A Week Of Practice & Relearning
Day one left me painfully aware that getting back to painting, was not going to be easy. I haven’t touched a brush since our February gathering. My first piece was meant to be a loose and sketchy coneflower. Small, 3 x 5. I painted it five times. Still, it is not loose, or sketchy. My pen lines all but disappeared. I did finally manage to get some decent blends.
Feeling frustrated, I decided to do some abstracts. Hoping again for organic, free flowing shapes and colors. One led to another, and soon I had a series of three. These are all 6 x 6, mixed media. Watercolor, paper, acrylic and Inktense pencils. The paper is lacy, mulberry paper.
After watching a video by Kristin Van Leuven, The Easiest Way To Paint Watercolor Trees. I was excited to try her process. It looked like fun. HA! For this out of practice watercolorist, it was very challenging. Days 5-7 are all watercolor on paper.
It all comes down to timing, and the amount of water on the paper. Basically you have a blob of color at the top, the trees. And a blob of color on the bottom, the land. You connect the two with tree trunks. If the colors are still wet, the colors will blend in the trunks.
I plan on doing more of these. It is fun, as well as a great learning practice. And I still haven’t got it quite right. I completely filled the space. Big huge blobs for sure. A stand of trees.
I want to work at varying the tree shapes, lacing them out. Create softer colors, washy tones, loose and organic. So there you have it. I suppose that is my theme for this month. What I struggle with the most. What I attempt, year after year. To loosen up, and stop trying to control the watercolor.
Here are some close ups.
See you in the next weekly round up!
Enjoy the last weeks of summer!
Dear Sheila, I feel your frustration with this. But you still managed to create some beautiful and charming work. Your trees came out lovely!
You are the most inspiring example! Thank you for doing the Gathering year after year. It has motivated me many times to squeeze in a round of studio time even when I feel I have to focus on some other, seemingly more important things.
You are the best, dear friend! ❤️
Thanks so much, Christiane. Very kind of you. 🙂 I expected it would be difficult to get in the flow again.
But I am having fun as well. I am so excited that you have been able to join in this month.
Your unique view of the world is so refreshing and intriguing! xoxo
I see and feel autumn in all your paintings. They are beautiful! So glad you are painting again. I’ve missed you. It feels a little like coming home… <3
Aww, thanks for that, Karin. So nice to hear. Xoxo. I’m glad to be painting again. 🙂
For some reason those colors are speaking to me right now. More on the way. LOL ;O)
Sheila, what a terrific week of painting you’ve got under your belt already! Brava!
Day 1: coneflower! Such a familiar shape and characteristic drape of petals. The plant’s listing to the left along with the ‘confetti’ of the splatter work together to create a hint of whimsicality. Very appealing to my eye. And I like how it’s grounded by your signature : )
Days 2, 3, and 4: mixed media! abstract! You met your goal of looseness beautifully here with scribbles, asymmetries, and delightful imprecisions, all held together with quiet structural elements. This little series is bright and carefree.
Days 5, 6, and 7: ooooohhh! This series is absolutely scrumptious! If it weren’t past my bedtime right now I’d be getting out my paints to take this concept for a spin. Kristin Van Leuven’s approach and your renderings are very inviting. I will no doubt be challenged, as you felt yourself to be, but it looks like just the kind of challenge I like. I appreciated your discussion of the challenges and what you hope to accomplish as you continue to practice. That’s the essence of what pulls us to keep creating, methinks.
Tally ho, Sheila! On to week 2!
Yes, Dotty. 🙂 Time flies when you are having fun, or facing a challenge. LOL. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your observations with me. WOWzers! They will propel me confidently into the coming week!
I am so glad you saw whimsy, delight & scrumptiousness. Traits I always admire in your work! Tally ho! 🙂
Wow – and i thought I have been uncreative this year – you have me beat by a mile. I am finding that this September I have very little interest in doing any kind of art – getting too old and cranky I guess. Maybe the next few weeks will inspire me.
Haha! I am surprised, Val. You always seem to be in the middle of something. 🙂
I think that is why I am struggling. I have my mind on other things as well. Including
two big, ongoing projects I would like to finally finish. And I am hoping to
by the end of the year. But I need to find a way to sneak in some painting as well.
I realize how much I have missed it. 🙂