Birthday Card

We are pretty much still snowed in and yesterday was a family member's birthday. Luckily I already had his present but lacked gift wrap, bow and card. So I got out my craft stash and got to work. I had enough birthday wrap to make a bow; brown paper I could stamp "happy Birthday" on; but the card was a challenge. This is what I came up with:

Drew Betty from an Royalty free image on the internet onto 90 lb watercolor paper cut her out and glued on card. Use 140 lb WC paper for the card which I did a wash on with my watercolor paints. The words are my own. On the inside I lettered "HOT Birthday" large but wrote "no more snow" in small letters. After all the snow we shovel these past days (the snow plow is yet to be seen) I thought a tropical theme card would be welcomed.

Saying good bye to the B.F.F.

Not completely happy with the horizon but think it is time to move on and leave my 3 friends to play in the surf. Might revisit it at a later day but doubt that I will.

B.F.F.s scratch removal?

We have been hit by the BLIZZARD of 2016 so we are into the BIG DIGOUT of 2016. But on Friday I went into the scratch with a piece of Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original) and scrubbed gentle on the scratch. Then Saturday when I was sure the paper was completely dry I added a touch of color back into those areas. It may end up working. My husband says he can still see the scratch but he also knows where it was originally. I might need to add some ink lines in the shadow areas across the shoulders because of the absence of etching ink. Of course, every time I work on those areas I risk messing up and making matters worse. But it wasn't working to begin with so what to I have to lose.

B.F.F.s

Today was the 3rd of six sessions in Catherine Hillis' watercolor class. The 1st class demo was on using rice paper, my carp painting which I haven't finished. The 2nd one was image transfer which I did in my sketchbook but still thinking where and how to use it in a painting. Today was wet into wet. I didn't have any reference photos to use so I grabbed up two etching from 2008 with themes that would work with this technique.

The one I chose to use in class is three long time friends running into the surf, BFFs. Unfortunately, as I was painting a surface scratch showed up in a very bad location. Now I have one or two more prints from this plate so I can try again on one of those. Also I could just move forward on this one by adding more scratches and abstract marks.

Plus don't you think the lady in the blue swimsuit needs a large red flower on her hat?

Three Tea Cups in Watercolor

I have decided that I am just fickle, the medium that I like best is the one that I am working at that time. This little watercolor was very sad before I added the patterns to the cups. Not quite complete but about 90% finished at this point. The cups and saucers (yes there are two of them even if the division between them isn't very obvious) are a bit wonky and it hasn't earned a frame but at least I am painting. I think my "crisis" is not what medium to paint in but subject matter. Nothing has really inspired me recently. Need to keep my camera handy and my eyes open. 

Only 3 Cups (3rd session)

Put in some more details, highlights but I think I need more darks. Granted it is white but there isn't enough contrast right now to show the curvature of the cups and the delineation of the cup bowls and handles. Like the background and shadow. Finding out that I much prefer the smooth surface to the canvas texture on these boards.

Only 3 Cups (2nd session)

Continuing working on this little painting. Painting in acrylics is fun and is bringing me joy no matter the subject. Enjoying this much more than the watercolors or oriental brush paintings I have worked on recently. Must get some more canvases/boards in different sizes and proportions. Figured out that by adding a touch of gel medium to the paint it is easier to apply to this canvas textured board.