I am still catching up on pet portraits, what a joy!  This one was done in oil from a small snapshot on a 9" by 12" wood block as a gift for someone who lost this little guy.  His name is "Earl", a white albino chihuahua with plenty of challenges including the KY wildcats shirt.  I was tempted to add some red in the background, but blue was the color.  Follow along, some new pastel sketches are next (and yes they are dogs).

This will be the cover a new book by Elizabeth Tyler Rosenquist.  It is phenomenal and we are all looking forward to seeing it published.  The cover reflects the message in the book about our journey  (read previous blog entries about the process).

Together we received additional artist proofs that I would like to offer for sale to fund a larger project I am working on for Shoreshim Ministries.  I will be doing another painting that will take quite a bit of time.  I will then have a digital file made and supply prints to raise funds for a new studio they are putting together.  These would be sold through the ministry website.  All the details are still being worked out.  These prints of the book cover are selling for $25.00 plus shipping.  They are high quality giclee prints on Canon heavy weight paper (8" by 8" with 1/4" border).  They will be signed by the artist.  There are only four.  Please contact me for more information or questions.    

I would also like to share a link to Elizabeth's new blog.  She shares some insights into our relationship with Our Heavenly Father.  It would be very well worth your time to visit and visit often.

http://theancientbridge.com/2014/06/the-character-of-god-as-father-pt-1/

Pet Portraits, Nikko

This is a recent pet portrait done on wood block in oil.  The size of this one is 9" by 12".  Due to the time consuming nature of these, I will be increasing my price soon.  All orders placed before the end of the month (June) will get one for $100.  Thank you for following my work.

Nikko

This is a special request for a special person, love the intensity of the colors.  Moving on to a commissioned pet portrait next, stay tuned.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

Sunrise

Mini-movie My Transparent Journey Series

Turn up the volume and enjoy! 

The Process Part Three, "Walk In The Light" John 12:35-36

As I enter the finishing stages of the painting, I worked more on gently steering the colors in the direction I wanted them to go.  I diminished some of the less important detail.

There are some troubling aspects of the painting that I have not yet put my finger on.  As I approach the Sabbath, our weekly rest...I will leave it in His hands.  I am using very minimal reference material for this image.  I was given a rough sketch as an idea and the wonderful book from the author.  This place does not exist.  I know I want the scene bathed in light.  I have not achieved this objective...YET!  Part of the reason for this is the competing light areas of the painting which would be difficult to change at this point.  I am also expecting the colors to dull a lot when it dries completely.  The bank to the left is still standing out too much, but there may be a reason for this that I am unaware of at this time.  One of the challenges an artist faces is locating the problem within a painting and gaining insight into what action will solve it.  Making up for it by painting another area better or adding something is usually disastrous.  Here is the "now" stage.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

  

The painting has reached a point where it needs to dry several days.  Oil paint dries very differently, so I will let it cure and see where I want to go with the final touches.  I have a few surprises in mind.  I also hope to write something about our spiritual journey to go along with the painting for this is also a process and YaHshua admonishes us to walk in the light, while we still have light.  He knew that His departure would leave darkness, but He tells us that it is only dark if we "choose" to ignore the light.  Part of walking in the light is believing in the light, this in turn makes us children of the light.    

If the painting is approved, this will be the cover of a new book written by a special friend.  At her discretion, I will add information about this at the end.

Stay tuned!  

I had a long break...spring cleaning...started a new job.....and enjoyed a wonderful visit from my sister and her husband.  Now I am ready to focus on finishing the painting.  The design needs to be refreshed in my mind, the most significant problems jotted down and the path of action for the adjustments solidified before I pick up a brush.  At this stage it is very easy to wreck what you have already done and want to keep!  I have the tendency to start again and just start painting.  I will have to restrain myself and allow only the changes and finishing accents happen.  Here goes!

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

"Walk in the Light"

The final painting!  I wanted a warm, inviting scene for the cover of this book.  I wanted the earthly tones to remain in the water for reasons of natural vs. spiritual.  We are striving to reflect an image, but not drawing truth directly from the tree.  I separated the stones from the water a bit, added a minimal indication of the bank reflection and brought that area back into the painting a little more.  I was going to make the water more murky, but decided the reflection is distorted enough to reveal the message.  The overall scene is a journey, just as the book describes a journey.  This is not a distant or unknown place, it is one we have been to before.  The stone bridge and olive tree are the solid parts (truth) that move us toward light and instill in us a desire to become wheat (the first fruits of the harvest).  I will post more information about the cover and may be designing the graphics also.  I will create a separate link with information about this amazing author and her gift with words and how to purchase the book as this information becomes available.  Our Messiah is glorified when we become all that He created us to be.  As you walk the path, I pray this will encourage you to keep trusting Him, the author and finisher of our faith.  

I hope this was a good depiction of the process although it was a complicated example to use.  I hope you gained insight and enjoyed it.  The painting will be for sale after a high resolution digital file has been made.  Thank you for following along, more transparent journey paintings to come (and a special pet portrait in the works)!

The Process For Untitled Part Two

My main premise for this painting is to depict a journey.  I am sharing mine through art in many ways on this blog.  This is not a safe thing to do, it is fearful in many ways.  Millions of questions must be silenced in my mind about that because most of them are not likely to happen and if they do, well...they just do!  I am using this work to reveal the painting process; it is by no means a 'how to paint' course.  It is merely to give art buyers and collectors a good idea of what is involved in completing a painting.  If you have not viewed "The Process For Untitled Part One, it has been posted in a previous blog entry.

At this stage, I am mopping in color and making decisions on what the overall tones will be.  Normally I under paint with one color, but I wanted to do a color composition of sorts and determine the tonal values of the green.  I am looking for a warm, inviting image to call us into the scene.

This stage is the color composition through transparent washes.  It has dried for at least 48 hours before continuing.

This stage is working in the image from the back, forward and bringing it to life.

I have come to a stalling point and dislike the color harmony.  I listed some of my issues below.  I am still building the painting from the back forward and determining lines and shapes.

The painting is too busy which I knew would be a challenge when I started it.  There is a lot going on in the scene, I have to determine the significance of each part and carry it into the whole.  The color harmony and balance is problematic.  I worked last night to bring the painting together.

As I bring all the elements together, it is looking more serene.  The bank on the left is an eyesore; a color attempt that is just not working.  I purposely chose earthy tones in the reflections; this creates a challenge to harmony.  You will understand more completely when it is finished.  Some waiting time will determine whether this is a big bust or the painting can be brought back to a harmonious nature.  Some of the detail that is less significant will be diminished in favor of overall unity.  Right now I am very disappointed and have a big FAIL flashing in my mind.  My first thought was "What could I be thinking, I should have finished and made sure it came out okay first before posting this!"  I find that humorous considering the title of this blog.  The lessons learned are the value within this journey and this aspect never ends.  Why not be transparent about it?

Continued in Part Three, "Walk In The Light".

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.