WATERCOLOR BATIK - TULIP

Of my recent watercolor batiks, this one is my favorite.  I'm very happy with the vibrancy of the colors and the shading I achieved.
w/c 1/4 sheet size
Tulip, Watercolor batik

WATERCOLOR BATIK - SHAKER VILLAGE HOUSE

I think this watercolor batik looks very much as it looked inside my head!!!  (LOL)
I'm happy with the shadows on the side of the house.  The grass could use some work, but overall it looks OK to me.
w/c 1/4 sheet size
Shaker Village House, Watercolor batik

WATERCOLOR BATIK - CORN

A few weeks ago I did some watercolor batiks again.  I don't do it too often since it's a messy process - but it is fun. 
Even though you have planned it out, you never really know what you have until the wax is off and you see it clearly for the first time.  A friend says it's like opening a Christmas package - and discovering what's inside!
This is w/c 1/4 sheet size.
Indian Corn (watercolor batik)

BATIK FLAG - Part 2

The red stripes have been waxed and the blue background (French ultramarine and indanthrone) has been painted in. I liked the area where the red had bled into the background – happy accident! I think it made more unity in the painting.

As you can see, I use a styrofoam plate for my palette when working in this technique.

After the blue dried, I applied the wax to any portion of the painting that was uncovered. After all of the wax was dry I crumpled the painting so that the wax broke apart. You might want to do this step holding your painting directly over a wastebasket!

Rather than using Sumi-E ink as some artists do, I mix up a dark, or black, with my watercolor paints. For this particular piece I used Maimeri Terra D ‘Ombra (burnt umber), Winsor Newton raw umber and Rembrandt Brun Van Dyck (Van Dyke brown), each mixed with some Daniel Smith Indanthrone.

Then I take an old brush and “smoosh” that dark paint into the cracks in the wax. And, did I mention it’s messy? You can see the wax floating in the water. (See why I say use OLD BRUSHES!)

After applying the dark or black paint, I lay tissues over the painting to mop up any extra paint that lays on top of the wax. (It makes me think of “101 Dalmations”!)

Here is the finished piece.

I adhered the painting to my canvas and turned 3 sides under. I then tore the last side to make it look like the flag was old and tattered. I sprayed several coats of Krylon matte over the flag.
This was just an idea I came up with, and the person who purchased the piece can certainly turn under that right side and frame it in a standard frame, or leave it as is – blowing in the wind!

Now – I’ll make you play the game – how does this painting incorporate the theme of seven???

The Veteran, 12x20, watercolor batik on rice paper (SOLD)

BATIK FLAG - Part 1

This painting got quite a bit of attention at our GCWS spring show, and quite a few people asked me “how’d you do that”!! This is what prompted my recent batik workshops.

Here’s a “how to” for you, in case you missed my recent batik workshop (hint, hint!!). If you live in the area and are interested in learning how to master this technique, give me a holler via email! I’ll be giving another workshop either later in the fall or next spring.

Here is my flag drawn out on white paper (upper right), the photo I’m working from and my rice paper with the flag drawn onto it.

My first step was to put a light wash of raw sienna all over to “dumb down” the white of the flag. You must be careful with the paper while it is wet, it tears easily. I had the painting laid out on freezer paper and set it aside to dry.

After the raw sienna layer had dried I put in the flag shadows, both light and dark areas, and let it dry. It’s hard to control the paint on the rice paper, it tends to bleed quite a bit, so I tried to use thicker pigment in some areas.

Here is my set up:
I lay down foil so that any hot wax drips will not harm my table cover. My wax heats up in a small electric skillet. Problem is, you cannot maintain a steady heat in the skillet – it keeps cycling – heating up and then cooling slightly, just enough to make the wax begin to solidify before it re-melts and it’s annoying! (I’m going to try to locate some wax heaters). I use Gulf wax which can be found in the canning section of the grocery. Just be careful not to let it get too hot or it will catch on fire.
I use an assortment of old brushes to apply the hot wax.

I’m ready to begin applying the wax and since I don’t want to drip it all over my painting, I have covered most of the flag with copy paper.

The stars and white stripes have been waxed.

The red paint has been applied, and as you can see, it ran a little into the blue field. As I mentioned, it’s hard to control the paint on the rice paper. (I think I used permanent rose, alizarin crimson and cadmium red).
I also use old brushes when doing the batik painting since I don’t want any wax to accidentally get into my good brushes or paint or onto my palette – a lesson learned the hard way!!

FINAL BATIK WORKSHOP and GIVEAWAY!

I got snowed under last week by a nasty cold, but revived just enough to give my final batik workshop. Posted here are their final works (see, I remembered the camera again!)

Here are Missy's masterpieces!

Here are Barb's:

And here is Sharon's:

I also want you all to know that I’m checking out your blogs - I enjoy seeing the new works, reading the stories, etc. - even if I’m not commenting on each one. Don’t think I’m rude, but I am finding myself pressed for time more and more and something’s got to give – so it’s the commenting! (but not the reading!).

And with that, just so you won’t give up on me, how about a giveaway – of an original Deb Ward painting (ooooohh, aaaaaaah I can year you all saying!!!!) This may be a small batik (or maybe not???), you will just have to be surprised!

RULES FOR THE GIVEAWAY:
1 - You must leave a comment on my blog – don’t worry – I have the comment moderation active so if you don’t want the world to see it, just me, that’s fine; just mention that in the comment and I won’t post it.

2 - Each comment you leave will equal 1 chance to win – (so vote early and vote often – ha, ha). I will pick a winner on September 1 by putting slips with your name in a “hat” and drawing the winner (i.e. if you leave 5 comments on my blog between now and then, there will be 5 slips with your name that could be potential winners!)

Good luck!

BATIK WORKSHOP - 2nd WEEK

The second batik workshop was this past weekend and I did remember my camera! I even remembered to take a few photos!

Here are some of the ladies diligently working on their masterpieces.

I set up in my living room for painting, and we had just enough room.

Here they are waxing in the dining room. Drying took place in the laundry room and ironing in the kitchen!

It's a process, that's for sure!

Here are some of the paintings in progress below. The bird's nest is taken from a magazine photo and Diane added the branches. (These are all for both educational and personal use, so that is not a problem).
Below is Teresa's sunflower.
Here is Diane's bird's nest - it makes me think I'm in the tree looking down at it!

Here is Pam's lily.

I forgot to get photos of all of the paintings before they left for the day, but overall I think they all were happy with their completed paintings - they left with smiles on their faces!

BATIK WORKSHOP

I spent part of last week cleaning the house in preparation for my first weekend workshop (ever!) in watercolor batik, and spent some time setting up all of the tables, chairs and supplies while my husband and son “spiffed up” the outside!

Anyway, Saturday morning I calmed my fears – after all, I’m the one teaching this, in my own home, what do I have to be nervous about??? (Other than – will they get lost, will they like me, will they learn anything, will they think I’m a bad teacher, etc. – you may be seeing some of my insecurities here!)

My worries proved to be unfounded. They didn’t get lost, I think they liked me and they learned something! And thankfully it was “do as I say and not as I do” because my painting was horrible on Saturday, although I redeemed myself a bit on Sunday!

But, like the dunce I am – I forgot to take a single photo! Next week I will, tho (at least I think I will remember, maybe???)

To see information about this weekend's workshop - check out Rhonda Carpenter's blog. Rhonda attended the workshop and was smart enough to bring (and use!) a camera (unlike me, the teacher - DUH). Rhonda took photos of her work in progress that you may be interested in seeing.

ART IN THE COUNTRY WORKSHOPS

Throughout the year I will be offering affordable weekend workshops - beginning with Watercolor Batik! (Since so many people commented on the painting I had in the GCWS show, I decided to give a workshop on that technique first).
You can request a registration form via email (see the sidebar).
I'm located just west of Cincinnati, OH in beautiful southeastern Indiana - an easy, uncomplicated drive via the local interstates - just a few minutes and 4 right turns from I-74 .
Come, bring a friend, learn a new technique and have a great time!
Hope to see you soon!