Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastel

Another one of my articles has been published - Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastel.

Close up of a cheetah's eye. I used this as an example.

Chalk Pastel is my absolute favourite medium to work in, and I loved writing this.

My articles have given me a chance to explore materials I have always known in a different way. I've been getting to know their histories and looking at them from a beginners point of view has given me a new perspective.

You can find my latest article here on the Tuts+ website.

Enjoy.

Tuts+ Article, Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More

I've been a bit busy of late, so to my shame, I haven't been visiting my blog.

I have been asked to write a series of articles for Tuts+, an online tutorial company, 5 of them, all on the basics of drawing and painting.

My first (and please excuse the catchy title), Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More has now been published. I'm loving that not only can I write about art, I can have fun doing it and be informative at the same time.

The next four are all introductions to traditional media too, covering chalk pastel, oil painting, watercolour and acrylics.

I will let you know as they are all published.

You can read this article here.

Exhibition

A number of Scotland's best artists have been getting together for several years to exhibit in a village in Scotland called Kilbarchan, and have asked me to take part.

I've decided to take the leap, and have entered 4 paintings, all of which will be shown.

The private view is tonight, if you are about, from 1930 to 2130, but if you can't make it, the exhibition runs from this Thursday until Saturday. The details, and directions are below.

Hope I'll see you there.

Iona Blue

Iona Blue, oil painting

This is one of my favourite paintings, and I've just added it as a print to my Etsy shop along with Hungry Like the Wolf.

You can see my shop here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TracyButlerArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu.

I'm trying to get more involved in merchandising my work, so I'll let you know how it goes...

Tracy Butler Art available at Etsy

I decided to take the plunge, and now I have an Etsy shop.

So, pop along for a visit at Tracy Butler Art. At the moment, all my greetings cards are available, and I am currently working on uploading mounted prints and some originals. I'll keep you up to date as I add more.

Thanks for stopping by.

Goings On And Doings

I've got a few things up my sleeve just now, which is quite exciting - a new approach to work being the main one, and if it works, well, fingers crossed. I'll let you know how it's going if things are looking good, no, time for a positive attitude, when things look good, so watch this space. I am excited about it though.

In the meantime, I have a few paintings in exhibition at Smithy Gallery's The Affordable Art Show. If you want to check it out, you can find the details here.

This is one of the paintings...

Fallow Fields, oil on canvas, 30 x 30 cm

Framing. Sheesh.

A gallery is expecting some paintings for an exhibition, and although I have finished the paintings on time, I still have to get them framed.

And framing decisions are petrifying. What colour frame? What width?

A mounted and wrapped digital painting of a tiger.

Mounts are next - double or single, thick or standard, self coloured core (the card that runs through the middle of the mount board) or not? What colour mount? Should I add a mount at all, or go for a slip instead - a thin, second frame that the glass sits on.

And glass. What type of glass? Anti reflection which dulls the colours, or standard glass which reflects everything surrounding my painting. There is a new glass on the market now that is so clear that it's almost invisible, but it costs a fortune - should I risk using that?

Or should I just not frame the paintings at all and just mount them and wrap them, ready to sit in a browser, letting the buyer make all the decisions?

I'm going for a lie down now, my head hurts.

Seasons Greetings

Stallion

Just finished another painting - Stallion.

Stallion, chalk pastel on board

Exhibitions

I am exhibiting in two group shows just now. Given that I haven't exhibited for 3 years (if you want to know why - or can't remember, have a look at this embittered post), to have 2 exhibitions on the go at the same time is both a great thing and very unnerving.

If you are in the Glasgow area, go and have a look. The first exhibition is at Smithy Gallery and the second is at the Eastwood Park Gallery.

Smithy Gallery

 You are welcome to come along and have a look.