... exploring in my creativity further in 2022



10 February 2012

Paint Party Friday - Week 48 - The Nutcracker Quartet

I think I am finished! (Yay!)

First, THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate everyone's comments last week as to how to fix/improve my backgrounds, etc.

Clara's hair stayed blonde and I added the raw sienna and other high/low lights that people suggested to her hair and eyebrows.

Lots of you liked the copper - which was actually before the beige (not after - I probably wrote my description poorly). I had immediately painted over it as it looked so ghastly (photo didn't do it justice). Because so many liked it though I wondered what else similar I could do....

Stephanie suggested all the backgrounds be the same and that was my thought (but poor execution) too.

CarlaRey suggested stamping holiday symbols or music notes on to the background and that idea leapt out at me and said "Yes!" ...though since I didn't have such stamps, I spent some time painting music notes on the backgrounds (in my rather shaky and imprecise hand). Then I added a thin coat of gold paint and another of bronze (NOT copper). Now I am much happier plus they coordinate well with my living room!

Here they are!

The Nutcracker by EVA

Professor/Herr Drosselmeyer by EVA

Clara by EVA

The Mouse King by EVA (whiskers added after rest of the photos below were taken)

Together - leaning near where they will eventually hang (more separated) during Christmas season...


With their models...

...and in an assortment of groupings...
 




Whew!!

Thank you all for your help and encouragement! And to Heather, for making me laugh saying how early I was on my Christmas painting when I was thinking I was SO late! Love your attitude! ;)

Oh! I guess I should sign them...

I also have continued my efforts on Ayala Art's 29 Faces in February and today's is another in the "scientist series"...

Sir Arthur Eddington - astrophysicist

Have fun at Paint Party Friday and see you over the weekend!

P.S. Brandy just finished her pages for my Travelling Sketchbook and they are AWESOME!! First time in a while since I've seen any of the work done in my book. Wow!!

53 comments:

  1. Wow! They all turned out great. I know you are going to enjoy decorating with these for many many Christmases to come.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh they are just awesome pieces Eva. Love that you are getting your xmas decorations ready now. I always say I am going to make decorations and then forget. Yours are just awesome. Love yor faces too. You've been working hard. Happy PPF and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your Nutcrackers will look fabulous all together at Christmas. I like your astrophysicist too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the addition of the musical notes. That was a great idea! It really ties the 4 pieces together beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Loving the foursome! how fun!!! Imagine if you worked on Christmas decor all year long! What a lovely display you would have!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Eva they turned out wonderful!!! What a smart idea to make decorations when you aren't rushed, yet while the holiday is still fresh in your mind. Looks awesome on your mantel. Liking the face you are working on too. Happy PPF. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the mouse king! What a great gathering for the holiday.
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh yes, the music notes truly pull them together like a family of art. they are wonderful. how fun!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Really great how they are all tied together now with the notes and same backgrounds. I think it is good that you actually painted the notes, much more interesting than stencils.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i love how the music notes pull them all together as a family. a wonderful group of art! the 29 faces sounds like a fun thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow what a great set you've made. Love the musical notes background.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love seeing them all together like that and they look great with the common background to tie them together... and I love the hand painted notes rather than a stencil, I never have any luck with stencils and always end up with paint everywhere... safer to stick with a brush... happy ppf

    ReplyDelete
  13. great set you've finished for Christmas! wonderful to have handmade one of a kind decorations! thanks for sharing!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS

    ReplyDelete
  14. fab paintings and beautiful result. Good job

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are wonderful. You must be so proud of yourself Eva - great job!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Eva!!! These are so fantastic and cute!!! What a wonderful set these will make for Christmas! They are brilliant! Love the sketch too!!! Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The quartet looks awesome! Like the music notes, Clara is so much better now and the Mouse King is great.

    ReplyDelete
  18. is beautiful, so lovely. Saludos

    ReplyDelete
  19. They all look great together!
    Happy PPF!
    Sheri Cook
    HappyHorseStudio

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your Nutcracker pieces are beyond fabulous! Grouping them together enhances them even more!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your Nuitcracker paintings! The Nutcracker is one of my all time favorite ballets ( and soundtracks!) very nice! i do like the addition of the musical notes too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. They look great Eva! The musical notes in the background are perfect to add continuity. I love the little additions you've made to the hair. Well done! These will great for your next Christmas decorations. Happy PPF! xx Jaime

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love your nutcracker paintings...gorgeous! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very beautiful Eva ; )
    Nice to be back.

    p.s. I'm having trouble to register on the site this week, any reason why...something to do with it being Top Secret?

    ReplyDelete
  25. wow they turned out fabulous. Enjoy the weekend, Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yay...how fabulous...these are all so beautiful as a series..gorgeous!! Shine on..fabulous work!

    ReplyDelete
  27. YAY! I love seeing them altogether. Beautiful Christmas decorations.
    Catherine Denton

    ReplyDelete
  28. Looks like you've been having fun. I am so in love with your header, it made me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  29. A wonderful quartet of nutcrackers, each beautiful and really smashing as a set.

    ReplyDelete
  30. some of my favorite characters!! lovely work, eva! happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  31. They turned out wonderfully beautiful- I love the music notes! I bet you can't wait for Christmas to be able to make them into a focal point decoration! And I really like your mad scientist- well done!

    ReplyDelete
  32. well they turned out very lovely.
    The music notes are wonderful addition !
    I like bronze too. Happy Paint Party !
    -KAT-

    ReplyDelete
  33. They turned out beautifully, the identical background really makes them belong together. Lovely work on the portrait too! Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ooooooooh ~ they are wonderful! Great job ~ portrait is done well ~namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love seeing them all together! :) Yay for being finished! :) Great sketch as well.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Eva your art brings such joy and happiness to the world. Thank you
    Nicole/Beadwright

    ReplyDelete
  37. FANTASTIC job Eva, they look sensational & work so well together... loving your faces too :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Eva, LOVE what you did with your backgrounds. Wow!! :) And loving your Sir Arthur. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  39. oh these are fantastic paintings!!!! love the backgrounds too!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your finished Nutcracker pieces are terrific!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love all of the finished Nutcracker pieces. It was so interesting seeing them last week and now. I really like the addition of the musical notes! Your scientist looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great job on your xmas decorations! Also love your portrait sketch, great likeness

    ReplyDelete
  43. They look excellent, and your sketch for the 29 faces is beautifully made

    ReplyDelete
  44. oh that´s really fun ! I love your pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Just love how these came together!

    ReplyDelete
  46. SO brilliant! I LOVE the mouse especially and they all look wonderful as a group. AND I am so impressed with the realism in your faces - this and the newest Bon Jovi sketch is just amazing. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  47. Very very nice! You do great work!
    Renee
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  48. The Nutcracker serious is awesome! Great work, Eva. And the face - wonderful. Very realistic.

    ReplyDelete
  49. The turned out great! I really like the notes in the background. I love your portrait. Hey it better to see the glass full Right? Eva I also wanted to thank you for your wonderful comment on my blog about my mom.

    ReplyDelete
  50. They look great, Eva! I can't believe you got all that done since last week!

    ReplyDelete
  51. They all look so great together!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi! Getting back to you very late from last weeks PPF!! I love your nutcracker series!! How fun! Enjoy your weekend!

    xoEsther

    ReplyDelete

Looking forward to hearing from you!