The top picture here started as a simple sketch on some scrap w/c paper (scrap paper seems to be the one thing that gets me painting!), done while watching a video. One thing that always get me while sketching a moving person is that one side of the face seems to always be drawn from a slightly different angle than the other. The results are sometimes like this, with one side drooping. This doesn't bother me though. It is in pencil and if I had wanted to I could have corrected it. My main interest here was playing with my new brush and the newly reorganized palette. And practicing grays and browns. (I made that brown myself! So proud... Only, I don't remember how I did it!) The background was not sketched in and just sort of...happened. Even though the whole scene seems kind of STATIC, I do like this one. It seems like Uncle Fred just posed for a snapshot or something.
This one really makes me laugh. I had fun doing it, don't get me wrong. It's just that I approached it in true 'Raena' fashion. You see, it was an exercise in the book "The Complete Watercolor Course". One of those books that I've not read, only looked at the pictures. I decided to do the first exercise, and wouldn't you know it, I only looked at the pictures. So, I missed a few things and the results aren't quite right. I might try this one again, this time reading first!Neither of these is very large, only 3"x4". They curled up as they got wet which made holding them interesting. And while they weren't very serious studies, I had a great relaxing time. This is how learning should be!
I like the odd layout of the fellow on the far right----makes me thinks he's going to walk in furthur---so he makes the sketch move..
ReplyDeleteI think when the face isn't "perfect" it adds so much to the expression of the piece. I think it also frees you up enough to allow the medium to take over as the aesthetic of the piece. (one day I will learn this)...Congratz on the brown - I love using neutrals Earthy) and it really sets off any color in the piece too.
ReplyDeleteEvery piece of artwork to me is a learning experience. Good or bad, it helps us to know and improve, very much like experiments ^^ I like these because they have so much values you could learn from. Great work Raena, and thanks for your comments. We're heading back to Louisiana on Thursday for holiday YAY!
ReplyDeleteYes, thats what its all about, having fun... The face is great, I like the imperfections (one lower than the other side) of his face and thats what makes him look intresting and alive, and really whos face is all perfect... And I like where you placed him on the page. Very nice and the brown you created is a great brown (warm brown). Great work Raena!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! More play. The chap in the first one looks like he's strolling along - not all that static. It also looks like he's about to exclaim about something. Rolling hills and meadows. Hmmmm. I think that's something tricky. I've also a book I MIGHT read!
ReplyDeleteLol, I never remember how I make my colors either - everyday is a new beginning for me ^^! Great looking studies, especially the first one, the winter feeling and colors are awesome.
ReplyDeleteAh, such joy..I will echo kazumiwannabe when I say I forget how I made colors too, but that is part of the fun. Nothing better than laying back and just experimenting - love how you are doing that. I know Uncle Fred - I am sure of it.
ReplyDeleteYou've posted a lesson for all of us!
ReplyDeleteNice work!
ReplyDeleteohhh mixing colours is one of my favourite things to do!
ReplyDeletebut I couldn't really tell you how I do it....it's not about remembering a colour formula for me as much as it is just seeing colour while I'm in the middle of a painting.....
people say..how do you get your colours .... so right on>>>> and I say....
I have NO IDEA..it just happens! lol
great watersketches! it's fun to just play around without the heavy stress of producing a masterpiece right!!!!!! good for you! i love your work!
have a great time playing with your new stuff!
ciao bella
Creative Carmelina
I really enjoyed catching up with your posts here. All of these sketches are wonderful! I can tell that you are really enjoying your materials and it shows in these great results!
ReplyDeleteSo is it the 'COMPLETE' watercolor course? I have the making color 'SING' book, but my color sing off key... uggh... I've got lots of art books, and I've checked out even more from the library... I don't read much either... just look at the pictures and maybe buy the recommended paint brushes... it is the brushes fault my pictures don't turn out... I'm sure of it LOL. Usually by the time the brush arrives in the mail... I've moved on to another book... but it is all fun and thank God I don't depend on my paintings for food on my table... so it's just paper and paint... no big deal :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't change the man's face, it's got so much more character the way it is.
ReplyDeleteDo what you wish with the bookmark idea Raena, I'd like to see the results...maybe we could do a swap?
Your second sketch is very similar to a place near my home. Glad that you enjoyed doing the sketches and playing around with colors and new materials.
ReplyDeleteI really like them both! Reading directions is overrated anyway. I read all these books and then end up doing my own way anyhow.
ReplyDeleteYou always inspire me Raena! Keep it up.
Learning should be fun and I like Uncle Fred. Are we supposed to remember how we made colors?
ReplyDeleteHi Raena, I tried to post a comment earlier but google blogger wasn't playing. I'm sure it was most profound and enlightening; darn! I agree with Pam. Sometimes reading is over rated. If you can look at something and get an idea about how to attack an artistic problem, so much the better. Or at least that's my opinion. I think the results say that you have the skills and creativity to solve the problem yourself. These are WONDERFUL studies!
ReplyDeleteI agree with hwfarber! Learning (and art) should be fun. Both are terrific!
ReplyDeletelike both of these sketches! good work!
ReplyDeleteNice sketches! Looks really fun! :) Merry Christmas! May this season be filled with joy, peace, and blessings to you and your family! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on that brown! :) I am getting to the point where I kind of can look at my painting and kind of tell which paints I was using where...but definitely not all the time!
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