Bitten Strawberry Advance

 This weekend was busy with Thanksgiving, the wifey's BD, garage end-of-year cleaning, and trying to write the first pages of a new book after eleven years of inactivity. 

As you can see, my plate is full. That's why I'm looking to avoid any possible commitments. I can't split it in half. All those above are the stuff on the side plate; the main course is to continue retaking my artist-illustration-forgotten career.

Right now, I'm working on the bitten strawberry piece. I'm using Strathmore pastel paper and more than one pastel pencil brand. Of course, the 0.5 mechanical pencil and Q-tips. Here's what I've got so far.

Today is Thanksgiving Day

 We know it's common sense; being thankful should be an everyday thing. Start by saying we do not even need to remind ourselves of the reasons why establishing comparisons is not generally a good idea: It exposes us to becoming arrogant and entitled. Just be thankful. If you can find a good, solid reason for which to be specifically thankful is even better. 

Now, we must remember this day is not only of spiritual gratitude related to God as our provider; it's also directed at being thankful to other people who have extended a helping hand to us, those who have welcomed us and helped us in times of need. I have had, and my family has had, many instances in our lives when others have come to our help in difficult times. To these people, each one of them, to the ones I knew in person, and also to the ones I never knew but were behind actions that played in my favor, I am thankful and grateful for being the recipient of your disinterested kindness.    

Bitten strawberry

 In my previous work—the fork with the red pepper—I originally intended to use a strawberry but had none. We have strawberries again, but I wouldn't repeat the fork idea. So, I just came up with this concept of a bitten strawberry, and I think it looks good. The strawberry survived the photo session but was finished right afterward. It's keto-friendly. 

By the way, I started the keto diet in mid-September and lost 23 pounds. When I started, I weighed 223 pounds and was also lifting weights, so apparently, I was gaining more weight through muscular mass. I suspended weightlifting entirely and started the keto diet, and that gave me immediate results. Right now, I'm at 200 pounds, but I started plateauing around two weeks ago.

So, starting today, November 26, I'm using a small home treadmill that one of my daughters is letting me use. Every day, I will try to walk 30 minutes or more to help break the weight loss barrier. 

According to Google, when you plateau while in keto, you have to exercise more or start counting calories. I won't do weightlifting until I reach my ideal weight. From then on, gaining muscle mass will be an entirely different story. Let's see what happens. 

First Airbrushed Markers Effect

Since I came up with the idea of incorporating an airbrush into my artwork again, it took me a long time to put it all together. Today, I just completed the very first successful try at airbrushing with markers using actual artwork. In this series of images, I'm showing how I had to complete a pencil drawing of my wife and me for her BD and then plan how to add a slight touch of color with the airbrush. In the name of perfection, I had to use the Cricut machine to cut perfect initials and then create transparent vinyl masks for mess-free art. Ultimately, that move paid off, and the result is bright and crisp. Our initials are right next to our hands.

If you are wondering why solid blue letters are in the second picture, it gives me an idea of the positioning before airbrushing. The real stencil masks are in the third picture with all the tape.

Materials Used: Kodak mini projector. U.S. Art Supply Sketch paper for mixed media. Mechanical Pencil 0.5 by NIC Pro. Sketch pencil 14B by Pandafly. Q-Tips. Yasnay Alcohol Markers. Markers Aibrush from Micro-Mark store. Airbrush Quiet Compressor from Hseng. Vinyl film by Vvivid. Cricut vinyl cutting machine with Cricut free design software.  

Airbrushing Masking Supplies

 I received the vinyl to draw stencils on for airbrushing. Precision knives are used to cut the drawn shapes, and the transparent film transfers the stencil onto the drawing itself. This process is detailed but will allow for the addition of exciting effects. To cut the stencil shapes you can use a Cricut cutting board.

In my subsequent work, as a gift for my wife's BD, I will draw our hands together and add our initials with the airbrush, just as a color touch effect.

Creative Anxiety

I've been working on this piece since around 7:00 AM today. It took me between 6 and 7 hours to complete. 

I decided this was more aptly titled "creative anxiety." It is that feeling of having an impulse of the will to create art and then suffering an unexpected interruption. 

Frustration and tension lead to anxiety. One of the most common reasons is realizing the need to add something to an art creative process, putting in an online supplies order, and then having to wait, interrupting the flow. That's what this piece intends to say.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. There is no need to remind me. I have been on both sides: having something to work with and not having anything to work with.

Materials Used: Pastel Strathmore paper, 0.5 Mechanical pencil, 14B Sketching pencil, White Pastel pencil, Posca Marker, and Q-Tips

Locking hands

 I have invested some money in supplies to add airbrushing to my artwork, but now I'm pausing while I put all the supplies together. Today, I'm receiving more materials, such as vinyl stencil paper, transfer paper, a set of precision knives, and transparent acrylic cutout materials I plan to use for airbrushing masks.

While all that happened, I had this idea of interlocking hands. I took a few photos of my hands locked in tension and this image is the one I liked better. 

Does it mean tension? Creative anxiety? It originates along these lines.

This is my next work. I'm back to pastel paper, and I might use charcoal pencils this time around.

Not as Hot as it Looks

 This is actually a sweet pepper, it does taste sugary, but it looks like it's going to burn your mouth. Great for snacking with some salt and lime juice. We love them at home. Great for Keto dieting.

I used a 0.5 mechanical pencil. For the color, I used Crazy Art pencils. For the highlights, a Conté crayon and a Posca marker. 

I feel like I'm expressing myself better. I will soon incorporate airbrushing with markers to add some creative effects.

Testing Hseng Compressor and Airbrushes

 I received the Compressor replacement from Hseng. This one works properly and is nicely quiet, perfect for working inside my home without disturbing anyone. I have two different airbrushes: one from Micromark, which comes with a few adaptors, and the other from Copic. See the video below to check them out.

New Work - Fork and Pepper

 I wanted to do a metallic effect because it takes a higher skill level. I'm satisfied with the results. The image online only reflects a little. When seen in person it's way more evident.

I'm using the mechanic pencil 0.5, and regular colored pencils. The lighting touches are a Conté crayon and a Posca marker.

Aibrush and Compressor Update

It took me some browsing, but finally, I got the airbrush for markers with size and shape adapters at an online store in New Jersey called Micro-Mark. I haven't found it anywhere else, not even on Amazon, Walmart, or others. 

This is not new for me. I had a markers airbrush kit in the early 90s. They are more comfortable and cleaner than regular airbrushing. Mess free. 

The bad news is the Hseng compressor was faulty. It will turn on and shut off itself after 2-3 seconds. I had to request a substitution from Amazon that will arrive next week. Hopefully, I will get a working unit, because this compressor costs $139.00 Not cheap at all. By the way, Hseng is a store dedicated to producing airbrushing kits.

Now, I'm having to wait again.

Update 11/19/2024: Amazon confirmed the air compressor replacement is arriving much earlier than I was expecting. Once I have it I will test it and update it.

Finished Mustard Artwork

 Stamped, titled, signed and protective spray layered. Who wants to buy this "Texas-Sized Faith" piece of artwork? I can separate this one as a promise to buy. 

You can pay for it and have it, but only after the art exhibit in the future. Any interested buyers? Once I'm ready to sell price will start at $550.00 per framed piece. 

Note: Shipping costs are separated, and only inside the US. Add $100 for shipping. This is true: The shipping box alone for this size of art costs $50 per unit.

Mustard Artwork Getting Closer

 This is the current status of the mustard artwork. I'm using those commercial Crazy Art colored pencils from Walmart. They are good enough. Of course, I'm using Q-Tips to spread the color on certain areas where the pencil trace is too evident, that way the color looks smoother. Lettering and labels are especially hard because of the small text, but an approximation is acceptable in art. I'm not too concerned, the idea is to make it look like the thing, not create a carbon copy. For the white light accents, I'm using a Conté crayon and a Posca marker. The pencil shading/tracing is a mechanical pencil 0.5 from NicPro.

Quick Note

 This is a technical note for visitors trying to draw and color on white paper. You can use a bamboo "hand" as a transversal support over the paper to rest your hand on it. (The ones used for scratching) This will prevent smearing the pencils all over the work.

 

Mustard Art Update

 It took me a while to figure out the best setting for the mini projector area, but it was easy once I understood how this works. As you can see. It required some support, so I used two adjustable yellow poles, a transversal bar, and a foldable camera arm to mount the Kodak projector. 

The projection quality is just amazing for such a small projection device, no doubt this will move my art projects forward by a lot.

The traced image is shown, so now all I need to work on is coloring. 

I still haven't received my markers airbrush, so this piece will be completed with a mix of regular markers and probably colored pencils.

Buying More Stuff and BD Gifts

 I started running out of space for my art supplies and other objects on my desks and working table, so I had to buy a large desk rack, but it has yet to arrive. 

I have received these two marker/pencil racks. Assembly was fun, but they are sturdy and will hold lots of my pencils and markers.

I have also received a tiny Kodak projector to help me project my photos onto paper for tracing. Of course, shading, adding volume, color, and highlights has no shortcuts, and I have to do it the way it is.

Another thing I ordered, is an extra quiet airbrush compressor. Also, I'm waiting for a specialized marker airbrush with mounts for all sizes of markers. I'm going to do some airbrushing effects.

 Today, November 13th is my BD. One of my daughters gifted me new art materials from the Target store.

This is what's going on

 My regular job takes up most of my day, so the little time I have left—some of it—is dedicated to producing art. I devised a strategy to step up production, maintain high quality and originality in my style, and bring the price of the art pieces down a little. 

I'm a serious classic artist, but I fully embrace technology and necessary logistics within a narrow time frame. That's why I purchased a Kodak mini projector and from now on, I will completely skip the hardest part —drawing.— So I will just take the pictures and trace them. End of story. Of course, it does require a higher level of skill to paint realistic art, but with color, shadow, and volume, you just can't walk around. That's what makes a good illustrator or an artist. 

The piece I'm working next is, indirectly, related to my favorite Bible passage. I can't draw mustard seeds, but I came up with the idea of putting a full Texas mustard bottle as an allegory. I was born Catholic, I do read the Bible and I believe my art idea does not address the passage in a disrespectful way. I'm doing this with confidence, emotionally, and with clear consciousness of what inspired this idea.

Now, I do pick food as my subject a lot, as you have seen in the photography tab as well. I have professional studies in video production and art, so what I do is serious, and I aim to produce art seriously.

I walked through some Walmart isles and picked up some commercial brands of pencil colors and some interesting markers, joining other markers I already had. I hope I can keep delivering good results with more inexpensive art supplies.

    

New Drawing Sketch Pads

 The pastel paper I'm working on, in my previous pieces, is highly texturized. An ideal medium for several layers of pastel pencils. Graphite pencils work well on this paper, but not perfectly well. 

I had to buy these thick, 11 x 14 extra pads to expand my art range. The yellow ones, from Strathmore, are for dry media, such as pencil or charcoal, and have medium texture. The other ones, U.S. Art Supply, are made for mixed media, such as pens, markers, ink, and graphite. I have plenty of color markers, so I might try some too.

Hands and Limes

I recently mentioned my vote preferences for Democrats and Kamala Harris, so I must close that circle now and comment about the election results favoring Trump. I accept the results because they look absolutely legit. He won very clearly. 

I hope everything will work for our country and wish Trump great success managing our country for the good of all. 

Kamala fought hard. She was caught by surprise and had a very short time to prepare, nevertheless, she did great. Thank you Kamala for representing us. Peace and love for all.

Now, regarding the current piece I'm working on, I feel adding more, such as a background color might ruin the composition. It looks dramatic enough right now. I will sign, spray coat, and be done. 

Hands and two limes

 I'm about to complete this piece, and I was right. I needed to add more detail to the hands, as the two limes wouldn't be strong enough elements. It's looking good so far.

Hand and Limes

I'm using a different approach for this one. I wanted to do two uncut limes, but I had to add more detail to the hands to balance out the lime size, shape, and visual impact. I'm using a white Conté crayon, a Graphite 2.0 mechanical pencil, and a 14B sketch pencil.

New Mechanical Pencil Set

 I purchased another set of mechanical pencils. The older set won't load graphite properly, and two got stuck on the tip. This new set is partly metallic and feels sturdier, so it will work better. I'm planning to do a few pencil-only drawings for the current project I'm working on. It took me some time to pick a set. There are so many options available everywhere. I was thinking of an affordable set with good reviews. This set met all checkmarks. Time will tell.

Four Mushrooms

I've finally completed the mushroom painting. This took me longer than anticipated because of several obstacles and distractions during the past week. 

Right now, talking about mushrooms, I'm following a strict keto diet. So far, I have lost 23 pounds. I started this about two months ago, and that was fast. I'm still aiming at 22 more pounds. Once I'm done, I will maintain the same keto discipline to avoid rebounding. Thankfully, they are making keto tortillas and sliced bread. That makes it so easy.

The four mushrooms are a good amount to include in any meal. It always depends on how you cook them; for breakfast, I prefer mushrooms with eggs and chorizo, or with chopped garlic and soy sauce for supper or dinner and sometimes adding shrimp.

I Voted

Early vote. Of course, I support and voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. President Harris and Vice President Walz.