July Sgraffito Challenge (#4 or4)

The final July Sgraffito Challenge has arrived!

Today's Challenge should offer you some peace after working so hard on last week's figures.

This photo is by John Stewart, and it offers a lovely look at reflections. 

 (Guess what we're drawing this week?)

It's nice composition isn't it?  Here are 3 reasons why:

1. It utilizes a full range of value (lightest light to darkest dark)

    This makes for an interesting level of contrast.

2. The focal point (the sun and its reflection) are slightly off center, 

     both vertically and horizontally.

3. It follows the "Rule of Thirds".

     The 'rule of thirds' in a nutshell...  When dividing your subject photo into thirds using a grid overlay (like a tic-tac-toe board), interesting things should happen at the intersections and along the grid lines.  This particular photo is heavier on the bottom two thirds, compared to the top third.  When working on landscapes, it's helpful to begin by deciding where the emphasis should be- on the sky or the land. This way, the viewer's eye is settled since you've already decided for them what is most important to look at.  Tricky! 

This landscape by Elaine Cross is a good example of how images become 'reversed' in reflections.  This is a great brain exercise!  Also pay attention to the space between the actual trees and the water... the line where the land meets the water is almost always dark.

Your challenge to end the month of July (#4 of 4) is to create a drawing in powdered glass that shows a reflection.  You can use these photos as reference or come up with your own, make it as simple or complex as you like.  Add your photo link below when you finish your drawing so we can all enjoy it too!

Also, I'm working on something BIG for the month of October, so keep watch... Details coming next month... I'm so excited!

An InLinkz Link-up

Cool but not Cold

Blue Forest,  7"x 21" kiln-formed glass.  $595 includes stand
Kelly Crosser Alge 2014.
Available for sale in my Daily Paintworks Gallery

I've enjoyed this winter, believe it or not.

Really, I'm not at all a fan of cold, snow, gloomy gray skies, shoveling, slipping on ice, gloves, or cold wet shoes… and this was likely not the best winter to have the heater in my studio croak. 

This Winter gets a trophy.  It has made a valiant effort to keep it's snow on the ground the entire season.  While it has been nice and bright outside,  and it has entertained us with all of its school cancellations and record setting, It is time to say "SAYO-NARA to SNOW".

Parking lot piles and shady pockets of it are still lingering outside, but I trust that Spring will be spreading her dandelions soon.  Plus, the buzzards came back this week.  I like dandelions and buzzards.

I have enjoyed being trapped inside, and it feels like I've had more time.  Time with my family,  time playing in the studio, more time thinking…  I'm appreciative of the time without distractions from outdoors.  It's been quieter and more peaceful around here (aside from school cancellation days, of course).  I don't think I ever thought about that during other winters. 

God said "Be still, and know that I am God".  Being still physically is nearly impossible for me, but after this winter my spirit feels refreshed. 

The glass piece above is about quiet peace, stillness. Cool but not cold.