Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI - WATERCOLOR/WATER MEDIA - My passion is teaching adult “beginners”. Weekly classes in my home; workshops; classes for Cincinnati Recreation Commission. My work is nationally recognized and published - see “Featured” on my sidebar. I’m a Signature Member of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana state Watercolor Societies, Cincinnati Art Club, past-President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. Contact info below under “Class Information”

Saturday, August 20, 2011

FARMALL - FINAL

When the painting was basically complete, I took off the miskit (on the letters and numbers) and then added deeper shadows throughout the painting to unify all of the shadow areas.

I then added some white highlights. Yep – I did use white! I even used black! As I’ve noted before, I do use black and white in acrylics, but still do not use them in watercolor!

Then the background – what to do??? I had some pale blue in from my initial colors but didn’t want that, so I decided on a gray-ish blue. I also decided that could be watercolor, so I looked through my grays/blues that I had and decided on lunar blue (Daniel Smith). However that didn’t work out so well! It got all “thick and thin” due to waviness of the paper. I then put the painting in the laundry tub and lightly washed it off. I have to say, I think it’s the first time I have ever done that! Then I decided to try it again, but using a more controlled wash and larger brush. Last, I took a light wash of “dirty water” and swished it over some of the letters in Farmall to slightly knock them back and added a touch of quin. burnt orange.

I achieved my purpose, painting R E D! When I asked for critique on this one I got “it’s very red” from my favorite critique-ers! And they were right!

I’m not unhappy with this one!

By the way, I began this painting in APRIL! Yikes – speed kills!!!
FARMALL, fluid acrylic on Arches 300# CP, 22x30

9 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

So awesome, Deb. I actually saw one of these tractors on my way to work last week and I knew exactly what it was and remembered your wonderful painting. :)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Nor should you be unhappy with this one! Its wonderful. So bursting with colour and detail. Love the background saga.Its all worked magnificently.... and its very very red!

Gaylynn said...

Began in April and finished 4 months later....LOL I do that all the time! Deb, you should like this one for all the technical parts taht you drew and painted. I see an amazing old tractor that I want to take a closer look.

debwardart said...

Carol, how funny that you thought of me after seeing the tractor - thanks!
Joan, glad you like it and it IS RED! Blazing red!!
Gaylynn, slow and steady wins the race (what race? there's a race? where's the race?) LOL Hope the hands are completely healed.

Vicki Greene said...

So now you are keeping company with the rest of us turtles - lol. The painting is amazing!

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Love it!!! It is red and wonderful! Just terrific:)

debwardart said...

Vicki - we need to form a "turtle club" then! Saw an actual box turtle onn the road today - coincidence???
Carrie - High compliment from an amazing painter! Thank you.

Kim Vanlandingham said...

It's amazing Deb!!

debwardart said...

Thanks Kimberly!