Wednesday 22 February 2017

Octopus for NEW Scribble Picnic challenge

This is the very first week for the new art challenge - Scribble Picnic - hosted by Michael Macvean over on his blog. Each week, we are given a different theme to play with.

This week's theme - Octopus! 

Okay, this was a tricky one for me because I'm an artist who usually draws what I see in front of me whether in real life or from actual photos of things.  For this challenge, I wanted to do something more whimsical and illustrative so it involved something even more scary...drawing from my imagination!  The artiste extraordinaire, sketched below, was one of the images that first came to my mind. Then, I had to mull over what sort of setting to place her in...perhaps she is a French octopus on vacation?


I opted for a beachscape — drawing inspiration from one of my old acrylic paintings pictured below

Keeping it illustrative, of course

And this was the end result. I kinda like how it turned out.

To see the work of other participants for this week, click HERE. Next week's theme is CABIN.  To find out how to join in on the fun each week, click HERE.

41 comments:

  1. Serena this is adorable and very creative!

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    1. Congrats on winning the first Scribble Picnic giveaway!

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    2. Thanks, Christine! I can't believe my luck. :)

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  2. Love your interpretation of the theme!! Very cute!

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  3. Oh Serena how cute and clever, I LOVE it!!
    I always did admire your acrylic paintings,

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  4. I love how it turned out adn so nice to be able to read more on your blog vs first seeing it this morning on Instagram which was great too. I love seeing it bigger, hearing your ideas and even the inspiration of your original beautiful painting, Serena.

    Yes, going from imagination takes a little risk but I always think I have more latitude to do something wrong too! I mean, that's why, in part, I also chose Octopus as there is such variety already there. Anyway, I LOVE your concept here of the illustrating on the beach idea and yes, was thinking she looked French! haha, so fun.

    I've noted how many times you've entered into the drawing (4 different ways all appreciated too) and so you are right up there for a good chance on the giveaway. Who knows. Will do random drawing tomorrow and let everyone know on the blog. Thank you again. Great meeting you. I know Alexandra enjoys your work on Sunday Sketches, she told me this morning and was thrilled to see you here. (She is, in fact, painting in her peice right now for posting later!) Wheee.

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    1. Thanks, Michael! It was fun to put together. :)

      Very true re. working from imagination giving a little more latitude. I hadn't thought of it like that. It's definitely something I want to challenge myself with more often.

      I love Alexandra's Sunday Sketches and I hope to be a regular with Scribble Picnic too. I look forward to seeing Alex's illustration for this week. :)

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    2. Actually, you had 5 entries, when all was counted again. Thank you. Both you and Alex were pushed I suppose, but so glad you carried on! you both did great!

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  5. I love this concept! She looks so chic - and the beret!! Too cute. I agree, drawing from imagination was difficult for me, too. It's not really my thing! Great work!

    Cassie
    www.beetandbaguette.com

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    1. Thanks, Cassie! It was a fun adventure drawing from the imagination even though it's not normally my thing.

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  6. Serena, both Lissa and myself (and Alex) had issues leaving comments here as at first it looks like you can only sign up on FB which I don't do for personal FB and business one won't do that. Then Alex told me to try again and there is indeed a google/blogger option which I did not realise at first. Something to maybe see if you can switch it off of FB as default entry mode? I want to ensure as many people can comment as possible. As it is , Lissa left you a comment about you r work under my last blog post, where the sing up is. I have notified her though how she can leave you one here. :)

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    1. Thanks so much for letting me know, Michael. It should just be a case where visitors scroll further down to access the Blogger comment box but I'm thinking of removing the Facebook one anyway as I no longer frequent Facebook. I only added it in the first place as a way for people who used other blog platforms that weren't accepted to comment via the Blogger comment box. I will see if I can swap them around but, if not, I will remove it. Thanks again for the heads up. :)

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  7. love the idea of an octopus painting on the beach, very creative. I also have this purple image when I think of octopus, I wonder why... your purple goes very well with the beach theme. and I like that she has a human-like face.

    on comments, I didn't see another option other than to log into facebook but it's nice that you've changed the comment format.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by again, Lissa. Funny about the purple... It's what felt right to me.

      Thanks for the comment info. I'm glad i removed the Facebook comment form now after reading about your issue. I certainly don't want to make it difficult for my blog readers.

      Wishing you a lovely day too. :)

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  8. Love your piece, and great to see how you came up with the background!!!

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  9. your octopus looks great :D having her painting the landscape is a nice touch :)

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    1. Thanks, Jen. I was mulling over what to put on her canvas...a palm tree, seashell...but the seascape won out. :)

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  10. Serena,
    This is glorious. I love how the octopus is holding the paint brush. And using the seascape - fantastic. And It's interesting how we can pull pictures from our imagination and using concrete helps.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Thanks, Janis! Very true, it was a nice blend of imagination and concrete. :)

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  11. Serena, you did a wonderful job! And I must say when I spotted this on Instagram earlier today, I was TOTALLY surprised to find you had done this. Good for you in pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I feel I had to do the same as you know me, I'm all about bunnies and hedgehogs! LOL

    xo

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    1. Thanks, Alex. Yes, it's definitely not my regular style. haha I had so much fun doing it though and I'm encouraged to delve a little further into the whimsical designs. I adore your bunnies and hedgehogs but your octopus was awesome too. :)

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  12. She looks very focused on her work!
    Love how her painting blends right in with Your painting!

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  13. I loved reading about and following along with your train of thought as you put this together. Wonderfully done. And I love that little chapeau!

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    1. Thanks, Lorraine. It was challenging but fun to do. :)

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  14. She is very sweet you could write a book for children about her life.
    Merle.........

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    1. Thanks, Merle. :) OH, what a great idea! Something to think about...

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  15. Great post, Mum! I love your Octopus picture, she really does look great. I love how you have her painting by the sea. I also love how you used your painting as inspiration for the beachscape. I wish you all the best for this challenge, I'm positive you can do it!

    Love Brad xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Brad. You are always such a wonderful support for me.

      Love Mum xoxo

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  16. Oh I LOVE it! Whimsical and beautiful at the same time!

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  17. It turned out so beautifully! You've a wonderful imagination as well as drawing skills Serena... Cheers!

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Sue. :)

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  18. Serena, hope you have time to read my last post on Scribble Picnic new news....

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  19. Ok, "new" news is rather an oxymoron, isn't it? Ha.

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    1. I knew what you meant. hehe I'm so thrilled to have won the giveaway! Thanks so much for your generosity. :)

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  20. Congratulations on winning! You are very lucky as Michael's prizes are always very exciting. My original comment on your work does not seem to have been published, but a wonderful interpretation on this challenge.

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    1. Thanks, Linda — I do feel very lucky! I removed the Facebook comment form as it seemed to be causing issues for some of my readers so, if you left a comment via the FB form, that will explain why it disappeared, sorry. :)

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