Saturday, September 16, 2006

I-Fri: Change



I really don't know why this image popped into my head for 'Change', but once it did I really wanted to paint it. 'the smoke changed into a genie'? 'his life changed after that moment'? Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this one. Experimenting a bit with collage too - i always like the extra dimension it adds.

The painty bits were done with gouache. Even though I use gouache a lot like watercolours, I really prefer it for its versatility of being able to layer light colours over dark. I don't often use it like that, but in some cases it is necessary. Like with this piece, I got a bit carried away with the blue smokey part, and painted too much over the genie's face. I often like to let the background colour show through, but in this case the blue on the right side of his face made it look like a shadow, whereas I wanted the shadows on the left side. so hooray for white gouache!

It was a beautiful warm springy day here, and quite still as well, so I painted this in our backyard, in the sunshine, listening to the really pitiful band rehearsing next door. but I loved it. oh thank you sun gods and Vitamin D! oh how I have missed thee!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

bellissimo! :-)

JAN said...

BEAUTIFUL illo I have always loved the idea of a genie in a bottle

tusen said...

Very nice. The little boy looks rather surprised :)

carla said...

Light and delightful! The mixed media works so well:>

pati said...

This is a beautiful way of changing into another situation :)

Unknown said...

I love the little boy!!

Ouissi x

Ginger*:) said...

A wonderful interpretation. I am now going to the beach to look for my own magic genie.

JO said...

So magical.

valerie walsh said...

This is such a great and wonderful idea! I love the technique too! Enjoy your blissful weekend!

Jana Bouc said...

Great idea and beautiful painting. Thanks for sharing info about your process and media too--I never would have guessed. It's a great illo!

Michelle Lana said...

hehehe...love the genie!

Julie said...

I love that blue on the side of his face that looks like a shadow. Wonderful!

Zara said...

Great work!

groovyinclinations said...

Nice work! I can't wait to see the rest of your images.

Mindy

Unknown said...

ooh this is so NEAT! :)

Amy Zaleski said...

Oh yes, I'm jealous you're getting the warm seasons over there while we're headed into colder ones in this hemisphere! Fun work...I like that you "changed it up a bit" with collage.

Matt Phelan said...

Great drawing and great take on the subject.

Susan Mitchell said...

Such a fun idea, love the type collage and the textured blue, well done! :)

Unknown said...

Great idea!

ELLA ELVIANA said...

wonderful watercolor and great idea too!

nicole falk said...

really beautiful and adorable

Ellen said...

Hey Lil...Wee Ellen here...just wanted to pop in and tell you this is a fantastic illo!!!!

Natura said...

Very sweet!! Love his expression!

Unknown said...

great take on the theme!! beautiful!

Coloribus said...

Great interpretation,
to be its own genius to change its own life ;o)

Stacia said...

I like the collagie bits :) Nice work, lil Kim! Hooray for vitamin D!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

yes, I love the collage! The mix media is great.

Majeak Ann said...

esta genial...lindo como siempre!
-Marjorie

flossy-p said...

I love that you tell us the processes you use to create your works. I've learnt alot from you, you know?

Your Genie is so sweet, and the colours are great.