One Watercolor A Day

Some time ago a read about the book One Watercolor a Day by Veronica Lawlor on Elaine Magliacane's website. Intrigued, I looked the book up and decided it would be a good addition to my art venture.

You can see Elaine's post about the book here. I don't have time, right know, to do one exercise a day, but I'm trying to work them in when I have time.

Arches 140 lb cold press 7x10

Arches 104 lb rough 10 x 14

Colour & Light

I recently received Jean Haines book How to Paint Colour & Light in Watercolour.  If there is an artist's whose techniques I really want to learn, it is hers.  Her paintings are so loose and have so much life, I really adore them. 

Here is the result of today's practice.

The first two are on cold press paper while the third is on hot press. They actually look better in person, my scanner is getting old and does not scan watercolor very well.

30 Days of Drawing #4 (inspiration and a work in progress)

So, after a few days of Zentangle I decided that I really wanted to pick up my paint brushes and tackle my watercolor practice. 

My sweet brought home a lovely orchid for me and I really want to try to capture it.  

Paints are M Graham and Daniel Smith, Paper is Canson 100 300lb cold-press, rough.

AEDM #7

Reference photo.  If I knew the original source I would site it, but I honestly do not remember.

Practicing technique and playing with color.

 

Renaissance Arts Journal, Arches Textwove paper, M. Graham watercolors

AEDM #2 - #5

This is a quick sketch of the California Rolls that G brought back to me for lunch.  He's not a Sushi fan so that means more for me - YAY! (oh, he brought me Guiness Black Lager, too - so I think that he's a keeper).

 I did this while watching The Tale of Despereaux.  The movie is ok, the book is wonderful.

I picked up some Derwent Sketch Watersoluble Graphite pencils at Micheals, so of course I had to test them out.

More practice working with Jean Haines wonderful DVD, Amazing Ways with Watercolor.

First three done in Renaissance Arts Journal, Arches Textwove paper - last on Strathmore 140# coldpress watercolor paper.

AEDM #1

November is Art Every Day Month.  Click on over to the Creative Every Day website to learn more about it and to join.  Of course, you don't HAVE to join to participate in the fun.

I'll be honest, I probably will not post everyday, but I am going to try to sketch, draw, paint, scribble, write, doodle - something everyday.  I just finished Brenda Swenson's 75 Sketches in 75 Days Challenge and earned my Artistic License, so I don't really want the pressure of a new challenge just yet.

But, I do have lots of stuff to work on... techniques, materials.  The above is the result of watching Jean Haines DVD Amazing Ways with Watercolor.  If only it were as easy as she makes it look.  But, that is what practice is for. 

75 in 75 #66

I am working through Linda Kemp's book watercolor painting outside the lines

I didn't think that this particular attempt was going to work at first and although I would do a few things differently the next time I'm actually pretty pleased with the results

The paper is Arches 140#.  The paints are Graham Cerulean Blue Deep, Azo Green and Daniel Smith Raw Sienna.

Do materials make a difference?

No question!!  YES!!!  with paint the pigments are better and paper holds both water and paint differently

Inexpensive student grade watercolors from Reeves on Canson XL Series 140 lb cold press watercolor paper

M Graham watercolors on Canson XL Series 140 lb cold press watercolor paper

M Graham watercolors on Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor paper

Conclusion - buy absolutely the best materials that you can afford.  Inexpensive papers are okay for learning and trying new techniques, but buy the good stuff to use when you really want to produce quality.

Stay away from the student grade paints for anything except playing and even some student grade paints are been than others, ie W&N Cotman paints are much better that the Reeves paint.

If you are lucky enough to have friends who will provide you will samples of different types of paints, like I did, you can try out several to determine what you like and what works best for you.

Play with watercolor

this started as just play with the color wheel then turned into a blob which evolved into a fish