Watercolor Work in Progress and AB supplies

I've begun the water lily painting and am determined to take it slowly so that I let every layer dry completely before "messing" with what I've done so far. I have two very big problems when it comes to watercolor - one is that I tend to overwork my paint when I apply it and the other is that I frequently begin to add to a painting before the previous layer is dry. Both of these cause unattractive paintings.


So far on the work in progress, I made a very watery mix of yellow using an American Journey watercolor stick that I received as a gift in a Cheap Joe's workshop that I took two summers ago. Do you think it took me long enough to try this lovely thing? The color is Bumblebee Yellow.

Then I added just a teeny bit of Daniel Smith Quinacridone Coral to the mix and added that (I did remember to let the first layer dry completely.

I let that dry overnight and then this morning I applied Pebeo masking fluid on the stamens to keep them very light until I've gotten the darker oranges on the lily petals.

The white spots are caused by the sun shining through the closed blinds.

I am also working on an altered book with Elizabeth at Altered Book Lover and I spent some time looking through closets and wallpaper books for supplies. I must say I've found some wonderful things already and I've barely scratched the surface of all my stored junk supplies.

Here is just some of the pages in the wallpaper book that apply to my theme and a lovely paper napkin with a beautiful pear on it.

You'll notice there aren't just fruits in this selection, but vegetables as well. I was planning on a theme about fruits and was going to call this book Nuts about Fruit. Instead I think I am going to make it about eating foods that don't need a label to tell you what they are. I haven't chosen a title, but am thinking about something like Natural Selection or Eat Real or You Are What You Eat. I don't know yet - do you have any catchy titles that relate to this theme?

I have this entire day to myself and am quite excited by that. I will fit some time in to walk the treadmill and then hope to get the outside cover and inside front cover decorated in my altered book and then hope to cut a niche in the back. Once those are done, I will begin to think about pages. I've found so many supplies that I haven't used in a long time - in particular alcohol inks and Caran d'Ache Neocolors.

I am also hoping to begin to add color to the tiger lily watercolor. I am hoping to work loosely and naturally without overworking - no promises, but this is all about learning and growing. I am feeling like my muse is looking over my shoulder and offering some support.

Right now, I am going to go make myself some scrambled eggs with veggies to get this day started.

I hope you are doing well and that you can make some time for yourself and your creativity.

xoxo

Fruit, Tea Cups and Altered Book

The hubster and I headed into town yesterday - we went to our son's house to pick up some tools (including a 5/16 drill bit he needed) and then were heading to our daughter's to put the latch on the new storm door. But just as we were leaving our son's house the rain began and soon was a solid curtain of liquid that made it difficult to see to drive. So we detoured - we went to Lowe's so I could pick up a piece of plexiglass for my work table and then went to Michael's so I could pick up some clothespins and some fake fruit for my workshop this Wednesday.


I love how the plexiglass fits my work table and swear my work area has never been so orderly. I think my muse approved also.

I am working on an altered book. That is Daniel Smith watercolor ground on the cover.

While watching the Tigers/Red Wings yesterday after we got home, I set up my plastic fruit in the living room and did a quick sketch - later I added some pastel to it. They are much messier than I expected. They are some of the art supplies I acquired at an estate sale last year.

The night before when I was cutting text and pictures out of Family Circle magazines my neighbor had given me, I found a lovely photo of half a dozen teacups arranged in a tower arrangement and decided to try my hand at sketching those as well. I then added some color to those with oil pastels acquired at the same estate sale.

So fun, but messy as well. Next time I think I will add the oil pastels with a wet brush.

And finally, last evening I transferred my Tiger Lily sketch to watercolor paper and hope to begin the watercolor process some time this afternoon.

I tried to keep the sketch lines light so I won't have to try to erase them later.

I have my exercise class at 9:30, then have to go into town to pick up a prescription from the doctor's office. Then I will stop at my daughter's for a cup of coffee and a visit. I am picking Miss P up after school to take her for a bite to eat and to help me grocery shop while her little sis, Miss M, is at ballet class. What do you know? Another busy day.....

I hope you are busy and happy and that you are getting some time to be creative - and whoever has been giving my muse shelter and feeding her, thank you. But more importantly, thank you for sending her home.

xoxo

Practice and Pears

I am participating in a 4" x 6" swap with the WatercolourPencilBuddies Yahoo! group for the month of April and have been playing with ideas. One of them was to use dark paper and my Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils to sketch a couple of tulip tree blossoms, but now I am leaning toward pears, or maybe tulips, or maybe a robin..... I believe the theme is Spring and as you can see, I am having a really hard time narrowing down my choices.


Here is a little, quick attempt at tulip tree blossoms that I put together this morning. This is a 4 x 5 piece of dark card stock.

And here is the same piece with just a bit of blending with a tissue.

I'm not sure which one I like better, but I am pretty pleased with this 15 minute try.

I am still enamored with pears since taking the Pear-ology class with Martha Lever, and as a matter of fact I have a still life class with the Jackson Civic Art Association on Wednesday. We are encouraged to bring some pieces to arrange with a clip-on lamp for illumination and shadows. I've been playing with the arrangement of some pears I purchased yesterday.

I love how the texture shows up in this one.

I used a watercolor filter in Photoshop on this one.

I used the posterize adjustment layer in Photoshop on this one.

I used a flash on this one.

I've already done my treadmill workout this morning but haven't eaten yet. The entire time I was arranging these pears, my stomach was growling like crazy. I am thinking I might be wise to go to Michael's later today and get some artificial fruit to use in my still life class and eat these. Yum!

I am hoping to find lots of time to play in my art room today and am wishing you that same opportunity.

xoxo

Pen Sketches

Yesterday I spent a little time picking up a bit in my workroom. It had gotten completely out of control. Once I had my work area cleaned up, I decided to sketch my pitcher of brushes and my wide goat hair brush.

And then I decided to change the wallpaper on my computer. I've had a close up of Miss Z for quite awhile now and wanted a change. I found a photo from last summer of a tiger lily. When it is on my computer as background it is just the right size for me to sketch it without my glasses on. That makes it somewhat of a blind drawing, but not quite. Here is what I captured.

Today is my daughter's birthday. I can't believe she is 32 already and I am so happy that we are such good friends. I must say that during the teen years I was afraid we would be forever estranged. She has become a wonderful Mom, a great employee (she has worked at the same retail store since she was 16), and a good and productive citizen. Of course, I am not the least bit biased, you know.....

I have a full day planned and Miss Z is arriving mid to late afternoon to spend the night, so I'd best get this show on the road.

Thank you so much for your continued support. I really have to give you a great deal of credit for my personal growth as an artist because you are the ones who keep me practicing.

xoxo

Busy, busy day and some Art

My daughter called me last evening and asked if I could be at her house around 7:30 to get Miss 9 to school. My daughter had to open the store this morning. When I got to her house it was to find that Miss 9 had sprained her foot at school yesterday, so I brought her home with me. When we got here, the Menard's truck was here with our energy-efficient refrigerator.


I have my exercise class at 9:30, but wanted to share some art with you before I go.


I had Miss Z and her big sister Miss K overnight on Monday and through the day yesterday. Miss K spent some time in the art room making wonderful things. She did a few blind contours.

And when she saw my heron, she decided to use the bird book to do her own bird sketch. She used my watercolor pencils. She chose not to add water.

Meanwhile, from listening to comments on my blog yesterday (thanks, Maer) , I decided to add a bit of background to the heron.

And tried my hand at a couple more pears.

I'm really enjoying the pears, Martha. If anyone is interested the Pear-ology class is awesome.

Gotta go get myself around and get my girl some breakfast and then get to my exercise class. I sure hope you have a great day and I look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you are up to.

xoxo