Showing posts with label Watercolor each day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Watercolor each day. Show all posts

Monday, July 1, 2019

World Watercolor Month Day 1:Primary Palette

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In my last post I wrote about #WatercolorMonth and my reasons for joining in. 

My rules are simple---ONE piece of paper ---NO-DO OVERS--intend to follow the prompt, but be open to SERENDIPITY, and HAVE FUN!

Day 1 prompt is Primary Palette, meaning red, yellow and blue. From my OLD stash I chose Grumbacher Academy Thalo Red, WinsorNewton's Artists Lemon Yellow, and WinsorNewton's Artists Cobalt Blue. These are the closest to pure color wheel colors I have. 


oldnewgreenredo

I put a dab of each color in my palette cups. The yellow gushed out some sort of liquid that was thick and gooey. The tube had settled and all the pigment was in the bottom half. The other two tubes were fine and had never been opened. I had to use a pliers. 

PERSONAL GOAL: on this prompt is to let the paints mix on the paper--and keep a pure palette.

oldnewgreenredo

My brushes are in feeble condition at best---OLD craft brushes I have used with the Grand for craft paint. The red handled ones are from a mixed set purchased for kid crafting. The flower handled brushes are OLD quality craft painting synthetic brushes. A foam brush is great for putting water on the paper.

oldnewgreenredo

After taping my paper down on my board, I did some sweeping brush strokes with the foam brush full of water, followed by dabs and sweeps of the pure colors. Immediately the color starts to spread and puddle as the paper swells. 

Sky, sunlight and maybe some flowers?



oldnewgreenredo

An overhead fan helped to keep my paint drying quick. Hoping to get some sort of 'green-ish' tones to occur, I layered strokes and dabbed on top of each other with blues and yellows. One brush produced the little 'ferret feet' when I dry brush and daubed paint on.  

I then spritzed areas with the water mister.
This is when SERENDIPITY kicks in.

oldnewgreenredo

Since I'm using sketchbook paper, it stretched very quickly into hills and valleys. I tipped the board trying to control...HAHAHAHA... the flowing of the colors. 
Fun part about watercolor is NOT controlling it! 
Go with the flow.


oldnewgreenredo

If you are compelled to control--wicking off excess water or color is easily done with q-tips or paper toweling for larger areas. Even another dry brush will remove paint from specific areas.

oldnewgreenredo


I Love how the colors do their own thing----! 

oldnewgreenredo

I walked away for a bit and this is what the blue bits did on their own, I then added red bits with the stubbly brush, aiming for flower centers.

oldnewgreenredo

These are flower impressions...again water spritzing blends this out more.

oldnewgreenredo

More daubing and shading with stronger colors on lower levels of the imaginary leaves and flowers. This is more coaxing than painting.  Finally I added some controlled brush strokes with the smallest brush, suddenly a container appeared and I went with that instead of a garden. 

oldnewgreenredo

Working in suggestions of leaves, vines, petals, flower centers. 
I stepped back---before it started to muddy up. 
Even with a limited palette be careful not to overwork your colors when a painting is wet.

oldnewgreenredo

GOAL: Here's my palette at the end, I succeeded in not mixing colors in the palette--the yellow/red to the right was basically an accident of sticking a brush in the wrong place. These paints will be useable again with water added. 



oldnewgreenredo

"Primary Colors"  Sandra Magle  #WatercolorMonth Day 1

There are bits here I really love, and some parts are ugh, but the important thing is I spent an hour and a half, not thinking about the heat, my knee, or politics. 
Sigh.......!
What are you doing for your soul, today! 

Disclaimer: Any products I am using are not a recommendation, but only for reference for the reader's use. I am in no way affiliated with any of the companies or products, or have I received compensation or products. 

 I'll post my painting projects in a post, on Pinterest, Flickr and Facebook with the hashtag
 #WorldWatercolorMonth 












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My Commitment:Watercolor Month


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Dear Reader, I have been trapped in our house for 8 weeks, with minimal outdoor time (small bits) because I'm nursing a serious knee injury. I'm unable to go up and downstairs to the basement, drive, or ramble anywhere on my own. I have been going crazy! Surgery for my knee-replacement won't be until October or November---SO---I've had to figure out--how to survive mentally and physically to enjoy this summer.

I decided to participate in THIS:
World Water Color Month July 2019 you can follow the links on this page for more information on this experience, sponsors, and charity for children's arts.

I ran across this World Wide promotion for the arts, with multiple sponsorships---All for kids and raising funds for art supplies. The Dreaming Zebra Foundation, is a charity providing support so that children and young adults are given an equal opportunity to explore and develop their creativity in the arts.

My challenge is to paint a different watercolor everyday, and try and remember techniques I once knew. I really need a challenge and kids need the ARTS! which has always been something dear to my heart.

During my art/career years, I volunteered in schools and demonstrated throwing pottery, even when my boys were grown. This meant hauling my 100# wheel up from the basement and into the truck and into the school--etc. But it was so worth it, as children are fascinated with the forming of the clay on a spinning wheel. I was also a volunteer Art Lady for local schools-bringing in historical paintings/sculptures of artists, talking about their history, and then leading a workshop in techniques used by those artists. All ages truly benefit from the arts, everywhere. I really loved doing this.


I haven't seriously painted for over 20 years. So, I dug in my old art supplies. In the late 80's early 90's I also worked for a craft store chain. I would purchase deep discounted art supplies--and have a selection of watercolors. All these paints are at least 25 years old, if not more.

I have lots of brushes downstairs, but unable to get down there---so, I'm charging ahead and using the few 'craft' brushes I had for the Grand to use in her 'craft' painting. This will really bare bones painting, I'm not interested in results---but more the journey.

 Supplies for watercolors: you will need a flat moveable work surface, cubbyhole palette, a spritzer bottle is a nice addition, tape, and I also add q-tips, absorbent paper and paper toweling. Two water glasses--one for cleaning and one for clear water. I hope to do some paintings outside on the porch, or even down on the deck.


Way back when, I must have been pretty selective because I have a great balance of colors, from multiple manufacturers. Mind you these were picked for their 'bargain cost' and not for specific quality in mind. Those 30 year old prices are a bit scary. Wonder how much they are now?


Reds can be the most expensive, if you are interested in ratings on watercolor brands/colors here is a good link for assessing what you might want to start with is
Quality ratings on watercolors. 
Look through the entire article as I think you can choose watercolors for all levels of artwork, including supplies for kids. 
My objective is to have some fun and maybe try and remember the techniques I once knew.


Yellows can be pretty expensive also, but a little goes a long way. Tertiary colors-(browns, golds-earth) colors are usually pretty reasonable. Craft stores have regular sales on sets as much as 40% off of list prices--great for a beginner. I'll make a color chart of the paints I have as I use them. This is always a good reference for when you are using old paints. 


At Christmas I had purchased this inexpensive Reeves Gouache set to use with my granddaughter at 1/2 price with a coupon. Gouache is a more opaque form of watercolors, and you can work on top of the colors. I really liked using these for detail work.
This is a very complete set---since six-year olds aren't really able to mix all the colors themselves. There is no waste, as dried up watercolors can be reconstituted with a little fresh water. 

I plan on using sketchbook paper for most of the paintings, because that is what I have, now. SOMEWHERE I have watercolor paper, probably downstairs, UGH! 

Watercolor month also gives artists different prompts for each day! I will follow this--as it will help me narrow down subject matter and focus. This doesn't mean I won't be spontaneous...hope you enjoy this journey with me.

This week's Prompts are:

Day 1 Primary Palette (red, yellow,blue)
Day 2 Sunny Sky
Day 3 Picnic Food
Day 4 Family Fun
Day 5 Loose and Free
Day 6 Window View

I'll post my painting projects in a post, on Pinterest, Flickr and Facebook with the hashtag
 #WorldWatercolorMonth 















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