Nearly done with July

twentyfifth

twentysixth

twentyseventh

twentyeighth

For the last two the black paper wasn't chosen, but just happened to be the only A4 I had at the time.
But.....
Really liking the twentyseventh. The blue seems to give more of the effect of negative than the white and black. There will be more experiments in this direction.

Where is summer?

Definitely not enjoying this weather, can we please have a better variety.
Anyway, here we are, up-to-date with portraits. I do wish it was possible to do a self-portrait where I was smiling if even slightly. Might have to try.

twentyfirst

twentysecond

twentythird

twentyfourth

June JPEGs

Ok, ok... a little alliteration isn't that bad is it?
Anyway on to the drawings.

eleventh

twelfth

thirteenth

fourteenth

fifteenth

sixteenth

seventeenth

eighteenth

nineteenth

twentieth

twentyfirst

twentysecond

In the last two drawings I've used  a stick to draw with and am really enjoying the line it produces. Especially as it fades as the ink runs out and on the dampened paper where the lines spread.
I'm going to try and use this effect for shadows and lights.

The last of March's portraits

twentysixth

twentyseventh

twentyeighth

twentyninth

thirtieth

 

thirtyfirst

The end of March has happened. I am enjoying using colour especially after finding my water soluble crayons, they are interesting to use because I haven't sharpened them so the lines are less accurate so the shading is more important.

April has begun

first

second

third

and here we have it, up to date and into the sixth month... feeling good.

The lost portrait

December No. 11 was as I thought…. in the studio.
Here we go back in time before we go forwards.

eleventh

Now there are two whole months of self portraits and they're still different. Still enjoying them therefore I will carry on.

As you will notice, I begin to get a little pissed off at looking at my own face. Actually, it was usually doing the eyes, not quite sure why. A little thought required or maybe not.

Twenty 6

Aughh! the days are disappearing fast.
Last day at glass painting and it went so fast, by 11 o'clock I was finished and I wasn't the first.
So here are the backs.

Houses

coloured piece

I have had a sneak preview of course but thought I'd make you all wait until tomorrow to get the full effect of the image.





After painting it was into town and we went for food, wandered a little, and bought the bits and pieces we hadn't before. Time is running out.
It's been a little cooler the last few days but today in town was hot enough.

In the square they're preparing for the Medieval Festival, starting tomorrow.

stalls happening

part of the carnival

Last full day and we get a medieval fair, how good is that.

This evening it's been hanging out together, eating, snacks, wee drinks and films.
Off to go and join in.

sixteen

and on it goes……
a bit of a late-ish start this morning but we made up for it.
The beginning of glass icon painting. I did say at the beginning that I would explain this process in further detail later. This is later.
Glass icon painting is a very ancient tradition that was introduced to Transylvania after it's annexation to the Habsburg empire in 1699. The reason behind it's mass popularity is because of an episode (miraculous event) that occurred in Niculae (village in N Transylvania). In a local church on the 15th February 1694 (some scholars say 1699) tears were seen running down the face of the Blessed Virgin wooden icon, the village became transformed into a centre of pilgrimage because of this event. Where there are people there is often a demand, in this case it was for icon paintings which the pilgrims could take home.
In effect, tourist paintings, but most certainly of a different order.

Here are a few from our trip to the glass icon museum in Sibiul.

Add caption

this is quite a favourite

The museum is nearby a church which is also beautiful to see.

This is the largest collection of icon paintings. I found it very interesting to see the difference between the copies of the same image. These are not 'high art' but painted by normal people for themselves. Because of this there is a very naive style.



Anna and Ioana had prepared the space and the glass before we arrived so all we had to do was choose our image. This was, to be honest, quite difficult due to the religious nature of the images. (We only had a few to choose from). Although it was always going to be a little awkward. The point of the exercise is to learn the process which is fascinating even if it twists my brain somewhat.

beginnings

just started

We practiced for a bit to find a pen we liked and to get used to wiping off the ink. Using dip pen and ink on glass is NOT easy. The paper is so that you can lean on something and not get greasy finger marks on the glass, which does make the ink go horrible.

Also, unless you are above the image it is really difficult to copy the lines because you keep seeing double. Aaugghhh!

Break time, and this is my wee work station. For those who know me, please notice my glasses which I hardly ever wear, I wore them all day.
Lunch over and back to it. Today we have to get the black ink done, let it dry and tomorrow we do the white.

concentrating

more concentration

I didn't take many photos because it's difficult to take time out while concentrating so much. 

Sore on the brain.

There were a lot of growls during this process  and I found that just walking away and stretching helped release the frustration.

black done

 

This is how I left my piece, I will most certainly have to neaten up (scrape) some of the lines and maybe fill in others but I'm quite pleased so far. 

Not expecting miracles but of course I would like to be perfect straight away….. ha ha.

Off back to the flat and a wee rest, the girls came back because there is only internet at our place. Contact with the outside world complete, cooking. eating and bedtime.

Day 10 or the beginning of mask 3

It was so hot last night… sorry to all who aren't but it did make sleep a little restless.
Woke early to the lady, either upstairs or next door watering the small garden out front. She has a plastic cup that she dips into a water filled container and empties over the plants so carefully, delicately.
Made salad for lunch and then the usual shower to refresh myself.
Off to the pink house for around 10, found the girls already hard at work finishing off their masks.
I only had the ears to make and attach before the 2nd mask was done.

Megan modeling mask

Then straight into mask number 3.

beginnings

whizzing eyes

I am really enjoying making this one (not that I didn't on the others), I think because I understand the technique now. I did also get a little help from Anna who sewed up my eyes before I stuffed them.
Lunch over and back in there.
Today Anna let us see Youtube clips of the traditional dances, costumes and masks. (technicalities by her son).
It did make me understand the use of the masks more which I feel helps when fabricating them.

Here it is at the end of the sewing day, the hair isn't actually fixed properly but you get the idea.

Then it was a short walk home and we decided to head off to the veg market for supplies. 5pm but it was really too hot for me, although we arrived back arms about dropping off. Fridge filled and time to relax.

Day 6 and it's a Friday

We all agreed to begin later today as 9am is too early so 10am it is. Down to the pink house to carry on with my hairy face.

This is how he's looking a little after lunchtime.

Our studio: 

working away

Anna in full teaching mode

Only half a day doing masks as we were taken to meet Ioana at the school where she has pupils who were taking part in a competition of icon painting at the Astra park museum. Lots of youngsters from maybe 7/8 years to around 17years were all taking part, giving presentations of their skill at traditional crafts. Weaving, masks, icon painting on glass and wood, corn dolly making and cross stitch. Really interesting and quite amazing work being produced by them all.

Pupil and tutor

Unfortunately it was raining the whole time. We did walk around the lake to give the students time to prepare themselves and start work. Too many incredible things to see! The park is an outdoor museum of traditional buildings from around Romania. Certain buildings were chosen and then dismantled, transported to the museum and reassembled exactly. All furniture, tools and suchlike were also brought.

As we were mainly there to see the presentations there was not enough time to take  a look at the buildings properly so we are going back to spend the day.

Here are two of the sculptures that dot around the place:

This is one of the many water wheels and the strange wooden contraption out front is a washing machine.

smoking area

I didn't say before, but all the youngsters and adults were in the traditional dress of the areas they came from. It looked amazing.

Anna in traditional garb