Squirrel on a Snowy Branch

[ams]

The January meeting of our local watercolor society was started with a quick demo by me on using inktense pencils. This was about 5"x5" in XL Mixed Media sketchbook.

When the demo was done, we had a group challenge to paint one of four images. I chose the squirrel. This is about 6" x 8" in XL Mixed Media sketchbook.

I recently got a new scanner and it is picking up the blacks darker than they actually are. The ink lines and touches of black are not as dark in real life as they are showing up here. I've been playing with settings but I haven't figured out the best way to scan the pictures to be closer to the way they really are.

 

[Sanlynn]

Nice mug with great shadows to show the form. The squirrel is really cute and the touch of blue in the background really brings it together.

 

[snoball]

I like both paintings, very well done.

 

[Joy]

Both are excellent, but my favorite is the squirrel. We have many here. Great job on the fur and snow.

 

[Donna T]

I wish I could have seen your demo because I’m sure I would have learned something. Nice mug and the fur tones on the squirrel are beautifully done!

 

[Terri]

Two lovely paintings, Anne! I just adore your coffee cup! Your squirrel has nice tones and a good catch light, too.

I'm sorry you're struggling with scanning. You say it's scanning your blacks are too dark - have you played with contrast? Overall brightening doesn't always reach your deepest blacks and it could wash out color, too. A pullback on contrast and/or shadows might be all you need. If your colors get dull you can edge up the saturation to compensate.

For the record, I think your scans look perfectly fine.

 

[Joy]

Anne, apologies for not noticing the scanner comment, as I was so intrigued by your paintings! I have a three in one copier that I use as a scanner. The bright scanning light has a tendency to wash out the colors, so I often have to adjust it in Photos (on my iMac) and actually darken the image. The colors never seem to show up on the monitor accurately, and usually are better if I take a photo instead of scanning. Of course, then I need good, natural lighting and have to transfer it to the computer and edit it. I still do that if it is much larger than A4.

 

[Artyczar]

Do you have Photoshop? If so, I can tell you how to adjust the blacks. I love the work, though. Excellent, as always.

 

[Balaji]

Both paintings are lovely! But there is something about the mug that appeals more to me.

 

[ams]

Two lovely paintings, Anne! I just adore your coffee cup! Your squirrel has nice tones and a good catch light, too.

I'm sorry you're struggling with scanning. You say it's scanning your blacks are too dark - have you played with contrast? Overall brightening doesn't always reach your deepest blacks and it could wash out color, too. A pullback on contrast and/or shadows might be all you need. If your colors get dull you can edge up the saturation to compensate.

For the record, I think your scans look perfectly fine.

Thanks Terri. Since I posted this, I have been playing with the scanner settings and they are scanning better now. You were right that the contrast setting had to be adjusted. Thanks for the hint.

 

[ams]

Do you have Photoshop? If so, I can tell you how to adjust the blacks. I love the work, though. Excellent, as always.

I don't have photoshop but I did have some success with later scans. Thanks for the offer.

 

[ams]

Both paintings are lovely! But there is something about the mug that appeals more to me.

It's interesting Balaji. I almost didn't put up the mug since it was so simple but I decided to since I liked it also.

 

[Jo Castillo]

I collect mugs and love them, so very pleased that you posted this different one. I'm smiling. The squirrel is so cute.

 

[Balaji]

It's interesting Balaji. I almost didn't put up the mug since it was so simple but I decided to since I liked it also.

Thinking about it...I feel that though both are painted well, the one of the squirrel is attractive because of the subject, while the one of the mug catches the eye because of how well you have painted it.