The Drummers

This is finally finished. After all the preparation, it was very difficult to complete. The background worried me, and some useful advice was obtained from The Watercolour Studio on Wet Canvas. Maybe it was all because this was the first time I have painted on expensive paper - a half sheet of Arches Aquarelle - and I was afraid of wasting it. But don't the colours sing?

It has been well received at WC, let's hope it goes down well at college tomorrow.

Homework set 14 November 2007

" a figure pose set in an environment such as African and the landscape, colour of dress which tells a story."

"Think of it as an exhibition piece...."

This is the reference photo and some preparatory studies. The background still worries me. I would like to do some foliage set against a darker background, in the style of Bill Brydon, but we'll see.

French Window

This is my response to the November invitation to paint on Wet Canvas. It has been amazing to see the variety of submissions based on the same reference photograph. One painter even "flipped" the photograph though 180 degrees.

I'm pretty pleased with my version. The flowers were achieved by masking and painting in afterwards. The clematis and ivy foliage were painted in gouache - my first attempt in this medium.

Sarah returns

Sarah returned for another live portrait session today.

No chance for grids, just a pencil sketch, and on with the watercolour. It is not a bad likeness, although I may have aged her a little!

Happy

Finally, this is the portrait based on the photograph used for the homework a week or two ago. I used a grid to make sure that the features were just right, and the likeness is pretty good. It has more life than I expected, but the teeth need to be toned down and formed a bit more. Still it has received quite good feedback.

Nixon

This was started in class last week and finished off this weekend. I have struggled to capture the likeness here, but enough is enough.

Portraits_homework

Homework last week was to find a portrait from a magazine or other source that conveys a mood. Then practise elements of it.

The feedback from the tutor was that I handled the teeth well and the effect was very striking. One student thought that it was the tutor's work - praise indeed!

Sara

Class last Wednesday focused on portrait work, using this live model. Three different views with less than 20 mins each view to capture the information you wanted.

My first attempt was in coloured pencil, the second watercolour with no pencil drawing, and the third watercolour with a preliminary pencil sketch.

Very difficult, and extremely rough, but there is a likeness! The pencil sketch is closest to the real image, but that's why I am attending watercolour classes!

Holes

The assignment for Half-term, was to consider the title "Holes".

This picture was based on a reference photograph found on the Internet. There were many times when I regretted starting it! Overall the result is OK, but there is much I would do differently, if ever foolish enough to attempt such a subject again.

It was quite well received in class yesterday!