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What influences an Artist???

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, Drawing and Painting Classes

Anne Loheac 7.jpg

I am often asked, particularly by my students, what are my influences and why do I draw and paint cars.   The answer is simple.   From early childhood, cars and to a smaller extent, motorbikes, played a large role in my life.   As children, we even played games, (with our eyes closed)  when on a bus, as to which passing car we could identify by its’ engine noise…..

At l7 I got my driving licence and at l8 I bought my first motor-bike…….which I had to maintain myself, so my interest in things technical became a necessity as well as doing something that  I actually liked.   When I got my first car, (an “interesting” Triumph Herald Coupé) I became hooked on all things to do with motorsport, including driving, as shown above (yes, that is me, buckling up in that Subaru last Sunday ) quick cars and that too has influenced my specialisation in motoring artwork.

However, I have always owned pets and these too are part of my art network, so to speak.   Buildings too and their renovation, inside and out, being part of my career, has also influenced my artwork.   And my final influence has been the garden, hence a smattering of floral based artworks!    As an Art Tutor, I believe it is important that artists draw and paint subjects with which they are relatively familiar and comfortable.   Illustrating a subject or subjects in which the artist has no interest will probably result in a poorly crafted work.

My new series of hugely enjoyable One-to-One Art Classes ( all mediums; portraiture; still-life; animals; floral; scenic, buildings and yes, cars, etc., ) will commence at the end of October and if you would like any information about these 2 hour sessions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to meeting you and influencing you to becoming a top class Artist.    Thank you for taking the time to read this and perhaps to share it on, and as we say, here in Brittany, a bientot.

Brittany – Professional Drawing and Painting Courses.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, buildings, canvas, Car illustratiion, charcoal, contemporary art, Drawing and Painting Classes, illustrtation, ink, ink drawing, Landscap[es, Line and wash, motoring artwork, Nude, oil painting, painting, pencil and crayon, Pencil drawing/, portrait, Still life, watercolour

Clematis and thatched cottagesDo you  want to master the skill of making quick and accurate drawings and paintings? Or do you long to create a truly superb work of art?

Then come an join me in my fully equipped Art Studio in gorgeous Brittany – and make your dream come true…

As a working Artist-Painter, I have many years’ experience ( In Ireland and in France) of teaching people how to produce lst class illustrations and paintings – in all fields and in all aspects of drawing and painting mediums and materials.

Although I specialise in one-to-one Professional, Art Personal Tuition, I also hold a number of challenging Open Days (limited to just 4 persons) which comprise a Professional Art Class in the morning and in the afternoon, the students are given the time to unleash their creativity and to create a wonderful  work of art of their own.

For full details and tariffs on these excellent programmes, etc., please contact me at:-

art2cherish@orange.fr.

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INVESTING IN AN ARTWORK.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, Car illustratiion, illustrtation, motoring artwork, painting, watercolour

Whenever I have an exhibition (as at present) or hold an Open Day in my Studio, one question that is invariably asked is ” are the prices negociable”?   And my answer always, is, YES.     The  Artists amongst you, know, of course, that Artists put a huge amount of time and effort into their artwork but that it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms, this creative effort.

However, being a pragmatist (and ever optimist…) I realize, that although a work of art may well be worth the figure asked, the buyer, although he or she really wants that artwork, may genuinely not have that asking price available to them, so compromise, within reason,  is a sensible attitude to have towards the sale price.

I feel you will agree that it is better to make a sale and have a happy Client than to make no sale at all.

Some Artists will not agree with me, of that I am certain, but from experience, I have often sent a Client home, delighted with their purchase (and sale

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Bugatti in full flight

 price ) 0f MY artwork, and  in fact, such sales have resulted in further sales, simply because I am always open to discuss  the price of my work.     Here in France the term “a debattre” is used to cover this transaction and indeed, debating a price (haggling if you like) is extremely popular and leaves both parties satisfied with the result.

So in future when you see a work you really like, but are a little “shy” of the money asked, please contact the Artist, etc., concerned:  the outcome could well enhance your, and that Artists’ life!.

BRINGING PORTRAITURE TO LIFE.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, illustrtation, Pencil drawing/

To most people, the mere mention of the word “Portrait” conjures up a heavy oil painting featuring some-one else’s relative, peering gloomily out from a dulled gilded frame!

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Portraits, as with all other forms of artwork, can be executed in a myriad of different materials, on a broad variety of materials and encompassing an even wider spectrum of subjects.

I have, of course, illustrated a number of portraits in oils and also in acrylics, but to my mind, the humble pencil, “lifted” by the judicious use of a little ink and colour, can and will, transform this unpretentious form of portraiture, into something extra special.

To emphasise my point, I have included two recent canine drawings, each done with an ordinary HB pencil on 240 grade paper.   However, as you will notice, I have deliberately made a feature of the eyes, chosing to do them in ink and colour, in order to bring each of the dog’s heads to life.    Plus, in order NOT to “muddy the waters” so to speak, I have not filled in any background detail whatsoever, leaving the head with their bright eyes, free to catch the viewer’s attention.   I hope you enjoy these artworks, and please do hot hesitate to contact me, if and when you have any drawing or painting enquiries.

My studio will be open  from July onwards and you will be more than welcome to see my various artworks on view and to chat about them .  Please contact me, however, beforehand.DalmationAlsation

ENJOYING WHAT YOU DO – TO THE FULL.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, Car illustratiion, painting, watercolour

You may wonder why I am so enthralled by things mechanical?   Well, at the age of six, my father decided I was ready to help him start his elderly car – he yanked on the starting handle and my job was to push down on the accelerator when the engine caught………

Apart from this was the fact that from the age of three, my father brought me to every conceivable motor sport event – bikes, cars, sidecars – that was available in the Dublin area.  His friends were all petrol heads too, so without even realizing it, my course and involvement with noisy, smelly and wonderful machinery was set in stone.

I had started drawing (at my mother’s behest) at the age of three, so as a teenager, I was involved in illustrating cars and…..purchasing, renovating and re-selling 2-wheeled machines.   By l7 I was driving my father’s Ford Anglia and riding my first motorbike – the inimitable and unique”nifty fifty” – the Honda 50cc.   My parents were puzzled, but my boss at the time, thought I wasn’t quite ladylike – arriving into the office in black leathers…….

At this point in my life, I can indulge my love for interesting cars by drawing and painting and occasionally driving them!   What a life!!!

The illustration below is a watercolour on paper, currently on exhibition here in Brittany, of the brain-child of the late Carrol Shelby – the fabulous A.C.Cobra.   AC COBRA).jpg

 

AN ADVENTURE WITH ART

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, Uncategorized

Are you a brave and bold person, always looking for a challenge?    Or are you a somewhat retiring personality, with nevertheless, the feeling that deep inside you, is another person looking to emerge?    Well, art, by which I mean, drawing and painting, is one excellent way in which to achieve both types of needs.

Most people will begin their artistic endeavours by tentative doodlings…little scribbled shapes in the margins of scraps of paper.   In time, though, these  sketches will develop – depending on you, the artist, into illustrations of merit.    The beauty of this area of the arts is that you can take your time, doing as little or as much each day, as you wish.   Artists rarely rush their work – it shows too much: instead, their artwork is usually built up over a period of days, weeks or even months, in order to achieve the desired effect.

Because art is so flexible (its’ beauty does indeed lie in the eye of the beholder) you can afford to be adventurous in this field.    But the one thing I always advise, is to learn how to work expansively – that is to say, use large illustrations on large surfaces rather than tiny drawings on tiny pieces of paper.    Very small work tends to be tight and limited whereas large works give scope for easy viewing and a broad expanse of artwork!

Remember too, to take on subjects that you may not have considered before.    Everything that surrounds you can be illustrated.    From the wash hand basin with its accrued towels, facecloths, soaps, toothbrushes, etc., to the new jar of coffee sitting beside a coffee cup and saucer, spoon and biscuit,   and from a plate of fish and chips on a gingham table cloth to the broken down chair and old metal watering can in the garden.

Artists, the world around you provides all you will ever need as subjects – so go ahead, take on the challenge and produce your wonderful artworks for all to admire and enjoy.

 

 

A LITTLE TOUCH OF COLOUR

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, illustrtation, ink, ink drawing, portrait, Uncategorized

The art of drawing is somewhat diminished by the use of CAD. or if you like, computor aided design.    And less and less people alas are using sketch pads as a result, preferring to let the computor do their artwork – which isn’t really feasible!     The nuances of the weight of application of the drawing implement, is so personal and can reveal to the viewer the relationship of the artist to the work, a task as yet not possible otherwise.

However, you the reader or as an artist, will realise that some drawings, even very good work, may need a tiny splash of colour to bring the drawing to life.   Using sepia or carré sanguine, is one way of uplifting even the simplest of artworks, as the warm hues of these colourants, in themselves, add life to an illustration.   The other way, is as shown here, to just put in a minute morsel of colour, in this case in the kitten’s eyes – to give the work a vibrancy it would otherwise not have.

If you have an illustration or a sketch that you think could do with an “uplift” why not try adding that vital touch of colour and sit back and admire the result.

Thank you for reading this and if you have any queries about this or other features on my blogs at http://www.annedalton.org please contact me and remember to join me in my free Open Days.kitten & tree 3 (2)

THE HEALING OF ART

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, illustrtation, Landscap[es

Whenever you see an Artist at work, you will note how wrapped up he or she is, in their work.   I think this is because the very act of drawing or painting is hugely theraputic and it can enable you to pour out your soul onto a piece of paper, board or canvas.

The demands of creating an artwork are both intensive and satisfactory ‘though the Artist may have to dig very deep in order to release their creativity and produce an artwork that is pleasing to them and to the viewer.

Drawing and painting are personal – very noticeable when one views the pencil, etc., choice and the colour palette of individual artists.     Outgoing people tend to use lots of dramatic shading in their illustrations and equally lots of yellow, orange, rust and red in their paintings.  More reserved personalities tend to draw simple  outline sketches and go for muted greens, soft blue/greys and brown colours.

Artists tend to enjoy themselves when working and this in itself is a truly healing action.   Of course, we  throw  away work that doesn’t please us , but that actually increases the feeling of well-being, when we produce an artwork with which we are truly satisfied.

An artwork can be as simple or as complex as you require it to be, and if you lose yourself in its’ production, then the healing magic of Art has done you a great favour.reeds & rushes. (2)

Practice makes Perfect.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, buildings, canvas, Car illustratiion, cartoon, contemporary art, illustrtation, ink, Landscap[es, oil painting, painting, Pencil drawing/, portrait, Still life, watercolour
A "triptyche" of the same dog - watercolour on paper.

A “triptyche” of the same dog – watercolour on paper.

In this electronic age, the use of computors is endemic.   Computors though,  are not a substitution for physical creativity.

For artists, this usually means carrying around a small sketch pad and a pencil or drawing pen and making quick and sometimes random illustrations of subjects that take one’s fancy, which could become in time, useful…indeed, very useful.

It is a practice that I indulge in and encourage as I have found it to be quite valuable, particularly when I wish to compile a work for which I have just one really good reference point but which needs the addition of background or even foreground items to make the work come alive.

A five minute sketch can be invaluable!      Even if only roughly made, the artist can re-format it into something of impact and beauty.     However, you might need to encourage yourself to take on this daily effort…..though for just 5 mins. a day, it is a practice that is guaranteed to improve your artwork.

Give it a try and I think you will agree that this is a worthwhile discipline.

Remember to check the dates of my Open Days and free Art Demonstrations (indoors and outdoors) during this coming 2016.

One-to one art classes and group art classes are also available – more information on these coming up shortly.

ART AND WHIMSEY.

Anne D'Alton's Artworks, illustrtation, painting, watercolour

Capturing an image is often a matter of success….and….speed.

Tediously endeavoured artworks, tend to appear to be tedious, laborious and possibly even dull….

Your portfolio can be full of the most wonderful artworks, but close examination could reveal a very staid and even stale presentation and for that reason, I would suggest that occasionally you take a subject as in this artwork, one that is “light” in subject matter, but also a delightful insight into another world.

Working quickly helps too when presenting a “lightweight” subject as over- detailed work can make the artwork rather too studied – with the possibility of being dull…..

This work is a compilation of several photographs that I took and has been executed (quickly to catch the mood) in watercolour on paper.   I hope you enjoy this particular illustration.

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