This week I explored a different approach to watercolor landscapes. I had a breakthrough, and will be practicing this more. The artist starts on wet paper and thinks of the whole piece. I often start mine on dry paper, and work one area at a time.
There were a couple of florals. Honestly, I couldn’t think of what to paint so I used my default. Again I was trying for a loose and sketchy looks. They fell short, but I am happy with both of them. 😉
A series of patterned abstracts brings me to mid-month and closes out the week on a bright note. I have included some close ups, the details are sometimes lost in low resolution images. I am working on 6 x 6 paper, the coneflower is 4 x 6.
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.
I didn’t stay too far from my usual subjects. Florals dominated the month. I did experiment with a few new techniques in watercolor and collage. I learned a lot. That is always fun.
One of the reasons I enjoy digital collage, is that I am always learning new techniques. I want to do something, make it look a certain way. And often times, I have to figure out just how to do it. Haha.
My favorites are the ones I had the most fun with. Some of you have already shared your favorite pieces with me. It is always interesting to know what others find appealing.
I count my September as a successful one. I picked up a brush, after many months of not painting. My desk is a mess, and I have ideas in mind for new work. I am looking forward to that. And also to the February 2025 session of the Gathering.
I will be adding some of these to my Society6 shop next week. I will let you know when they are available. I appreciate your interest in purchasing my art. Color me excited!
Thanks again friends, I really appreciate hearing from you. Your support means a lot to me. God Bless!
