strawberry finished

This strawberry was much more difficult than the rose for me. Lots of tiny areas to adjust. I learned a great deal from painted the strawberry. So I think I will continue working in this style for awhile. May pick an easier subject for my next try, a pear. Then I would like to do some flowers.

Strawberry, started

I began working on this "portrait" of a strawberry yesterday. It is developing very slowly. I am studying techniques for botanical illustration. This method is so very different from the way I usually work with watercolors. Hopefully I can finish it up tomorrow or Friday.

Rose

My watercolors are painted fairly loose. But I wanted to try working more realistically. Originally I was disappointed in my results and put this painting in my flat file. A couple of days ago I saw it again and felt it was ok for a first attempt at a new style. Therefore I decided to have a go at the strawberry. This is a much slower manner of painting than what I am use to so I probably won't be posting as often unless I post the stages as the painting develops.

Cherries

Cherries are in season in my area. I picked these up at the local farmer's market that sets up everyday Wednesday afternoon at my church. They were painted more like acrylics with lots of pigment and as little water as possible. The basket is more than a little wonky but I like the colors of the cherries.

Watermelon

I am back in my gouache sketchbook. Watermelon, is there anything more descriptive of summer? I worked this sketch more like watercolor; more water less pigment, so I could get the green and pinkish red bleeding into to white.

Little boy and girl

These two little ones were just to cute not to give them a try. This is the last page of this sketchbook and the end of my Imaginary Trip to Selby Gardens. Always fun to finish a book and place it on the shelf. I have pulled another one out to use for watercolor and general sketching. Also have primed some canvases and boards. Am thinking about trying acrylic plein air painting. 

Lady with Purse

 This lady did not look this grumpy just serious. I like the darker background which gives some depth to the sketch. The proportions aren't quite right but only by practicing can I improve.

Lavender Field

There were several poses of this same lady in a field of lavender. So I did 4 gesture sketches of the hard working lady.

Man with bookbag 2

There was very little color in this guy's outfit, mainly variations of gray. His hands look odd but they were both in what I consider a yoga meditation pose, index finger touching the tip of the thumb.

Man with Bookbag

This one worked out well. I wish I could say it looked just like the young man but can't. But it does look like a person which is rewarding.

Two Gardeners color

The two gardeners with a bit of watercolor.

Two Gardeners

This sketch is one I would really like to go back and add some watercolor. Even though the flowers weren't showy, the watering can were bright colors.

Pointing Lady with Watercolor

Here she is with watercolor added. There was much more going on in the photo but I decided to eliminate a lot of the chaos.

Pointing Lady

This lady was indoors pointing at something out of view. It would definitely profit from a revisit with some watercolor. She looks like she is floating and needs some grounding.

Leaf blower with Watercolor

I went back into the brown ink drawing of the gardener with some watercolor.

Leaf Blower

The subject of our last week of the Imaginary Trip to Selby Gardens was Everyday People and Objects. I had just received my Platinum carbon pen converter and Noodles brown ink. So I had great fun playing with them. My first image was a gardener using a leaf blower. May go back in with some watercolor. I tried to keep my pen on the paper as long as possible before picking it up and moving to another place on the page, a modified continuous line drawing.

Potted Geranium at Selby Gardens

This sketch is from the week on Contained and Maintained. This isn't where it was at the end of the timed session. I went in a couple of weeks later and punched up the darkest values.

Koi

This guy was fun to paint. It is a subject that really gives itself over to the character of watercolor.

Water Patterns

I have always like koi and would like to have my own koi pond. But I have a couple of friends that have them and there is a bit of work trying to keep them alive.

More pattern and texture

Have no idea what the name of this flower is but found it intriguing. Never have seen one in real life and figure it must be tropical.

Selby Gardens - week 3

The third week was a study in pattern and texture. I like the idea of the pre-drawn blocks then fitting images to put in each one. In one way it is a challenge, another it makes it easier to select a subject.

Up Close and Personal

This is the second sketch from the first week of the Imaginary Trip to Selby Gardens. Alway enjoy Laure's classes.