I’m not too fond of today’s watercolor sketch but I’m posting every effort, good and bad . . .
This is a view of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush in front of a cane break alongside the road into Somerville, TX (from a photo taken this past April). The gentle rolling field reminded me of the waves in the gulf, with tiny spots of orangey-red and blue wildflowers forming the white caps. I worked quickly to try and keep this painting loose and impressionistic.
For anyone interested, this is the photo I was working from, taken on the way to church in April.
Vicky, this is very beautiful! Your work and the country as well!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a beautiful country here in the Texas prairies between hill country and the piney woods!
DeleteVicky, love your sky, how did you do it? Did you wet the paper several times before painting?
DeleteI only wet the sky area of the paper once, avoiding the places I wanted clouds, then dropped the blue in and let it spread. With a clean damp brush I made moved the edge down to the horizon. Then I added just a bit of gray to the “cloud bottoms” and let the whole thing dry before moving on.
DeleteOh, thank you, Vicky! Haven't been here for some days. You do great sky! I have to learn it.
DeleteVicky, was so surprised to see that you wrote, “I’m not too fond of today’s watercolor sketch but I’m posting every effort, good and bad . . .” I saw the sketch before the words and my very first thought was, “I wish I lived by Vicky. I could learn so much about plein air sketching from her...” Plus we could share our faith exoeriences too! I love your sky, the lights and darks in those trees, and those amazing undulations of the hillside you captured. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome to live closer and share our faith and painting! But I very rarely go out plein air sketching due to heat-sensitivity and allergies, including severe allergic reactions to bug bites. Mostly I take photos and sketch or paint from them later at home. I used to sketch on site with Kate once a month but when it was as too hot or buggy, we picked indoor places to sketch!
DeleteThis is why I’d never make it in the Urban Sketchers group with their strict mandate, but this is what works for me.
I just added the photo I was working from if you’d like to compare.
DeleteYou did an excellent job working from your photograph. I, like you, mostly paint in my home from photos. I seem to do a much job at home than when I am in the field—but I would like to be better at plein air. I can’t tolerate the heat too well.
ReplyDeleteIf not for the heat / humidity (and needing to watch out for fire ants and snakes!), I would like to work outside more. But it is much easier to focus indoors.
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