I’ve had a hard time keeping up this week. Whoosh! That’s the sound of the days flying by. I’m in a stellar group who are also posting late at night.
From the bottom: Day six was the WIP for day 7, the yellow Palo Verde tree. That is an 8 x 8 inches. Day 8. Saguaro in the sun, 8 x 8. I had fun with this one.
Day 9. Thumb Butte. Gouache on Meeden pure cotton Watercolor Paper 140 lb. 5 x 7 in.
Day 10, 5 x 7 in. Succulent Garden. Prickly Pear, Cholla (forks), Ric Rac, Agave. Gouache & mixed media. I created the spines digitally. The spines on the Cholla are actually small stars. The agave was made digitally and the sun is something I have used before. Here I added some smudging to soften the details.
Day 11. Mingus Mountain. Gouache, 5 x 7 in. It was a cloudy gray day. I added a little color. A gouache fact. Light colors dry darker, darks dry lighter. It will take time and practice to know better what the results will be. For example, the front range here is much darker than I intended.
Day 12. Pine Trees. Gouache, mixed media 5 x 7 in. I had limited time, but I managed to get this out earlier in the day. (Not at Midnight. LOL) 😂 I painted the blended background on the Meeden block. I then painted ten practice trees. They were all horrible. In the tutorial I watched, she used a filbert brush. I only have two really old, small filberts. My tree looks nothing like her perfect sample. I am surprised and pleased with how mine turned out. The slightly separating brush, gave me tiny details that mimic pine needles. Fun! (Visit my Instagram profile to see better.)
I painted one tree, on a blank paper. I didn’t want to ruin the background. And I was trying to save time. In Photoshop I duplicated the tree, and flipped it horizontally. I then erased select areas to create a different silhouette.
I ordered a new palette. The long one. It fits my space perfectly. I thought I wouldn’t need the others as much. But I use them all. 😆 I continue to be amazed at how far the paint goes. If there is a unified look to the pieces, it is from using the leftovers.
Thanks so much for clicking, reading and viewing my gouache practice!
So nice to have your company!
Happy, awesome weekend to you!
Beautiful set, Sheila!
Thank you, Chandra. Your pages are such a delight each day. xoxo 🙂
Thank you back… 😀
I think it is very brave of you to try an new medium for the gathering. It is obvious that I missed seeing one of these on FB so I will have to go find it. So much for you to do as our leader – thank you!!!
Thank you, Val. 🙂 Try my album method. 🙂 I’ve been going back each day, as there are a few who are catching up, & posting for previous days.
Have fun creating today! You are rocking it this month! xoxo 🙂
Sheila! Wow! So impressed with your keeping up with the demands of having something to post each day.
Day 7: I’m wondering if I’ve ever seen a Palo Verde tree—certainly not knowingly : ) Thank you for the introduction through your gouache explorations. I love the textural depth you created in the yellow foliage.
Day 8: Saguaro in the sun creates two very strong impressions. First, radiant heat. The warmth is palpable. Second, a posse coming into a wild west town aiming to take care of business, hahaha!
Day 9: Thumb Butte is a visual playground of color, texture, vertical/horizontal/diagonal elements, and value contrast. My eyes are having a field day exploring!
Day 10: I’m very taken with the composition and graphic feel of your succulent garden, Sheila. Love the variety of shapes, the warm/cool contrasts, the balance between simple bold shapes and tiny delicate details. Your adept use of digital magic continues to fascinate.
Day 11: I like the way you added a touch of color to this Mingus portrayal without completely moving away from the day’s being “cloudy gray.” Thanks for the mini-lessons re gouache. I’ve used a bit o gouache a few times, sometimes without even knowing I was doing so (had several watercolor pans and one gouache pan open simultaeously) and certainly without taking any new factual data away at the time! The way you’ve created light and shadow on Mingus is outstanding.
Day 12: Thanks for sharing process details about your pine trees. I admire your practicing on plain paper and your ability to use digital know-how to your advantage. Well done!
Your photo of palettes makes me realize I might do well to invest in one or two now that I am playing with watercolor and occasional gouache. Most recently I used the lid from a yogurt container : )
Happy Valentine’s Day and happy ongoing painting!
😆 I have plenty of plastic lids, and bowls, you name it, Dotty. But I have to admit, I am sort of a white ceramic hoarder. LOL.
I have small sauce dishes (restaurant supply house) and tiny bowls. I always check the dish section in stores, to see if they have anything that might work as a palette. LOL.
So glad you enjoyed the week’s worth! Thank you so much for sharing your details observations. I had so much fun reading them! xoxo
The saguaro is a favorite. Have a super week, Dotty! Happy creating to you!
Nice work. I am glad you are enjoying the learning process. You must be pleased
Thank you, Christine. I am, each day I find a new nugget of information.
I am really enjoying the work you are doing this month!
Many new favorites! 🙂