Technical Difficulties

I took digital photos of my new piece when it was just ink lines on watercolor paper, as I would like to be able to reproduce it as a poster to color. Well, this sounds easy and straight-forward. Wrong. I'll bet there are plenty of artists out there who know the tricks to use to make this work in Photoshop, but I'm not one of them. Each time I try to do this, I run into the same problems. Pencil- and even ink- lines are not as solid as you might think. And white watercolor paper, which has texture, is by no means white. Worse yet, the "white" background is made up of tiny blotches of many colors, so I can't just grab it all with the magic wand. I've tried so many things, but it always comes down to using several different techniques, then drawing digitally to fill in bits of lines that disappear in the process. I know I'll have to spend hours and hours touching up those tiny lines before I'm satisfied with the end product. Think I'll save that for after I'm done with the painting!

Some Photoshop tools I use to end up with black lines on a white background:
desaturation
contrast
curves (with eyedropper for light and dark)
magic wand

PS I know it would be easier if the digital photo was taken by a professional with the correct lighting. I'll have that done with the final painting, but too late for just the line drawing. Doing it myself, I can't get really even, overall lighting. This is part of the problem.

Eel River Watershed painting

I'm currently working on a watercolor painting of flora and fauna of the Eel River watershed. This piece was inspired by the founder of Friends of the Eel River. Once it's finished and used to create prints, cards, T-shirts, puzzles, or any other products, I will donate a share of all sales to her wonderful organization. They do great work. I'm having a terrific time with it, too. I chose some of my favorite northern CA species of wildflowers, butterflies, frogs, etc. to include. Today I painted something I never thought I would have a reason to paint - a banana slug! (My alma mater's mascot.) The piece is even going to include one of my very least favorite creatures: a lamprey. It is a resident of the river, however, and may be the reason the river is named "Eel". I was really amazed to find there was a way to incorporate this wonderfully vile character that almost makes him look appealing. At least, he fits very nicely into the design, along with a salmon and sturgeon.
I'm finished with several weeks' worth of preparation and drawings. Now is the fun part - doing the actual painting.

Butterflies, Bugs, & Beyond. Solo art show by Lucy Arnold. Exhibit Oct 6-30. Reception: Oct 6 from 6-8 pm. Belvedere-Tiburon Library. 1501 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon, CA. 415-789-2665
www.lucyarnold.com

Butterflies, Bugs, & Beyond

I will be showing about 15 paintings and giclee prints in a solo exhibit in October. It's a great venue, and I am excited to be able to show so many of my new pieces at once. There will be a lovely reception, and my friend Karen Sellinger will be playing classical guitar. Here's all the relevant info:

Butterflies, Bugs & Beyond: Paintings & Prints by Lucy Arnold
Exhibit: October 6-30
Reception: Oct 6 from 6-8 pm
Location: Belvedere-Tiburon Library
1501 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon, CA 94920
415-789-2665

Contact me for more information: lucy@lucyarnold.com