Painting fun with the iPad

Some lucky fella (Tim) got an iPad for Christmas!! Through the transitive property, I also received an iPad for Christmas. Naturally, the first thing I searched for in the app store was a painting program, followed closely by Cut the Rope (if you haven't played that one yet you probably should, but be prepared to lose a few hours of your life). I'm really liking this app, "art set," because it lets you use a variety of tools and mediums in a wide range of colors. They even have my favorite oil paint, Naples yellow!

iPad Painting #2, Joa Stenning 2011

 I'm also pretty impressed that the textures created by these tools come fairly close to what you'd achieve in "real life." My only complaint is that you can't really blend as well with the paint tool. I guess I really shouldn't expect much for the whopping 99 cents that I paid for it, but still, it shouldn't take as much effort as it does. My fingers and thumbs don't need a work-out.

iPad Painting #1, Joa Stenning 2011

I think that this feature will be really useful to have on hand, when an idea strikes and I don't have my paints/sketchbook handy. I'll be able to quickly and easily sketch up the colors and basic shapes that I want to recreate later in the studio, and email it to myself when I'm through.

Genius, app makers. Keep on keeping on.

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"Things That Are Awesome" Thursdays, #4

This week, I am in love with Elly MacKay, a Canadian artist based out of Ontario. Elly runs the shop Theater Clouds on Etsy, and I really can't say enough about the beautiful prints she sells there. My favorite piece to date is "The Fox Family of Lilac Glen," otherwise known as "Flash Flood" on her Flickr photostream. I'll be the first to admit that my recent obsession with foxes has made me partial to this piece, but I also just love Elly's illustrative style. I'm so impressed with the water effect she achieved in this image.

Image property of Elly MacKay

I relate easily to Elly's process, coming from a theatrical background. I've made several stage models myself (see below for my design of Shakespeare's "The Tempest"), and I can certainly attest to the exhausting amount of time and care that goes into this kind of work! Elly's end result is strengthened by her use of light, as well as her ability to skillfully photograph each piece. If I were to attempt this kind of work (and I'd really love to try), I think I'd need a photography refresher first--and maybe some lighting inspiration from some of my design-tech friends.

Set model, "The Tempest." Joa Stenning, 2009

Set model close-up, "The Tempest." Joa Stenning 2009

For a more detailed description of Elly's process, click here!
http://ellymackay.com/Process.aspx


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Watercolor Wednesdays, #2

Since Julie's on tour these days, nobody's around to keep me in line and make sure I meet my deadlines for this project. "Watercolor Wednesday" has become "Watercolor Whenever-The-Hell-I-Get-Around-To-It Day." In true Joa Stenning form, I've also taken on a few holiday projects that are taking up a bit more time than I'd planned for. Figure in all of the work I need to do to start generating sales in my Etsy shop, and I'd say that I've got a full plate. Once, when I was propping a show at Emerson College, my professor Ron DeMarco described my work as "trying to make a pizza and dribble a basketball while skateboarding." December seems to be headed in that direction already! But I digress--you can find my (and Julie's) finished watercolor challenges by visiting our Tumblr, here.

I also did an extra watercolor this week, for my parents' Christmas card. It's a portrait of our house, in Wilbraham, MA. My mother was really disappointed when the hurricane took out these oak & dogwood trees, so I wanted to make sure to include them. The portrait over-all came out a bit cartoon-y, but I like it! It definitely captures the warm, cozy feel of our little cape.

Watercolor, pen & ink. Joa Stenning, 2011.

I'm having these printed over at moo.com with the message "Season's Greetings from the Stennings" inside. I highly recommend Moo.com for anyone who's considering making their own greeting cards, business cards, bookmarks, magnets, or other materials from their own photos/artwork. The system is incredibly easy to use, products are pretty reasonably priced, and the print quality is just gorgeous!

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