Should I Paint It?

 

Over the last week, I have been changing things up at my studio…this is a little niche off the main large space that has great light; I use it to meet clients and have my morning coffee.

I was thinking of painting the old Ikea table tomorrow, and applying nail head trim on all 4 aprons. I just don’t have anything in that warm pine colour. What do you think? Would you paint it? If so, black, white, or warm gray?

Look for Six Objects de Vie with Albarosa from the blog Brillante next post :)

 

Best…Michelle

#3 Camping with Tobi - The Video Tutorial

See my guest post on Tobi’s blog; tobifairley.com – follow the video tutorial below, and let’s go camping !!

   

   

Create the Look with these Pieces:

Ralph Lauren: Wing Chair, Picnic Basket, Rattan Chair
Conran: Travel Trunk, Director Chair and Desk
Loll: Red Adorondak
Brent Comber: Stump Tables
Drake: Duffel Bags
Walmart: Lantern
Ikea:Solar Pendant Lamp
Dash and Albert: Rug
John Hanly: Throw
Hermes: Binoculars

Thanks for inviting me to go camping Tobi…for the video tutorial of the tent interior, click below.

#3 Camping with Tobi from Schematic Life on Vimeo.

#2 Greet’s Office – The Video Tutorial

Rendering by Michelle Morelan, 2010

Interior Design by Lefevre Interiors and Greet Lefevre of the Blog Belgian Pearls

For this tutorial, we are working from photo. This office/library designed by Greet Lefevre has deep shadows and fine liner work, because of the panelling, which also requires some lighting and wood graining techniques. Don’t be afraid of dark shadows; they will give your drawing dimension. And be a little looser in applying your colour and pen weights- that’s the charm of a hand drawing.

Also, sometimes a gesture of an object is better than too much detail. Just like Interior Design, you read it as a gestalt, not as individual objects.

#2 Greet's Office from Schematic Life on Vimeo.

You can watch it in full screen mode by clicking the arrows beside vimeo :) It’s recorded in HD, so keep the HD on.

Thanks Greet!!

#1 Yellow and Blue Office – The Video Tutorial

Yellow and Blue Office- Finished Rendering, Michelle Morelan, 2010

Welcome to the first in my video series- #1 Yellow and Blue Office.

Over the last couple of years, there has been interest in me teaching what I do with architectural markers. I’ve always said that anyone can do it, and there are techniques…so here’s the formula that I use typically for un-built spaces. Instead of a computer model, you can also use a photo, replacing and deleting items. I call this the substrate, and it’s the basis for your perspective and rendering. Of course, there are kinds of drawings for ID, from napkin sketches to finished watercolours…

Please bare with me, as this is a learning experience for us, and I had to let some control go just to finish this first video…I knew nothing about the filming process, and it’s more difficult than I thought. 

This video is the demo/prototype version for building the series, and I am excited to share it with you. Please, be nice, it took allot for me to put myself out there, and like many of us, I cringed at the inflection of my voice, or a simple hand gesture. My need to share some of the rendering skills I’ve gained, outweighs the fear.

I’m excited…and thanks to all of you for the emails…let’s see how this goes :)

Best, Michelle

#1 Yellow and Blue Office from Schematic Life on Vimeo.

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Print these PDF renderings from my website to participate in the video tutorial

 

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Materials used in this rendering:

• Light table set up (glass, lamp and heavy books will do). If you don’t have piece of glass, consider the “as is” bin at Ikea for a glass door or small table top for one of their cheap end tables; just make sure it’s long enough. Always use tempered glass with a finished edge!

• Paper: both ledger size plain paper and archival rag paper- Bienfang Graphics 360- 100% rag translucent marker paper (this is like tracing paper, but it doesn’t bleed, is thicker and is able to handle the marker manipulation) these sizes are approximate, and you can work smaller or larger if you like. I have a scanner that scans up to ledger size (11x17). Just ask the clerk for marker paper- archival.
• Drafting tape; it’s less sticky than regular masking tape, but that will do too…just put it on your pants or skin first to get most of the stickiness off.

• Black fine liner pens: Copic Multiliner SP .03, and .05, Staedtler pigment liner .1 (an assorted pack of thicknesses is a better deal)

• Artist pen by Faber-Castell in the B thickness; this is a paint brush type tip- a multipack of greys and a multipack of colour is a better deal, but for this dwg, I used 199 (dark gray), 272 (light gray),174 (green), and 247 (blue). There was a quick use of a thicker 180 (raw umber) for the desk, but I went over it with the darker brown to fix it; still this is a useful thickness and colour, and will be used in future dwgs, so I would recommend it

• Graphic pen 3000 duo tip by Staedtler Mars in 55 (green). These are some of my favourite paint pens, because they pool.

• Tombo ABt paint pen 491 (glass coloured blue); its duo tipped
• Copic Markers in W5 (Warm Gray #5), E49 (Dark Brown), 110 (Special Black), E43 (Dull Ivory)
• Touch Markers CG5 (Cool Gray)
• Prismacolour 96 (Blondwood)
• Letraset Tria Marker in 120T (Medium Yellow)
• A gold roller ball gel type pen
• A dual tipped black Sharpie
• Signo pigment ink in UM-153 White

Gone Campin’

 

Have you been over to visit Tobi Fairley during her Design Summer Camp?  It looks like a great escape…I wish I was there in person  to attend. I’m taking a bit of time off this summer, but it got me thinking about a segment I did for Breakfast Television a couple of years ago. They asked me to talk about outdoor living; I started with the simple idea of a woodpile (I have a thing about woodpiles), and ended with this feeling of a fun campsite, with netting, games, furs, hot chocolate and games…all in the TV studio. The combination of luxury and rustic is one of my favourites.

I’ll be around the campfire :) See you there!

http://tobifairley.com/blog/

Summer Rain- Inspiration to Paint

I love these pieces…”Summer Rain 1 and 2”…by Lanie Loreth. Some of her work is older in style, but these are very lovely. It’s difficult to get a runny consistency with acrylics, but with some of the new mediums, you can do it without creating too much transparency, or losing too much of the chroma. It’s fun to work with acrylic mediums, and if the weather is nice next week, I plan on taking the easel and ipod dock outside.

How are you being creative this summer?

Happy 143rd Birthday Canada!

I was born on the east coast (Glace Bay NS) and grew up on the west coast (Ucluelet BC), crossed the country once in a 1977 Ford Pinto, and once on a train. It’s the country of my mother, her mother, and her mother’s origin. The sea has sustained my family, and the vast wilderness invites you into moments of solitude. Most of us live close to the border, but if you go north in any of the provinces, you will meet down-home people that will take you in, give you a meal and share their lives with you…it’s a country of polar opposites…of style, pride, tolerance and openness. It’s where I love to return, and am happy to call home.

 

Glace Bay, NS

Upper Kennedy Lake, near Ucluelet BC, on the west coast of Vancouver Island

Long Beach, near Tofino BC

Glace Bay, NS

 

Near Louisburg, NS

Louisburg Lighthouse, NS

 

Glace Bay, NS

Glace Bay, NS

The Blowhole at the Black Rock Resort (close to my parents house), Ucluelet BC…this is a calm day…can you imagine during a storm standing on that platform? Sitting in the lounge on a stormy day drinking cappuccino is the ULTIMATE.

Photos by Michelle Morelan

Happy Birthday Canada!!

Six Objects de Vie…Vitania of Verdigris Vie

I have been in blogger lust for a while now with the beautiful blog Verdigris Vie. Turns out Vie is a fellow Canadian designer from Ontario, designing wrought iron pieces for her family business which her father started over 30 years ago.  She’s a mom, a designer, business woman, blogger, and has unmistakeable style… I was not surprised that her daily objects reflect all of those things.

Visit Vie here at her blog, and here at Anvil Wrought Iron.

Thanks for being #2 in my series Vie! I love your 6 objects!

MMID Commission…A Large Family Home

Carol’s family just moved into this beautiful large home in Richmond, and wanted to commemorate the occasion with a rendering. Three generations of her family live in the large home, so it must be a busy place…Congrats Carol!

Rendering by Michelle Morelan, 2010

Six Objects de Vie…Dale Kosowan of HD Inspiration

To satisfy my ongoing curiosity about others, I’m proud to introduce my new series “Six Objects de Vie”…a look at a featured designers favourite daily items. All of my designer/blogger friends are so suave…maybe you will be introduced to a new item you will fall in love with. If you would like to contribute…please contact me…I’m curious about you already :)

I’m starting with a fellow Vancouver Interior Designer; Dale Kosowan is an Associate Interior Designer at MCM Interiors in Vancouver, and I have followed his blog for a couple of years now. If you want to know what is cutting edge and new in the world of Hospitality Design, go over and visit.

Thanks so much for being my first guest designer Dale! Loving your items…I use the same Coach bag for my computer, and I’ll be making a trip to Urban Fare :)

Bergere Love

Rendering and Design by Michelle Morelan, 2010

The lines, the feathers, the piping, just the right ratio of wood to fabric…I love the proportions of the Bergere. Jazz it up with a new linen and wood finish.

Gifted Grecian

A “student” of mine from Greece has been sending me updates on his rendering skills, since discovering my blog, and I have been blown away by his progress! Recently I received this project presentation board which made me giddy with excitement. I’m thrilled to share Anastassis’s progress with you (with his ok). He has used SketchUp to create a basic drawing of the space, producing a measured perspective, then drawn in all of the details by hand. It’s tricky to know how far to go with each, but my opinion is that he has done an amazing job. The shadows, the woven details on the chair, representation and choice of materials…all great :)

Oh to live in that climate!!

I truly believe that hand drawings are more helpful for the designer and the client. They don’t expect later, that he sofa be that exact wood tone, or colour. Computer rendered drawings don’t leave room for that; a client looks at it, and thinks they are getting EXACTLY what they see. With hand renderings, you are able to give a feel for the space, without the expectation to convey every detail.

Just like interior objects, I feel we are going back to things made by hand, and the interface of the computer, in my opinion shouldn’t be used from the beginning of the design process until the end…something is lost. Design and drawing go hand in hand, one cannot happen without the other.

My husband says I need to teach whether people want it or not…it’s true;  this feeds that inner teacher in me…

“Hi Michelle! Would immensely appreciate your opinion about this presentation I'll be making of a patio makeover. I felt brave enough to hand-render the patio proposal, so would like to know what  a rendering master thinks about my humble attempt!...
I'm also sending you the CAD proposal for the interior (living and dining areas). I would immensely appreciate any comments and crit about the design. The client said she would appreciate a harmonious transition from the outside in, so I went a bit Tuscany (baked clay, corn yellow, soft greens etc)
Hope I'm not using up any of your valuable time, if not left with any, just drop me a quick line about the hand rendering!
Thanks a million, a very good morning from (sunny - and bankrupt!) Athens, Greece!
Anastassis”

Other than the sofa needing a bit more depth, I see nothing about this rendering that isn’t amazing! I think your design talents shine through, and hope your client signs off on everything!! Thanks for sending this Anastassis :)

Rendering to Finished Space

Designer Jacquie Cao hired me last year, and has been gracious enough to send me updates…here is the finished kitchen, and the original rendering from floor plan and specs…the lighting is stunning isn’t it? It’s from Remains. There is a great pantry around the corner…you can see it in the video. Beautiful job Jacquie :)

When you see a project in 3D, you can see what you love, and what needs tweaking, before it’s too late. 

For rendering services contact me: www.michellemorelandesign.com

 

Rendering and AVI by Michelle Morelan, 2009

Camera Dump…June 2010

“Three” Acrylic on Canvas, Michelle Morelan, 2010

 

“Upwards 2” , Acrylic on Canvas, Michelle Morelan, 2010, my new Adler vase, and urchin box from Heather Ross in House (Vancouver). The mixed media piece is yet un-named, but one of my favourites, on heavy watercolour paper with a beautiful torn edge. It was created with a discarded mail envelope, paper towel covered in ink from the garbage can, salt, a heavy texturing medium, red printers ink and a red sharpie…yes! red sharpie…mixed media for sure!

Easter Dinner in the Studio this year

Sun seeker Mythretites King of Pontas…taking a nap on my bed when I wasn’t looking.

My boys Jes and Evan heading out to a friends graduation, and Carson in the back…they are Fall Fair Car.

A few weeks back, getting the deck and plants ready for the season. I like the way my deck is greying.

A corner of my office, and new 18’ draperies at a clients’

The light fantastic!