From My Sketchbook: Watercolor Project 1
Lately, I've worked on a couple of watercolor paintings that didn't turn out the way I had hoped. They were okay, but lacked that extra special something I had envisioned for them. One was a complete experiment outside my comfort zone, but still, I hoped. I decided that I might take some pressure off myself by revisiting a painting exercise book. I started going through the exercises a while back and abandoned it for reasons I can no longer remember. I want to complete these abandoned learning exercises (yes, plural because I have SEVERAL abandoned endeavors) and thought I might post them along the way as a way to help me be more accountable for completion this time around. I decided that while some of the exercises are challenging learning tools, I am adding my own additional challenges to push myself. So, having said that, I feel like I've fully disclosed that: (i) these are not my original drawings/paintings/ideas, and (ii) some of these may be "failures" to the eye, but leaning experiences for my progress. The book I'm using for this round of exercises is Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim. It's a great little book with 10 start-to-finish projects. The first project is a Stained Glass Iris that is perfect for beginning watercolor painters. However, I decided to add an additional challenge for myself. I have never used hot press watercolor paper and have a pretty good stash since I mistakenly bought some when I returned to painting after a 25+ year absence. I've read about how hot press paper shows brush stokes, etc. but I'm one of those who has to learn for herself - the hard way sometimes, but then I know because I've done it and seen it for myself. So here's the first project, with my own little built-in challenge of 140# hot press watercolor paper; uneven washes, brush strokes and all:
WCLesson-2
I really enjoy working with colored pencils. I get in a "zone" and lose all track of time while I'm layering on color. As I mentioned on the Links page, I've been SO fortunate to take workshops from Linda Lucas Hardy. She is an extremely talented artist and very good instructor. I recently attended my third workshop with Linda, in which she taught The Colors of White. I thought it might be fun to show the projects from all three workshops I've attended.
Project 10, the last project from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim, is L-O-N-G overdue. It is "Lemons in a Silver Bowl". The lesson is about how to capture diffused light, as well as the textures found in the lemon peel and soft fabric.
I intended to be much more active with Social Media in 2013, but, clearly, I’m off to a dismal start. I also decided to shore up my Color Theory and Composition skills, which has taken on a life of its own. The more I study, the more I want to learn and I’ve been neglecting everything else.
Project Nine from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim is Autumn Leaves. My plan was to get this one posted for Thanksgiving, but I kept thinking I could turn it around and the deadline came and went. I was completely deceived by this one.
Project 8 from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim is Strawberries and Lace. I know you should never say never, but I HOPE I never revisit this little exercise again. This exercise was all about the strong morning light, painting intricate reflective objects, and making the strawberries look like ripe, juicy strawberries.
Project Six from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim is Vegetables on a Cutwork Cloth. I liked the looks of this project just looking through this book and couldn’t wait to paint it. (In fact, I jumped ahead and did it out of order.) The focus of the lesson is to paint the different textured surfaces of the vegetables. I pushed my comfort zone by working really large. This is a full sheet of 300# watercolor paper.
Project 5 from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim is Snuggling Ducklings. This project is a lesson focusing on how to imitate the soft look of feathers and the texture of wood shavings. ‘Nuff said.
Project 4 from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim was all about reflections. I should have made this a little larger to be kinder to my eyes. I had to resort to very small brushes and I felt myself getting more and more tense.
Project 3 from Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim is “Cluster of Berries”. This lesson focuses on how to make the berries look ripe and three dimensional. I might re-visit this one later for more practice.
I’m on Project 2 of the 10 projects in the Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim. The lesson is “Truffle and Notecard” and it’s all about creating illusions.
Lately, I've worked on a couple of watercolor paintings that didn't turn out the way I had hoped. They were okay, but lacked that extra special something I had envisioned for them. One was a complete experiment outside my comfort zone, but still, I hoped. I decided that I might take some pressure off myself by revisiting a painting exercise book.
I have worked on this colored pencil drawing for a while now. These Passion Flowers are such unusual little beauties and I thought it would be a fun challenge to draw one.
Last week I posted about the 15 Minutes-a-Day Creativity Challenge. This was my first, full week with the Challenge. So, you ask, how was my first full week in the "Creative Sandbox"? Pretty good. I think I missed one day this week. But, while I missed one day, I spent well over 15 minutes painting each of the other days of the Challenge, so, I figure it all evens out in the end