Landscapes in watercolor painting are a new challenge for me!
To date, my largest watercolors have been 5 x 7, and I’ve dabbled in trying to recreate the amazing abstract landscape art of Debi Riley in small card-sized pieces, but I really wanted to surprise hubby with an original landscape piece from me for Valentine’s Day this year.
No pressure!! Right?!
Sheesh! I had no idea what a challenge it was going to be!
Every evening after he went to bed for about a week, I tried again and again and again. I started by watching some great tutorials by Shari Blaukopf on Craftsy. She does gorgeous landscape sketches in pen, ink and watercolor. I’m not the best at sketching…. Yet! But I did learn a few pointers from Sheri about plein art and sketching. The best thing I learned, however, was about some brushes she recommended that made such a difference in my painting! The Raphael Squirrel Mop and Escoda Versatil are my first experience with professional brushes. Oh the way the mop holds and spreads water and the precision point of the Escoda! Up until now, I struggled with cheaper brushes not holding water enough to carry across a larger piece of paper or the flexibility of a large brush with a point to do large washes as well as small details. Shari also has a blog called The Sketchbook where she posts art every day from her hometown in Montreal.
I also watched some Youtube videos, and tried some landscapes from various artists there. I especially enjoy watching Alan Owen, an artist from the UK with over 70 years of painting under his belt who shares so generously of his talent.
This was my best attempt (in 11″ x 14″), and though it is extremely far from what I intended, he loved it! Phew! I guess that is why they say love is blind. Actually it is why love is so sweet. He thinks it ranks up with some beautiful art he took me to see at a local exhibit in Cranberry. I know it isn’t. I know exactly what I’ve done wrong and want to improve. I know what it took to produce some of the masterpieces we saw at that exhibit. But to his sweet eyes, he saw art, he saw beauty, and I love him for it.
Maybe next year I can replace it with a better one, but this year, my Valentine said “This is just what I would like our backyard to look like!” And if we squint really, really, REALLY hard, we can imagine that our little stream and woods do! (wink wink!)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Once again, Jodi, you are too hard on yourself. What a wonderful gift! and beautifully framed, too. You may have used others for inspiration, but your painting is definitely your own, something to be proud of. (K)
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Thank you for your encouragement Kerfe. I can’t wait to see how I can do next year at this time! I’m hoping I love it leaps and bounds more 🙂
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I’m sure you will surprise yourself!
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yippee – i hope 🙂
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You should be very proud of your watercolor! It’s gorgeous. Hope you have a wonderful day!
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You are very kind, Nan! Thank you for visiting and your lovely comment.
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That is so sweet wink! I love this painting, it is soft and willowy and reminds me of a lovely day, carefree dreams. The tree is so pretty and the way that things blend is beautiful. I am no artist for sure haha we all know that, but my opinion is, soft, carefree dreamy days. That is what it says to me and it’s lovely!
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I’m glad you like, Lynn. But I know you are always kind – wink! That’s ok – I’ll take it. Your loveliness and positive outlook despite less than positive circumstances encourages me so great, and my admiration for you grows with each passing day!
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You are a sweetie! I honestly love this and agree with your Valentine!
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🙂
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xx
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I agree with Kerfe! You’ve done a beautiful job with this! I especially love all the birds flying, which to me is the finishing touch. I’m so glad art isn’t easy and painting isn’t easy, and drawing isn’t easy. Because if they were, none of us would be so obsessed with it. It just wouldn’t be a challenge, and we’d lose interest. But there are endless challenges and they are so much fun! You are well on your way, my friend! Roll on! And happy Valentine’s Day to you both! ❤️❤️❤️
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You are right – I could do it 50 more times, and I wonder if I would be satisfied yet? I’ll bet it would be a lot better though – right? That is the fun in it – challenging and growing and getting better, and I really do think it will be fun to look back in a year and (HOPEFULLY) see much growth. Hubby proudly hung it in his “man cave.” It makes me a bit uneasy just seeing it there, but it really made him happy. 🙂
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lol re making you uneasy! Awww that’s really sweet. It will be really cool to look back a year from now. You can already look back to your earlier landscapes and see improvement….yes? ❤
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Yes … 😬
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Your landscapes are always some of my absolute favorites…this one included. 🙂
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Art is so subjective. Sometimes it baffles me. I might think something is so awesome and others don’t care for, and something I’m unsure of is liked sometimes by others. I guess that is the beauty in art. I so appreciate your kindness. hey I have a new bird at the feeders this week I’ve not seen before. Will have to post a photo and see if you or others know it. Happy Day to you Kathy!
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Hi Jodi, I’m so happy you completed your beautiful painting process with a frame. Your husband must have been thrilled. Your dedication is inspiring and you practice, practice, practice! Thanks for sharing your painting journey, I love being a part of it.
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thanks sharon – his tastes and mine are not always the same, and he loved it, but I think it kinda goes along with the card he got me for Valentine’s day. The front had two adorable wrinkly puppies, and it said, “You and Me – Someday we’ll be one of those cute old couples.” Then the inside said, “Actually, you’ll be the cute one. I’ll just be the lucky one.” haha! See – love is blind. I’ve always believed that our eyes fades as we grow older so that we can’t see the faults and sags and wrinkles and crinkles as well and still be happy! Isn’t that a great way to look at it. I know my father-in-law could barely see in the end, but always saw such beauty. 🙂
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I like your lovely description of our aging eyes…but I do hope mine stay in focus for a long time to come.
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yes – me too – though the reading glass are becoming more and more and more necessary…. thankful for them! 🙂
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Jodi, I am VERY impressed! This is beautiful! It looks very professional! You are really getting better and better every day. I’m so glad you are persevering! I can hardly wait to see what you paint next!
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You are always so kind, PJ. thanks so much. It is really far from professional, but it is better than I could have done 6 months ago, and I can’t wait to see what I can do 6 months from now! 🙂 wink!
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Me too, Jodi! I can hardly wait to see your paintings in 6 months!
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You have certainly developed a wonderful style of painting. So free and simple! Keep up the good work. Lois
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Oh Lois – I want to do so much more and so much better. I am trying and wish I had more time. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. Do you really see a “style” of me that I am developing? I don’t see anything unique yet…. Oh how I wish I could join you ladies and paint! I hope maybe to take a day or so off this summer from work and join you! Would be so much fun!!! Hugs to you and Dick! Hope to see you soon. Love and miss ya!
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This turned out fantastically Jodi!! Love it! ❤️ You have such a distinct style and it’s beautiful! Stop worrying…you needn’t…you’ve got mad skills! And this is a wonderful gift!! Oh yeah…the painting is a wonderful gift as well. 😉
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Oh Charlie O! Forever the kind encourager! Do you really see a “distinct” style? What is it? I don’t see it yet. I can’t wait to be able to some day though. Oh to do what you do! THAT, my friend, is MAD skills! I will persist! And thanks for your encouragement, but please do feel free to offer advice. I admire and respect it!
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Actually, I didn’t end up with many pure watercolor landscapes before I turned back into a sketcher early on. hehe… I can’t put my ink pen down! My only advice would be what you’d already done and that’s to check out Shari Blaukopf’s classes. I think she has the best, most accessible advice out there! 😉
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I have no painting, water-coloring, drawing, etching, etc, skills whatsoever but always admire those who do. And I think I’ve seen my share to know that is a wonderful watercolor indeed. Well done!
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How kind of you! Thank you so much for making my day. 🙂
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Just beautiful, Jodi! I love the muted colors and the reflections in the pond. Your husband must be so delighted! It was the perfect Valentine’s surprise! ♡
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Awww Dawn – thank you! He was very kindly and affectionately delighted. I was happy to do and give to him, but hope I can replace it next year with something better! 🙂 wink!
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I think it’s beautiful!
I also like to watch Alan Owen. I love cottages, and landscapes and he paints a lot of those.
Thanks for the tips on brushes. I’ve been wondering about a mop brush rather than my wash brush.
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Isn’t Alan awesome Deborah!?! He makes it look SOOO effortless, but he has been doing it about 69 more years than me! hahahaha! Oh I can’t wait to see what you think of those brushes. I had NO idea what a difference a good brush could make! I absolutely LOVE both of them. Do you have any faves you would recommend?
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He does doesn’t he! I’m always amazed at fast he can a painting finished too.
You’re well ahead of me Jodi! You’re far more creative, and can put down on paper what you see with the right proportions and perspective. I’m still struggling with those. I probably always will.
Of my brushes my favorites are the:
Mimik Kolinsky #12 round
Artist Loft Pointed Filbert #10 and
Robert Simmons Sapphire S85 round
I would like a #6 round, and I think a Mop brush.
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Oh Deborah – we are each our own worst critics! Thanks for your recommendation! Keep on splashin!
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You shouldn’t be, you have talent and a gift! You’re improving, and growing so fast. It’s a joy to see your work.
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thank you… 🙂
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Jodi, a beautiful picture, I really love it. You have skill and talent my friend – I am very impressed. 🙂
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Oh Terry – you are so kind! thank you! I hope to continue to improve. It is a fun journey and challenge (and sometimes frustrating), but I really love splashing paint and water on paper. Who knew!
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Maybe someday I should give it a try – I may have a talent I am not aware of – well maybe not. 🙂
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I am guessing you do!!! 🙂
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Amazing watercolor, what a great gift for your hubby and hanging in his man cave, what an honor and what love. Such a soft soothing feel, wish I could do this.
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Aww! Thanks so much Carol. I’ll be you could do it! I’ve only been at it for about year tinkering and playing whenever I have time while working full time yet. What I’ve come to learn is anyone can do art if only you have the desire and persistence to work at it. It becomes addictive almost and you desire to do it. It is something you almost crave, and then your soul feels soothed when you do it or complete something. Hard to describe, but worth a try. 🙂
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It was a labor of love and I can see why he likes it so much! Your watercolors are beautiful in my eyes too. 🙂
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You are so sweet KR! Thanks so much!!!!
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Jodi, I love the way you’ve captured all the details so well in this painting.
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Oh Paul – not so much – but thank you all the same 🙂 You’re such a good buddy! 🙂
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Now I’m blushing. :O)
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This is lovely Jodi! 🙂
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Thank you Susan! Seems we have a bit in common! 🙂
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That’s great! Thanks for stopping by!
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Good brushes are the best investment you can make Jodi. I recently bought some inexpensive brushes and have regretted it every time I use them. Your painting was a gift from your heart, I’m sure he thinks it’s the most beautiful thing ever! Art is so subjective, every effort is a thing of beauty!
Jenna
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oh Jenna! Thank you – it is so so subjective – eh?! and I guess that is good because that makes all art beautiful to someone 🙂 I appreciate your support and friendship.
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It’s absolutely spectacular Jodi! YAY! You go girl! 🎨👍😄💙🌟 Learning is in the doing for me – and YOU are doing it! 💜 I knew your hubby would like it because it came from your heART. The best gift in my opinion! 😊
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I am doing it Jill – and hopefully learning. I guess if I was perfectly happy with it, it would take away the challenge, but oh how I long to create beautiful art! I’ll keep trying! 🙂
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I can tell you’ve put a lot of thought into this, Jodi! The trees came out really nicely! ❤ I've not done a landscape in almost 25 years. They're not easy. 🙂
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Thank you Teresa. Some did – some not so much – LOL! There’s always the next one! Yippee!
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I love this painting! Jodi, you’re living proof that artistic skill is more perseverance and practice than “a gift.” Just keep going ~ your art is wonderful.
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Thanks Carol – that’s what many artist friends have told me, so I am banking on it – and hoping for the best! 🙂
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FAN tastic Jodi! going from small to 11x 14 is a big ask, you sailed through that with Ease! painting your Own backyard area landscape is a magical thing, I love how you remembered your tonal values, aerial perspective, to bring the eye to the front! Well Done Jodi! smiling away 🙂
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Oh Debi – thank you! it is such a huge step – eh?! I thought bigger would be easier, but it is not… why is that??
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you’re welcome!! and – its just that any thing NEW, is harder, at first 🙂
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Oh, the best Valentine’s Day response for your lovely work of art. xo Well done!
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Thanks Cynthia! I can hardly wait to do better! 🙂
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Beautiful work Jodi. Lovely post. Really enjoyed reading it.
Flo x
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Oh Florence. Thank you so much. ☺️
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Well done Jodi! Now wouldn’t that be wonderful to have a backyard like that!! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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I’m with your hubby on this one: I think the painting looks very, very nice!
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and you are very, very nice too! 🙂
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Great job, Jodi. Really.
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Jodi, I love it! What a sweet gift. I think over time you’ll be less critical of it. You’re still “in” it and only see the flaws. Years ago I gave my husband for father’s day a colored pencil drawing of him with the kids digging at the beach. I was a little embarrassed giving it. There is so much pressure when a drawing or painting is a gift. But now I think it’s sweet and really captures a moment in time.
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Awww! Thanks for the good advice Eileen. We will see 🙂 Like all things, maybe it will just become a sweet memory and gesture of love ❤
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