Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Its ok laugh with me

Ok I am posting this so everyone can see how truly horrible my watercolor attempts are. I am looking at this and you just have to laugh. I think it may be my materials or at least that is what I am telling myself. I am going to keep trying but this does nothing for my confidence. Where is the light, the beautiful glazes? Oh they must be under the mud!

12 comments:

  1. Wow, I think you're being way too harsh on yourself! This is lovely. You may not like the colours but your drawing and use of the paint is really nice in this.

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  2. I don't think it's horrible at all! I think it's quite nice! You've captured the bird very well.

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  3. Really, go a little easier on yourself. I really like it. Is it a hawk or a falcon? Did you work from a photo? Just stand back a bit enjoy your creation. Just about all WC looks rough up close. Another thing to do is put it away for a few days and look at it later. I can almost guarantee you will like it.

    Regards,

    Richard Jordan

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  4. For any beginner (like me) this is an inspiration, something to aspire to!

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  5. This is really quite good! Your sense of value is good, your brushwork is confident and spontaneous, and your colors are very good for your subject! (This isn't really a subject that you would expect to have loads of brilliant colorful light, when you think about it...)
    :-)
    That being said, if you aren't getting the colors you want, you might consider going with a artist grade paint, and certainly go with the tube colors. They can be put into a palette and rewet after they dry, just like pan watercolors in most cases, or used from the tube still wet mixed with water. The other thing to consider is what type of paper you are using and use one that is designed for watercolor. The moleskine watercolor paper is fine for sketching, but it takes a bit more practice to get those sparkling results with it.
    Do be sure to look at any of Kate Johnson's books or CD's that you can find -- she is a great instructor! And don't get discouraged -- again, this is really good!

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  6. This is NOT horrible!! It's lovely....if you want "glazes" you need to let each glaze dry completely before the next one. Good paper and good quality paints really make a difference too...........deni.......;)

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  7. Vicky, get a grip, this may not be the painting that was in your head... but it is the painting now on the paper... and since we can't see the version in your head... this one is very nice indeed.
    Glazes work best if you use transparent paints... opaque paint will create mud if you add it to transparent paint... It is hard to find the designations on paints online (for some reason), but my catalogs from Cheap Joe and Daniel Smith list the designation...Personally I've just about eliminated opaque colors from my palette...
    Finally... hang in there... your painting is lovely... step back and look at it with new eyes... and tell your inner critic to be silent.

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  8. I've given you a blog award, visit my blog to pick it up... your blog and your art inspire me.

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  9. Hi Vickie... right click on the little picture of the award, download it and save it on your computer. I then copy and paste the 'words' to either notepad, or word and modify with your own answers, pick you favorite bloggers and link to them... hope this helps

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  10. Looking over your blog I think you have some great things going and even this watercolor shows some very good paint handling capabilities. It is a great spontanious piece.

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  11. I think the technique and overall is really nice
    of course you can improve, as we can all ;), and will, as we continue practising!

    but those final strokes on the lower part for example are really sweet

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