Trained in oil painting, I've been skittish about wet on wet watercolor technique. If you mess up with this method, there's no correcting it---painting with oils and acrylics you can correct 'til the cows come home. I don't like being skittish, of course, so I found a workshop whose focus was the very technique I needed help with. Sue Archer, a very fine painter, led the workshop and did a brilliant job of teaching. Although her painting style is very different from mine, the information she shared can be used in limitless ways.
It'll be fun experimenting with this technique---
it will suit my watery theme very well. We'll see what develops!
In the meantime, here are some sketches from the week, beginning with one from a restaurant we went to that serves rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, among other things (I chose tamer fare), plus a little painting I did to fulfill a class assignment---it's not my usual style, of course, but it was useful to work within the strictures Sue set up on that day. She does a lot of layering with transparent paints to get deep, rich colors and that is the method I used for the plums and the background here.
I used a rougher paper than I normally do, Lanaquarelle 300lb Rough. I'm testing papers, paints, and techniques in preparation for my trip to Iceland in a couple of weeks!
That last one just rock my socks off. So much drama. It is fantastic. I can't think of a good enough word to describe it.
Posted by: Quirkyartist | August 23, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Thanks so much, guys! I've been trying to figure out ways to incorporate what I learned into my own work. It's always something ;D.
Posted by: Laura | August 10, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Looks like a fun time - great work you've produced. And we saw a teapot like that in San Francisco. xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | August 07, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I found your blog via cathy gatland's and hve had a great time looking at your artwork. Beautiful watercolors and lots of great info. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Peggi Habets Studio | August 05, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Wow, no-one could accuse you of being a 'one trick pony' ;), you master everything you do! A completely different style and still so beautifully done. I can't wait to see how Iceland inspires you!
Posted by: Felicity | August 05, 2008 at 04:04 AM
ICELAND!! WOW, you have the life! i love all your sketches and the teapot is wonderful. I love it when, as artists, we share information and techniques that help open up new adventures for other artists! You do that for us everyday!
Posted by: Desiree | August 05, 2008 at 01:09 AM