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Thursday, April 23, 2009

It all started when

Rhododendron Blossom
colored pencil on Strathmore 500 Bristol
4 x 4 inches
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

I decided it was high time I did a little updating on my website. My website had been badly neglected for quite a while so I was happy to get that task crossed off my to-do list. But then, since I was in an updating mood, I decided to try out a new look for this blog. It wasn't that I was unhappy with the old look, I liked the colorful design, but it was beginning to bother me as it seemed a bit busy. I felt at times that the art work was lost on the page. Plus I was never satisfied with they way images with a white background were undefined on the white blog background. For a couple of hours there yesterday I had a gray background. Which was okay but not really me. So I settled on this look. What do you think?

Above is my entry for April's Virtual Sketch Date. It is from a lovely photo reference by Jeanette Jobson. This was my second attempt. I am not even going to show you my first attempt. When I tried it this second time I came in closer and was much happier with this simplified crop.
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25 comments:

  1. AlexApril 23, 2009 at 3:37 PM

    ^^ I think you've nailed it! Great job!

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  2. Rose WeltyApril 23, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    This is a fabulous crop Ann...it seems just about to move and open up...and the bud glows from within.

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  3. Jennifer RoseApril 23, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    I think it the blog looks good. Goes well with your site :) The background colour isn't too bright or dark.

    wonderful drawing :D really captured the colours and the detail in the blossoms. very nice close crop

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  4. CarolApril 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    You've done an incredible job!

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  5. Carol O.April 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM

    Very Very pretty. I have already tried drawing this 3 times today and I'm getting frustrated. I was being nosey and I took a look at your new website. I think that your new format really showcases your art. I like it:)

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  6. christineApril 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    This is beautiful, Ann! The texture of the flower petals is so well-rendered!

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  7. leslieApril 23, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    I like the blog color, Ann! Your work does show well on it.

    Your VSD rhododendron is super!
    Love the close crop. I did a closeup, too.

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  8. PauletteApril 23, 2009 at 7:41 PM

    Great crop, love the colour on the petals!

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  9. cathyswatercolorsApril 23, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    just beautiful love the crop

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  10. joanieARTApril 23, 2009 at 8:50 PM

    You work magic with those colored pencils. Beautiful upclose and personal rhodie!

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  11. UnknownApril 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    I like the look - nice and subtle background for all your lovely colors.

    Great crop on this painting - I love what you've done with it. Delicious, deep color...

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  12. LeighApril 23, 2009 at 9:29 PM

    Wow, this is so beautiful and subtle. It makes me want to throw paint on mine to tone it down!! I am not sure I'll ever get the hang of this colored pencil thing. Really beautiful work...

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  13. Margaret AnnApril 24, 2009 at 1:58 AM

    Love the crop and your color blends...rich and gorgeous! :)

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  14. TimareeApril 24, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    The blog is great and so is your new pic. It took me well over a year to make my blog look anything other than the template. Yours is a soft color that goes well with your colored pencil work.

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  15. LynnApril 24, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    Ann, your colored pencil work always blows me away, but this one is spectacular! And I like the clean, fresh new look of your blog.

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  16. MILLYApril 24, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Very nice. Your detail and colours are amazing in a 4x4inches. Like the new blog colour too.
    People often say my ink work looks like a woodcut, once did it at college, over thirty years ago!

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  17. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 5:36 PM

    Ann.......I love the new look of your blog! The background is perfect........soft, warm, easy on the eyes and your art showcases beautifully! very nice.. deni.........;)

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  18. M J MuirApril 25, 2009 at 12:11 AM

    The background colour and look of your blog of your blog is easy on the eyes. A perfect compliment to your art.
    I like the way you closed in on the blossom. Your work is sensitive and most pleasing.

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  19. LoriApril 25, 2009 at 12:12 AM

    I love the tight crop on the image that you did. the colours and drawing are exactly perfect. Wow!

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  20. Gary KeimigApril 27, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Nice work Ann. I am amazed looking through various artists blogs about how many artists are using colored pencil. And some really fine work being produced. I have been tempted at times to try it and if I keep looking at the work you folks are producing I may just do it.
    Great job.

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  21. Victoria on OkinawaApril 28, 2009 at 3:03 AM

    Nicely done! I love the close up cropped view.

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  22. AnnApril 28, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    Thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving such nice comments!

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  23. seesueApril 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    this is great! You've given such great shape with colour. Yum!

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  24. CarolinaMay 19, 2009 at 5:11 PM

    I love it, one of my favorites from the rododendron challenge.

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  25. Art is for the MakingAugust 20, 2009 at 10:07 PM

    Yes! Fabulous.

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