My new Shirley Trevena DVD (Breaking the Rules of Watercolour) talks about mark-making and just making marks on a good sheet of paper and playing with your rhythm and style. So that's what I did on this small (1/4 sheet) piece of Arches. Used graphite, watercolor, oil pastel, candle (for a resist, which Shirley uses a lot), a combing tool and even a squeegee to clean windows (that was cut down to half size so not too big to work on a small sheet). I can't remember everything I used; I just picked up everything handy. There's a certain freedom doing this type of thing and using whatever is handy.
I didn't plan the 2 people in there - they just showed up. That's the fun thing about no plan, just playing; you never know who will show up :) There may even be a crow or two in there - if I look for them :)
I also brought out my new sumi-e ink set and brushes and started making marks on newsprint (the book suggests you start with newsprint because you won't make anything elegant for a while - and they were right about that!).
The brushes in this kit are very small (about 5 inches in length) so it's a bit hard to get used to that - perhaps I'd have more freedom with a larger brush but I'll work with these for a while longer until I can at least get a nice, delicate leaf (which is much harder to get right than you'd think).
I've begun another exercise/lesson in the Ewa Karpinska book, too. So I guess I told my muse that she could stay away but I was still going to work :) Sometimes that's what you have to do and also, try not to get too attached to anything (one of my goals for this year) - it's just paper and pigment and water.
I didn't plan the 2 people in there - they just showed up. That's the fun thing about no plan, just playing; you never know who will show up :) There may even be a crow or two in there - if I look for them :)
I also brought out my new sumi-e ink set and brushes and started making marks on newsprint (the book suggests you start with newsprint because you won't make anything elegant for a while - and they were right about that!).
The brushes in this kit are very small (about 5 inches in length) so it's a bit hard to get used to that - perhaps I'd have more freedom with a larger brush but I'll work with these for a while longer until I can at least get a nice, delicate leaf (which is much harder to get right than you'd think).
I've begun another exercise/lesson in the Ewa Karpinska book, too. So I guess I told my muse that she could stay away but I was still going to work :) Sometimes that's what you have to do and also, try not to get too attached to anything (one of my goals for this year) - it's just paper and pigment and water.
10 comments:
I'm taking a page from your book and I bought myself a few watercolor books and one about sketching pets. Time for some lessons of my own I think!
ST's DVD is so nice, isn't it? I love her quiet voice, and think she is an inspiration throughout. She uses plenty of water, but it is very controlled colour in an abstract kind of way.....
Boy! I sure know what you mean about getting attached to our works. Love your play day; it looks quite successful and quite full of fun!
Like this Rhonda. It reminds me of reflections caught in a curved reflective surface. Fun, fun.
You are really in a mood to experiment! How much fun. I like your mark-making exercise: great colors! I have tried to do such things but always find myself too self-conscious to really let go.
I was thinking of buying the Trevena DVD too--I love her books!
Carol, I try to get one book a year and do exercises and follow along - something I really want to learn; it helps to have a guide but still incorporate everything into your own style and painting personality.
Maggie, yes, she does have a lovely voice although I had a problem at first getting past just staring at her hair! ha ha Very artsy but...a bit distracting?
Sherry, we get so attached to everything - our artwork, even our shoes! ha ha
Thanks, Ann.
Laura, when I can't think of anything to paint and want to paint but don't have a goal, it's fun to just play a bit until something clicks again. The brush painting is harder than it looks - I guess it's a matter of releasing my grip on the brush (and on everything else I hold too tightly in my life!). You just reminded me that I think I have one of her books, too, and will have to find it!
great marks..i can see a fish rhonda ...sumi-e ink set lucky you enjoy !
Thanks, Jane - yes the swirl of a fish is there :)
Fun play! I find it liberating and somewhat scary to hold the sumi brush at the very end. Newsprint.... a very good idea :)
Pam, thanks - you can hold it close to the end or in the middle or at the brush end - but holding it between thumb and forefinger with second finger supporting and in an upright position feels really strange - it will take some time to get the feel of this with these little brushes (I used to have larger sumi brushes but seem to have gotten rid of them).
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