Wings

For Illustration Friday - Wings

Holding hands

A lovely idea, but somehow I made it look like there are two black and blue fingers. Oops!
Watercolor on Strathmore Bristol smooth paper.

Chandon - Special Edition!

I love the design on this bottle!

Also tryin out an old pad of Strathmore Bristol smooth paper.

Gee!

Really!  That's what is on my new license plates! How fun is that?

Eclectic art

Here's an eclectic group of recent sketches I've done!  

They look like they were each completed by a different person - 

multiple artists personalities maybe?

Tim Flanagan for JKPP
(See more info here:  [http://www.flickr.com/groups/portraitparty/discuss/72157629395859003/])

My favorite place to curl up with a book and some hot chocolate

A Gryphon, for Illustration Friday - Myth

A close-up of this creature.

Watercolor workshop - day 4!

I can't believe what a fun and great learning experience this week has been! Sadly, only one more day to go.
Today we had a model (Carla) to paint. Charles had his usual painterly, vivid and creative result. We students tried our hand at capturing her this afternoon. Not quite the same. Apparently we all had trouble seeing her as she actually was and finding the lights and darks. I was pretty happy with my attempts! But - after holding a photo of her next to my painting, it became clearer what I was doing wrong. So - I learned something new today, and hopefully I will use that knowledge tomorrow. Oh wait, have I mentioned I'm not the best student?
Hehe. No, seriously, I will try to do better!

The instructor's painting

My effort

Watercolor workshop - day 3

We worked from old photographs yesterday. The first image is Charles' demo, the second is my attempt. I like his face, but not happy with the clothing. Charles liked the clothing, but thought the face could use more color. *sigh* He is right!

Watercolor workshop - Day 2

Yay for day 2!  It went much more smoothly than day 1!  Here is Charles' morning still life demo:

(Note the blue pot in the lower right.)

And here is my practice version of the colors in the blue pot: 

(Hmm, still not following direction very well.)

But, I practiced and practiced, and here are 2 of my 3 works for the day.  Far from perfect, but not too shabby!  Now I can really look forward to day 3, phew!

  

Watercolor workshop - Day 1

Yesterday was day 1 of my watercolor workshop with Charles Reid.  In the morning, he demonstrated how he paints, what he starts with, and how he selects colors, all the things that go into making his work just lovely.

In the afternoon, it was our turn to try a still life, and let me say this one below was actually my FOURTH attempt at getting even close to pure, rich color!  So many things were wrong - my back hurt a bit from the 4 hour drive the previous day, I'm not used to behaving in a classroom situation (heehee), and I couldn't relax and paint like I normally do because I was trying too hard to paint like him!
And, the flyer said to bring colors you are comfortable with.  It did not mention that Charles himself would be attempting to use your palette to show you what you are doing wrong!
So, let's just say my palette didn't pass muster, as it was too discombobulated for him to use!
(No cerulean, I thought pthalo would work!! Wrong!  I think he's bringing me a palette of his to use today!)

At the end of the day, I decided to practice the same still life in my room, with my ink and unprofessional palette and came up with this:

Eh, not so good.  I'd better stick out the rest of the week.  No, seriously, it was a great day, and I am looking forward to day 2!

Wish me luck!