In this exercise, I chose to paint washes that were opposites on the color wheel. Then I decided what the resulting painting reminded me of. Next I “brought out” the image.
Red Giant with webbing, using red and green.
Sunset over Circle Mountain, with yellow and purple.
Detail drawn in with watercolor pencils and Micron pens. Cold press paper by Winsor and Newton, 4 x 6.
This month I have been participating in an art forum called Sketchbook Revival. For this page of my sketchbook I am following Faith Evans-Sill and her workshop that has us experiment with color and pattern prompted by an image.
I chose to be inspired by a photograph I found in my Rotary Magazine.
For the technique, we are asked to sweep stripes of color across the page, then intersperse shapes and patterns between and among the stripes. I decided to be somewhat more literal in my experiments. I wanted to reproduce the colors and elements that I saw in the photo, especially the trees.
In addition to regular watercolor paint, I worked in some metallic paints to capture some of the shine that’s visible in image. Once everything dried, I made marks with a black micron pen and a few colored pencils.
There were two benefits to the exercise. 1. Splashing the paint around was relaxing and stimulating to my brain. 2. I discovered colors and mixes that were new to me.
If you are interested in Faith Evans-Sill and her class offerings, here is her webpage.
https://www.faithevanssills.com/online-classes
This scene is made up. Last Wednesday at open studio, our group was practicing different skies using watercolor paints. When I finished this “sky,” one of the artists said “Why that looks like a landscape.” Upon close examination, I realized she was right. So I converted three of the “clouds” into stands of trees. By painting yellow on top of sections of the sky I got the land masses between the trees. The white space at the bottom of the painting became a still pond with reflected sky.
I like the big sections of white paper.
Because it is imaginary, I called this a dream painting.
I had an inspiration recently to try painting some converging curved lines that I saw in a photograph. While perusing my supplies, I came across some 8 by 10 boards with paper stretched on top, promoted as suitable for watercolor paints. So I thought I would test them with my current inspiration.
I plan to use staining pigments, starting with quinacridone rose and Thalo blue in the first two blocks. Why pink and blue? I think my brain was lingering on the yarns from my latest knitting project. Cast-on Monday – Summer Style
It took a little work to get the paper wet enough to lay on the wash. But eventually the paper was evenly wet and I laid down the paint using my biggest round brush.
So far so good. At this point, I was happy that the paper/board seemed to be performing well. After allowing the paint to dry overnight, I added two additional colors – gold and violet. This time, I let the colors bleed into the pink and blue, as a way to merge the two together. The work began to remind me of gender roles and society. Why? Again, the pink and blue, and the way the curves leveled out while flowing in a parallel fashion across the paper.
Here is the board immediately after laying down the two additional washes.
And 30 minutes later……
And here after completely dry.
Analysis: I’m not terribly sure what I am trying to say about gender and society. Something about shifting lines, blurring edges and the pressure to conform.
But the experiment on the watercolor board was successful enough to persuade me to try it again.
These are fifteen minute improvisational watercolor sketches that I completed this week. I am following the daily practice book “Watercolor is for Everyone,” by Kateri Ewing.
DREAM FEATHERS
Draw a curved line with a pencil. Using three different colors of your choice, paint each side of the feather with quick, light strokes. When the painting is dry, use a pencil to lightly draw lines along the paint strokes and also on the feather shaft.
THREE COLOR LANDSCAPES. Using three colors of your choice, make a quick landscape from your imagination.
Colors for both landscapes: Winsor Yellow, Burnt Sienna, French Ultramarine Blue. In addition to my Sumi brush, I used a no. 2 round and a rigger brush.
Here is a link to Kateri Ewing’s website.
Daily Fiber 