MDE-ART.com Art Blog http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog Visual Art Blog, Drawings and Paintings by artist Michael D. Edens, with commentary on the artistic process behind each work of art. Fri, 02 May 2008 02:35:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Ocean Seascape Sunrise - Oil Pastels http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/ocean-seascape-sunrise-oil-pastels/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/ocean-seascape-sunrise-oil-pastels/#comments Fri, 02 May 2008 02:35:25 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/?p=279 oil pastel drawing of an ocean seascape at sunrise. The oil pastel medium lends itself to smudging and smearing techniques, as well as scraping away layers to reveal colors underneath. The drawing also reflects an impressionistic style with a little bit of chaotic line work, noticeable in the clouds and water. The suggestion of dirt, rocks, sand, and a palm tree begin to frame and weight the artwork as well. Ocean Seascape Sunrise Drawn with Oil Pastels]]> This is an oil pastel drawing of an ocean seascape at sunrise. The oil pastel medium lends itself to smudging and smearing techniques, as well as scraping away layers to reveal colors underneath. The drawing also reflects an impressionistic style with a little bit of chaotic line work, noticeable in the clouds and water. The suggestion of dirt, rocks, sand, and a palm tree begin to frame and weight the artwork as well.

Ocean Seascape Sunrise Drawn with Oil Pastels

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/ocean-seascape-sunrise-oil-pastels/feed/ Portraits and Faces Series 2 - Abstract Pen and Marker Drawings http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-2-abstract-pen-and-marker-drawings/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-2-abstract-pen-and-marker-drawings/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:10:39 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/?p=275 pen and marker drawings are part of an abstract expressionistic body of artwork entitled Portraits and Faces Series 2. They are a series of three faces drawn with energetic and expressive shapes, blocks of color, and frantic lines to produce abstract portraits that appear to be emerging and constructing themselves from the ink and paint mediums on the surface of the paper. Prominent facial features are emphasized, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, so that amidst the predominantly abstract compositions it is still possible to make out the faces peering back. The chaotic atmosphere builds the structure of the faces by utilizing techniques such as layering and chiaroscuro to produce varying combinations of opaque and transparent color. Each piece of expressive abstract art is roughly 9"x12", and a unique mix of emotions are portrayed in each portrait drawing. For more colorful portrait art, view the abstract impressionistic drawings entitled Portraits and Faces Series 1 - Impressionistic Oil Pastel Drawings, or this Colorful Abstract Drawing of a Woman's Face. Abstract Expressionist Portrait Drawing of a Face with Markers and Pen Colorful Expressive Abstract Portrait Drawing of a Face Colorful Abstract Expressionist Portrait Drawing of a Face]]> These pen and marker drawings are part of an abstract expressionistic body of artwork entitled Portraits and Faces Series 2. They are a series of three faces drawn with energetic and expressive shapes, blocks of color, and frantic lines to produce abstract portraits that appear to be emerging and constructing themselves from the ink and paint mediums on the surface of the paper. Prominent facial features are emphasized, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, so that amidst the predominantly abstract compositions it is still possible to make out the faces peering back. The chaotic atmosphere builds the structure of the faces by utilizing techniques such as layering and chiaroscuro to produce varying combinations of opaque and transparent color. Each piece of expressive abstract art is roughly 9″x12″, and a unique mix of emotions are portrayed in each portrait drawing.

For more colorful portrait art, view the abstract impressionistic drawings entitled Portraits and Faces Series 1 - Impressionistic Oil Pastel Drawings, or this Colorful Abstract Drawing of a Woman’s Face.

Abstract Expressionist Portrait Drawing of a Face with Markers and Pen

Colorful Expressive Abstract Portrait Drawing of a Face

Colorful Abstract Expressionist Portrait Drawing of a Face

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-2-abstract-pen-and-marker-drawings/feed/ Portraits and Faces Series 1 - Impressionistic Oil Pastel Drawings http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-1-impressionistic-oil-pastel-drawings/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-1-impressionistic-oil-pastel-drawings/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 05:56:35 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/?p=264 oil pastel drawings are part of an abstract impressionistic body of artwork entitled Portraits and Faces Series 1. They are a series of five faces drawn with energetic and expressive lines and colors to produce abstract portraits that appear to be emerging from the oil pastel medium and the surface of the paper. The structure of the faces grow fluidly from the chaotic drawing medium by utilizing techniques such as smudging and scratching to produce varying combinations of gradient colors and stark contrast. Each piece of expressive art is roughly 9"x12", and each subject conveys emotions unique to each drawing. Emphasis is placed on prominent facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, so that facial recognition is possible amidst the predominantly abstract compositions. For more colorful portrait art, view the abstract expressionistic drawings entitled Portraits and Faces Series 2 - Abstract Pen and Marker Drawings, or this Abstract Drawing of a Face. Impressionistic Portrait Drawing of an Old Man's Face with Oil Pastels Abstract Expressive Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels Oil Pastel Portrait Drawing of a Face Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels Abstract Impressionistic Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels]]> These oil pastel drawings are part of an abstract impressionistic body of artwork entitled Portraits and Faces Series 1. They are a series of five faces drawn with energetic and expressive lines and colors to produce abstract portraits that appear to be emerging from the oil pastel medium and the surface of the paper. The structure of the faces grow fluidly from the chaotic drawing medium by utilizing techniques such as smudging and scratching to produce varying combinations of gradient colors and stark contrast. Each piece of expressive art is roughly 9″x12″, and each subject conveys emotions unique to each drawing. Emphasis is placed on prominent facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, so that facial recognition is possible amidst the predominantly abstract compositions.

For more colorful portrait art, view the abstract expressionistic drawings entitled Portraits and Faces Series 2 - Abstract Pen and Marker Drawings, or this Abstract Drawing of a Face.

Impressionistic Portrait Drawing of an Old Man's Face with Oil Pastels

Abstract Expressive Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels

Oil Pastel Portrait Drawing of a Face

Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels

Abstract Impressionistic Portrait Drawing of a Face with Oil Pastels

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/portraits-and-faces-series-1-impressionistic-oil-pastel-drawings/feed/ Oil Pastel Drawing of an Ice Cream Cone http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-ice-cream-cone/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-ice-cream-cone/#comments Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:50:59 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/?p=262 drawing of an apple, here is an oil pastel drawing of an ice cream cone. The oil pastel medium lends itself to techniques like blending and scratching, which helps add dimension to the art. The ice cream cone shape and colors were blocked in first, and texture details were added to the cherry and cone. I started by blending the chocolate ice cream with my fingers, and then continued with the rest of the drawing. Once the blending was complete a few more cycles of drawing in details and blending were continued. The quick oil pastel sketch was finished by adding a cherry on top. Oil Pastel Drawing of an Ice Cream Cone]]> In keeping with the food theme, like the drawing of an apple, here is an oil pastel drawing of an ice cream cone. The oil pastel medium lends itself to techniques like blending and scratching, which helps add dimension to the art. The ice cream cone shape and colors were blocked in first, and texture details were added to the cherry and cone. I started by blending the chocolate ice cream with my fingers, and then continued with the rest of the drawing. Once the blending was complete a few more cycles of drawing in details and blending were continued. The quick oil pastel sketch was finished by adding a cherry on top.

Oil Pastel Drawing of an Ice Cream Cone

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-ice-cream-cone/feed/ Oil Pastel Drawing of an Apple http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-apple/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-apple/#comments Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:13:46 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/?p=259 apple drawn with oil pastels. Blocks of color were sketched in to define the shape and form of the fruit, while slight variations in value were also applied in layers. The oil pastel medium lends itself to blending, either with a tool or fingers, which helps create gradient effects. Once the apple was drawn and blended, frantic lines were energetically whipped around and through the apple to add a surrealistic perspective. Oil Pastel Drawing of an Apple]]> This is an apple drawn with oil pastels. Blocks of color were sketched in to define the shape and form of the fruit, while slight variations in value were also applied in layers. The oil pastel medium lends itself to blending, either with a tool or fingers, which helps create gradient effects. Once the apple was drawn and blended, frantic lines were energetically whipped around and through the apple to add a surrealistic perspective.

Oil Pastel Drawing of an Apple

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/oil-pastel-drawing-of-an-apple/feed/ Quick Sketches of Nelly Furtado http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/quick-sketches-of-nelly-furtado/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/quick-sketches-of-nelly-furtado/#comments Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:46:49 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/quick-sketches-of-nelly-furtado/ quick pen sketches of pop singer Nelly Furtado. Often referred to as “Fan Art”, these two portrait drawings interpret an image, to the point where the popularity of the subject comes second to the art itself. The drawings were quick and loose, and both focus on line work to define a few critical facial features and her hair. A wash of water was also used to blend some of the pen lines. The Art Blog also contains a few other "Fan Art" drawings and paintings of Nelly Furtado. A Quick Pen Drawing of Pop Singer Nelly Furtado A Quick Pen Sketch of Pop Singer Nelly Furtado]]> Here are a few quick pen sketches of pop singer Nelly Furtado. Often referred to as “Fan Art”, these two portrait drawings interpret an image, to the point where the popularity of the subject comes second to the art itself. The drawings were quick and loose, and both focus on line work to define a few critical facial features and her hair. A wash of water was also used to blend some of the pen lines.

The Art Blog also contains a few other “Fan Art” drawings and paintings of Nelly Furtado.

A Quick Pen Drawing of Pop Singer Nelly Furtado

A Quick Pen Sketch of Pop Singer Nelly Furtado

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/quick-sketches-of-nelly-furtado/feed/ Colorful Abstract Drawing of a Womans Face http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/colorful-abstract-drawing-of-a-womans-face/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/colorful-abstract-drawing-of-a-womans-face/#comments Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:45:11 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/colorful-abstract-drawing-of-a-womans-face/ colorful and slightly abstracted drawing of a woman's face. The eyes, nose, and mouth were detailed in pen, but larger areas of color were applied over, underneath, and around the facial features. A mix of pens, paint pens, markers, and watercolor were used to create the artwork. The drawing utilizes tension with wild and expressive mark making in contrast to the carefully rendered eyes. Colorful Abstract Expressionist Drawing of a Woman’s Face]]> This is a colorful and slightly abstracted drawing of a woman’s face. The eyes, nose, and mouth were detailed in pen, but larger areas of color were applied over, underneath, and around the facial features. A mix of pens, paint pens, markers, and watercolor were used to create the artwork. The drawing utilizes tension with wild and expressive mark making in contrast to the carefully rendered eyes.

Colorful Abstract Expressionist Drawing of a Woman’s Face

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/colorful-abstract-drawing-of-a-womans-face/feed/ Drawing of a Face Digitally Edited Into Creepy Sandman http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-of-a-face-digitally-edited-into-creepy-sandman/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-of-a-face-digitally-edited-into-creepy-sandman/#comments Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:05:38 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-of-a-face-digitally-edited-into-creepy-sandman/ drawing of a face that is approximately 7"x7". A thin red pen was used to mark in basic facial features and eyes, and a wash of purple watercolor was used to define value and some shading. Light washes of water were repeatedly used to subtly blend lighter shades of ink around the face, but these shades are not readily visible without contrast adjustment. In the second image, the Levels of the artwork were shifted to reveal a higher degree of contrast between the ink and the paper. This adjustment gives the face an eerie set of eyes and a creepy sandman appearance as the computer attempts to fill in the white space with a grainy gradient value. Drawing of a Face with Red Pen Drawing of a Face Digitally Edited to Look Like a Creepy Sandman]]> This is a drawing of a face that is approximately 7″x7″. A thin red pen was used to mark in basic facial features and eyes, and a wash of purple watercolor was used to define value and some shading. Light washes of water were repeatedly used to subtly blend lighter shades of ink around the face, but these shades are not readily visible without contrast adjustment. In the second image, the Levels of the artwork were shifted to reveal a higher degree of contrast between the ink and the paper. This adjustment gives the face an eerie set of eyes and a creepy sandman appearance as the computer attempts to fill in the white space with a grainy gradient value.

Drawing of a Face with Red Pen

Drawing of a Face Digitally Edited to Look Like a Creepy Sandman

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-of-a-face-digitally-edited-into-creepy-sandman/feed/ Drawing and Painting of a Leopard http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-and-painting-of-a-leopard/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-and-painting-of-a-leopard/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:12:02 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-and-painting-of-a-leopard/ drawing and a painting of a Leopard that is approximately 9"x7". Mediums used are brightly colored pencils, pens, markers, watercolor, and a silver paint pen. A few light sketch marks were initially drawn in for reference, and then varying combinations of mixed media were applied in layers. Eventually the shape of the leopard started to solidify amidst the energetic lines, and the silver paint added a reflective quality that is not apparent in the digital reproduction of the drawing/painting. Similarly to the way a leopard can blend in to the jungle environment, the animal's form is not immediately recognizable in the artwork as it blends in with the chaotic colors and busy line work. More animal drawings and paintings can be found in the Animal Portrait Art Gallery. Drawing and Painting of a Leopard]]> This artwork is both a drawing and a painting of a Leopard that is approximately 9″x7″. Mediums used are brightly colored pencils, pens, markers, watercolor, and a silver paint pen. A few light sketch marks were initially drawn in for reference, and then varying combinations of mixed media were applied in layers. Eventually the shape of the leopard started to solidify amidst the energetic lines, and the silver paint added a reflective quality that is not apparent in the digital reproduction of the drawing/painting. Similarly to the way a leopard can blend in to the jungle environment, the animal’s form is not immediately recognizable in the artwork as it blends in with the chaotic colors and busy line work.

More animal drawings and paintings can be found in the Animal Portrait Art Gallery.

Drawing and Painting of a Leopard

]]> http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/drawing-and-painting-of-a-leopard/feed/ Lion Drawings and Paintings http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/lion-drawings-and-paintings/ http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/lion-drawings-and-paintings/#comments Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:40:03 +0000 MDE-ART.com http://www.mde-art.com/art-blog/lion-drawings-and-paintings/ artworks depicting lions blur the line between drawings and paintings. Each artwork started as a drawing of a lion, which was then augmented with watercolors, ink, or paint pens. The first lion drawing was sketched with a pen and thick black markers. A wash of watercolor and ink was used to add shadows and blend the crisp lines, resulting in a statuesque portrait of the lion. The second lion drawing was initially sketched with pen in an impressionistic style, and layers of paint pens were subsequently added over the initial sketch. The resulting painting of a roaring lion fits the energetic style, and the discord between the primary colors add tension between the lion and the background. Just a few samples of other unique stylistic approaches to lion drawings and paintings include these lion drawings, a portrait of a lion drawn with charcoal, an abstract lion painted with markers and paint pens, close up charcoal drawings of roaring lions, and a digitally drawn cartoon lion. A Pen Drawing of a Lion A Painting of a Lion]]> These two artworks depicting lions blur the line between drawings and paintings. Each artwork started as a drawing of a lion, which was then augmented with watercolors, ink, or paint pens. The first lion drawing was sketched with a pen and thick black markers. A wash of watercolor and ink was used to add shadows and blend the crisp lines, resulting in a statuesque portrait of the lion.

The second lion drawing was initially sketched with pen in an impressionistic style, and layers of paint pens were subsequently added over the initial sketch. The resulting painting of a roaring lion fits the energetic style, and the discord between the primary colors add tension between the lion and the background.

Just a few samples of other unique stylistic approaches to lion drawings and paintings include these lion drawings, a portrait of a lion drawn with charcoal, an abstract lion painted with markers and paint pens, close up charcoal drawings of roaring lions, and a digitally drawn cartoon lion.

A Pen Drawing of a Lion

A Painting of a Lion

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