Mather Abstract Watercolor Class: Painting With Music

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Last week's class was very inspiring in my FREE Mather Abstract watercolor class for Seniors.

Mather Classes for Seniors can be explored HERE.

Ruth showed us several paintings by different artists. Many artists worked to music, Kandinsky, Chagall, etc.

Ruth played samples of instrumental music, this and that for us to paint to. Here are my results. These are quick pieces done to music under 5 or so minutes.

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My palette is a mess....I'm trying to use what is there so I can give it a good clean up and a fresh start.  

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I'm finally doing all my paintings and exercises on REAL Water Color Paper. Strathmore 140# in various types of paper from a sampler pack.  I may buy a few more when the Buy 1 get 1 sale is on at my local craft store. Good paper just takes the paint, the water, and the 'working over' better than the multi-media paper I use from my notebooks.

I'm also more confident from all the techniques I have learned. So, I just simply let myself go with the music prompts

The music was extremely varied....

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Magic Walk, I couldn't find a copy of the music...but it was rhythmic and a bit bee-bop...if that helps. Very bright and fun. Definitely some ethnic vibes, Caribbean, Soul, and Street sounds. I started with the dark yellow and worked outward.

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Clair de Lune.  I waited a bit before I started painting...when the orchestra really starts to swell and almost closing my eyes I started painting.

Below is link to YouTube Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra..

This is a very slow version. Lovely and elegant.

Clair de Lune

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This piece was swoops of thick water tinted lines left to right to this music in the beginning...then each color was a theme section and carefully applied with the notes. Intentional yes, but strokes with the music's movement. Later in the piece when it repeated some element---I worked over the colors. 

 I think this is the piece..

Heart Strings.

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Turned on its side. Most Music is repetitive or with variations upon a 'theme' or series of notes. The key may go higher or lower, the Color of Sounds or (colors changed when I painted during these), with the tempo of the notes also giving you inspiration (quick strokes closer together when they are speedy, wider when slower ). 

I really loved doing these.

I received a stack of classical CD's for Christmas and I think I may go through them and paint an abstract painting every week and see what I end up with. Besides this is totally relaxing and being lost in the process...

Phew!

Thanks to my Mather Senior classes Painting is such a respite in this world of chaos! 

Free Mather Classes for Seniors can be explored HERE.

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Thank you for your cooperation, 
Sandi