We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
"Little Gidding"
T S Eliot

Friday 3 June 2016

Riding on a puff of wind ...

I started an experimental watercolour at the weekend, and then I saw the next letter in the Craft Barn Alpha Dictionary challenge was T.

So - never to ignore a touch of serendipity - taraxacum (or dandelion) is my word.

I wanted to try dropping isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) into a wet watercolour wash. My first attempt was a bit of a disaster as I used too much alcohol into too wet a wash, and it wiped out most of the wash. I tried to recover it, but it did eventually end up in the bin.

So, I let the wash dry a bit, but then the alcohol didn't spread, so I helped it a bit by removing some of the wash with a round wet sponge and then dropped the alcohol in.

Nowhere near perfect, but I learned what not to do!


So ... make a wish!

10 comments:

  1. Loving this. Challenges are all about trying new things and I love the effect you've achieved!

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  2. Wow! I learned a new word! I really like your watercolor! It reminds me of something I've seen before. It makes me smile.

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  3. I use alcohol to color my reinkers, but have never tried it with watercolors. This is gorgeous, even if it IS a second attempt. Learning is always a great thing. HMMM! I had never heard that word before. It's great that you used it because I learned something new. And of course, what could be considered the lowly weed many try to eradicate, you glorified it with your lovely painting.

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  4. What an interesting technique and great word. Taraxacom, I need to remember that. My flower bed is plagued with taraxacom! Love your watercolour, it is very summery.

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  5. A fab effect even if it took a couple of tries. I love the contrast between the dandelion clocks and the flowers.

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  6. What a stunning picture - watercolour always seems so peaceful and serene

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  7. A lovely painting, it really evokes a summer field with dandelions xx

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  8. I'm not sure you wouldn't get the same result dropping water but it looks effective and the yellow blooms are nicely painted.

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  9. Fab page. Love the idea with the alcohol ink and it worked out perfectly in the end :)

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  10. Fabulous result and a great choice of word.

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