New Prints Available on Pixels.com!

"Chillin' Out"

I've recently been getting requests for prints of certain subjects, and some of my earlier paintings. So in an ongoing effort to improve my online marketing and revive my hundreds of past works for the enjoyment of current and future collectors and decorators, I've been gradually adding images to my page on FineArtAmerica.com and Pixels.com. One of the world's foremost online marketplaces and networks for artists and collectors, FineArtAmerica was recommended to me by several other artists as an excellent resource for selling prints and other merchandise directly to buyers.

"Old Man Tortoise"

Pixels.com is a sister site to FineArtAmerica and offers a greater and improved selection of merchandise, including totes, phone cases, pillows, t-shirts, and more, as well as prints and everything that FAA offers!

"The Better to Hear You With, My Dear!" (original still available!)

So I've been posting new available print offerings in between my new artwork posts on other social media, and just wanted to let you all, my blog subscribers, know what I've got going on in that market. I'll post updates with new print images about twice a month.

"Cat-ness" (original still available too!)

 Click on any of the images to see it's page on Pixels.com, where you can browse wall art, home decor, phone cases, accessories, apparel, and more! Even beach towels!

"Castor and Pollux" (original also available)

And if you have any requests, I can bump up any past painting of mine to my Pixels.com upload list.. (Picture that cute little painting you bought from me last year on your very own phone case, or tote bag!) Just let me know!

Happy Shopping!

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Sesame

"Sesame"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

A sweet little longhorn calf from a friend's ranch (the same friend with the baby goats!)

Here are some progress shots:

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Donna Kylily

"Donna Kylily"  (pastel, 7x5 in.) Click here to bid.

Back at the easel after delivering my son to college.

I have a few commissions to work on, but I'll be continuing that alphabet series soon! For now, here's a little warmup from yesterday.

Progress shots:

And as a reminder, there are still a few spaces left in my Rockport workshop next week! Spurge on something for yourself, you deserve it!  Click on the flyer for more details or visit my workshop page at https://ritakirkman.com/other2

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Pastel Workshop in Rockport TX - Spaces Still Available!

"Pastel in Miniature"

September 8-10, 2016

at the Rockport Center for the Arts in Rockport, TX

Celebrate the End of Summer with an Art Workshop!

My classic Pastel Workshop focuses on painting small and often to rapidly improve your skills and expand your knowledge. Grow your grasp of light, values, color and composition in a relaxed and fun atmosphere!

For Beginner to Advanced. 

More information at www.rockportartcenter.com/workshops

To Register Contact Karen Marie Ernst, (361) 729-5519, ext. 105, or karen@rockportartcenter.com

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Portrait warmups

untitled, a 60 minute pose (pastel on Wallis paper, approx. 16x12 in)

Yesterday, finally, I went to the monthly meeting of the New Braunfels Art League portrait group. I hadn't been for several months; never seem to have the time. But this weekend I'll be in Valentine, Nebraska giving a portrait workshop so I thought I'd better warm up!

This was the 14-year-old granddaughter of one of the ladies. She sat very well, for 2 different poses. This pose was about 60 minutes total. Scroll to the bottom for the other pose (of 40 minutes) with some progress shots of both.

at 20 minutes

at 40 minutes

The first pose, at 20 minutes

 The first pose, at 40 minutes

Rookie

"Rookie"  (pastel, 8x8 in)  click here to bid

This was my first demo from last week's workshop, and the last one to get posted, as I didn't quite finish it until today. I'm also running low on black & white names. Rookie is from "rook" which is a chess piece... in a black & white game.

I know, it's a stretch, but he's also a youngster, so can be a rookie cow. ;)

Tomorrow I'm going to post a couple of portraits I did in today's portrait group at the New Braunfels Art League - warmups for my portrait workshop this weekend in Nebraska.

Here are some progress shots of Rookie..

This was as far as I got with it during the workshop..

H is for Hippo

"H is for Hippo"  (pastel, 8x16 in) sold

By popular demand, I had to do the hippo as one of my demos last week!

(Trivia: Did you know that hippopotamus means "river horse" in ancient Greek?)

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Ranch Road #21

"Ranch Road #21"  (pastel, 8x10 in)  click here to bid

I usually try to work in at least one landscape demo in my pastel workshop. Here's the one I did this week. I do so few landscapes that I don't really have a consistent method. I usually underpaint landscapes with watercolor on a white sanded paper, or pastel washed in with denatured alcohol. For this one I stayed consistent with the rest of the workshop which was showing the students my warm-toned pastel primer underpainting.

See the progress:

 First a quick sketch of the main lines of the composition, then a couple more layers of the gold pastel primer. This is Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold fluid acrylic color mixed into Golden (brand) Fine Pumice Gel. The gel is clear, so the color mixture is semi-transparent, and gets darker on each application.
(The initial layer of gold I usually spread across large pieces of Gatorboard, then cut to the size needed.)

 Followed by a layer of the Art Spectrum (brand) Pastel Primer in the terra cotta color. I lay it into the darkest areas, then scrub and dry-brush it into the medium values of the gold to continue the value scale and add more depth to the monochromatic underpainting.

 I discovered recently that the Art Spectrum primers, mostly opaque colors, can be a little bit transparent if applied with a slightly damp sponge. I've been using this technique a lot lately to help extend the value range of my underpaintings.

 Then comes the pastel...

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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