Day 8 And Revisions

Day 8, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 8, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

For day 8, a Saguaro. Sentinel and symbol of the southwest. They grow taller than many trees, up to 40 feet. They are strictly protected in Arizona.

About a year ago I purchased a pad of inexpensive paper to use for watercolor. I knew it was not good quality, but I thought it would be good for practice. I also used it with acrylics, and it worked pretty well.

I really fell in love with the texture, and I used the whole pad. I have been trying to find more since then. Haha. Thought I did, and I bought two pads when they were 50% off. This paper is slightly different. The texture before was straight horizontal lines. Now it looks like there are two patterns, one straight, and one sort of wavy. Here’s an example of what I remember.

Turquoise Dream. 6 x 6 mixed media on paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado
Turquoise Dream. 6 x 6 mixed media on paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado

Maybe this paper is the same. I had fun working on today’s piece. It started loose and fast. I worked really wet, puddles, and the paper held up, not warped. This is Hobby Lobby’s Master’s Touch brand. 140 lb., premium watercolor pad. I also have a pad of their regular watercolor paper, I’ll try that next. The textures are different.

Day 8 WIP
Day 8 close-up
Day 8 close-up

I revisited two previous works. For the aloe, I used a digital edit. The original is still intact. I like both versions, but I do think the drips competed for attention. I also shortened the small dark leaf. For me, the edit wins.

Day 7 revised, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 7 revised, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 7, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 7, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

I had so much fun with the Paddle Plant. Three cheers for Arches paper, and its ability to take a good scrubbing. I left some of the Indigo, I was afraid to get to close, and ruin a leaf. It acts as a shadow, and I really like that. I do see one area, above the right, top leaf, where I could go back in and soften a little more.

I LOVE the way this turned out. I love the hints of dark beneath. The softness of the wash. It was a fairly thick wash, but it looks translucent. LOVE this!

Day 4, new background, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 4, new background, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

Below is what was left after I scrubbed the indigo off. I also used some Winsor & Newton Turquoise in areas, and the variation in the stain is interesting. I LOVE this one as well! Crazy right? The neutrals really allow the other colors to pop. It makes me think of a tablecloth in shadow, low light.

Day 4 color removed, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 4 color removed, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 4, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 4, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

The original has my loyalty as well. I love the dark. And the almost abstract shapes. I really appreciate everyone’s comments in the group. Thank you!

If you never change your mind,
why have one?
Edward de Bono

Every time I’ve made a radical change
it’s helped me feel buoyant as an artist.
David Bowie

6 thoughts on “Day 8 And Revisions

  1. Val van der Poel

    Wow – you have been a busy girl!. I like the finished cactus piece. When I saw your WIP on that one all I could think about was the Gumby cartoon character but the finished piece fixed that impression. – lol

    Reply
  2. dotty seiter

    Sheila, those day 8 hills! Love ’em. Also love the day 8 close-up composition. Great playing with various edits. So captivating to get to see all the behind-the-scenes process stuff. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Whew, thanks Dotty for the vote of confidence. 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Thank YOU for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply

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