A couple of sweet young families we know have recently welcomed baby boys.
It’s been a fun opportunity for me to splash around my prussian and cerulean blue watercolor paint.
I saw this adorable sentiment used when searching for ideas, and thought it was such a cute play on words.
These are going in the MAIL today to Baby Dean and Baby Wesley’s families. Welcome to the world little ones!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
So yesterday I spoke about learning
to wait for paint to dry.
While I was waiting (for the paint to dry)
on my “real” painting that I showed yesterday,
I quickly sketched this little bird
just dying to use more of my
“Professional Artist” Winsor & Newton
Prussian Bluuuuueeeee.
A simple, small, quick, pass-the-time, wait for paint to dry birdie
that I kinda fell in love with…
My Winsor & Newton Prussian Bluebird of Happiness!
Happy Friday!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I am TRYING to learn
to wait for paint to dry.
It’s harder than you think!
This is my first 9 x 12 watercolor painting –
my largest to date.
It was done following a line and wash tutorial on ArtTutor by Joanne Boon Thomas.
AND with my very first few tubes of Winsor & Newton Professional Artist watercolor paint. OOOO LA LA!!
I treated myself to four tiny tubes – and was so excited to use Prussian Blue!
I see several things I would have liked to do different,
but it was a good practice in patience…
A practice in background, midground, and foreground…
Who knew it could be so fun…. waiting for paint to dry!!??!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Last week I posted a photo of a zinnia that seemed like it was just begging to be painted, and I couldn’t wait to give it a go!
One evening, I printed the photo and lightly drew it in pencil using my lightbox – a great tool for us beginners who so often struggle with the drawing part. (Well – let’s face it – I often struggle with ALL the parts!)
I gave it a light water wash and first glaze of pink before quitting for the evening, as I am trying to learn patience and allowing drying time to achieve more complex watercolor paintings.
When my friend, Janet was over one evening, she asked to see what art I’ve been up to. When she saw the beginning of the zinnia, she said it would be a great post to show progress photos of the steps I go through.
Yes – great idea, Jan…. but I haven’t really figured out what steps I go through really!
Anyway – Charlie and I arose early the next morning – around 5:30am – and I decided to give my zinnia another coat. Well – that led to another, and then a disaster, followed by another disaster and a third disaster.
I kept re-trying to reproduce with watercolor what I had envisioned in my head.
Now I am one to promote that it is all about the journey – all about the process – but sometimes I just want to do it perfect – do it right – do it beautiful —- and alas, it wasn’t happening with this beautiful pink zinnia.
This was my fifth effort of it, and I got to where I gave up. It is not even close to what I had envisioned, though somewhat pleasing… at least compared to the first four efforts! I tried wet on wet, wet on dry, sketch first, sketch after, no sketching…
But WHY can I not reproduce on paper what is in my head?!
This is where I call out for support and advice from my artist friends.
Please offer your wisdom.
I obviously tend to “overwork” it.
Watercolor is something I’ve just had this urging to pursue. I’ve watched a few YouTube videos, perused a few books, and follow some amazing bloggers, but I have no formal training and no artistic experience.
I would so appreciate anyone who would be willing to offer their top advice for a wannabee watercolorist!
I am writing this a few days ahead of when it will post, so who knows where my head will be when this posts. But I so look forward to your tips and advice, and hope to be feeling a little better about my watercolor journey by the time you read this.
Can the encourager seek some encouragement this time please? 😉
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Follow the path of joy.
Follow the path of happiness.
Follow the paths of justice and righteousness and goodness, loyalty, equality, and freedom.
But mostly….
Follow the path of love.
A simple card
with a simple message.
Why do we complicate things
so much?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sometimes I just want to splash water and paint on paper. Can anyone relate?
I have no subject in mind, don’t feel like sketching, just want to express….
color…. feelings…. heart…. love…. maybe a little bit of peace or beauty.
These two cards were the result of that – done a week or so apart when I just needed to splash in paint puddles.
Not much talent at all involved here, but a great experience. And… if my very un-educated expressions in watercolor inspire anyone to step outside their comfort zone and try – and then find the joy – my heart is filled.
These turned into note cards I needed to use recently to express sympathy to a few friends who lost loved ones.
I hope they feel the love, and it brings them a bit of peace.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I’ve been wanting to watercolor pears…
They seem like a fun loose subject, so I decided to give them a try one evening this past week.
I started with this purple one – because…
why not?!!?!
Then I did this more realistic colored one in golds and brown tones.
After painting that pair, I was still enjoying, and wanted to be even more creative, so I decided to try one in patriotic colors of red, white, and blue. For the “white,” I used frisket to mask, and peeled it off when dry.
Then I wanted to do one even more colorful and looser, so I did this rainbow pear. A little out there – eh?!?
It was fun to take the same basic shape and make so many different images with it.
Yep – painting pairs of pears is what I do…
at
life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A sweet friend told me one of her favorite flowers is the Stargazer Lily and “challenged” me to paint one.
First thing I had to do was “google” what a Stargazer Lily is!
Then I tried to paint one.
I struggled with this flower, and ended up doing several versions thinking each time I would be happy with the result.
But, alas, I am still not sure I am completely happy with any of these, and I’m not sure my friend will be either, but I decided to share them and see what you think.
Do you have a favorite? Do you like any of them?
After drawing and trying the first one (#3) with a background and then the second one (#4) in a little different style and without the background a couple of days ago, Sunday morning I drew this darn flower again and came up with my third rendition (#2).
Still not happy, I decided to just slap some water and paint on the paper without drawing it first, and I created my fourth version (#1) in about 10 minutes, and I think it’s my favorite. But when showing my hubby and youngest son all four, they each chose a different one! LOL!
I still don’t think I have even come close to capturing/mastering this beautiful flower, but here it is Tonya. If you like one of them, let me know, and it will be on it’s way.
Any artists out there mastered the Stargazer Lily? The challenge of this one for me was the lighter colored outer edges of the flower I think. I would love to hear any tips!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Brusho seems to be quite the rage these days.
Brusho Crystal Colours are brilliant, intense transparent color crystals that are great for painting, color washes, staining, and creative textile design on porous surfaces such as paper, wood, and fabric.
I thought I’d just do a little experimenting with the colors and the way they work. A couple sprinkles of the crystals before and/or after spritzing with water created these basic designs.
Nothing complex or intricate – just testing them out and seeing how they work. So these are just some simple experiments, but oh the possibilities that are running through my head.
In trying different combinations and amounts, I learned quickly that a very little goes a long way. What great effects might be possible combining these with watercolor painting, stamping, embossing, sewing, woodworking!??!!
Oh so many possibilities….
and oh so little time…
Make it count…
doing the things you love…
at life in between.
Cheers and Happy Friday Hugs,
Jodi
Monday’s Hummingbird Cake Recipe post had me thinking of hummingbirds,
so I decided to try my hand at watercolor painting one.
I lightly outlined the basic shape in pencil,
filled it in with some clean, clear water,
then loosely dropped in some paint.
When I was mostly pleased with it, and it was dry,
I adhered it to some vanilla card stock and made it into a little card.
Today my wish for you
is that you find some time
to do things you love
with people you love (even if that is yourself!)
at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 