The Sansevieria Series: II

In this version, I used watercolour and a medium called aquapasto, made by Winsor & Newton.
When used in conjunction with watercolour, it increases the viscosity of the wash - and the resultant effect is like painting with oils.

For someone who can't use oils, this is a fabulous medium.

Sans II

Paint and play, stretch and learn!

I showed my husband the jam tarts when he returned from work yesterday and he said, "hmm. ok. not up to your usual standard. Have you posted that?"

To which the answer was yes, as you know. This is a journey after all.
You will see a variation of works from me - I am no longer plugged in to the "must create a masterpiece each time"

That's a good thing that came out of my C&G Creative Watercolour course. The fact we learned to take paint and play with it and by doing so we stretched our imaginations and we learned.

Sometimes you learn things that you love and adopt, sometimes you learn that certain styles are to be admired, but they're not for you to paint.

So for me, every time I pick up a brush, learning is my main object. Masterpieces, when they happen, are a delightful outcome :)

Here's another I painted yesterday, dedicated to a friend Wyna, who is on this painting journey too - and happy to go her own way, as I am :)
Watercolour and aquapasto medium, Arches 140 Rough, 11" x 8"

Wild as Wyna

Through thick and thin

I've been busy with the aquapasto again!

Two smaller paintings, both 11 x7 . Arches 140 Rough.

Trying out the two ends of the medium - applying it very thickly and then very thinly on the second.
First painting up is the thick aquapasto

Raw Perry

and the second is the thinly applied aquapasto

The Sea Dog

As always, I appreciate your comments and observations and critiques. 

I've enjoyed using the aquapasto, stretching its limits. I have found I can't blend it too well. But then it is for impasto work, so I will enjoy it for what it can do. 

I am going to return now to watercolour, pure and simple. I'm missing some aspects, like the fizzing of the colours on paper.  There'll be some of each in my future - I love them both!  Take care and enjoy the week xx

Almost Home

I'm still having fun with this aquapasto medium. I want to push it and watercolour to its limits.
That way I will know what it is capable of and how best to utilise it.

So for this painting, the method employed was sweeping impressionistic brush strokes and leaving them visible. As the yellow flower was bright, I wanted this to feel dark and moody.

Painted on Arches aquarelle rough paper, 140 lb and size - 15 x 11

Almost Home

and here is the same painting on the easel 

I'd be very interested to hear your views, suggestions and questions . 

My next painting with this medium will see me trying to blend the strokes in the manner of the oil painting masters.. so that no stroke is visible. That should be interesting too! 

I would also love to know if any of my artist friends here are going to give this medium a try - or whether its not your cup of tea?

And now... for something completely different!

Good morning, friends!

I have subtitled my blog as a journey... and today's post is all about a learning part of this journey.

Here's the flower painting close up

and here it is on the easel at a distance of about four-five feet away.

Looks quite dramatic for a watercolour, doesn't it?
That's because some of this - Winsor and Newton Aquapasto - has been added to the wash before the paint hit the paper.

This was given to me by my art tutor, Steve Cook last Wednesday, as he thought I was "on the brink of creativity" :)
I have had great fun playing with it - it turns your watercolour washes into a buttery consistency, like oils. I took this painting back to the art class this week and Steve thought it had great impact, and did indeed look like an oil.

I love it!
I painted the picture vertically and I was standing! Made a lovely change from sitting down to work - and helped me free up immensely. It also made a difference in being able to stand back and assess the picture. Not something I do enough when I'm sitting!

I can see me using this a great deal. I don't think my workbox will ever be without it. :)
Next for me to try is a moody sky over a lake in Scotland.. watch this space!