Day 27 - A Rocky Start

While we are nearing the end of the February challenge, I am just beginning my journey in watercolor.  It's actually not been a rocky start at all, the contrary in fact.. but this study was partially about one way of painting rocks in watercolor and that is the title that popped in my head, so, it is...  

This method of painting rocks is a neat trick that involves a credit card and timing, plus the proper amount of paint and water.  But once you know, you know.  And, while this was not the main painting we created during this particular class (it was just a study to practice rocks) it is actually one of my favorites from the class so far.  I love just about everything in it.. how the colors blended, the trees.. the rocks, of course, and the reflections.  The mountains in the background were actually put in in a different class when Mick was teaching us a method of painting distant, snow-covered mountains.  I had painted them and added a wash on the rest of the paper and then put the mountain practice aside.. A few weeks later, when he had us practicing rocks, I pulled out my mountain study and decided to use them as the backdrop for a rocky spit of land.. I'm glad I did!  

"A Rocky Start", watercolor on Arches rough paper, 8"x12", NFS

Day 25 - Eventide

 Today's painting is one I did with the watercolor class I am taking with Mick McAndrews.  I've known that watercolor is one of the more difficult mediums to paint with, and am seeing first hand how challenging it can be.  Some of the more challenging aspects I have found involve letting go..  

Letting go...

...of what I know about painting with oils - because watercolors physically and chemically work different..

...of having control.. because watercolor often does what it wants to, and can have unexpected results

...of what I know about substrates (what you paint on) because paper is COMPLETELY different than board or canvas and the outcome truly depends on the quality of the paper

...and of how pigments work.. because depending on the pigment, it may do things that it never will do as an oil paint..

So, it is a fascinating challenge, learning this medium, and is appealing to the nerdy, scientific side of me.

Titled "Eventide", this image was an exercise about painting boats (more rigging!), creating emphasis and a focal point, how to create that diffused, melty look the setting sun sometimes has, reflections, color mixing, and more that I am not remembering right now.. Lots of fun!

"Eventide", watercolor on Arches rough 140 lb paper, 16"x12", NFS

Day 17 - This Alaskan Life

So, for the past 4 weeks, I have been taking a watercolor class at the Wayne Art center with Mick McAndrews.  I have admired his work for several years after I came upon it at a gallery in West Chester and feel very fortunate to be able to study under such a talented watercolor artist. I love his loose yet realistic style.  This painting was completed during the 2nd class after he demonstrated how to paint distant mountains, the effect of mist and talked at length about values and composition. I am learning so much and, as I normally paint in oils, this has been a new and extremely fascinating experience. One of my secret desires in life is to be multi-lingual.. being able to speak several languages fluently.  While I don't think that will happen within my life time, it is nice to think that I may achieve a modicum of success in more than one medium.  I can hope!

Mick provided the photo reference which he got from a friend of his who lives in Alaska.  Of the many things I have learned, this class taught me that its all about the paper. I painted this scene first on less expensive, lesser quality paper, and I was not able to achieve the effects that Mick was teaching.  I quickly got out the better paper (Arches rough texture, 140 lb cotton rag) and started again. While it does not compare to Mick's painting, I am pleased.  :)

"This Alaskan Life", watercolor, 12"x8", NFS