Working through some logistical problems, I'm now calling this attempt at my rhododendron bud for this month's Virtual Sketch Date complete.
I started off with a pencil drawing on Arches 140lb paper, then added the base values for the flower. I covered the flower with masking fluid and did a watercolour pour for the background. It didn't go exactly as planned but isn't bad.
When I removed the masking fluid, it roughened the paper in spots, making it difficult to add detail to the flower. I tried more layers then thought I'd add some pen and ink to it. Of course then I couldn't find my Rapidograph and started in a dark blue ink Micron pen. This morning I finally found my pen and added some more touches to the piece tonight.
Am I happy with it? Not completely, but isn't that the way with all pieces we create? There are elements in this which work better than others and I think I may use this reference again with a different medium and see what happens.
13 comments:
Jeanette, even though this is very loose for you, it is still very distinctively yours. And I love how you've described the process...and honestly, I felt the same about mine...
Jeanette, it looks great to me. Watercolor is a mystery and you made this look beautiful.
Jeanette,I like this water wash it glows with light. I love the colors too, it has a touch of delicacy.
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog.
I love the light too, Jeanette. Your watercolour pour is lovely. I've never tried that. I do relate to the frustration of masking fluid damaging the paper surface. I stopped using it except for the smallest details.
With the arrival of spring I'm getting the itch to paint in watercolour again too.
Lovely; you really captured the papery feel of the buds. And I love how you handled the few leaves etc. that you included.
I think this is lovely. I like your color choices and the loose wash combined with the ink.
Sometimes loose just works. Often when I haven't planning things well! :)
Jo, watercolour does have a mind of its own very frequently.
Thank you Victoria.
Robyn, thanks. I've never had a problem with masking fluid marring the paper before. Perhaps this was not a great sheet of arches.
Oooh yes, get out there and do some watercolours. You're so good at them.
Thanks Laura. I was of two minds to include leaves or not, then the pour took over :). Perhaps the next version will have leaves.
Ann, thank you. Its fun to see what can be created through loose lines and washes.
I love this! Pours never go the way you plan them...ever. It's the lack of control that makes them exciting, IMO. I really like the addition of the ink. That says 'Jeanette' to me.:)
The colours give me shivers of pleasure in this work. A beautiful thoughtful study.
And thanks again for the photo reference this month.
Mary Jane
It's cool to see how it came from the PartI to here.
Too bad about the masking fluid, but I do love the added pen.
Great colours!
I really like the loose feeling of this :) very subdued colours that compliment each other well.
Congratulations!
Watercolor is a such a difficult technique, and you have performed a nice work here!
Watercolor often seems to have a mind of its own. Every now and then I'll come across a piece of watercolor paper that just doesn't act like the rest. I'm never quite sure if it's a piece from bad sheet of Arches or a piece from an entirely different brand.
Anyway I still think this is a nice piece.
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