Watercolor Wednesday

Here is a painting that I did a little over a week ago, using watercolor and crayon. I used Photoshop to change the colors on the one below. What do you think? I don't understand the controversy surrounding painters using Photoshop. It's a tool like anything else, right? Unless you are a very traditional artist, mixing your pigments and doing everything as they did pre-1800, I guess. I bet those guys would have loved to have Photoshop, though :)P I guess there are some painters who disapprove of painting from a photograph, but I say whatever works for the artist is okay with me.

Watercolor Wednesday

I've been doing a lot more experimenting with different colors and washes. I'm also painting some beetles again, which is fun.

Other than that, working hard to gear up for the Red Hot Art Festival which is less than two weeks away. Ack! I think it will be a good time, though. I'm happy that we have a tented stand, just in case the weather isn't the best (still, fingers crossed for good weather to bring out the crowds!)

www.redhotart.org

Watercolor Wednesday

I had fun last night making this chart of different crayons with different paints. This way I can easily remember which paints and crayons really pop together without having to remember all the crazy crayon names (famous? tickle me pink? the giving tree? what ever happened to names that describe color, Crayola?)

I'm pretty happy with the bird below. I'm feeling an itch to break out into something new again, though, so this may be the last of the birds.

Watercolor (oops!) Thursday

Watercolor Wednesday

More wax resist with crayon and more birds!

Watercolor Wednesday

I have been experimenting with some wet-in-wet painting techniques and some wax resist. I have also been trying (only somewhat successfully) to draw birds. I guess it is just lack of practice but bird shapes don't seem to come naturally to me.

Watercolor Wednesday

Watercolor Wednesday

Here is just a detail from a watercolor that I finished last night. I couldn't get a good photo of the painting as a whole. Plus, I think it might still need some work. I like this portion of the painting, though.

Watercolor Wednesday and Some Blogs to Check Out

Here are details from two watercolors I've done over the last few weeks. The bottom one really looks a lot like wallpaper - but at least it would be interesting wallpaper! I'm working on another project this week so haven't had as much time to paint. Hopefully, I'll post some pictures of my new project later this week.

In the meantime, I've updated my site with links to some really cool blogs that I like to visit. I expecially recommend Design Mom (http://www.designmom.com/), How About Orange, and Angry Chicken for DIY crafts and cool product tips. I check them out pretty much every day. I love bloggers that post frequently and these have a new post pretty much every day.

Watercolor Wednesday and a new toy

I am experimenting with a looser, wetter style. What do you think? I'm just messing around with colors to see how they flow together. We'll see what comes of it.

Above is my new crafting toy! I got it from Cathy of California's etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=35475. It was waiting for me when I got home today so I haven't had any time to experiment. Hopefully, I'll be posting some of my creations soon......

Watercolor Wednesday

Watercolor Wednesday - Valentine Edition

Watercolor Wednesday

Here are some paintings I've been working on the last few days. I'm into orange and blue right now, I guess. The one above is finished but the two below are still in progress. Although, I like the one on the bottom as is, so I'm not sure. I'm going to let it sit for a while and then revisit it.

Watercolor Wednesday

Here is a detail of the painting I did for this week's Watercolor Wednesday. It has been extremely cold here in Minnesota this week and my walk to the train not as pleasant as usual.

Above is the whole painting, which I probably will crop a little bit. Below, is the painting before I put in the figure. I was just messing around with some colors and some salt but it doesn't surprise me that I saw a winter scene in it.

And finally, below is a picture I took on the way to work this morning (and almost missed my train, dawdling as usual!). I know that frost on the inside of the windows is a bad sign but it is pretty nonetheless.

Simon's glamour shot, organizing, and new blog idea

Here is a picture I took of the adorable Simon. He looks like he is posing, doesn't he? I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille......

As I may have mentioned, I signed up for a beginning watercolor class. It's a community ed class and, unfortunately, after attending the first class, I decided it wasn't really what I'm looking for. I need a class that teaches basic watercolor techniques, and this class was more focused on self-expression. Anyway, I cancelled the class. Instead, I'll work on my technique at home and post a new watercolor painting every Wednesday. I'm a day late, but this apple is my first and last painting from my class and the first Watercolor Wednesday posting.

Last, I am organizing all of my art and craft supplies. I'm armed with a label maker and a bunch of plastic bins. Nothing can stop me now!