IF -- Safari

He's saying "I see you".

IF -- Safari

This is an illustration that I had completed sometime ago and when I was going through all my paintings I found him...just perfect for today's Illustration Friday.

more poppies

I think I've become obsessed with painting poppies.  Each one comes out different.  I'm either satisfied with the poppies itself, but not the background, or the stem and leaves don't come out the way I see them.  So I'll be painting poppies until I get them right.  I normally don't have this much problem when I paint, but I'm painting these free hand, wet-on-wet.  I'm still not certain if I like painting wet-on-wet.  In one way it's rather freeing to paint this way,but  frustrating because I'm not getting the results I want.

Afternoon delight...wet-on-wet

 Yesterday the weather was so nice that I spent the afternoon painting in my backyard patio.

I'm trying to paint more wet-on-wet and really love the the fact that I can build up color fast.

With each painting I applied paint to form my image without having to use a pencil to sketch in the subject.

"Happy Easter"

                 May your day be filled with chocolates and Easter bunnies!

IF -- Bicycle

Katie trying out her new Trikke.

Make it Graphic by Linda Blinn

 In my quest to learn something new, I've been buying and downloading DVDs from Interweave.  My latest DVD is "Make It Graphic" by Linda Blinn.

Linda shows you how to use stencils and silhouettes.  She tells you about paints, spray paints, ink pads, pre cut stencils, and finally how to make and cut your own stencils.

So with the information, decided to try to make my own stencil.  In the DVD she uses a plastic sheet made for creating your own stencils.  But before I start cutting my own stencil out of plastic, I thought I'd try doing a simple contour drawing of a tulip on heavy white card stock.  I repeated the pattern across the page.  I used my x-acto knife to cut around the tulip.  With my new stencil, I taped the stencil onto watercolor paper.  Then I used Adirondack acrylic paint dabbers to apply the paint.  I used green for the stem and leaves, and orange and yellow for the flower.  When I was finished I removed the stencil to reveal my new design.  It was an easy process and I'm surprised that I hadn't done this before.

Daisy's and Pansies with Dr. Ph Martin

These paintings were quick 10 minute paintings using Dr. Ph Martin watercolors and a round brush and finishing with a black sharpie fine tip.

Tulips with Dr. PH Martin

This was a quick painting using Dr. PH. Martin watercolor paints.  I just love the richness of the straight color.

Poppies and more

I don't think I'm tired of painting poppies.  Each painting seems to take it's own life.  I'm playing around with different size of watercolor paper, different brand of watercolor paint,different sizes of watercolor brushes, and finally drawing my image with a watercolor brush, instead of my usual H pencil.

What I've learned:  Watercolor cold press paper 140lb, 5 1/2 by 7 inch paper is the perfect size; I still love my Daniel Smith watercolors, but I also like using Dr. PH Martin watercolors.  As for the brush size, a # 8 round seems to be my favorite at the moment.   I've also have used 1/2 inch angle brush and a #6 flat brush.  I've also have been using those watercolor brushes that hold water,but I find I use way too much water; they are good for quick, small paintings, but for a little larger painting, I need a brush that can hold a lot of water and cover a large area.  I'm also trying to use larger brushes...from a 12 to a 36.