tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45181381906197150872024-02-07T03:47:42.873-08:00NATANIELARobb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-24324233110241122202014-06-09T05:02:00.001-07:002014-06-09T05:03:46.107-07:00NEW WEBSITE!!!For blogs, news, and other things please head to <a href="http://www.robbnjohnston.com/" target="_blank">ROBBNJOHNSTON.COM</a> .<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love,<!--3--><br />
<br />
Robb</div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-23797873993962635442014-04-09T05:19:00.000-07:002014-04-09T05:19:32.600-07:00a day's workI think it's a sign that I'm still trying to challenge myself to improve when each finished illustration makes me pause and think "Heythatlooksprettygood!...Did I actually <i>do</i> that?" Which brings us to page 26:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5FUrPUgMT04nTQX2XRdKY8KlI9Y5Up1pxR4gBfrwS2CSQ7Xa-_FyDVsLdMYp8DSe7o5UYALXZsMy2P05BqE7WgXvVl2HE2SDUhQRaJu9y-iaeDQXA0VyC9cGj7Wj-o1dXLbLeNKpzunK/s1600/sampleIMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5FUrPUgMT04nTQX2XRdKY8KlI9Y5Up1pxR4gBfrwS2CSQ7Xa-_FyDVsLdMYp8DSe7o5UYALXZsMy2P05BqE7WgXvVl2HE2SDUhQRaJu9y-iaeDQXA0VyC9cGj7Wj-o1dXLbLeNKpzunK/s1600/sampleIMG_0295.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vnccldDca7IwJ-4b2v4ama6TNvpRYriUtWVBscCKs2y31_3Mw5b6OInuSOcoqcMK7QLbA-u1JacdTTTXlwx-yYG1M2sx7LNNnoxeQeSLZUBJMKv6S_WWJil5bQwMyOUwsoK_h_rRtYI3/s1600/sampleIMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vnccldDca7IwJ-4b2v4ama6TNvpRYriUtWVBscCKs2y31_3Mw5b6OInuSOcoqcMK7QLbA-u1JacdTTTXlwx-yYG1M2sx7LNNnoxeQeSLZUBJMKv6S_WWJil5bQwMyOUwsoK_h_rRtYI3/s1600/sampleIMG_0296.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4whMMfF1Y8J_iWqOSceMrkeNABVe7sqEsYzG_gq3u4Zg43hXlyhZD9bHff3cgxbmFYEuIV2ieTuniqBPtqC92rHzq7ylEg5ZZKZV8f1KI4tAvzh0R58u5UpLf4tX-1MsQhMTqxW9IkTV/s1600/sampleIMG_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4whMMfF1Y8J_iWqOSceMrkeNABVe7sqEsYzG_gq3u4Zg43hXlyhZD9bHff3cgxbmFYEuIV2ieTuniqBPtqC92rHzq7ylEg5ZZKZV8f1KI4tAvzh0R58u5UpLf4tX-1MsQhMTqxW9IkTV/s1600/sampleIMG_0297.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had planned to use paint to create a simpler, more impressionist design for this page . For whatever reason, I decided to buckle-down and make the piece as detailed and explicit as possible using pen. I love the way it turned-out.Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-63146677587798474992014-03-27T09:33:00.002-07:002014-03-27T09:33:32.605-07:00Viking expedition contest entry!!(?)<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;">I just entered a short video contest for place on an a voyage to an ACTUAL patch of plastic marine debris in the Atlantic. The expedition, conducted by the 5 Gyres Institute, will be in June, and it seems like a great opportunity to increase awareness of this important environmental issue, as well as my current book. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;">Here's the (terrible) video I made for the contest!:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WJo5TbcPddw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
If you're pickin' up what I'm puttin' down, please vote for me on the 5 Gyres Institute contest site <a href="http://woobox.com/bt8ew8/vote/for/2215851" target="_blank">!!!HERE!!!</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;">You can vote once a day until the contest ends, please vote early and often. Thanks for your support!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><3 span=""></3></span></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-71463213540308859622014-03-21T05:50:00.000-07:002014-03-21T05:50:19.031-07:00Progression of page 25 (bottom)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofZUuO5sahBsGXXDOOE4x_rn-2x42fmuRFQCFcrKQ-zQR77oWzhILzVmJgg5LKrijuEppnsEEqL7yukLKOeG-t7exYVIK6wxwS3AvfwdsZfSKsB4_Rsf-5wM7_AweX7E0f4WThL6k5MvA/s1600/SAMPLEWIPp25b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofZUuO5sahBsGXXDOOE4x_rn-2x42fmuRFQCFcrKQ-zQR77oWzhILzVmJgg5LKrijuEppnsEEqL7yukLKOeG-t7exYVIK6wxwS3AvfwdsZfSKsB4_Rsf-5wM7_AweX7E0f4WThL6k5MvA/s1600/SAMPLEWIPp25b.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inked, erased</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhw02T6v1ygr93xwJQfr9QSHAQv-5HBEN8-h1EW06KfXtFbOaCr8KdgeJTXArlNqT2H4vz6DHbpTZalqiJh2_iawXfxkfgN5ne9rjTszw9xVvNcG9dVspcTRzs7_85MtISYXiYLeCoLeH/s1600/SAMPLEp25bfinal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhw02T6v1ygr93xwJQfr9QSHAQv-5HBEN8-h1EW06KfXtFbOaCr8KdgeJTXArlNqT2H4vz6DHbpTZalqiJh2_iawXfxkfgN5ne9rjTszw9xVvNcG9dVspcTRzs7_85MtISYXiYLeCoLeH/s1600/SAMPLEp25bfinal.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Blogged.Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-81424471067599703322014-03-16T13:29:00.001-07:002014-03-19T04:59:37.586-07:00Progression of page 25 (top)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy3MWajJX-ACLwBeZn-6d_-nI6q4k8ncpPB3jCYJ0ga07TPE5BvRFy8Vt0O1LDX4dU_irAJgG5-a4Zzhtd7D6otVoE1IHV5useC4clAh3UXRdR4WZX1zM32KwngXnb-ofLlW9jvlBXCxc/s1600/SAMPLEbWIP2p25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy3MWajJX-ACLwBeZn-6d_-nI6q4k8ncpPB3jCYJ0ga07TPE5BvRFy8Vt0O1LDX4dU_irAJgG5-a4Zzhtd7D6otVoE1IHV5useC4clAh3UXRdR4WZX1zM32KwngXnb-ofLlW9jvlBXCxc/s1600/SAMPLEbWIP2p25.JPG" height="143" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inked, erased, masking fluid applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvVqAQejEEtQA8pD0MlnpFTGV05B1wxR6x5wqTLMem8k8XhSQYCKzLcgPs1x7dRIfEJkdsur8qcsLqWoI9NyZurr8M5zKJAjb_kPjjRJTt6w2er5Jdpzx52CMrgZOkip5u-LNgnutSZ-t/s1600/SAMPLEp25a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvVqAQejEEtQA8pD0MlnpFTGV05B1wxR6x5wqTLMem8k8XhSQYCKzLcgPs1x7dRIfEJkdsur8qcsLqWoI9NyZurr8M5zKJAjb_kPjjRJTt6w2er5Jdpzx52CMrgZOkip5u-LNgnutSZ-t/s1600/SAMPLEp25a.JPG" height="142" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted, (re-inked), masking fluid removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-25249198005896764412014-03-15T09:48:00.000-07:002014-03-15T09:48:17.802-07:00MoonriseMoonsetThis is detail from a piece I entered into a group exhibition at Matthei Botanical Gardens late last year. These photos were taken in 2013, and for the exhibition I put them in a frame I found in an abandoned house outside of town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1JxZ4U1a9CmhnROkqpeDP53gtSW8bpVpkFrQf_bzcgPf1Odn07DKls4kONxz8rIipbfgm69TZKgmlZ3EU2v5Jrp5U43fEjAjvMVlK43neTHO_eB0bp4kKmTYOd_7jN5qt8rYuflK3YGU/s1600/samplemoonrisemoonset.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1JxZ4U1a9CmhnROkqpeDP53gtSW8bpVpkFrQf_bzcgPf1Odn07DKls4kONxz8rIipbfgm69TZKgmlZ3EU2v5Jrp5U43fEjAjvMVlK43neTHO_eB0bp4kKmTYOd_7jN5qt8rYuflK3YGU/s1600/samplemoonrisemoonset.png" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The title of the exhibit was "50 Shades of Green" and challenged artists to interpret and explore the color green. It was a fun theme; this was my artist's statement displayed with the piece:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"MoonriseMoonset - Luna moths (<i>Actias luna</i>) emerge from their cocoons mouth-less. They have a week to mate, and then they die. In the top photograph, we see a male at the height of his splendor. Surrounded by the lush foliage of early summer, he hangs from a leaf, coupled to his mate. In the bottom photograph, we find a decaying Luna, perched on a mushroom in early autumn. The colors and telltale markings are still visible, leaving us to ponder the week during which those delicate, green wings were perfect, and the promise of life was at its fullest." </div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-67696137534274547962014-03-12T18:09:00.000-07:002014-04-09T05:29:33.855-07:00The grindJust finished painting page 25 of the new book. I might take a break tomorrow to focus on some of the less-creative aspects of this artist/author/illustrator life (taxes, shipping orders out, website stuff, taxes, TAXES).<br />
<br />
I ain't even mad tho: motivation is still high, and there's plenty of chocolate milk in the fridge. Here's a glimpse of the last few days.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiuXuGVJL_nJjNwctOJwtSHlePOCOu9b1CY8Q8zdPBCMwyrF05NZwNVt4YW39C-ZLaEBcyks2RN6zBHlywZpUMAjXLpBRafSEQmeyCdOau9dObZ_Fboj-Xx5puPyav6lYhEIuoNWuOpLO/s1600/WIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiuXuGVJL_nJjNwctOJwtSHlePOCOu9b1CY8Q8zdPBCMwyrF05NZwNVt4YW39C-ZLaEBcyks2RN6zBHlywZpUMAjXLpBRafSEQmeyCdOau9dObZ_Fboj-Xx5puPyav6lYhEIuoNWuOpLO/s1600/WIP.jpg" height="400" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIP + love for my corporate sponsors (not actually) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A quick word about gear, if I may: I've definitely fallen out-of-love with my stockpile of Pigma Microns. I've amassed a rather impressive arsenal since my "Woodcutter" days, but I think the time has come to transition towards pens that...how can I say...don't start inexplicably leaking all over the work? So, let me introduce you to my lusty new partner: Copic Multiliner.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKC48E70RsgjV7Lv4SLNh4zfAzHxEkR-Xf7ltPt3OdQ23YmBtCHM-mQYebEHT1BdMZBsfBE28JJ4WLhB4GfdD7JFNIovhnP-8xlnyL7ze0zLma_IG8UCv8BAdzD2BfWsVdpmLq8wLEZtN/s1600/copic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKC48E70RsgjV7Lv4SLNh4zfAzHxEkR-Xf7ltPt3OdQ23YmBtCHM-mQYebEHT1BdMZBsfBE28JJ4WLhB4GfdD7JFNIovhnP-8xlnyL7ze0zLma_IG8UCv8BAdzD2BfWsVdpmLq8wLEZtN/s1600/copic.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
What I like:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Refillable (less plastic waste - BAM)</li>
<li>Replaceable tips </li>
<li>Aluminum barrel</li>
<li>Water-based pigment ink - archival, waterproof, lightfast</li>
<li>and lastly...LEAK-PROOf</li>
</ul>
So, as my dear Microns rupture, one by one, I will replace them with various sizes of Multiliners. </div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-50509334793091553952014-03-07T07:14:00.001-08:002014-03-07T07:28:58.651-08:00New record!!!1I don't...how even does this...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb2Uqsu5JnVKpuawOVQqLI3ZpqKS6WDLOIOQgRWaufyMsMsf8IuWqmAdkKIk3S6nlXVYURmQqUaEfFynR08G82e_NVarxt_5lkOo4xu7i9ceCei_PYlJ5o5RpcZO6cCD3q-yXRLd2gG_l/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb2Uqsu5JnVKpuawOVQqLI3ZpqKS6WDLOIOQgRWaufyMsMsf8IuWqmAdkKIk3S6nlXVYURmQqUaEfFynR08G82e_NVarxt_5lkOo4xu7i9ceCei_PYlJ5o5RpcZO6cCD3q-yXRLd2gG_l/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-15811015279430226252014-03-02T14:52:00.000-08:002014-03-04T06:55:39.799-08:00New book - illustration samplesHere are a few snique-piques from my current project. I'll not go into too much detail about the illustration, except to say that the style is a bit more "realistic" than The Woodcutter. Each page (currently on 24 of 40) has had unique challenges, and these have encouraged me to grow and develop my craft in ways I'd not anticipated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yVjI_uctVrw-S9bWgHPGNsSliCehaKsx9JYEu4EWCqYmNYAOZtE-BaTMHqbVYbWppYVOVqdIK5CVdUeEayMYp6CuoW5YaGdGTlICb3A48fWcCvrr9ZmVA1_z_t1_FIdg3Ul2_Xw_YN_z/s1600/SAMPLEp1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yVjI_uctVrw-S9bWgHPGNsSliCehaKsx9JYEu4EWCqYmNYAOZtE-BaTMHqbVYbWppYVOVqdIK5CVdUeEayMYp6CuoW5YaGdGTlICb3A48fWcCvrr9ZmVA1_z_t1_FIdg3Ul2_Xw_YN_z/s1600/SAMPLEp1.JPG" height="320" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ogQHzMQm0F3RaDzUGYDWu_EXrFhlkkxP0fGI83wr8BLT-tlbkrKdpLQLxUL4PizsQwtMZvc2jI_R2WzNIl0CW50t5lMhiXOLNF9wxBNpMCS1RaHVlxL8C60dFTSCbwItaMxVaF_v7R-T/s1600/SAMPLEp5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ogQHzMQm0F3RaDzUGYDWu_EXrFhlkkxP0fGI83wr8BLT-tlbkrKdpLQLxUL4PizsQwtMZvc2jI_R2WzNIl0CW50t5lMhiXOLNF9wxBNpMCS1RaHVlxL8C60dFTSCbwItaMxVaF_v7R-T/s1600/SAMPLEp5.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjd1P0tY_vZB7XnxoJ69OpkNysXoOtUPrIgSjMgspXoVV6lMivfpfFiAjBPDo7tGKGOsubnIeIJElwQQf0bS16Nc5UzioHCysnJJ-PmnjHZPq2AI5mdoAktyVOg13TI3OhtwgS3fGexXq/s1600/SAMPLEp18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjd1P0tY_vZB7XnxoJ69OpkNysXoOtUPrIgSjMgspXoVV6lMivfpfFiAjBPDo7tGKGOsubnIeIJElwQQf0bS16Nc5UzioHCysnJJ-PmnjHZPq2AI5mdoAktyVOg13TI3OhtwgS3fGexXq/s1600/SAMPLEp18.JPG" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-51897941882278838612014-03-02T14:25:00.000-08:002014-03-02T18:22:06.966-08:00Japanese Cranes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno3eDMKtEli7OsnTmc6K5Pg5xK7IEG__NzEDEfa_F00Q0wvIls6geBEkXKRLnqeSXY0uR9-CJr-nX0Ul2AhK5iCiRzgTRbyYBhKs1qBKeX20AwQ8eFV19G8VRzg7dGl0400pDOcJkc9xf/s1600/samplecranes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno3eDMKtEli7OsnTmc6K5Pg5xK7IEG__NzEDEfa_F00Q0wvIls6geBEkXKRLnqeSXY0uR9-CJr-nX0Ul2AhK5iCiRzgTRbyYBhKs1qBKeX20AwQ8eFV19G8VRzg7dGl0400pDOcJkc9xf/s1600/samplecranes.JPG" height="320" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gift for a friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Symbols of luck, longevity, and fidelity. I'll be painting more of these, I think. The red squares were made using a stamp, called a <i>hanko, </i>which has a reading of my name in<i> kanji</i><i>. </i>It was a gift from a co-worker in Japan; using it brings back many fond memories of my time spent there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDb1_XX5szaqrFjDkQZjcJK87XTYgc6XRCtcwhnQf6AYb5ZFeB88jaioAzx2OI4jBoM99wO1aJXbAzokZEdC22O_cLtPKMf09RTVSmfh-UzlHJBq4lvW9RikylRyoz8PyenfepfnKx9jZ/s1600/hanko.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDb1_XX5szaqrFjDkQZjcJK87XTYgc6XRCtcwhnQf6AYb5ZFeB88jaioAzx2OI4jBoM99wO1aJXbAzokZEdC22O_cLtPKMf09RTVSmfh-UzlHJBq4lvW9RikylRyoz8PyenfepfnKx9jZ/s1600/hanko.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-78843057161181814602014-02-21T13:42:00.002-08:002014-02-21T13:42:23.034-08:00BIG DUTCH - update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-ihRyfI3YLYEyG7dSOXCAMnmvSYVCPLpp2eH7Qt5AHHQ1k9ixDIPsrFsbu0KYzR8jjahNLXghxvuSiyhMu88OgyiEgszxe8ChuQGfJI0jq1E98r04wZTlsx6HsH8kATbopMl1SBLePWD/s1600/1966880_10202826080588594_1509639640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-ihRyfI3YLYEyG7dSOXCAMnmvSYVCPLpp2eH7Qt5AHHQ1k9ixDIPsrFsbu0KYzR8jjahNLXghxvuSiyhMu88OgyiEgszxe8ChuQGfJI0jq1E98r04wZTlsx6HsH8kATbopMl1SBLePWD/s1600/1966880_10202826080588594_1509639640_n.jpg" height="320" width="132" /></a></div>
There she is!<br />
<br />
...now I'm all thirsty.Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-20336118970847584852014-02-20T15:17:00.001-08:002014-02-20T15:17:27.169-08:00Tell me what you REALLY thinkI was looking through some old dummies I'd submitted when I was trying to get "The Woodcutter" published, and found something pretty hilarious:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xz3DwHZQeIN063T4P_mLWabWwPvVysY0lmTuiPe4HAiGd5BnTeKkKBdqBpguPSx7Ris0CogaMk0XExRzyzddVdSx7_6lo1FkywEbUg5GU-R7FYK-Zd6w3eLhH3dIkcVGrItd9z0ZEFkp/s1600/IMG_20140220_092313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xz3DwHZQeIN063T4P_mLWabWwPvVysY0lmTuiPe4HAiGd5BnTeKkKBdqBpguPSx7Ris0CogaMk0XExRzyzddVdSx7_6lo1FkywEbUg5GU-R7FYK-Zd6w3eLhH3dIkcVGrItd9z0ZEFkp/s1600/IMG_20140220_092313.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can vaguely make out some text on the first page. Someone must have scribbled a note on a piece of paper, which left an impression on the plastic cover of the front portfolio sleeve. I'm not sure which publishing house/agency this particular portfolio went to, but here's what someone over there thought of my book, as it was making the rounds:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Pass - the art doesn't wow me enough + PB w/out child protag is hard sell -RS</i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kinda neat to get that little glimpse of a true, honest reaction from within the industry.</div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-83436779333210913522014-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:002014-02-14T07:50:54.712-08:00Beer label - BIG DUTCHA few weeks ago, my cousin floated the idea of me designing a beer label. A colleague was turning 60, and to mark the occasion, he was going to brew a batch of beer, to be named "Big Dutch." I'd never designed a beer label before, but the project intrigued me and it seemed like a good challenge (not to mention a nice element to have in my portfolio). He gave me full latitude in designing the label, which was much appreciated. I used an iPad app called ProCreate to whip-up a first draft:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv_vJ3gslZVPqF0ZExT1XAnYtJgbr4JeKAjZdL8Lzo0j_D3Hl9Qmag1feiRN28LhJT6XfKSWXHq_nORmkgIYAHesLDFCsRFWP8tz59HVTXSxo58M-CTGED4iy3nLJspnNzgXBXtoaWQo7/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv_vJ3gslZVPqF0ZExT1XAnYtJgbr4JeKAjZdL8Lzo0j_D3Hl9Qmag1feiRN28LhJT6XfKSWXHq_nORmkgIYAHesLDFCsRFWP8tz59HVTXSxo58M-CTGED4iy3nLJspnNzgXBXtoaWQo7/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Having gotten the composition worked-out, I got the paper and watercolors out, and ended-up moving away from the enormous naked guy:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefX84awah9oWjhUKpfvhp1MQFoCk_4_ab6LNTI6xiHoyVWGCtGod2gBjZhoQVOcJvYm963Npnk1Oc_LP5uXf7E_XlioGQb4sl_zIk1z1eTl-4TQtuax6tqslz9cFG9JQ1muHMHr0SucdL/s1600/bigdutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefX84awah9oWjhUKpfvhp1MQFoCk_4_ab6LNTI6xiHoyVWGCtGod2gBjZhoQVOcJvYm963Npnk1Oc_LP5uXf7E_XlioGQb4sl_zIk1z1eTl-4TQtuax6tqslz9cFG9JQ1muHMHr0SucdL/s1600/bigdutch.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beer brewed with Steenstra's windmill cookies. Mmmmmmm </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I love the way the tulips and brickwork turned-out. This was a really fun illustration project, and I would definitely not shy away from doing more beer labels in the future. With the incredible popularity of craft brewing in Michigan, I'm sure the opportunities are out there.</div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-58921707214674113612014-01-13T10:38:00.001-08:002014-01-13T10:38:31.680-08:00Negative spaceEffective use of negative space has always been a challenge for me. It's the idea of defining space and form by creating <i>boundaries;</i> it's allowing the viewer to infer shape and substance from the spaces you left <i>blank</i>. To me, effective use of negative space is a sort of "addition by omission" in the same way that carving or etching is "addition by subtraction." <br />
Here's an example from a master:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media/collection_images/8/8694%23%23S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media/collection_images/8/8694%23%23S.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Melville (1858-1904), "Kurrachan"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are some examples from some guy with a blog (me):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFQy9ubDlJRV6_SyAMplQ7Sq6L7PcwpMh_3-n0inlfeiJNJD6zwzHmujAIE1Mv40w_2J9L6XKiOE4XmNkU37kVwFoIULpXeQ3nIYRTd-pxNO_VBAhyshA2SqHahDZ0ytafnM_iBulWd8i/s1600/king.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFQy9ubDlJRV6_SyAMplQ7Sq6L7PcwpMh_3-n0inlfeiJNJD6zwzHmujAIE1Mv40w_2J9L6XKiOE4XmNkU37kVwFoIULpXeQ3nIYRTd-pxNO_VBAhyshA2SqHahDZ0ytafnM_iBulWd8i/s1600/king.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHRjpiHEWl4uOc7qWYZGrXyZH9qa2Zova27onQ4zK5dGlKpoSJVEIk92vbpUTUWzGmSkxYhuOYL6C4KTVTqOS72DB8sKBYOB7NwQWSG2dxOmnua54FC-pFC-ThI1iS5_Y6jke5GVD5BT/s1600/lamb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHRjpiHEWl4uOc7qWYZGrXyZH9qa2Zova27onQ4zK5dGlKpoSJVEIk92vbpUTUWzGmSkxYhuOYL6C4KTVTqOS72DB8sKBYOB7NwQWSG2dxOmnua54FC-pFC-ThI1iS5_Y6jke5GVD5BT/s1600/lamb.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2mCZ4HHtaZyaUXMyzWzR3QOQrU_sTkvJi72e7RMxeHKVtcsj7JCaFV1NLvpO-AaSQ6d-MWVGfZ2DGbWyVnRNSLt7LfBi7Pn_g-cRkxXzl4yXBbIsc5odv_63mq6gvvhlrfs64lvRS2PK/s1600/owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2mCZ4HHtaZyaUXMyzWzR3QOQrU_sTkvJi72e7RMxeHKVtcsj7JCaFV1NLvpO-AaSQ6d-MWVGfZ2DGbWyVnRNSLt7LfBi7Pn_g-cRkxXzl4yXBbIsc5odv_63mq6gvvhlrfs64lvRS2PK/s1600/owl.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOZZ3KzZxJPRGtFcfALKqAYORoKUUoD3pF3bzXeollRlPkhnv4TfpJAiXK7MKYGHR3gm2MlqrKrkir859stYrar7Wiu93rSbbZ-cVVbBp9-TUVH94vG6rGpJXAUGt2cfYrwXOfFKeymd9/s1600/owlii.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOZZ3KzZxJPRGtFcfALKqAYORoKUUoD3pF3bzXeollRlPkhnv4TfpJAiXK7MKYGHR3gm2MlqrKrkir859stYrar7Wiu93rSbbZ-cVVbBp9-TUVH94vG6rGpJXAUGt2cfYrwXOfFKeymd9/s1600/owlii.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4AUqCLUMn4lDBQiUzzqOkY2swKkIwIB4AHO-rn1HuzHLT6QjQU6zA9c5hGH9r9QvN_CCgWWZum6QQxwUC3fX5LPUzOJmXzBhAzLBK-_wQWSAeB2RQlErfgBKDwULCbv8HuK6vvha1uLL/s1600/walker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4AUqCLUMn4lDBQiUzzqOkY2swKkIwIB4AHO-rn1HuzHLT6QjQU6zA9c5hGH9r9QvN_CCgWWZum6QQxwUC3fX5LPUzOJmXzBhAzLBK-_wQWSAeB2RQlErfgBKDwULCbv8HuK6vvha1uLL/s1600/walker.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-23659841603865796602014-01-08T09:26:00.002-08:002014-01-08T19:39:17.931-08:00A few more words on black walnut inkI did some looking around, and it seems that many people who make their own ink have noticed two wonderful properties:<br />
<br />
1.) Excellent light-fastness (resistance to fading over time with exposure to light)<br />
2.) Increasingly waterproof over time. This is great, because it allows for some tinkering before the ink completely sets permanently. <br />
<br />
Most recipes also, it seems, include a dash of clove oil or whole cloves (to help improve the somewhat funky smell). <br />
<br />
Another:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSS4budti3uf799voVY19UbdMtCCPtzIOFBQNjX2tOWRZKqIK_Ngx-QlXcG5wjcGD47ogsZ3N-F6O6ojv2eGPZ5WyQOE_JYfKqRXMTNz9Zor63Ozgd7qxEM7D-ltSFw1_HzMcHsEqkt7/s1600/SAMPLEtheking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSS4budti3uf799voVY19UbdMtCCPtzIOFBQNjX2tOWRZKqIK_Ngx-QlXcG5wjcGD47ogsZ3N-F6O6ojv2eGPZ5WyQOE_JYfKqRXMTNz9Zor63Ozgd7qxEM7D-ltSFw1_HzMcHsEqkt7/s1600/SAMPLEtheking.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30" x 22" <br />black walnut and gouache on 140 lb. Winsor & Newton Cold Press sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-91379926730756477102014-01-06T21:50:00.000-08:002014-01-08T09:27:52.546-08:00Homemade ink!These are my first paintings of 2014, done with my first ever homemade ink (black walnut - <i>see previous post</i>). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrlCpxRuWHRloLjfEiyGV0NPvQsXHZ_KMnz_9OA2xhvf6AvQkbmcEmPbKCeUkyKNSTQEA-m-8ybYlkjw_j1Yc6_CrHF-ppiykGpqG_PZPM-QpSHn7NqDf0PoaoeT-9pHR2CU4Nsxwy2Eo/s1600/SAMPLEthepharaoh.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrlCpxRuWHRloLjfEiyGV0NPvQsXHZ_KMnz_9OA2xhvf6AvQkbmcEmPbKCeUkyKNSTQEA-m-8ybYlkjw_j1Yc6_CrHF-ppiykGpqG_PZPM-QpSHn7NqDf0PoaoeT-9pHR2CU4Nsxwy2Eo/s1600/SAMPLEthepharaoh.JPG" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
All of these were done on 22" x 30" sheets of Winsor & Newton Paper (Hot Press, 140 lb.). This is probably the finest paper I've ever used...I bought a bunch on-sale during Thanksgiving break from an art supply store back where my parents live.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9qy7n-GgAAzy0Oed5BfPq3Qs2p9JIynrTT5R7BsFQGHiaZh4MKSugVZ6d7nerRP1gAWFltfBOV4qNuONpvjXmO2Efcip43PGLZQvRMu4jqIC_C6E6wvIlrmNVT5VslWsfNj4Q_Pn1hfR/s1600/SAMPLEthelamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9qy7n-GgAAzy0Oed5BfPq3Qs2p9JIynrTT5R7BsFQGHiaZh4MKSugVZ6d7nerRP1gAWFltfBOV4qNuONpvjXmO2Efcip43PGLZQvRMu4jqIC_C6E6wvIlrmNVT5VslWsfNj4Q_Pn1hfR/s1600/SAMPLEthelamb.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Having such large quantities of ink available (and large sheets of paper) allowed me to experiment with some new techniques and tools.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkUtex9bEDCYi3B6LKWc1Fh_q294VuPQVaOMWtQvNaQJ-Fj1IHlaux5vGI7IQky0mitnIYp78nACSzWKZzmK-SL30QpVkbL9_14Ef5L4-6pXMGayPk1GKW87douUCctCercJjfwC6GhG6/s1600/SAMPLEtheangel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkUtex9bEDCYi3B6LKWc1Fh_q294VuPQVaOMWtQvNaQJ-Fj1IHlaux5vGI7IQky0mitnIYp78nACSzWKZzmK-SL30QpVkbL9_14Ef5L4-6pXMGayPk1GKW87douUCctCercJjfwC6GhG6/s1600/SAMPLEtheangel.JPG" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also tried using some gouache I had bought on-sale along time ago. I love the vibrant, opaque color, and I'm excited to experiment further.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzDzg2UB2alp_nJVHApdcS8Dz3FIZCUwIzORGOnjjsBBoNuqiE3aKeeRvxzIAIiOZwcsiEIw598k60HDzwuEg5fAbp-I0uqe4PMLpZ55JRAbidPvpk0o_uJhdMEWrCBJhQBAmGm8ld8v2/s1600/gouache.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzDzg2UB2alp_nJVHApdcS8Dz3FIZCUwIzORGOnjjsBBoNuqiE3aKeeRvxzIAIiOZwcsiEIw598k60HDzwuEg5fAbp-I0uqe4PMLpZ55JRAbidPvpk0o_uJhdMEWrCBJhQBAmGm8ld8v2/s1600/gouache.JPG" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, the color is "Carmine"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy New Year!!!1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-62622059494757350842014-01-06T21:19:00.001-08:002014-01-07T04:13:47.711-08:00Juglans nigra<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HiAe8TozpVPNjl0Tr_obMsdm9M1SBB3eMam48XTW8yes5GaQkqyqC4otTdgT-Y_88wSrzMtmTUXiizYWVzkbKl-CZUxQJEC0btYZ2F4DcPFmPYkONCOCEF_eZvVr_KKns-6oRbnlvqvz/s1600/IMG_20131230_104341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HiAe8TozpVPNjl0Tr_obMsdm9M1SBB3eMam48XTW8yes5GaQkqyqC4otTdgT-Y_88wSrzMtmTUXiizYWVzkbKl-CZUxQJEC0btYZ2F4DcPFmPYkONCOCEF_eZvVr_KKns-6oRbnlvqvz/s1600/IMG_20131230_104341.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty gross looking in here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is a cast iron cauldron of black walnut husks, happily simmering away on the stove (I waited for Elin to leave for lab before I began). This process started last fall, with the collecting and de-husking of several pounds of black walnuts. I packed the fresh husks into a bucket and let time and nature work their magic. After all the husks had oxidized and turned black, I transferred them to the cauldron, covered them with water, and left them to marinate in their own putrescence for a couple months. Things got pretty moldy (but surprisingly not-stinky), and this is what I ended-up with:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb9VrRpP0Lzzrmj_4V2UEPGFtgHPmXX_swD0BUZbLVlmwuVmrQfjqgp_DHOS2QMs5xNQL6de8xzmF9IBeJd5KKdjy-juPZEYRafe8v9F5f-6SdHeTLv4L2kWxqb__mlFCHbI8Kp_kgol4/s1600/IMG_20131230_104352_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb9VrRpP0Lzzrmj_4V2UEPGFtgHPmXX_swD0BUZbLVlmwuVmrQfjqgp_DHOS2QMs5xNQL6de8xzmF9IBeJd5KKdjy-juPZEYRafe8v9F5f-6SdHeTLv4L2kWxqb__mlFCHbI8Kp_kgol4/s1600/IMG_20131230_104352_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe this stuff is free??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, one day, I decided it was time to take the next step: on to the heat. After a few hours of boiling and reducing, I strained off all the liquid and was left with:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpjz-McusDsqN1a602OI84wtjvQfO_rAkcSsO4qXbfickFv6aEgM3wlDMMOuWbweeNutNt3oxd-W-XomB_xhhuBIRBAAGE8JOe1APhTzTyir9ElAE7Ov1F9S94pfff9k2Q2u9UZSgKo6o/s1600/IMG_20140106_231416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpjz-McusDsqN1a602OI84wtjvQfO_rAkcSsO4qXbfickFv6aEgM3wlDMMOuWbweeNutNt3oxd-W-XomB_xhhuBIRBAAGE8JOe1APhTzTyir9ElAE7Ov1F9S94pfff9k2Q2u9UZSgKo6o/s1600/IMG_20140106_231416.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-DAAAA!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few jars of homemade black walnut ink! I added salt to some jars and methanol to others, to prevent mold. I packed the husks back into an empty paint can and stored it for a possible Round 2 of ink-making if I run out before the next crop of walnuts starts to fall next autumn. Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-56578914382664387102013-11-07T11:36:00.001-08:002013-11-07T11:36:08.764-08:00A Unicorn for Elin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGpNCsqMxXTgOrShWVP0dm7wDzgc4S8mshbTZLgrOeX8_dGSGI_UpRzP6rqZJg3e7EQo_-DIetpBGToJlmBVishe5c9E4rWCS1uGENNdYWVjKUHNlBwhGDfLJ1wbrsFddeY9c4X5GzEYj/s1600/sampleunicorn+coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGpNCsqMxXTgOrShWVP0dm7wDzgc4S8mshbTZLgrOeX8_dGSGI_UpRzP6rqZJg3e7EQo_-DIetpBGToJlmBVishe5c9E4rWCS1uGENNdYWVjKUHNlBwhGDfLJ1wbrsFddeY9c4X5GzEYj/s320/sampleunicorn+coffee.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~13x15 in. Coffee and ink on watercolor paper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My second, and dare I say more successful, attempt at painting with coffee. I painted this for Elin muuuuch earlier this year, and I just got around to getting it matted and framed. I found the frame (oak, with a nice finish) a long time ago...either on a curb, or in a dumpster. Apparently they were all the rage in the latter half of the 20th century, according to the folks at the local frame shop. Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-11054486105869817402013-09-14T18:09:00.000-07:002013-09-14T20:11:53.685-07:00ArtPrize 2013 Entry <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"A Triptych of Icons"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Venue: Monroe Community Church (800 Monroe Ave. NW)</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKLk3z8XFTT-_a2kVOozDXJXD_QbcweeINE9rw4jOsF-abH9FKPH23W7IDsgwU6RzZaENe3gi6qxEohwUYl37_JgZ4ZBceXYNtThLdCNBdBxd480x8XC0WRlLJH_2C5LGz7ZvWWgNgagN/s1600/SAMPLEbear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKLk3z8XFTT-_a2kVOozDXJXD_QbcweeINE9rw4jOsF-abH9FKPH23W7IDsgwU6RzZaENe3gi6qxEohwUYl37_JgZ4ZBceXYNtThLdCNBdBxd480x8XC0WRlLJH_2C5LGz7ZvWWgNgagN/s320/SAMPLEbear.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_IHag7KvpWBpdI68WK6uGgL-H5pb_1of7KcBlfeaLsZJR7ZlzBjFxEN9s37nyInrLkJnVWXCg_3h3Tev5Ydj9Chh6x1Qjdhz8zXBxNq4wXYPD08_k1UZxWfspg6_bG6dAhgpyEQYTMqP/s1600/SAMPLEguts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_IHag7KvpWBpdI68WK6uGgL-H5pb_1of7KcBlfeaLsZJR7ZlzBjFxEN9s37nyInrLkJnVWXCg_3h3Tev5Ydj9Chh6x1Qjdhz8zXBxNq4wXYPD08_k1UZxWfspg6_bG6dAhgpyEQYTMqP/s320/SAMPLEguts.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxpGrQgSGFZRqkFPlzfGjeHqtfMAr_gbfjkMK-cpolXC5CQ3XqYK5LTrSJFpyWKHqjZqy9htJykQvMozDiGsPjoUXJLIPEbdN5yxXmVseA9XOfF71hesH7MpbZkDhRMCqsBhZsDRpI2em/s1600/SAMPLEmoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxpGrQgSGFZRqkFPlzfGjeHqtfMAr_gbfjkMK-cpolXC5CQ3XqYK5LTrSJFpyWKHqjZqy9htJykQvMozDiGsPjoUXJLIPEbdN5yxXmVseA9XOfF71hesH7MpbZkDhRMCqsBhZsDRpI2em/s320/SAMPLEmoth.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">16" x 20" <br />watercolor and ink on Arches hot press paper<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Artist Statement: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A Triptych
of Icons” is a brief glimpse of a larger, as-yet unimagined, story.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The characters, settings, and the larger
world they inhabit are presented here without any context, save what the viewer
chooses to create for them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have some
vague, ill-formed notions about what the larger narrative behind these pieces
might be, but I present this little snapshot with the hope that viewers can wonder
and create stories for themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The vibrant
colors and intricate patterns are meant to resonate with familiar, perhaps
nostalgic ideas of beauty, while the grim, surreal elements of the iconography
are meant to be a bit unsettling.
Hopefully, the overall effect compels people to linger just a moment
longer as they attempt to reconcile the seemingly contradictory impressions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My first goal is to show people something new. Beyond that, I would like for viewers to see something
they can appreciate as being beautiful and imaginative, but that also
challenges and knocks them off balance just a little. Hopefully the experience enriches folks, and
a small piece of it can persist in some dark, beautiful corner of their memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-33171955084608359932013-06-09T05:08:00.001-07:002013-06-09T05:08:39.603-07:00Art in the Park - Tecumseh, MI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60oXtQgL5tCFVZHyRVojkhgsDKbOzhjNxPzEKEgSPF8lVhqIgZLCMdD8QU3BCcFo69MEYbEt5rMJNW8UexW23g94VcUSFn30s4AQ4CsgnJg-KkDiOxR5NGCRi9jTXedLroM_Ik0YAYDm_/s1600/945822_10151352076276364_1192063290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60oXtQgL5tCFVZHyRVojkhgsDKbOzhjNxPzEKEgSPF8lVhqIgZLCMdD8QU3BCcFo69MEYbEt5rMJNW8UexW23g94VcUSFn30s4AQ4CsgnJg-KkDiOxR5NGCRi9jTXedLroM_Ik0YAYDm_/s320/945822_10151352076276364_1192063290_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This event was brought to my attentions by a post on the Facebooks earlier in the spring. I applied for a spot despite my reservations about having to pay a $100 booth-fee if accepted. Happily, after the first day, I find myself comfortably in the black. The community seems really supportive, and the attendance yesterday was great. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW0TRwFC5P6yMg1Q6SsyTeTsWPzqQqkyhAuczsXJTsEQSCjZAFXqwKWg_vgGoK7YN5LFxE3eOcg4j3v-VkV0v0NtNzUs2H5VXNCce-j6xcO-9XPGKbotpSFomu1-mjeCUy1j8N6Sa1w3_/s1600/IMG_20130608_101002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW0TRwFC5P6yMg1Q6SsyTeTsWPzqQqkyhAuczsXJTsEQSCjZAFXqwKWg_vgGoK7YN5LFxE3eOcg4j3v-VkV0v0NtNzUs2H5VXNCce-j6xcO-9XPGKbotpSFomu1-mjeCUy1j8N6Sa1w3_/s320/IMG_20130608_101002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The organizers at Community Arts of Tecumseh are totally killing it with this event (their first). The location is perfect, the event promotion was very strong, they've been really supportive, and the weather has been gorgeous. I give them credit for all four. I'm looking forward to spending one more day in the park and would love the opportunity to come back next year. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeEWS5-8-PbxhIEanv86Xcoy3Li9Iobaf3jh-gLVWb9Qmu-h4l_VCQYuf517fbgeMUtyrKvAyK8Ahoao_EWIbAQ3LxPDlfZPTjQNYskRkgn9BPxX4Lrby7leXuDetRAEiEmjvjRt-r59k/s1600/IMG_20130608_161735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeEWS5-8-PbxhIEanv86Xcoy3Li9Iobaf3jh-gLVWb9Qmu-h4l_VCQYuf517fbgeMUtyrKvAyK8Ahoao_EWIbAQ3LxPDlfZPTjQNYskRkgn9BPxX4Lrby7leXuDetRAEiEmjvjRt-r59k/s320/IMG_20130608_161735.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot 5 skydivers and one airplane?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the unexpected perks has been watching skydivers drift earthward all afternoon. The park is adjacent to Skydive Tecumseh, and they must have been BUSY yesterday. There were planes taking off constantly flying just overhead. And then, a few minutes later, we could see little black dots against the clouds and blue sky. Those dots grew larger, until we could clearly see parachutes with people (probably pooping their pants) dangling beneath. Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-40400528418324626092013-01-31T08:26:00.001-08:002013-01-31T08:34:38.371-08:00Oil pastelsI can honestly say I haven't used oil pastels since graduating from high school. I kinda fell in love with the things in my mid-late teen years because they were easy, fast, and the colors were incredibly vibrant (wait...we're still talking about pastels, right?). Then I stopped, for some reason, and pretty much stuck to watercolor for the past 10 years or so. <br />
<br />
Well, yesterday I broke out a set of Holbein pastels I bought a couple years ago (but had yet to use), and did this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjAUuDzF0phwDpq0sL3-vbtLZ4kJKwTkHVqiLxPjZsMyYNIxFklC_08uHb9h4ANRNDVIoqgI2oRgDIsKvOEVTYA-XG_rXPQ7eYVcPSyIR5_Hhp3IWxF_9R4_i7MsmpdEIwv-gsYjjCnPc/s1600/Goliath+and+the+Shepherd+SAMPLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjAUuDzF0phwDpq0sL3-vbtLZ4kJKwTkHVqiLxPjZsMyYNIxFklC_08uHb9h4ANRNDVIoqgI2oRgDIsKvOEVTYA-XG_rXPQ7eYVcPSyIR5_Hhp3IWxF_9R4_i7MsmpdEIwv-gsYjjCnPc/s320/Goliath+and+the+Shepherd+SAMPLE.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goliath and the Shepherd (16" x 20")<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a blast to get back into these soft, oily crayons. Also, it was pretty cool to be able to start and finish a piece on the same day...which almost never happens with aquarelle. The background is a watercolor wash with white pastel over. It's so nice to not have to worry about washes bleeding into finished areas...it's almost like oil and water don't mix. <br />
<br />
There are definitely some things about this piece that need work, but it felt great to get re-acquainted an old flame from those halcyon days of youth. <br />
<br />
Bloodbloodbloodbloodbloodblood..Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-46356198398786418712013-01-28T10:46:00.000-08:002013-01-28T10:46:48.442-08:00A couple more of these guys<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCOJd3i2iU_7S7EqNAbMSHivXSCyveOtOZNKOB7NKaY_yhgaiRcx40mOiXqtk8DR-VgkkNRRhlngh98OcB1PT9nI9USG4JPjvwZjl6AOwdLVD7BMSkCcsmxxk1oxS-IOpSKVwMBZP2ql4/s1600/SAMPLEunicorn+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCOJd3i2iU_7S7EqNAbMSHivXSCyveOtOZNKOB7NKaY_yhgaiRcx40mOiXqtk8DR-VgkkNRRhlngh98OcB1PT9nI9USG4JPjvwZjl6AOwdLVD7BMSkCcsmxxk1oxS-IOpSKVwMBZP2ql4/s320/SAMPLEunicorn+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A unicorn standing next to a tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOKfkZgh9jOxnbs3HY0fARWiQ8IEPSClrpaVdVwL6iC7Fd1Xx9YStGEffVrzygCNIoCsHEoZ0wY3HoYwHwt4yb2H4iBbWDiCNuxcOcdKR5cyG_8mWrPQjdCF-aojWNU_6BIf5DKKKNO20/s1600/SAMPLEunicorn+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOKfkZgh9jOxnbs3HY0fARWiQ8IEPSClrpaVdVwL6iC7Fd1Xx9YStGEffVrzygCNIoCsHEoZ0wY3HoYwHwt4yb2H4iBbWDiCNuxcOcdKR5cyG_8mWrPQjdCF-aojWNU_6BIf5DKKKNO20/s320/SAMPLEunicorn+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A unicorn partially concealed beneath a decorative rug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-54831973076761578532013-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:002013-01-25T12:28:40.873-08:00From OK, to bad, to meh.<div style="text-align: center;">
You may remember this guy from awhile back: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGllvazQi752dmSIWSYcrACc6zNuqPfeDpJe27RgbQEXAUYg1QekvBhJUUJgbY2EOjyzrE0nfUfCbXmihi30-t-YykIoB7-nbChMuHM2hpV5yUIxKWfafHhqcWrLQmuA9_vyusLVYShQjI/s1600/fancy+lads+SAMPLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGllvazQi752dmSIWSYcrACc6zNuqPfeDpJe27RgbQEXAUYg1QekvBhJUUJgbY2EOjyzrE0nfUfCbXmihi30-t-YykIoB7-nbChMuHM2hpV5yUIxKWfafHhqcWrLQmuA9_vyusLVYShQjI/s320/fancy+lads+SAMPLE.jpg" width="237" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Through no fault of his own, he was forced to mutate into this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVL-Zn4C9BiSYf6wkX9JOhcV84IRPTKrX-6j3X-ycDJGpTG4gIbVtSwt1cEqIq-k630XUY3ND82aaoSqf-wXPp0htPkwgfjjw4ay1eqkgM9l8Ig7HK7m6fIY2DZMHZNzmDcArOWDNhw7I/s1600/fancy+lads+redo+sample+bumped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVL-Zn4C9BiSYf6wkX9JOhcV84IRPTKrX-6j3X-ycDJGpTG4gIbVtSwt1cEqIq-k630XUY3ND82aaoSqf-wXPp0htPkwgfjjw4ay1eqkgM9l8Ig7HK7m6fIY2DZMHZNzmDcArOWDNhw7I/s320/fancy+lads+redo+sample+bumped.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and this week, finally turned into this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LAiT4VzfxSbNEoPq7QcMEJHnREf6OWBT2Xf2G-moHykujQMBFx5twlwp8vH4m3fX-T5Eo6QSGz8QVKKILgzACHzYxoGEzNNMkhryE8Os8TW3c6Jv1BFEYrifT-7J_oXY-x6UZqUCiUxi/s1600/fancylad+redo+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LAiT4VzfxSbNEoPq7QcMEJHnREf6OWBT2Xf2G-moHykujQMBFx5twlwp8vH4m3fX-T5Eo6QSGz8QVKKILgzACHzYxoGEzNNMkhryE8Os8TW3c6Jv1BFEYrifT-7J_oXY-x6UZqUCiUxi/s320/fancylad+redo+sample.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's <i>it</i>. I'm done tinkering with this mouth-breathing bear and his stupid border.</div>
Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-16545740795638758132013-01-21T05:07:00.000-08:002013-01-21T05:07:32.312-08:00Ruth TriptychHere is my first completed commission of 2013. The subject was Ruth, from the eponymous book of the Old Testament, and it was a birthday gift for my brother-in-law's aunt. I'm told aunt Ruth liked her present. Score.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUsqP6-YyD9Sd3tcIekEZD9Dq45xroPJ34MMGNQx6sfRJWK7-6tIGTK-r_UZse2X1SjD5tuRKj2gq0sLrkR0RnbT4W_M_lcoRp37OKISAkDcM5mqG0X_nZF924aMv2COCCcujS_nZ0SBi/s1600/Ruth+BUMPEDsample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUsqP6-YyD9Sd3tcIekEZD9Dq45xroPJ34MMGNQx6sfRJWK7-6tIGTK-r_UZse2X1SjD5tuRKj2gq0sLrkR0RnbT4W_M_lcoRp37OKISAkDcM5mqG0X_nZF924aMv2COCCcujS_nZ0SBi/s320/Ruth+BUMPEDsample.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16" x 20" Watercolor, ink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The polyhedron in the right panel was a new element for me and was a lot of fun to research and toy with; I'd like to explore these geometric forms further, for sure. Also, the coils and spirals at the tops and bottoms of the three panels were a new (and time consuming!) challenge. <br />
The large black background in the center panel owes more to the fickle gods of fluke than any sort of skill or planning on my part. I had no idea what to with that large space and, in the end, decided to make it all green. <br />
<br />
Weeeeeeell, it looked like<i> crap</i>.<br />
<br />
Then, I decided to add some textural elements using India ink. <br />
<br />
It looked <i>worse</i>. <br />
<br />
Finally, I just doubled-down and decided to black it all in...I needed to drink a beer before I could bring myself to do it. I think it turned-out alright, and the contrast with the Hebrew text is just what I was shooting for. Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518138190619715087.post-67719866990062771452013-01-14T17:15:00.000-08:002013-01-15T05:31:51.538-08:00Unicorns are the new bearsIt was a pretty productive first full week of 2013. My energies have mainly been focused on starting/finishing a commission I received late last year (pics to follow). However, during the down-times on that piece (waiting for washes to dry, planning next moves, etc.), I've been exploring a theme I began sketching while on a flight shortly after the New Year. Here are the first three pieces of what is perhaps shaping-up to be my Unicorn Cycle (my unicycle?).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-Jl5lHQEXXNj0ThvyiIluP_ce5w8I9kb1Ytm-4viIsZqjFpdKWiVg4QiolLxK0FxQDYKH2vbp31uKJpC_PPJs2JiUF8ceTvlSIf2kfBIKZzpF-dmBIc3wK0zcrGk-2yiCyEztZ45Hg8a/s1600/SAMPLEunicorn+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-Jl5lHQEXXNj0ThvyiIluP_ce5w8I9kb1Ytm-4viIsZqjFpdKWiVg4QiolLxK0FxQDYKH2vbp31uKJpC_PPJs2JiUF8ceTvlSIf2kfBIKZzpF-dmBIc3wK0zcrGk-2yiCyEztZ45Hg8a/s320/SAMPLEunicorn+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Unicorn Wasting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheANL2zA3lpijxf_t9Je7OQdF-_RQFtkBeiwsd7QsCSAPvfnjcLmYk1TMlQqDA2UpmaRd35VzNdhW0eB9CH-0tMBw2TgdLjO6s2n4UCfjrwEh9EFgp1N3Zj7BFSfYKz5P0cvV-883nto_u/s1600/SAMPLEUnicorn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheANL2zA3lpijxf_t9Je7OQdF-_RQFtkBeiwsd7QsCSAPvfnjcLmYk1TMlQqDA2UpmaRd35VzNdhW0eB9CH-0tMBw2TgdLjO6s2n4UCfjrwEh9EFgp1N3Zj7BFSfYKz5P0cvV-883nto_u/s320/SAMPLEUnicorn+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A unicorn in Iceland (Einhyrningur)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwPAB4hCv5yqxmDTK8jwBj9yngCCzfjQvHD6Wxs5apmlBbiba4JpHgQyW_pqQOqHWakR5YFnhzWW64CaLiTxtOq7K4kOa2-_V3ykNwxjzYUPTPOvP0rcrOuLzJGav0GhXR-aoUSUmk2vC/s1600/SAMPLEunicorn+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwPAB4hCv5yqxmDTK8jwBj9yngCCzfjQvHD6Wxs5apmlBbiba4JpHgQyW_pqQOqHWakR5YFnhzWW64CaLiTxtOq7K4kOa2-_V3ykNwxjzYUPTPOvP0rcrOuLzJGav0GhXR-aoUSUmk2vC/s320/SAMPLEunicorn+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A Unicorn Run-Through by an Angel of the Lord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All pieces were done on 14" x 10" Cotman watercolor block (140 lbs cold-pressed). I grabbed a few of these blocks when my favorite local art shop was liquidating its inventory. Excellent paper!Robb N. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17534576959122895490noreply@blogger.com0