FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Almost finished.  I will reassess shadows and decide where I need more darks.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Beginning the apples, and some of the reflected colors on the strainer.  Obviously some work done on the lace.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Following the grapes . . . 

. . . then the lemon.

The painting after several layers on grapes and lemon.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Gotta start somewhere, so how about beginning with grapes . . . 

Layering (glazing)  up gradually.

Welcome to the New Year! - WIP - Fruit on steamer basket

Finally getting back onto the blog.  Have not painted as much in 2017 - but will try to do better in 2018!

Here is a the beginning painting of fruit on my steamer basket; lots of patterning which I love.

Traced out and ready to start.

First thing, as usual, wet the paper and splash in some red, yellow and blue.  I’m using 300# Arches.

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After removing the miskit and scrubbing in a few spots, I think the painting is finished.

Fiesta, 22x30, Watercolor, Arches 300# CP

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Remember that teal blue bowl in the center of the page from the prior post?  Note that it is now cobalt blue.  Since I wasn't sure, when starting, what color that bowl should be, I began with a light glaze of the cobalt teal, ensuring that I could easily change colors if necessary.  

This was an easy fix - some are harder - but you CAN make changes in watercolor, contrary to what you have probably been told!

There are several glazes of color on the dinnerware.  I deepened some of the shadows on the dinnerware and then it was time for the shadows on the background.

The shadows were added, making sure that I used just a touch of the color of each saucer and cup in the shadow.  Then I "lived with it" for a while before deciding if it was finished.

There are still some small bits of miskit on the painting at this point - something which I had forgotten about.  Having been on for so long, some of the miskit was difficult to pull off - to be honest, some may still be on there!  In a few spots I used an Xacto knife to cut off the miskit.

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My next project was started during my annual art retreat back in June.  The subject is fiestaware (at least I think that's what it is) and the photo was taken during a visit to the local antique mall/outdoor show that occurs from May - October at the local antique fair.  The simple arrangement and colors are what attracted me - so I decided early on that there will be no background.

The dinnerware was drawn onto a full sheet of Arches 300# w/c paper and then I began glazing the colors.  

The first photo was taken after the painting was underway - apparently, once again, I forgot to take photos as I went along!  Well, this time who can blame me - it was, after all, our annual art retreat so there was talking, laughter, show and tell, gift giving, eating and - oh yes - a little painting, too!  In other words, I was too busy to "work"!

I began glazing the colors and you will note that the small bowl in the center, below the tan bowl, is cobalt teal.  Remember this . . . .

 I couldn't decide what color to make that front cup and saucer, but finally opted for cobalt blue and french ultramarine.

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Shadows were added, more definition between bricks and darks inside chair backs.

The greens of the grasses and leaves started.  The chair shadows have also been darkened.

Some definition to the background foliage has begun.

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Next comes a series of layers.  It is very important to let the painting dry completely between washes.

Next I began to show the bricks with quick swipes of color.

Then more definition of the bricks and beginning to add the shadows and grass areas.

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After the drawing was finished I did pour red/yellow/blue onto the paper and let it run together.

Then I began painting around the chairs - negative painting - with an under coat the color of the bricks.

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Several  years ago I took some photos of wrought iron patio chairs at a local herb farm.  

Originally I thought I would pour this photo, but after looking it over again I decided direct painting was the way to go!

I printed out the photo in line work and enlarged it.  Even so, there is still a lot of drawing in that needs to take place before painting can begin.

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A friend who paints with me regularly was making fun of my very slow progress on these leaves . . . until . . .  she began a painting of a cactus.

Ah ha - - - she found out that, even though you set out to work in one area, you notice something that bothers you in another area, so you go over there to paint, then you realize you didn't paint the area  you thought you should paint, so you go back there, until you realize another area on the other side of the painting needs help . . . . well, you get the idea!

And, sometimes, you see a spot that needs "help", you get paint on your brush - and then find yourself sitting with your brush mid-air, having no idea where you are supposed to put the paint that is on your brush!!!

It's not as cut and dried as it looks!!!  Haha.

I think it may be done - or else I'm just done looking at it!

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Gradually  more color is added to show placement of the leaves - above and below each other.

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Moving slowly around the painting, I'm gradually adding color to the leaves.

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This painting is from a photo taken a few years ago out my living room window.  The sun was hitting the branches of the oak tree, making them glow.  Not sure I will be able to capture that completely, but here goes!

First I traced the photo (I know, cheating . . . ) but - then it took me several hours to carefully compare the photo to the tracing, adding and erasing lines as necessary, until I had all of the leaves.

Then I added the blue sky and greens of possible leaves in the background.

And, by the way, the paper used here is a print paper, not technically a watercolor paper.  It has the properties of hot press w/c paper, and is acid free.  Sometimes I like to use different papers, just to try them out.

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This car is out of the garage and ready for the open road - finally!

I'm satisfied with it, although it is not my best work.  It conveys the reflections I was going for, so I accomplished my goal.

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My friend gave me a good critique, and, as you can see, I have darkened the hood, part of the grill and bumper.

Almost there . . . . .

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I applied some blue tape around the headlight so I could easily add washes across the hood.  I used blue rather than artist's tape since I knew I could form it more easily on the curves, and it would release more easily and not tear the paper.

The grill has been painted in.  I find painting all of those little areas very "zen"-like.

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Working on the headlight was FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Gradually building the darks on the fender.

Beginning wash on the hood.