30/30 January Challenge #10

My last painting was inspired by a suggestion from a blogging friend and today's was suggested by a Goggle+ friend. At this rate, I won't have to do any thinking for myself - lol.

#988 - Flower Bells in Blue - 5 x 7 watercolour

Diane suggested that a dark blue edge around the black and white flowers would look interesting. I admit that I got a bit carried away and maybe added too much blue but I don't mind the effect I achieved. I also decided to go with a rectangular mat this time as I find the ovals harder to cut but, again, I don't mind the look.

Have a look at the work of the many artists who are playing along with this challenge - Leslie's 30/30 page while I go and plan what I will paint tomorrow.

30/30 January Challenge #9

After I posted my first Black and White piece, the Oriental Poppy (challenge #5), Nelvia commented that she could see the poppy filled in with red. So, I decided, 'Why not?'

#987 - Poppies in Red - 5 x 7 watercolour

I didn't want to have the same picture so I checked my files for some different views of poppies.

Once the drawing was done, I added the dark paint which I make by mixing Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, then I added the colour.

Base colour

The cool thing about painting this way, if you have the tones right the first time adding the colour is a piece of cake. Of course, I had to cut a new mat as the others where all used on the black and white paintings.

Pop over to Leslie's 30/30 page to see what the other artists have been doing in this challenge and tune in here for tomorrow's instalment.

30/30 January Challenge #8

For today's instalment, I have done another painting in Black and White to go with the black and white mats

#986 - Lilies - 5 x 7 watercolour

I guess I did a little too much brightening on this as the mat isn't showing very well. Also, I had a really dark reference photo for this so I ended up guessing at some of the details but I think it turned out okay.

I have managed to get a few extra paintings done so I plan to use some time today to start my bedding plants - just the thought of the flowers to come makes me happy!

Now, I am going to post this to Leslie's 30/30 page and go and play in the dirt!

30/30 January Challenge #7

When you are working for some time with the same technique it is easy to get a rhythm going and to pick it up quickly again when you have to stop for a while (to cook dinner for instance).

#985 - Two Tulips - 5 x 7 watercolour

For this piece I used a painting that I did a few years ago as a reference. Of course, no two paintings are ever the same because I always change things; the angle of a flower or the number and shape of the leaves.

I was asked on Facebook if it is harder to paint in black and white than in colour. My response was that in one way it is easier because the colour doesn't distract you but you have to look for the sometimes subtle tonal changes.

Around 1,000 artists have joined this 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Although not all of them post their work on Leslie's 30/30 page , it is always interesting to pop over and see what those that do post, create.

30/30 January Challenge #6

I was up early this morning so I could finish today's painting before we went off hunting and gathering (shopping) for the day.

#984 - Iris - 5 x 7 watercolour

Another monochrome to go with the B & W mats that I have. This is from a photo I took in a friend's garden so I don't know the name of the iris. I had a look on-line and only saw one that was similar - a Japanese Iris, so maybe that is what this is called.

A day shopping always tuckers me out so, once this is posted, I will spend the evening in slothful ease.

Make sure you check out some of the artists on Leslie's 30/30 page

30/30 January Challenge #5

I just never know where my art will take me. The other day, while searching for a mat for 'Train Coming', I found some precut mats that I scored from a frame shop that was going out of business. I decided I might as well use them during this challenge but they didn't fit with anything I had planned to paint, so I had to come up with some different ideas.

#983 - Oriental Poppy 5 x 7 watercolour

I think that flowers work well in an oval mat and the extra black line rectangle helps make it all pop. I had planned to do this in ink with nib and brush but I found that the only inks I have are blue and brown and they don't work well with a black and white mat. So, I mixed a black with my watercolours and it worked much the same way.

I have three more of these mats so guess what I will be doing for the next few days.

I'll get this posted on Leslie's 30/30 page and then I have to get ready for a new student who is coming this afternoon.

30/30 January Challenge - Post #2

I enjoyed doing today's painting!

#979 - Weathered - 5 x 7 watercolour

I have had the reference photo for this for a few years; don't know where I got it but, as I didn't 'copy', it doesn't matter. I started with a piece of watercolour paper that had a grey paint streak and did the whole thing free-hand. I have painted wood lots of times but never peeling paint and am quite pleased with how this turned out.

Now that I am in the mood, I might just go and work on a painting for tomorrow.

Don't forget to check out some of the other paintings at Leslie's 30/30 Challenge

Summer of Color #2

The second week of the Summer of Color got off to a much better start - I got the color choice on Monday so I had lots of time to plan. Here is what I came up with:

The Protector

Sticking with the fantasy theme, I decided on a Unicorn. The painting is a 7 x 10 unframed watercolor with acrylic ink.

The colors for this week were 2 pinks and an orange. After looking at other people's work from last week and a few from this week, I judged that it was permitted to use ink and that it wouldn't be classed in the color selection. Many people use stamps, words and sometimes drawings, so I thought it would be OK to draw a scene in ink.

I had my sketch done quite quickly but spent a few days deciding on an ink color. Some of the inks I used where not water-proof and the effects when I added the watercolor paint are interesting.

Solitary Fir

On Mountain Slopes

I did four examples  - little 5 x 7 sketches - and it is a good thing that only two turned out to be worth framing because I painted on both sides of the paper. I should know better as you never know when something is going to turn out; even if you are just playing. Here are the reverse paintings:

This last piece helped me decide to use the blue ink. If I had used the brown ink it would have been more in keeping with the colors I was supposed to use, as diluted it was very orangy but I liked the contrast the blue provided.

I can't wait to see what next week brings - On With the Challenge!