Category Archives: Watercolor

Layers

 

Bright Vase re-do. 5 x 5 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

Bright Vase re-do. 5 x 5 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

 

This was built a layer at a time. I used stencils, pattern sheets, and thought more about how I applied the paint. I spent a good chunk of time, enjoyed the process and I am happy with the result.

I have been so inspired by texture, and the many ways artists have found to create it. This might look very much like other paintings I have done. I might be fooling myself. But it feels different to me.

I really love the table. I forced myself to scrub into and remove some of the indigo. Sacrilege to this indigo lover. The lavender spots on top were not visible until they dried. I thought, “O.K., that was a fail, but no one will see it.” They appeared a minute later like magic.

The original painting is below. I didn’t notice until I saw it on the monitor, my arrangement was top-heavy. So I Photoshopped some of that weight off. (Yeah, you’re right, I made that side to straight up and down.)

Bright Vase. 5 x 5 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

Bright Vase. 5 x 5 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

 

Click on image for more.

Click on image for more.

 

 

 

Liberate Your Art 2017

 

LYA 2017 envelope. watercolor. SMD

LYA 2017 envelope. watercolor. SMD

It’s LYA time again. I always look forward to Kat Sloma’s postcard exchange. This will be the seventh year I have taken part. You can find out more and see the cards I sent out in earlier swaps by clicking on the link in the sidebar. There are also links to Kat’s showcase videos if you need a jolt of artistic inspiration.

This year I took a regular manilla envelope added a layer of gesso, and then watercolor. A quick bit of fun. The envelope is sort of a gift for Kat. For all the hard work she puts in to the event. She posts some of them on her blog, so we can all see the fabulous artwork. I don’t remember who started it, but now it is  a swap tradition. Postcards are ordered and on the way.  Can’t wait to see them!

 

 

Click on image for more.

Click on image for more.

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

 

 

Morning fog at Mingus. SMD 2017

Morning fog at Mingus. SMD 2017

Both of these photos are from Monday. Good day. Inspirational views.

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days,
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as they gaze…

Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset!
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears…

Fiddler on the Roof

Mingus is blushing. SMD 2017

Mingus is blushing. SMD 2017

Cloudscape bookmark. SMD 2017

Cloudscape bookmark. SMD 2017

Postcards. SMD 2017

Postcards. SMD 2017

Recently worked on postcards for friends. Sending my brand of sunshine, and prayers for quick and pain-free recovery. Made mini bookmarks too. With a positive affirmation. A little prayer my Mom has always said. I don’t know where it comes from to be honest.

 

I am surrounded by the white light of love & protection,
and the blue light of health & healing.

I painted them on my new/old paint boards that my friend Mark cut for me. I saved the back of my Arches watercolor block. It was a large one, so he was able to get four 6 x 6 and three 4 x 4 pieces. Thank you Mark!

Recycled paint boards.

Recycled paint boards.

I have to credit Sandy Sandy with the idea. One of the cool tips she gave us in her FUNdamentals of Alcohol Ink E-Course. Thank you Sandy!  I always save the back of pads of paper, so much you can use them for. But the Arches is so thick, I wasn’t able to cut it myself.

I will finish sanding the edges to smooth them. Mostly because I am a neat freak, but also to prevent paper cuts. My collection of paint boards now includes a 12 x 12 balsa wood, a 10 x 10 balsa wood, and these. And I recycled to boot! Wooo Whooo!

I thought about laminating one side of the board. I would be able to wipe off any spillage. But I think having the absorbent paper will work better.

Hope your Valentines day was memorable! Want a unique idea for next year? The town I grew up in has a long-standing tradition, Loveland Colorado. Their Valentine re-mailing program makes for a fun surprise.