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Friday, July 29, 2022

To Post or not to Post, Watercolor

 "They" say not to put something on line unless it is your best work.  That is probably true for my website with paintings to sell.  I think my blog is a place for keeping my journal and learning.  After all, I post my wonky sketches and wipe off paintings.

Yesterday I played in watercolor.  Very frustrating .. no that's not the right word, maybe difficult or challenging.  Close.  It is lack of practice and learning that make watercolor painting difficult.  

Trial and error teach you:

  • How much water to use
  • When to add more paint -- working wet into wet or let it dry
  • What makes color bloom - get weird edges like flowers
  • How strong each color is and what it looks like when dry
  • Which paints are opaque and which are transparent
  • Some colors have bits of pigment in them so leave a texture

Hopefully I already know the basics of painting:

  • How to show distance
  • Composition
  • Color
  • Highlights and shadows
  • Drawing

I used watercolor to take part in the Water Media July Challenge on creativespark.art.  I painted from a sunset photo provided by CaliAnn.  My painting is much less vibrant than the photo.  My painting resulted in lighter colors so less dramatic.  I have never painted a sunset with watercolor and rarely in pastels, oils or acrylics.  But I'll take some credit ... I did play in the water!

CaliAnn's Sunset
about 9 x 10 inches in the Canson Watercolor sketchbook 9 x 12 inches



 

9 comments:

Joan Tavolott said...

Sunsets are hard to do in watercolor, because the colors don't always stay as brilliant as you want them to after they dry. Nice work!

Little J said...

It is really a lovely watercolor. I love the sun streaming across the water toward the shore.

Jo Castillo said...

Joan, thanks, you definitely know about watercolor. You make me smile.

Little J, thank you so much. Parts of my efforts did the right thing.

R's Rue said...

Love it.

Jo Castillo said...

Thank you, R's Rue.

bag blog said...

What Joan said is right. Plus, the colors don't always blend in the way you want them to blend, or they get muddy. I have a friend who is great with sky watercolor. She has given me a few tips, but even then, things don't go like I want. I think you did a great little watercolor!

Jo Castillo said...

bag blog, thanks for your help. Probably the best thing is to try/practice and learn how my colors react to eachother. Sigh....

Debbie Nolan said...

Jo watercolors are challenging but you certainly did a lovely one of the sunset.
Beautiful. Hugs

Jo Castillo said...

Debbie, thank you. Appreciate that you stop by.


About Me

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Bastrop, Texas, United States
I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill

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