The holiday spirit is just about gone from the household and I thought it time that I start to get my brushes wet again. I'm still in the experimenting mode and came across an artist I'd not heard of before whilst watching art videos on TV. The artist was called Jean Haines and she has an interesting way of working with water and pigment. So I decided to have a go at her techniques. I discovered a picture of hers that is some castle on a hilltop and decided to use it as the basis of the piece although I selected some shapes from my sketch book that relate to Durham and used them as the structure of the drawing.
The basic technique is one of using lots of water, letting the pigment flow and then introducing lots of colour variation to create interest and a base for viewer interpretation. I'm not sure that the whole approach is for me but there is a lot of fun to be had from working the paint like this. I'm sure that I'll remember a lot about the way the colour flows from this little exercise.
Durham - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"I post the next picture purely as an indication of the preparatory work that goes into some of the pieces that I produce. As regular readers know my friend, Peter Ward, and I challenge each other on a monthly basis with a photograph and then we both post our interpretation on our respective blogs.
This is a preliminary watercolour sketch that I made the other day to explore some aspects of the current challenge. I was interested in ways of depicting shadow and the compositional relationship of the elements. I have others that explore value relationships. In the next week I'll review the material and make the final image.
December/ January Challenge Study - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"
December/ January Challenge Study - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"
7 comments:
I was wondering where you were Mick! Just about to e-mail to enquire. I've been experimenting although not quite so far out as your example. I know about Jean Haines - have been in contact with her and have her book - an interesting artist. Like several others at the moment she is exploring the colourful limits (if there are any) of watercolour). See also Ann Blockley's latest book `Experimental Flowers in Watercolour' (just loaned from library)and had her other current book `Watercolour Textures' as a (requested) Xmas present. It's all happening at Ward's residence and I've done four (eek) versions of the challenge!!!
First wanted to say to Peter..... that he seems on a roll at the moment! It is fun to explore new ways of working in watercolour, Mick, isn't it.
Peter - Every time you comment you cost me money in book purchases. I've also been playing about with the challenge. Hopefully complete something this week.
Maggie - Thanks for your inspiration in experimenting, it's given me the boost required to try out new approaches.
Hi Mick, Happy New Year! good to see you have the paints out, it is always interesting to see what you are doing with the artwork. I think you will find the experiments very worthwhile. Bonny works and thanks for sharing.
Caroline - Happy New Year to you too. It's also lovely to hear from people who know what the word 'bonny' means. Appreciate your interest as always.
I love your watercolors. I love how the color is fresh and rich. The washes are beautiful and excellent. Beautiful and lovely work.
Post a Comment