TRAVEL WITH MY ART #37: A SEAVIEW FROM A PARK (SPLIT, CROATIA)
Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! It's been a few months since my last TRAVEL WITH MY ART post, but I'm back strong. As you might remember, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to continue sharing my art online because of AI theft situation. However, I missed sharing my art on my blog and writing about it. Moreover, I realized that art has always been a part of my blog. Over the years, you guys have seen me work on my art skills.
In this post, I'll share with you an acrylic painting that depicts a view from one park in Split city. I painted this panorama exactly a year ago. Earlier this month, I visited Split with my husband and that's when I showed him this place. He loved it, so we took a lot of photographs. A year ago, he also enjoyed the painting I make. So, I guess we have come full circle. Seeing the photographs we took together, I really wanted to share that landscape painting I did a year ago (in an effort to capture this lovely view). Scroll down to learn more!
What happened with the painting? To be honest, guys....I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure I didn't sell it because I tend to remember my sales. Usually, I only sell my commissions. I rarely sell paintings I do for myself. So, I reckon I either gifted or misplaced this painting. Who knows, maybe it'll show up one of these days! What follows is more images of this place...and of course some art and fashion talk.
WHAT IS THE PHOTOGRAPH I USED FOR REFRENCE?
I used my old photographs as a reference. I took these two photograph last year while I was walking trough this park. I enjoyed the sea view and thought the panorama looked pretty cool, so I snapped these two photographs. As I already said, I started and finished the painting last Summer as well. If I recall well, it didn't take me an awful long time to finish it. Maybe 20-30 hours in total? I know that I have started it in Split and finished it in Mostar.
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO PAINT THIS SEASCAPE?
Obviously, this is a lovely park. However, what fascinates me is this sea view that you can get lost in. You forget you're in a city. Glazing at the sea, you might imagine yourself on some Mediterrenean island, and not in a second largest city in Croatia. Granted Split wouldn't be considered a large city by some standards, as it has only around 160 000 residents and a population density of 0.99%, but for European standards, it isn't tiny.
This contrast between the natural and urban environment inspired me paint this seascape. I really wanted to capture this beautiful spot.
ACRYLIC PAINTS ON MIXED MEDIA PAPER A2 FORMAT
I painted this in my mixed media sketchbook. There's a lot of other works there. I do remember taking it out of the sketchbook and framing it, but I don't remember what happened to it afterwards. As I already said, I either gifted it or misplaced it.
PAINTING ON CANVAS HAS ITS ADVANTAGES, BUT A SKETCKBOOK IS EASIER TO PACK
I usually prefer painting landscapes on canvas. My sketchbook is more for sketches. However, when I travel, a sketchbook is more practical. This particular sketchbook is mixed media paper and the format is A3. However, when I painted this acrylic sketch, I used only half of the paper, so this seascape sketch is more like A2. The other half I used to paint a freestyle sketch portrait (I might show it to you some day).
There are definite advantages to painting on canvas, but sometimes you can do nice things on a paper. I mean I'm pretty happy with how this painting turned out. For such a small size, it's pretty detailed. Obviously, there are some worries when you pile colours onto paper (even if it's a mixed media paper), but I didn't have any problems.
Now, I've had a number of mixed sketchbooks over the years and what I found is that the important thing is that you don't add too much water while you're painting. If you're going to use a lot of water, the mixed media paper will bend even if you use tape and other things (such as paper clips) to hold it in place. If you know that you use a lot of water, then it's best to buy a sketchbook with watercolour paper.
As I don't work with watercolour much, I'm not really knowledge about the watercolour paper, so you'll have to find that piece of information elsewhere. However, for an acrylic painting, mixed media paper works just fine. I also didn't have any issues when I used it with watercolour pencils, probably because I didn't use a lot of water.
One of advantages of painting on mixed media paper is also the price. I mean framing costs either way. If you're planning to get a glass frame for your acrylic painting, you might as well paint it on paper and then frame it. You can also use a varnish if you want to preserve the colours without framing it in a glass frame. I mean sketchbooks also have their advantages, but I'm getting too chatty...and this post is becoming longer and longer. Do always feel free to skip whole parts of my posts, you never have to read everything, just whatever bits interests you. If art isn't your thing, skip it. If outfits aren't your thing, skip it. If books aren't your thing, skip that. My posts are often a mix of different things, so whatever works for you- just enjoy that.
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WIP (WORK IN PROGRESS) COLLAGE |
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WORK IN PROGRESS |
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THE FINISHED PAINTING- ACRYLIC PAINTS ON MIXED MEDIA PAPER |
Such lovely color in your paintings. Great to know the low down of the process and how to paint while traveling too. Adoring this dress. And I love that you are still wearing that necklace! Adoring those shoes too! Such a great location to be inspired. Thanks so much for sharing your art and all these details of staying creative!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Travelling and painting is possible- it just takes a bit more effort.
DeleteSo lovely! Great to be invited into your artistic world. So happy you are continuing your art journey among your adventures. Oh, you wear this outfit well. Thank you so much for being so inspiring in all that you do. I really love these seascapes!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. I really appreciate it.
DeleteHello Ivana!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've decided to start posting about your art again, I felt it was a part of your blog that was missing and that enriched your blog, it was more diverse! I liked seeing your work in progress, I do that with my embroideries and have them framed, but it's expensive, but I've been doing a cross stitch painting for a year, it's almost done. Nothing compared to 20-30 hours, but I've spent more time not embroidering than embroidering! I love your painting and the colours you've used, I'm like you too, I can't sell my work.
As for the dress, it's beautiful, I like the lace at the bottom, you always look beautiful in all your outfits! Xoxo
It must be quite an accomplished cross stich painting, I hope you'll show it to us. I do embroidery, too, just not as much as I used to do it.
DeleteLovely photos and great painting :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteAdoro tu primera pintura. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias
DeleteWow, this art painting of yours on paper looks like a million dollar painting 😃👏 Pine trees, bushes - they look more beautiful and realistic to me than in the photo! Congratulations Ivana
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment! Thank you.
DeleteI always do appreciate your comments!
DeleteI can see why you are drawn to this place and I love the way you painted it. And that's a great outfit you're wearing too! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you dear.
DeleteYou paint, your view of the essential, it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit is great, I like the colors <3
Thank you!
DeleteThe scene looks so serene and lovely and you captured it marvelously. Maybe the pairing will turn up when you least expect it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I sure hope so.
DeleteBoa tarde e uma excelente quinta-feira. Que lugares maravilhosos. Obrigado por dividir conosco, minha querida amiga Ivana.
ReplyDeleteObrigada!
DeleteChe bellissimo dipinto Ivana!
ReplyDeleteGià il panorama è splendido di suo, ma tu gli hai dato ancora più forza e carattere con quei colori così brillanti!
E tu che bella che sei con quell'abito, sembri una ninfa dei boschi!
Baci!
S
https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com
Grazie cara amica:)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you have been struggling with chronic pain a bit, but I'm glad you're managing and remaining quite active. I know it can make life restrictive and miserable so credit to you for your effort.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is gorgeous!!! I really love it! So beautiful and colourful. It exudes joy and light!
On the subject of this outfit, I don't have memory of this dress- but I love it! That shade of turquoise is ny favourite and the necklace, your hair and everything else really suits it! Kezzie x
I appreciate your kind words. Chronic illness is no joke, but millions of people are coping and living with it, so it's a part of time. The difficult times make us appreciate the good ones all the more. So, an illness can be a blessing in disguise. It can teach us to be more kind.
DeleteGreat post 😊 Very nice photos 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete