Three weeks down, one to go

Here’s my progress with World Watercolor Month:

Day 16: Drawing people is not my strong point, and World Watercolor Month is all about trying new things, so I thought I’d challenge myself. I love Francesco Clemente’s watercolor portraits, and I used those as my inspiration. Still a long way to go…(sigh…). But they were fun to do, and I’ll definitely repeat the exercise.

 

 

Day 17: Everything possible went wrong with this drawing of a starfish – the masking fluid wouldn’t dry, the masking tape ripped the top layer of the paper off… I think it was all due to the heat. However, I still enjoyed  playing with the stencils.

 

 

Day 18: Very busy day, and I got back late, so I only had time to doodle these little blue flowers.

 

 

Day 19: More people drawing practice – this time inspired by a photo I took on my visit to Metsovo.

 

 

 

Day 20: Found time to start my new project, a floral triptych. I’ve been doing studies for this since the spring, when the irises were blooming in the garden. I find it really makes a difference to draw things from life, rather than from a photograph. It’s easier to distill the essence of your subject, rather than just its image.

 

 

 

Day 21: I’m now obsessed with this project , so just carrying on. I’m using Canson Watercolor paper, very thick (640msg). I’ve never used this before, and I find it very interesting. It absorbs the color, and leaves it very vivid. Good for wet-in-wet, but also for a hard edge, although the surface is very rough. The back of the paper is smooth, so maybe I’ll try that next time.

 

 

Day 22: Started on the leaves. I got interesting effects from lifting the paint with a paper towel, although it won’t lift with a rag. Still playing about, not sure what I’ll leave in and what I’ll paint over.

 

 

 

Day 23: This ‘week’ has eight days, since there are another eight to the end of the month. Here’s the next step to my painting.

 

 

I wonder if it’s cheating to post consecutive images of the same drawing? Who knows, and, more importantly, who cares?

27 thoughts on “Three weeks down, one to go”

  2. You have a real gift for painting flowers… Those irises are distilled essence of iris, no excess, nothing that doesn’t contribute. The paper is clearly working well for you, giving those beautiful crisp edges and depth of colour. I love the freesia as well 🙂

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  3. Wonderful to see your progress each day. Your portraits are charming – the eyes so expressive, and the lift is working very well for you. It produces a delicate effect and a lovely range of color. I can’t see any error on the starfish – it’s just the way I saw them as a kid on the shore at Asbury Park every summer.

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  6. Loved looking at your progress. I think you’re brave using watercolours. I’m working on a painting of my grandies sitting on a wharf. Getting that facial likeness is challenging. But at least with acrylics I can paint over what I don’t like and begin again. Not so with watercolours so give yourself a pat on the back.

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  9. What a gorgeous selection of watercolours, so delicate and naturalistic. I love the irises too – one of my goddaughters is called Iris, so these beautiful flowers have a special association for me.

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  12. About the triptych, while it may be that working from nature rather than from a photograph makes it “easier to distill the essence,” it’s still not easy, I’m guessing. (No experience here) All of it seems rather magical to me. The images are different from what I might see, but that’s the point isn’t it. You are making something new that opens my eyes. Rewarding for both of us. All of us. Inspiring too–especially your determination.

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  13. Marina you are a super star at painting all these beautiful flowers. You know already how much I adore your paintings. I love them so much. I haven’t stopped by for a while, I did not forget about you, not at all. But you know what, I am here today because I did something for you.

    I have nominated you for the “ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD.” Please go to mine and follow the steps and do what you need to do next. I wish you all the best and Good Luck with it.

    Have a cheery wonderful Sunday!

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    1. Thank you so much for thinking about me, but I’ve decided not to accept awards, purely for reasons of time. Already I post less than twice a week, which is my goal – and I’m so busy that I hardly have time to look at my mail. So sadly, something has to go… But thanks again, I really appreciate it. 💕🌺

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      1. Thank you Marina. It seems there is something about Award that people refuse. I never was nominated, but I have to search for it and understand it in a better manner. It is good to gain experiences along the way. You have a wonderful weekend!

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