Different Strokes OCTOBER '08 (COPY)

[edtree]

Welcome to the October edition of Different Strokes!

*Different Strokes Hosting schedule is at the bottom of this page!

******************************

Please read the guidelines below carefully.

GUIDELINES:
On the first of each month a reference photo (or photos) will be posted in a thread entitled "Different Strokes".

Each member interested in taking the challenge will create a painting using the chosen reference(s) (whole or cropped) and on the 20th of each month participants will upload their interpretation of the reference for discussion within this thread, finished or not.

PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD WORK TO THE THREAD BEFORE THE 20TH OF THE MONTH.**

At the end of the month the thread /discussion will be closed and a new challenge will begin.

Artwork can be any size on any surface but MUST be acrylic.

Monthly references will be approved by the guides and moderators.


**Please note, the single 'reveal' date is chosen so that we do not influence each other with our individual interpretations ...... that's the whole point of it being called 'Different Strokes'!


Since it is autumn, and Halloween will be right around the corner by reveal time, I thought you all might enjoy painting some pumpkins and mums. The photos were taken by my sister Theresa who has generously given us her permission to paint them. We could not settle on a favorite so I'm posting Theresa's favorite, and mine. I Can't wait to see all the different versions you guys come up with!

THIS MONTH'S REFERENCES:

Elizabeth's Favorite
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Oct-2008/94944-October_pics_016.JPG

Theresa's Favorite
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Oct-2008/94944-October_pics_020.JPG


Have fun!



Different Strokes hosting schedule:
November: Kathleen (ytnup)
December: Alison
January: Kathy (Amuse)
February: Maureen
March: Shirl (lueur)
April: Carol

[Antony Burt]

Count me in!
Pumpkins, mums, even cabbages! Who can't resist.

Now the hard part... Picking which picture to do... :)

[LavenderFrost]

Elizabeth, when I saw your name on this, I had a feeling it would be something nice. I also like to try to get into the season, so these images are great.

[Charlie's Mum]

:thumbsup: - a glorious riot of colour :D
Thanks Elizabeth.

[susme48]

Hopefully I will have time....nice photos...tell your sis thanks!!

[AMuse]

Oh wow... what a hard choice!

I really want to do this one (and I think I'll try it with the Golden Opens!... maybe! LOL)

now to pick a pic! maybe I'll print both up large and look at them for a while!

[eyepaint]

Great photos, Elizabeth!


... I think I'll try it with the Golden Opens!... maybe! LOL ...


Me too! (possibly) I could resist no longer and bought a few tubes of the Opens last weekend.

Cheers,

[edtree]

:wave: Thanks for joining me for this month's Different StrokesAnthony, Michelle, Maureen, Susan, Kathy and EP!

That's what I though, Anthony! I couldn't resist these beauties either! I'm glad you like them, and will be joining us! :D

Maureen, we DID try and pick some colorful pictures. I like the word "riot." Perfect description! :D

Michelle, we're heading into my favorite season for painting references. This one should be fun! I'm glad you like it (them) and the theme! :D

Susan, I've sent my sister the link so she'll be peeking in, and will see your note of thanks. She's very excited to see these painted, and so am I! :D

Kathy, What a great idea to perhaps do both as a set. I see some great crop possibilities too, especially in the first shot. Decisions decisions.:D

Hummmm....EP, you've got me thinking about OPENS too for this, at least partially. I only have 6 tubes but it would be fun to try for this. Glad you're aboard! :D

Elizabeth

[Linee]

I can't get to it right now, but I really hope to do this. LOVE the colors.

[changingpaths]

You know I'm in. Thanks Elizabeth. :)

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Linda! I am having the same dilemma right now; lack of time! I hope you will be able to squeeze one of these into your schedule! :D

:wave: YaY! Glad to have you join the pumpkin painting group Cyndi! :D

Elizabeth

[~~Kathleen]

Time? Whats that? :lol:
I'm in, by hook or by crook!
~~Kathleen

[eyepaint]

I started yesterday and I'm almost done! Just a wee bit more to do ...

[lilbelle]

I found an interesting crop from the first photo so I guess I'm in!:thumbsup:
Wow EP, almost done already!
Lovely photos Elizabeth!

[eyepaint]

Wow EP, almost done already!!

Yup! Tomorrow I'll photograph it in the daylight (and turn the photo to B&W to re-check the values).

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Kathleen and Lillian! Glad that you'll be joining us! Kathleen, must be the time of year or something; so many people feeling the time crunch right now. Hope things slow down for you soon (and me too!) :D Lillian, I saw many crop possibilities in the first too, just haven't fiddled yet. I'm glad you found one you liked! :D

:wave: Almost done already, EP!!!! You're fast! Maybe we'll see more than one EP Original for this month? :lol: :thumbsup:

Elizabeth

[artastic]

love those MUMS , I will be in too

[eyepaint]

Elizabeth - there is AN EP-original this month. I'm not committing to several :)

[AMuse]

I'm started on mine... (I kinda merged the photos for mine :D )

and I'm using the opens which is really fun and exciting... (and tricky!)

[eyepaint]

Mine is 80% OPENs ----> they feel really different from regular acrylics - oh so helpful for the blending-impaired like me :)

[AMuse]

yes - I'm having lots of fun with the blending... I'm mixing the colours right on the canvas... which is getting kind of addictive! LOL

[eyepaint]

I agree!

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Bonnie! I'm happy to see you're going to be joining us! :D

:wave: EP - you can't blame a girl for trying, can you? :lol: :evil: !

:wave: I'm really anxious to get started on this but am getting ready for a show right now. It's interesting to see how many are using the OPENS for this. I'm excited to see the results already! :D

Elizabeth

[Linee]

I made a sketch, so I guess I'm officially in. :D

[edtree]

:wave: YaY! Glad to see you're IN Linda! :)

Elizabeth

[*dee*]

Hi!

I don't know how far along I'll be able to get....but I'ld like to give it a try!

I'm really liking this place!

*dee*

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Dee! Welcome to our forum and to Different Strokes! Lots of time yet to paint this one; we don't reveal our paintings until the 20th. Even if you're not done by then, you have until the end of this month to post your work! I'm looking forward to seeing your version of one of the references...or both! :D

Elizabeth

[lilbelle]

I had time between raking leaves and canning this week to finish mine. I'm thinking, if I have the time, I would like to do a another crop from the second picture so I have a set....otherwise it's a long wait until the 20th...again!

[changingpaths]

UGH!!! Still looking for my crop.:eek:

[*dee*]

Thanks for the welcome!

I've got some other projects going, but I'm hoping I can get it done.

*dee*

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Lillian! I'm thrilled that you want to do a second crop to make a set! I can't wait to see! :D

:wave: Hi Cyndi! I've been playing around with the photos too. I think I've found a crop I like - I hope you've settled on something too! :D

:wave: Hi Dee! You're very welcome! Lots of time left (thankfully)! I'm still hoping you'll be able to get this on the easel. :D

Elizabeth

[*dee*]

Yay!

Not only did I get it on the easel....I got it done!

And.....it made a very nice wedding gift for a co-worker who got married today. (Don't worry I took pics before I wrapped it up.)

[Antony Burt]

Got the bulk of it done today, still have a few spots of colour to do before it's finished.

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Dee! Finished and was able to give it as a gift...How perfect is THAT!!!:clap: Can't wait to see! :D

:wave: Hi Anthony! Glad to hear yours is coming along and is nearly finished. :thumbsup: I'm getting anxious for the reveal already! :D

Elizabeth

[susme48]

Well, I am done...maybe a tweak or two?....but done. And I think that most of you will be surprised...:lol: It is not my normal style and it's gonna drive me nuts for 6 days!

What might really be fun is all the ways one could drive 'folks' ( critics, buyers, galleries, other artists, intellectual snobs, etc) nuts by talking about the hidden symbolism....the green of the druids...the fertility of the pumpkins...the pentagram symbolizing....yada yada...when all it is is a cool photo...:lol: Maybe I should add the black cat that must be sitting deep inside the bushes...:angel: just for fun.

[Antony Burt]

I've got it done, but I'm not sure if I want to add another layer or not... I've got a few days to ponder it still... :)

[edtree]

:wave: Well Susan, you've certainly got me curious! Funny you should mention adding a black cat or something...I almost was going to make adding some Halloween object or symbols a challenge, but decided on this instead. I think that you decided to do something different is GREAT! :D

:wave: That's great Anthony! At least you have a few days left to decide on that additional layer! :D

Looking forward to the reveal everyone! I'm not nearly done but hope to make some progress over the next few days.

Elizabeth

[lilbelle]

I've finished my second crop and hope I can figure out how to post them by Monday. I've having trouble with the uploader still, though it looks like a lot of people have it figured out. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's also!

[susme48]

All the way till Monday??? Arggggg...:)

[*dee*]

I'm anticipating trouble posting the photo as well. :o

I have not yet grasped "resizing". :(

[Raymo]

Here's a free way to resize a pic and it's purdy easy. Has some fun stuff....drpic.com

[lilbelle]

Dee, that seems to be my problem also!
Thanks Ray for the site info. I tried downloading it and it looks like it's only windows compatible and I'm on a Mac. I just hope they fix the uploader soon!

[Jerry Bridgers]

I found your page on Oct 3rd :wave:

I downloaded the photos at that time :)

I did the work and waited for the 20th :)

I lost the contact point and thought I was going to get to share my creation with me. :eek:

I Relocated your connection on the 16th :)

See you on the 20th...maybe?:rolleyes:

It's good that I am an old goat, otherwise I wouldn't have an excuse for my actions!:D

Bridge

[susme48]

Bridge...glad you found us again! Hope to see you!

[Shirl Parker]

Here is a program you can use for resizing:

http://www.jpeg.optimizer.com/

I don't know about youse guys, but if I don't get both dimensions below 800, I just get a blank page. Otherwise, I get to load the photo without it being an attachment, and it's a nice size on the screen.

[edtree]

:wave: Dee and anyone else having trouble uploading due to size, you may have tried one of the other resizing options provided by other members, but I wanted to add the one I use to the mix. It is called Irfanview. (http://www.irfanview.com/) It was so easy to use and believe me, I'm no techy! Lillian, I'm not sure if it works on a Mac or not, but it might be worth a try!

:wave: BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Great to see you here! I'm happy to see too that you've painted this months Different Strokes challenge. :clap:

I hope we're all able to show and tell on the 20th! :eek: :D

Elizabeth

[lilbelle]

Thanks Elizabeth, I just checked it out and it is also for Windows. It looks like a really good site though. Is there anyone with a Mac who knows if photos can be resized right in iphoto? I am definately no techy either so any help would be appreciated.

[Shirl Parker]

Lillian, the one I just listed I got from a link in Watercolor and it works with either Windows or MAC because it is web-based. Sadly, the link is incorrect and should be this instead: http://www.jpeg-optimizer.com/.

[AMuse]

Lillian, if you choose export in iPhoto and then choose File type: Jpeg then choose Jpeg quality: medium and choose size: medium and that should upload fine for the boards (that's how I do it in iPhoto)

[lilbelle]

Thank you Shirl and Kathy! I just tried it again and it looks like the uploader is working now! Hopefully it will keep working.
Kathy, I will still try what you suggested. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

[changingpaths]

Hi Elizabeth...
I did finally find my crop. Thank you. :) Now to get it painted. yikes. Life has been just a little crazy lately.

Funny you mentioned Irfanview...I just downloaded it a week or two ago because it can convert Raw files to jpgs. (I had been trying a new camera and it turned out all the pictures were in a format my computer couldn't recognize.) I too think Irfanview is easy. I have photoshop...but may keep playing with the other just to see what it can do. :)

See ya Monday...I hope. hehe

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Lillian! I hope the uploader keeps working too, but if you have trouble, let me know here or via pm and if all else fails, you can send me a pic of your painting and I can post it for you.

:wave: Hi Cyndi! I'm glad you've found your crop and have had some time to work on your entry. I've had a crazy month too so far and so I probably won't be finished with my painting by the 20th, at least will have something to show! Can't wait to see what you've come up with! I discovered Irfanview though this site when I was putting together the row of paintings in my signature line. I was thrilled to find I could also re-size with the program but have not really explored the other things it can do. Great idea!

Elizabeth

[changingpaths]

Well, I actually did my DS painting today. This was a tough one for me Elizabeth. I really had fun with the colors...but definitely not one of my best. Can't wait for your lessons to start. :)

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Cyndi!

I'm having difficulty as well. My satisfaction of it comes as goes, lol! I'm still tweaking but have little time before tomorrow to do too much. I'll bet yours is much better than you think; you always do wonderful work!:D

Elizabeth

[eyepaint]

I'll take a page from Briar's book - isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? isittimeyet? :)

[LavenderFrost]

Working on it at the last minute, as usual, but I should be ready for tomorrow. It always seems like there's so much time. It's scary how fast the months go by.

[edtree]

:lol: :lol: Hahaha EP! :lol: :lol: It's almost here! :D

:wave: I know what you mean Michelle - the time FLEW! :D

Elizabeth

[Katwyld]

Dee (and anyone else), if you're really having problems, let me know and I can always resize your image and send it back to you... I can never get these projects on my easel, but I can at least do that much. hehehe

[susme48]

I suppose I am too eager....:lol: But it is after midnight...and the spirits are loose...:D

I took the second photo, cropped it almost directly in half and then using the special effects part of my photo program...made it into a kaleidescope. This is how it came out.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Oct-2008/51170-punkin.jpg

Then I straightened the angle a bit, into a star shape. The painting is not so great...but it was fun, and definitely different! It is 8x10 on black artboard.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Oct-2008/51170-punkin1x.jpg

Hope you enjoy it.

[matej712]

Quite original, Susan. Nice work!

Here is my painting - 18x25cm on W&N galleria acrylic paper.
I took photo #1 as a reference.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/132087-08Okt_akril_diffStrokes.JPG

Thanks for looking,
Matej

[edtree]

:wave: YaY! Reveal day! Here is mine though I'm still working on the details. I chose to do a crop and also rearranged some elements, tilting the pumpkin and moving the yellow mums. It is on 16" x 20" wrapped canvas.

Elizabeth :D

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/94944-DSCN0144.JPG

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Susan! Oh how imaginative! It is like a wonderful fall quilt! You were right, it is so fun and different!:D

:wave: Hi Matej! I really like the formal approach and the way you added autumn colors to the tree. The lighting on the pumpkins is especially striking! Great job! :D

Elizabeth

[Jerry Bridgers]

If you cannot find any roses, stretch and sniff the Mums.

Acrylic 11x14 Birch Panel
Enjoyed it - Thank you

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/74643-08-A-16_Sniff_the_Mums.jpg

[*dee*]

Here it is....its on a 10x10 canvas.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/156775-oct20th_dif_strokes_08.jpg

[AMuse]

Here's mine. it's 11x14 canvas.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/104029-OCT_DS.jpg

I kinda lost my focus on it while my in-laws were visiting and I'm not thrilled with it. but there are lots of parts of it that I really like :) (that's what I like about these - I usually learn something along the way.... like Painting and In-laws don't mix!)

[AMuse]

Susan - is yours ever fun! :)

Matje - wow... really well done. I love your pumpkins!

Elizabeth - wow... your flowers are amazing!

Jerry - I cracked a huge smile when I saw yours!

Dee - what a great painting... I really like your "ground" with the swirling grass and flowers :)

[oicclouds]

These are wonderful! I was to scared to try!

Vicki

[LavenderFrost]

Wow Susan, that's really neat!

Matej, very nice. I like the way the pumpkins catch the light.

Elizabeth, that is beautiful! I really like the style of it.

Jerry, very creative with the faces. And I really like those leaves on the right side.

Dee, nice work. I think the tree is my favourite part, and the pumpkins.

Kathy, very nice. And you know you can still work on it until you are thrilled with it.

[LavenderFrost]

Oh Vicki, it wasn't that scary, lol. Though after I started on those yellow flowers I thought I should have gone with a much tighter crop. But it was too late. :lol:

5x7" on poster board

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/104871-PumpkinAndMums600x432.jpg

[Linee]

Jerry, stop and smell the flowers, eh? Nice to see you here from flickr. :)

I love everyone's interpretations! I'm going to go back and savor them a little more.

Here's my little one, one of my last 4x5 inchers for awhile. I call it "Garden Party".

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/101851-Garden_Party_1a.jpg

Here it is sitting next to my son's jack-o-lantern.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/101851-Garden_Party.jpg

[Linee]

Ah, Michelle, great minds think alike. ;)

[*dee*]

Not only do great minds think alike, the two of you are synchronized posters! :lol:

[lilbelle]

Susan, wow, that is definately a different take on it. I like it, very creative!
Matej, great job! I really like the sunlit sides of the pumpkins!
Elizabeth, wow, what gorgeous mums! Fantastic!
Jerry, that is wonderful! I Love the Jack-o-lanterns!
Dee, great composition and the tree trunk is excellent!
Kathy, I like the leaves falling. Wonderful Fall scene!
Michelle, wonderfully done! I really like the crop you chose and your flowers are really nice!
Linda, well done! I love the colours in yours! It looks like a few of us chose the same crop :thumbsup:

Here are mine, both 8x10 canvas
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/103642-DSC02465.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/103642-DSC02456.jpg
Great work everyone!

[eyepaint]

Yay! It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime It'stime
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:


Here's mine. Golden OPENs on 9x12" watercolour paper.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/96240-IMGP5553.JPG


Cheers,

[lilbelle]

EP, ohhh, I really like it!! Wonderful colours and composition. Well done!

[eyepaint]

Suan - really cool idea to make a kaleidoscope!

Matej - lovely fall foliage colours on the tree

Elizabeth - stunning, as always. Your pumpkin is firmly nested in the plants.

Jerry - what happy pumpkins!

Dee - I love how you did the tree trunk.

Kathy - if you learned something, does that mean that doing DS, ahem, "builds character"? :) (shudder) Great shine on the foreground pumpkin

Michelle - you could show each individual yellow flower - how cool! I need to study yours for a sense of how to do that.

Linda - your pumpkin is glowing in the patch .... "pick ME for your front porch" :)

Lillian - Thank you :) You gave us a two-fer :) I love that I spotted a ladybug in the first painting and the butterfly in the second :)

[Jerry Bridgers]

A bunch of nice punkins and mums!!!

Linee: A flicker of greetings from one to another! :-) I didn't catch (until the 2nd trip through) that your painting was leaning against the jack-o-lantern ! I thought it was a painting of a painting leaning against a Jack-o-lantern- I need to take my meds earlier :-)

Amuse: I can understand about the visit and painting. I did a Wet Canvas drawing while watching a football game...The ratios might have been just a tiny bit off...I got a 10 yard penalty for one of them.

Have fun folks

Bridge

[*dee*]

I love "Different Strokes"! Every painting is individually wonderful, and it is great to see the same thing through multiple eyes!

[changingpaths]

Susan, that is so ingenius!! Clever girl. It looks like a quilt. :)

Matej..I really like how your pumkins are so vibrant and the other colors play so very well with them. good job.:)

Elizabeth..Beautiful as always. I would give anything if I could paint flowers and foliage like that. :clap: :clap:

Bridge...that is so great. hehe. ya made me smile. :) How do you like using the birch panel? Did you put gesso directly on it, or canvas? just curious.

Dee...I really like the movement in yours. That is something I really strive for, and just couldn't seem to pull off with this one. You did great with it.:)

Kathy...if you add a DH into that interuption issue...I am standing right next to you with a different painting. hehe. It is quite good considering what you were dealing with. I find it hard even to work on something overnight...so having interruptions, and I'm certain critiques could not have been easy. And I agree with you, I learn things every time with these. I think you get an A+ for even trying when you had company. yikes. :thumbsup: oh ps..I love the falling leaves!

Michelle...it is so funny how we think alike. Almost identical crops...only...when I grow up, i want to paint as well as you do!! It is lovely. I was complaining last night to my DH that I wish I could do my flowers and better, and he said these are great what are you talking about. And I said...Wait till they get posted. I'll show you Michelle's and Elizabeth's and I'm not certain who else of the floral people will be posting...but you'll see. You always impress me. Great job.:wave:

Linda...you've joined our mind synch. hehe. Love love love your stylization of this! Fabulous. and it is so cute leaning against your son's pumkin. great job.:)

Lillian...those are both fabulous. I love that little lady bug! What a wonderful little surprise. :) And again a similar crop.

EP...It's so bright and cheerful. I can see why you are liking those opens so much! yay.:thumbsup:

hope I didn't miss anyone.

[changingpaths]

ok, here is mine. The crop may seem a little familiar to some of you. hehe.
I had a hard time with this. It is all the elements I find hardest to do in one little painting. But It was a great learning ref! (i did do an experiment with using masking fluid to save the blue sky...and it failed miserably. So I ended up losing ALL my sky trying to cover the mess. That alone was a good lesson.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/135587-2008_10_DS_6x12cr.jpg

6" x 12" on Canvas Panel

:wave: PS....I will be hosting the WDE event this coming weekend. Would love to see some of you there that haven't been before. It is really fun. You can paint, draw, whatever. And while we like you to check in at the 2 hour point you can take the whole week on one painting if you need to. The refs I took are from Rocky Mountain National Park. So lots of things you all like to paint. (Elizabeth, hope you don't mind me adding the plug. :D )

Have a great week all!!

[susme48]

These are all so good...I wish I had had more time to really do it justice!!

Thanks, Matej! I like yours!!

Elizabeth...very nice!!

Jerry, that is wonderful!!

Dee I like that!!

Kathy wonderful 'punkins'!! And thank you!

Thank Michelle! Yours is so good!

Linda yours is great too....you guys really are in sync!

Thanks Lillian....I really like your pair!! Love the butterfly!

EP, those are the most colorful flowers! And thank alot!

Thanks Cyndi!

[lilbelle]

Thank you EP, Cyndi and Susan!
Cyndi, you did a great job on the flowers and ornamental cabbage (I think that's what it's called) and I really like the tall format. I don't miss the sky at all, it looks great like it is!

[Jerry Bridgers]

Changing paths:

I use 1/4 inch Birch plywood that I cut to size with a table saw. I sand some of the bigger splinters off the edges :-) and apply two coats of gesso with a roller. If I want built in texture, I use a sponge roller. If I want a smooth surface , I use a short nap roller (normal finish roller).

Wildlife/portrait painters sand the finished board to get a perfectly smooth surface.



Hope this helps

Bridge

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Jerry! WoW! Such a happy painting, I really like the faces on the pumpkins!:cat:

:wave: Hi Dee! Such beautiful soft greens, and your other colorful elements really pop! Wonderful!:wink2:

:wave: Hi Kathy! Your autumn tree was the perfect addition; I love the falling leaves and the rest of the painting is beautiful too!:thumbsup:

:wave: Hi Michelle! Such a lovely blanket of yellow against the muted greens in back. And your cabbage is outstanding! Great painting all the way around!;)

:wave: Hi Linda! I love the way you've enhanced the light and shadow. You've created such beautiful depth and form on your pumpkin, cabbage and flowers. Awesome! (and it looks really neat next to your son's jack-o-lantern!):p

:wave: Hi Lillian! Oh my gosh, these are gorgeous! I have been struggling so much with those purple-ish flowers and yours are PERFECT! Fantastic pair of paintings; you should be very pleased!:D

:wave: Hi EP! Love love love the blue outlining and the illustrative and colorful style. It's almost like stained glass. So unique; so EP!:cool:

Thanks everyone for the kind comments on my entry this month!

Elizabeth

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Cyndi! your details are amazing! I am especially impressed with your mums and cabbage. This is a great painting! If you want to, you can add the sky (holes) back after the fact. I have to do that every now and then when I "lose" it. :) BTW, it's perfectly OK with me to plug the WDE. I'll try and make it over. I haven't been able to play for quite a while because there's been so much going on. You're going to have a blast hosting! :D

Elizabeth

[Antony Burt]

Wow, a lot of great paintings shown so far. :)

This month, I took mine into the abstract realm. I wanted to impart motion (the flowers moving in the breeze), and as I was already working on the sunflower painting, I thought I would simply do this as an action painting. I mixed up a set of runny paints and dribbled and flung them around the canvas, according to the plan... Later on I painted in the background (two layers of very diluted paint) to hide the white gesso still showing.

This is called Autumn Garden. 16"x12" on gallery wrapped canvas.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Oct-2008/147844-AutumnGarden.JPG

It was a fun painting to do even if it didn't turn out quite like I had wanted. Thanks Elizabeth for hosting the Different Strokes this month. :thumbsup:

[susme48]

Anthony...I like that!!

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Anthony! Well, I think it's spectacular! Impressionistic and abstract combined. Beautiful and original take on this reference. A+++++++!!!! :D

Elizabeth

[changingpaths]

Anthony, This is really cool. Kind of a Pollack meets our garden. hehe. :)

Lillian, thank you. I think I may go back and add the "seams" to the pumkin...they were showing up last night, but seem to have dried less obvious. I appreciate your input about the sky. I think a little blue might help lighten up the top.

Elizabeth, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I may just do that. Go back and add blue. It just seems so dark on top compared to the bottom now. And thanks for letting me plug my WDE weekend. :) I am really excited about it. It will be my first time hosting, so it would be awesome to see a lot of familiar "faces".

[lilbelle]

Wow Antony, that looks fabulous! I love the abstracted colour, shapes and texture!
Thank you Elizabeth!

[Antony Burt]

Susan: I really like the kaleidescope treatment. When you mentioned you were doing something new, I could hardly wait to see it. Glad to see the wait was worth it.

Matej: I love the pumkins. They sparkle.

Elizabeth: Such detail! The painting glows.

Jeff: Great pumpkins too. Pumpkins stopping to smell the flowers...

dee: The flow in the painting works great. The eye can happily wander about through the garden.

Kathy: This is autumn... The falling (and fallen) leaves are a good touch.

LavenderFrost: (One of the 12:06 twins) Nice crop. The cabbage is fantastic.

Linda: (Second of the 12:06 twins) Deva vu! Another fine interpretation of the same crop. Interesting twist of the pumpkin stem.

Lillian: Two for the price of one, and what a pair! The bugs are a cool addition.

Eyepaint: Very nice fauvism approach. Simplified structure, bold colours.

Cyndi: The painting seems like a pastel work... Nice and soft.

Well done. A great challenge.

Thank you Susan, Elizabeth, Cyndi and Lillian for your kind comments. I thought it was about time to have a fling (of paint).

[*dee*]

The flow in the painting works great.

When I first really looked at the ref pic, I got caught up in the swooping and swirling that the plants were making around the base of the tree....I'm glad that it didn't come out just looking "busy".

[LavenderFrost]

LOL Linda, nice crop. And your colours are great!

Lillian, both paintings are wonderful! And the addition of the bug and butterfly are nice touches.

EP, very colourful! As for those flowers of mine, they drove me a little further into insanity, lol.

Cyndi, it's better not to grow up. :D Besides, you did a great job. I don't think the sky holes are even necessary. I like the way it looks like a forest close behind the flowers. The trees, flowers, and kale came out great. Once you fix up the pumpkin, it will be perfect.

Antony, that is really trippy!

[eyepaint]

Cyndi - thank you. Your ornamental cabbage ruffles are well done.

Susan - thank you

Elizabeth - thank you

Antony - thank you. Love your twisty swirly kaleidoscope effect :) :) :)

Michelle - thank you.

[Linee]

Susan, fun kaleidoscope style!

Matej, I love the open yard. Really brings the sun in.

Elizabeth, love the warm softness and color.

Jerry, fun! I like the perspective, too.

Dee, nice perspective and composition. Leads the eye around.

Kathy, yours "feels" so Fall-ish. Where's my rake?

Michelle, great color and detail. I had to look twice at the tree, it looks so real.

Lillian, wonderful set. Nice attention to texture and detail.

EP, fun, fun, fun!

Cyndi, good format. And I really like your treatment of the mums and kale (or cabbage?).

Antony, I may have to try that technique. Looks fun and the result is energetic.

[susme48]

Thanks, Antony and if I have been turing you into an Anthony elsewhere...I appologize...I just realized I was readiing wrong! :o

Thanks, Linda!

[matej712]

Elizabeth - I like how you cropped the photo and I like the details on yellow flowers.

Jerry - nice smiling pumpkins :)

Dee - i like the tree trunk and flowers.

Kathy - like your fresh style. Nice background.

Michelle - i like your re-arrangement. Nice details.

Linda - nice "loose" painting.

Lillian - nice crops. Second one is my favourite.

eyepaint - very innovative.

Cyndi - nice crop. The colors really brings the pumpkin closer.

Anthony - very impressive.


Thanks Elizabeth, Kathy, Michelle, Lillian, eyepaint, Cyndi, Anthony, Linda on comments.

[Antony Burt]

Thanks, Antony and if I have been turing you into an Anthony elsewhere...I appologize...I just realized I was readiing wrong! :o
Thank you. :wave:Little things like that don't bug me though, so don't feel bad.:)

[eyepaint]

Linda and mate - thank you :)

[TxAggieDarlin]

Wow, these are all fantastic---each in its own way. I love them all!!

[changingpaths]

Thank you everyone. I am going to work on the pumpkin a little, and after all your comments...leave the sky as is. I thought this DS was really interesting. We had quite a few similar crops...which I really don't remember happening before. That must say something about that particular crop I guess. lol.

See ya all in November! Can't wait to see what our new Refs will be. :)

TxAggie...you should join us. :)

[Cherm]

Almost forgot about it. I worked on int last weekend and wasn't happy with the mums, worked on it some more today and still not happy with mums but it was good practice.

9x12 acrylic paper

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Oct-2008/131595-WC_Oct_DS_wc_sized.jpg

Great job everyone!

Susan - great way to use the imagination and turn it into an original.
matej - very well done, reminds me of a well known artists style but not being an art major I don't know the name.
elizabeth - wonderful crop and detail, your mums look sooo realistic
Jerry - great motion and fun in your painting
dee - brave choice and well done, I feel the autumn wind blowing round the tree
amuse - great fall look, I'm ready to trick or treat!
LavenderFrost - I was intimidated by the cabbage which you have done very well and your mums are beautiful!
Linee - I love your palette and style! And on such a small surface, wow!
lilbelle - so realistic and such detail, great job on both!
EP - wonderful imaginative style and color, Great!
Cyndi - wonderful depth in your bg and great work on the cabbage.
Antony - you nailed it! lots of motion and great color

[Linee]

Very nice, Cherm. The flowers look great.

Just thought I'd mention that my family always loves to see the art of Different Strokes. :)

[lilbelle]

Cherm, I think you did a great job with your mum's! The shapes of them are very nice. Well done!
Thank you again for the kind comments on mine and thank you Elizabeth for this months challenge!

[eyepaint]

Cherm - thank you. Your red flowers make me happy :)

[Antony Burt]

Clem: Nice one. the pumpkin is glorious. The mums seem almost feathery soft too.

[changingpaths]

Cherm, I think it's very nice. Your pumpkin is fabulous. (can I borrow it.) hehe.
ya done good! :)

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Cherm! Beautiful, lush flowers and a really cute pumpkin! I love the way your painting is full of brilliant colors - Great crop! Glad you remembered to finish and post. :D Thanks too for the lovely comment on mine.

I can't wait to see what Kathleen is cooking up for us in November!!!!

Elizabeth

[LavenderFrost]

Very nice cherm, that's a cool look you gave the pumpkin.

[Charlie's Mum]

Elizabeth and Gang!
So sorry not to complete mine this month -got as far as the initial drawing ready to paint but just have too much going on .. all my paints are packed away (for much longer than I'd hoped! :crying:).

I really enjoyed viewing this wide and oh-so-varied range of entries this month, from a couple of abstract (fun!) to very realistic ....... all are individual and a joy to see.

I'll be hosting November's DS, so clear the decks for another challenge! :D

Thanks so much to Elizabeth for this really interesting ref. (or two!) and to you all for supporting her :thumbsup:

[changingpaths]

Ok, here is my revised DS with the pumpkin a little more detailed.:lol: That was truly a learning mistake on my part. I had done multiple washes and thought that was enough. oh well.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Oct-2008/135587-2008_10_DS2_6x12cr.jpg

Maureen, can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for us. :D

See ya all in a few days for the Nov DS.

[Linee]

I love your finish, Cyndi. That pumpkin is gorgeous. Just enough detailing to the cabbage and flowers.r

[changingpaths]

Thank you Linda.:wave:

Now that I compare the two...I really see the difference. I just truly thought the washes were enough. Even I can see this is soooo much better. I hope I didn't go too much the othe way...but it would be ok right? Because it would be the closest thing to you? I THINK I am starting to understand this. :o I'd kind of like to put some grasses in that right corner..but I guess I better quit while I'm ahead. hehe.

[eyepaint]

Maureen - there's still time to sneak in a small painting.... maybe ATC sized?

Cyndi - gor-gee-ous pumpkin!! Well done!

[susme48]

Cherm, thank you !! And I think yours was really good!!

[Antony Burt]

Good finishing touches to the pumpkin Cyndi. :)

[edtree]

:wave: Hi Maureen! I totally understand. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got for us in November!:D

:wave: Cyndi, You did an excellent job on your finishing touches. The pumpkin looks wonderful! You've already achieved much depth in your painting from front to back; considering this, I don't believe you need strands of grass. You're growing in leaps and bounds with your paintings - Outstanding job!:thumbsup: :D

Elizabeth

[LavenderFrost]

The pumpkin looks great Cyndi!

[changingpaths]

Thank you EP!! :) That painting needed a gor-gee-ous pumpkin really badly.

Thanks Antony. (spelled your name right this time. hehe.) I really can't get over how much of a difference it makes. :)

Thank you Elizabeth. Both for the advice and the props on the pumpkin and the painting. AND... That is such a nice compliment about my growth... Thank you for all your help. :)

Thank you Michelle. :) I appreciate it.

I love DS...we are family....sounds like a song. hehe.

[Antony Burt]

:grouphug:

[edtree]

:wave: Aww. Thanks for the group hug for the October Different Strokes folks, Antony!:heart: I'm sorry there is no gallery. Someday I will get the software and knowledge to put one together. :D

Elizabeth

[eyepaint]

Here's a gallery of the wonderful seasonal work this month :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Oct-2008/96240-ds_oct_collage.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Oct-2008/96240-ds_oct_collage1.jpg


Cheers,

[Linee]

Impressive gallery everyone! Thanks for putting it together, EP. Such a cheerful subject, Elizabeth. :)

[Charlie's Mum]

EP -thanks for putting the Gallery together - looks very impressive seeing all the entries together.
They do look good!

[edtree]

:wave: Thank you SO MUCH EP! What a beautiful display of paintings these all are! :D :clap:

Elizabeth

[changingpaths]

Thanks EP. I always love seeing them together..
I looked and went ...oh no...someone did one just like mine. I must have missed that one. ROTFLOL. Then I looked closer and It was mine before the pumpkin revision. giggle. Ya coulda left that one out kid. hehe.

[eyepaint]

Linda, Maureen, Elizabeth, and Cyndi - thank you.

Cyndi - I downloaded the before and then the after and considered leaving the "before" out of the gallery ... but then didn't :)

Cheers,

[lilbelle]

Cyndi, I love the changes you made to your pumpkin! Great form and highlights.
EP, thank you for the great looking gallery! Great job everyone!
Maureen, I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned for us next month!

[LavenderFrost]

Thanks EP for the gallery.

Just a couple more days to see what's next.

[changingpaths]

Thanks Lillian! :)

EP, no worries. *grin* It was funny. hehe.

Maureen...when are you going to post our next refs????? I'm ready NOW. *grin*

[susme48]

Nice job by all!!

[artastic]

what great paintings this month, it totaly escaped me, and I did not get one done, the gallery is awesome EP, and the photo refs were great Elizabeth, hope I can get in on Nov challenge

[edtree]

:wave: Thanks to all who participated in October's Different Strokes and to those who came by just to admire our pumpkin and mum masterpieces! It was so much fun! :clap:

Can't wait to see what Maureen has in store for us for November! Hope to see you all there! :D

Elizabeth