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, December 17, 2011

ORIENTAL PAINTING

Lately I am pulled toward Oriental-looking subjects.

While walking through our local Joann’s fabric store, I saw some material that made me think about Nick Simmons, since the material contained geisha faces and some oriental symbols. That got me to thinking about creating a painting utilizing the faces from the fabric and incorporating some of Nick’s trademark techniques.

This seemed a simple enough undertaking, so I began a plan for a ½ sheet painting, nothing elaborate.

But, as soon as I got home and began looking at the geisha faces, ideas began pouring into my brain. As I began incorporating more information into the painting, I realized this could actually turn into a cool painting, but would definitely need to be larger - so after I had incorporated all of my ideas (or so I thought!) I took it to Staples and had it enlarged to fit a full sheet of w/c paper. Then I lived with the ideas for a few days but came up with more ideas, which necessitated several changes to the drawing. Again, I lived with it a few days.

Finally, I traced the drawing again onto some Cheap Joe’s tracing paper, had another copy made and then, finally, I began painting with fluid acrylics.

I’ll go through all of the process in the next several posts.


The idea taken from the fabric faces led to an online search for kanji symbols which led to an online search for geisha makeup and Japanese kimonos and fans. The fabric patterns in the kimonos were derived from silk fabric which I already had. The background design is from a book of oriental designs which I have had for a long time. The idea for the border came from a Judy Morris painting I saw last year in the traveling AWS show.

7 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Wait! And you didn't show me any of this stuff yesterday??? I would have drooled all over the stuff, I guess, and ruined it! ha ha I can't wait to see this one come together :)

Gaylynn said...

Looking forward to watching this painting bloom.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting process to arrive at a creative composition. Can't wait for your next posts......

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Awesome. Gorgeous colours and incredible inspiration that grew and grew.

jyothisethu said...

expecting more and more...
go on...

debwardart said...

Rhonda, we were talking too much, I guess!
Thanks Gaylynn, Joan and Joy.
Thanks Maggie, glad you are all enjoying the process.

Christiane Kingsley said...

Deb, this is fascinating! I can't wait to see more!