeXRMejq_KfIDA-5XiQHTBG4omLsbWVKXASfzJZdY3aQFuoo3x_esIaWg/s1600/photo+1+(8).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been trying to drink more lemon water.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKCe1YtIwpYrbrwqKyMaxQSkEL_0ktnjSgR98-qK24AqlcgplW1nomr43DP11rHSU-LVDFsduaxNTFPY0ZCBQxo83JjVAemR74ehS7GB6FVPR3zL84mjZnajo8bmYt1oRh2XaB1tbptA/s1600/photo+2+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKCe1YtIwpYrbrwqKyMaxQSkEL_0ktnjSgR98-qK24AqlcgplW1nomr43DP11rHSU-LVDFsduaxNTFPY0ZCBQxo83JjVAemR74ehS7GB6FVPR3zL84mjZnajo8bmYt1oRh2XaB1tbptA/s1600/photo+2+(9).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Christmas cactus bloomed early this year. I loved the strong lines and bright red color. Drama.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-8727522476000284332014-10-24T15:25:00.002-06:002014-10-24T15:47:35.083-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sometimes I see something that speaks to me with such beauty and personality that I just have to paint a portrait of it. In this case, it was this beautiful teapot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrmmgZXvnZd-fmhj8kDXF64-UL6Ly6rOLrTrM4XPNvm0MtOMBVphyphenhyphen1266AbykDrDbfz24uWF9CHuSag23LP_hJuKOpj__ylY5ot3KxMf7cDVSes0-9STniH9sDEe8vTZpUo29vk1xwrg/s1600/photo+(55).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrmmgZXvnZd-fmhj8kDXF64-UL6Ly6rOLrTrM4XPNvm0MtOMBVphyphenhyphen1266AbykDrDbfz24uWF9CHuSag23LP_hJuKOpj__ylY5ot3KxMf7cDVSes0-9STniH9sDEe8vTZpUo29vk1xwrg/s1600/photo+(55).JPG" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sadler England Teapot</b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">8 x 10", Oil on canvas</span><br />
<b style="font-size: medium;">Rita Salazar Dickerson (c)2014</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCC3z_Jw-ZfUYoiqtHMvcyWfl33lRHAXASn9b8_GWUHhcN4yZzctOXCTYs4F9i2fpo_E5lCTgtGwE1jZ9Hs-LAP2RzdFaV_HWMlIz2YOO-Jprpk_9a7ewARbjKvSi5nzmpzvCUOZ1uT8/s1600/photo+(52).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCC3z_Jw-ZfUYoiqtHMvcyWfl33lRHAXASn9b8_GWUHhcN4yZzctOXCTYs4F9i2fpo_E5lCTgtGwE1jZ9Hs-LAP2RzdFaV_HWMlIz2YOO-Jprpk_9a7ewARbjKvSi5nzmpzvCUOZ1uT8/s1600/photo+(52).JPG" height="530" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1: </b><i>The drawing</i>. With a wash made up of Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Earth Red thinned with mineral spirits, I loosely painted in the shape of the teapot that was positioned on a shelf four feet away.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yq0UBCYspoPQE7qB0cnErtJDUGUNgrTy0A4cr-RLAn8VN-NP45HVrxxfZG1zwCwhUc09B8f30VHHQHS-hUfrXabTJkCW3mruwHaWlB2f_qpdSKjRMUD0ibz-wcbQroVKqG9VbR77NzM/s1600/photo+(53).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yq0UBCYspoPQE7qB0cnErtJDUGUNgrTy0A4cr-RLAn8VN-NP45HVrxxfZG1zwCwhUc09B8f30VHHQHS-hUfrXabTJkCW3mruwHaWlB2f_qpdSKjRMUD0ibz-wcbQroVKqG9VbR77NzM/s1600/photo+(53).JPG" height="510" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>:<i> Blocking in the teapot.</i> With a thin layer of paint I blocked in the major shapes, colors and values.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29vKihWe2C5nFGNoWtZQkeZmhA3J-ubiwZvtOJv1Z0TaMd0EPrLeiKLr_uCvYXfEFPvjtkTcQxL1iUGPCHzB95CuRJdNoSHAsKIsLd5dnzYIuxeElxdFtKW7xGeVTW3rn8oU87KrJ7fM/s1600/photo+(54).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29vKihWe2C5nFGNoWtZQkeZmhA3J-ubiwZvtOJv1Z0TaMd0EPrLeiKLr_uCvYXfEFPvjtkTcQxL1iUGPCHzB95CuRJdNoSHAsKIsLd5dnzYIuxeElxdFtKW7xGeVTW3rn8oU87KrJ7fM/s1600/photo+(54).JPG" height="510" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3:</b> <i>The background and foreground</i>. After the teapot was blocked in, I painted the first layer of the background and foreground.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV9ReXUS-Ery96_3AzQcgdemIqOVLprJ3RxYkNLjX3TQ0qmYT1NikKtHoKejFoTbaA69mfzwGfvZV4zdGqwEoNVA_voPix2O2KuockNJTcUp71kCaYOF8cKs80apiXCyXjYFTBXj21do/s1600/photo+(57).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV9ReXUS-Ery96_3AzQcgdemIqOVLprJ3RxYkNLjX3TQ0qmYT1NikKtHoKejFoTbaA69mfzwGfvZV4zdGqwEoNVA_voPix2O2KuockNJTcUp71kCaYOF8cKs80apiXCyXjYFTBXj21do/s1600/photo+(57).JPG" height="508" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4</b>:<i> Adding more color and detail</i>. At this point it was time to prepare the teapot with a second layer of paint for the flowers that were to come. I paid close attention to the shadows. Since I was working wet paint onto wet paint, I wanted the flowers to work into this layer -- allowing some of the paint from underneath to show through.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrmmgZXvnZd-fmhj8kDXF64-UL6Ly6rOLrTrM4XPNvm0MtOMBVphyphenhyphen1266AbykDrDbfz24uWF9CHuSag23LP_hJuKOpj__ylY5ot3KxMf7cDVSes0-9STniH9sDEe8vTZpUo29vk1xwrg/s1600/photo+(55).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrmmgZXvnZd-fmhj8kDXF64-UL6Ly6rOLrTrM4XPNvm0MtOMBVphyphenhyphen1266AbykDrDbfz24uWF9CHuSag23LP_hJuKOpj__ylY5ot3KxMf7cDVSes0-9STniH9sDEe8vTZpUo29vk1xwrg/s1600/photo+(55).JPG" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5:</b> <i>Completing the painting. </i>Before working on the teapot I gave the background and foreground another layer of paint. Then, squinting my eyes, I looked at the teapot's flower design and painted my impression of it. Painting every last line of detail was not necessary. When I focused on the colors, shapes and design, the story of this teapot appeared.</span><br />
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-52631547249555669732014-10-10T22:15:00.000-06:002014-10-10T22:17:41.629-06:00Painting of a Little Girl: Julia and Julia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
How fun it would be to visit a butterfly pavilion and discover that there is a butterfly there with your same name. And so my portrait title comes from the two lovely Julia's in this painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yUkn0Je3YqHyy2gzbOiFlOY-IODjhJI1MN5ZzPDmMDKFXBE9qJIWn-LvOgAW89YshnbbrHWhh1__G5uX2ciwnLxJpt6Agk6NqrsT3iQv9BB4HNAQm373wnGGk0i6e5NdSg7Q20y-CE/s1600/photo+(51).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yUkn0Je3YqHyy2gzbOiFlOY-IODjhJI1MN5ZzPDmMDKFXBE9qJIWn-LvOgAW89YshnbbrHWhh1__G5uX2ciwnLxJpt6Agk6NqrsT3iQv9BB4HNAQm373wnGGk0i6e5NdSg7Q20y-CE/s1600/photo+(51).JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Julia and Julia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">12 x 9", Oil on canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2014</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj5vKBw_ve16q9tvCmd70hA3syg2d31UWg1tHdkWwnt-C1rZeGGnLLme42VJ9FUcIqcSZ9h-ACAkz6yyvQhlogs77ZkFOEbD-Y9Su5x3iNuapztKXYOrvEBqBvDRgv7ZSIRlqicC6ofE/s1600/photo+(50).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj5vKBw_ve16q9tvCmd70hA3syg2d31UWg1tHdkWwnt-C1rZeGGnLLme42VJ9FUcIqcSZ9h-ACAkz6yyvQhlogs77ZkFOEbD-Y9Su5x3iNuapztKXYOrvEBqBvDRgv7ZSIRlqicC6ofE/s1600/photo+(50).JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1: </b><i>The drawing. </i>With a mixture of ultramarine blue and transparent earth red thinned with mineral spirits, I used a number 2 filbert brush to draw Julia and the butterfly freehand.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy0cLvN9uhvevL4guHzvhf_YDp-rs2OekIuwoIu-maLSHuTXMtFARwayQ1hmC4XtSMluUhuP26R7JWUSx9WjCImbzPPHByWpVmdg2d1MTsiaeVDvkfb3Ho-DoleyEIAxMvaqTKVpiTgM/s1600/photo+(36).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSy0cLvN9uhvevL4guHzvhf_YDp-rs2OekIuwoIu-maLSHuTXMtFARwayQ1hmC4XtSMluUhuP26R7JWUSx9WjCImbzPPHByWpVmdg2d1MTsiaeVDvkfb3Ho-DoleyEIAxMvaqTKVpiTgM/s1600/photo+(36).JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>: <i>Julia's face</i>. Painting alla prima(Italian, meaning at first attempt), I completed the face and hair while adding some color to the background so that I could create soft edges and compare color. I did block in her face with a thin layer of paint before I came back in with a thicker second layer. (Sorry, I forgot to photograph the first layer.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3</b>:<i> Painting the dress, arm and hands. </i>When painting wet paint<i>-</i>on-wet paint, I look forward to seeing how the top layer of paint will work into the blocked in color of the first layer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4</b>: <i>Painting the second layer of the dress, arm and hands</i>. I mixed a pale pink to give the impression of the white design on her dress fabric. I like what the fabric pattern does to the painting -- adding interest, detail and color.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yUkn0Je3YqHyy2gzbOiFlOY-IODjhJI1MN5ZzPDmMDKFXBE9qJIWn-LvOgAW89YshnbbrHWhh1__G5uX2ciwnLxJpt6Agk6NqrsT3iQv9BB4HNAQm373wnGGk0i6e5NdSg7Q20y-CE/s1600/photo+(51).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7yUkn0Je3YqHyy2gzbOiFlOY-IODjhJI1MN5ZzPDmMDKFXBE9qJIWn-LvOgAW89YshnbbrHWhh1__G5uX2ciwnLxJpt6Agk6NqrsT3iQv9BB4HNAQm373wnGGk0i6e5NdSg7Q20y-CE/s1600/photo+(51).JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5</b>:<i> Completing the painting. </i>This unique background created an interesting challenge for me: to give enough information to help tell the story of this butterfly, Julia, and its surroundings with Julia the little girl -- but not make it too cluttered with unnecessary detail. Because I have a tendency to paint every last leaf in a painting like this, I combat this issue of mine with a palette knife. After I applied the paint with the palette knife I then came back in with a soft brush to create the illusion of plants intermingling with the butterfly and red flowers.</span></div>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-69238268158905554422014-09-26T10:20:00.000-06:002014-09-26T10:20:53.776-06:00Dog Portraits: Freckles 1 & 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Behind every painting commission is a personal story. When I accept the commission I view it as an invitation to enter that story. I feel honored every time. The portraits I completed this week feature the same dog, Freckles, in two stages of life; as a shaggy, sweet puppy and now in present day, as an older, wiser, faithful companion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Freckles The Puppy</b><br />10 x 8", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXO4GZ4RWTGOFi5_Vj_6hQLZsZW0rHDdCOztpXNPv4WYTojNcCfzUCyDOlNO7wKfa1jCwXKwAidynvZ6y3ndMOunEv38O7PHifWwFAm1shxuWEN50GDZ1bVZum-mU322gp9Y3eALno8/s1600/photo+1+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmXO4GZ4RWTGOFi5_Vj_6hQLZsZW0rHDdCOztpXNPv4WYTojNcCfzUCyDOlNO7wKfa1jCwXKwAidynvZ6y3ndMOunEv38O7PHifWwFAm1shxuWEN50GDZ1bVZum-mU322gp9Y3eALno8/s1600/photo+1+(7).JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1:</b> <i>The drawing</i>. With a thin wash of burnt umber paint and mineral spirits, I draw the image of Freckles with a number 2,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filbert_paintbrush"> filbert</a> bristol brush, freehand, using several photos for my reference. My goal at this stage is accuracy. If I capture his likeness now the rest of my job is so much easier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBsmnjx6NZjKicsPa0qDDFw1fXGAbiMbmr20rrYhTqsJZVwjo1SRS4k7zAfElVZPJUni15Xhx84lCcR4_25J1hdFCA1WpFKUv9bk-HNqMw8V9NMXm9vVyLLvKGV4Qe9FYeAaRkYt48XQ/s1600/photo+2+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBsmnjx6NZjKicsPa0qDDFw1fXGAbiMbmr20rrYhTqsJZVwjo1SRS4k7zAfElVZPJUni15Xhx84lCcR4_25J1hdFCA1WpFKUv9bk-HNqMw8V9NMXm9vVyLLvKGV4Qe9FYeAaRkYt48XQ/s1600/photo+2+(6).JPG" height="640" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2:</b> <i>Blocking in the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underpainting"> underpainting</a>. </i>This is such a fun stage. With a large brush I lay down the paint in blocks of color knowing that some of it will show through the top, thicker layer.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_nwHnctlssDvKVOuVdGVUSfQ9sigBDsRPZNsrUkz4obk9hd-2GC-xNKT2m0bbj-XCO0a-1wJWw_NXp8qaWTw-b7-cXIKpNdLdk-DZbvJUvdBPQmUCC3aOT1jNSIqwG6p-0Ytu8vJVOE/s1600/photo+1+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_nwHnctlssDvKVOuVdGVUSfQ9sigBDsRPZNsrUkz4obk9hd-2GC-xNKT2m0bbj-XCO0a-1wJWw_NXp8qaWTw-b7-cXIKpNdLdk-DZbvJUvdBPQmUCC3aOT1jNSIqwG6p-0Ytu8vJVOE/s1600/photo+1+(5).JPG" height="640" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3</b>: <i>Completing the painting.</i> This final layer is done with brush strokes placed with intentional variety and color. The background represents where Freckles was photographed, in a pale green, grassy field.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjkyz2Z4Q6EHFrN9v_Q8axB1ETmkQo24QREbTGUBBZM8NaqatWzz8oRjmoJo5ukA4iY1RHSezC3BMuksYAu1w-xfvK3IDmZxZewQl2fUqo_XCGktTvm-ZIPlS-HO9RM-1fTjYVwzhyphenhyphenWM/s1600/photo+2+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjkyz2Z4Q6EHFrN9v_Q8axB1ETmkQo24QREbTGUBBZM8NaqatWzz8oRjmoJo5ukA4iY1RHSezC3BMuksYAu1w-xfvK3IDmZxZewQl2fUqo_XCGktTvm-ZIPlS-HO9RM-1fTjYVwzhyphenhyphenWM/s1600/photo+2+(5).JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Freckles</b><br />10 x 8", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcp82ZgE4h4DJ8b8uxMkQ83vJqI2IiUoKFrHvOSstui4z3R85GZGXG7ESUpjAC4nscp8AwpoJgHaL4LzOLOZlzFPGXFPXLy_ay7fKbbzjq6JdiRsZnKm5qdWV9s402Oqe4fEQrbll6UhU/s1600/photo+2+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcp82ZgE4h4DJ8b8uxMkQ83vJqI2IiUoKFrHvOSstui4z3R85GZGXG7ESUpjAC4nscp8AwpoJgHaL4LzOLOZlzFPGXFPXLy_ay7fKbbzjq6JdiRsZnKm5qdWV9s402Oqe4fEQrbll6UhU/s1600/photo+2+(7).JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: <i>The drawing.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2: </b><i>Blocking in the underpainting.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3:</b> <i>Completing the painting. </i>Freckles, as an adult, lost some of his pronounced markings. I also had to take in to account the changes in his hair and the way it fell. One trait that did not change was his alert, vibrant energy.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-87924395844957379962014-09-17T16:47:00.000-06:002014-09-17T16:47:54.296-06:00Portrait of a Little Girl:"Mariposa" Completed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I enjoy creating paintings for different reasons. To tell a story and entertain is always my first goal. This composition, with subject matter so unique in comparison to my traditional portraits, was a wandering of sorts off the beaten path.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mariposa</b><br />9 x 12", Oil on canvas<br /><b>Rita Salazar Dickerson </b>(c)2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 3: </b><i>Painting the hand and arm. </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK3WbJ4PkW0__lsyc7rB8skFqIfQKs1zgZsI0MN2WtmylE7tbN4mBVCD2R4o1MHfIORO1Z9eGCRuVXEmnzqJK4S6SD7VG3EFKEBDux-9r3uY-qCm5bLvh9K-Y_wjEGzkkBHoRQXaIxWc/s1600/photo+(34).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK3WbJ4PkW0__lsyc7rB8skFqIfQKs1zgZsI0MN2WtmylE7tbN4mBVCD2R4o1MHfIORO1Z9eGCRuVXEmnzqJK4S6SD7VG3EFKEBDux-9r3uY-qCm5bLvh9K-Y_wjEGzkkBHoRQXaIxWc/s1600/photo+(34).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 4: </b><i>Painting the hair, blue t-shirt and background..</i>. Working on all three during the same painting session made painting their soft edges much easier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnZviDJcKQqFIvR0KfvhMcvrnrdw_7Wj2g-lLzwuZsZOwLL-TvHddL9Y7CfweJTZAgg4SjKMk_QpgogL9ctXk-sLrCsYs0xOVzkOVB-TNYPXAXAx0mJEqcI_9aTBQKiobr51ito0E_C0/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnZviDJcKQqFIvR0KfvhMcvrnrdw_7Wj2g-lLzwuZsZOwLL-TvHddL9Y7CfweJTZAgg4SjKMk_QpgogL9ctXk-sLrCsYs0xOVzkOVB-TNYPXAXAx0mJEqcI_9aTBQKiobr51ito0E_C0/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 5: </b><i>Completing the painting...the butterfly and foreground. </i>I painted the textured foreground first, saving the butterfly as my reward for getting everything else done. I was excited about this beautiful butterfly (mariposa) from the very beginning. It added contrast, pretty lines and design. And now, with this painting completed, I will let it rest before I make any adjustments. Its always good to let a piece of work sit for a while if you can. I will see it with fresh eyes in a week or so.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203548666288274532.post-57787713021055638462014-09-09T16:26:00.001-06:002014-09-09T16:27:02.748-06:00Portrait Of A Little Girl: Mariposa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a quiet moment I see large blue eyes intently studying a butterfly. My granddaughter, Sofia, is at rest and watchful. Lost in a period of time, captured by wonder and design. For me is was delightful. Soothing. Inspiring. A painting waiting to happen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDxFGBKqrOiGjHaS_GCrBvdcqxGyZHoj45qdKpQ0sjF92mejWioY9pcxgAThYD3ni-__do82HkqW4pFdN4yztd1cmSCKJOOWiY09u0jRbTapSasERKfet7jBBmh_iBle8VbPJM3tu6Wg/s1600/photo+(48).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDxFGBKqrOiGjHaS_GCrBvdcqxGyZHoj45qdKpQ0sjF92mejWioY9pcxgAThYD3ni-__do82HkqW4pFdN4yztd1cmSCKJOOWiY09u0jRbTapSasERKfet7jBBmh_iBle8VbPJM3tu6Wg/s1600/photo+(48).JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 1</b>: <i>The composition</i>. Drawing freehand with a paint brush I try to portray this image with as much accuracy as possible. Working from a photograph means I have to adjust the proportions that the lens over compensates for. The hand had to be drawn much smaller. It was fortunate that I was able to have Sofia pose for me so that I could sketch her from life and make accurate changes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVWQUEkcK9_9DXmJ6T0OMHWGq2E-PEoUTOwowXardZN96N_0UUFvkHeYevjQYXPAQyGgwMZkG_hTnLFiy18q_60v5gbUUWPYooUaCjRfR8EeRI0nqFo8pHTFbw5K4lBbcrOg1iherWo/s1600/photo+(47).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVWQUEkcK9_9DXmJ6T0OMHWGq2E-PEoUTOwowXardZN96N_0UUFvkHeYevjQYXPAQyGgwMZkG_hTnLFiy18q_60v5gbUUWPYooUaCjRfR8EeRI0nqFo8pHTFbw5K4lBbcrOg1iherWo/s1600/photo+(47).JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage 2</b>:<i> Painting the face. </i>Working wet paint onto wet paint my goal was to work efficiently, making every stroke count. Already though, I see changes I want to make. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think I'll work on her hair next and then her arm and hand.</span></td></tr>
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Rita Salazar Dickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826622847225314408noreply@blogger.com0