I'll take water with that ...

I recently went on a short art break in Dorset. It was great fun with a lovely bunch of people, and the food was too delicious. A glass or three of wine with dinner too!

We were using watercolour (including Brushos) and mixed media - for me that was mainly collage. I learned about using watercolour ground not only to knock back the collage pieces, but also to enable me to paint on top of the collage too.

I also finally learned how to use a ruling pen with masking fluid - something I have struggled with, mostly ending up with a lot of blobs.

Another useful thing I did was to do three paintings together, so I wasn't too precious about it! After all, it is only a piece of paper!

So, I did 3 of these at the same time, all slightly different ...

I had to finish the sunflower at home, as I ran out of time, and I wasn't prepared to take a damp painting on the train!

The centre is textured, using tissue paper mixed with the watercolour ground. Also, rather than dry brushing, I used a piece of sandpaper to create a few subtle highlights on the centre.

I also added a bit of gold too, but that doesn't really show in the photo.











I had a really fabulous time; so good to get away from everything and just paint!

I've just started a 5 week course on portrait drawing. Something I've never tried and I'm finding it rather a challenge. We are using photos of famous people so it will be a test as to whether you recognise anyone!!

Our mini heatwave is over and we are back to April showers, but my wisteria is about to flower, and it is covered in blooms, must remember to take photo.

I've seen the light ...

I finally finished project three of my acrylic intermediate course. Should have done so in February, but a virus knocked me out for most of that month - which is best forgotten!

This is the largest stretched canvas I've done so far - 24 inches by 18 inches.  The aim of this project was to use a palette knife to apply the acrylic paint, so not much detail can be included. I found it a bit tricky at first, particularly the smaller areas, but I did enjoy using the knife on large expanses of the canvas, as I do like to create some texture. I did use a brush for tiny areas though, as even my smallest palette knife was too big!

I remembered to take stage photos so ...

First I did an outline sketch using pencil, then using very dilute paint, most of the canvas was covered with washes. The majority of the drips would ultimately disappear!

Using a palette knife, the trees, roofs and buildings were added.

Next, windows (tricky) and sea walls.
The first layer of the sea, so it will have that green undertone.

Everything else was completed, and the final layers for the sea were added.

Now, you may think this is finished ...

The original photo was taken at sunset, so I had to add a warm glaze ... help - never done a glaze before and I had visions of ruining everything!

I procrastinated for a while, tidying up paints and brushes, and other inconsequential stuff. Then I held my breath and ... ended up doing two glaze layers as my first one was so pale. I think I have achieved that warm light you get when the sun sets.

I won't be so frightened of glazing again, as it does tie everything together.

I enjoyed using a palette knife, and will keep a couple in my tool box.

I've just returned from an art holiday - just a few days, but I really enjoyed it. It will probably be the subject of my next post!

Hurrah - the sun is out and it is feeling much warmer. Lots more tree blossom now too. Doesn't Spring just make you feel good?

Fish Tales

I recently took part in another workshop using Powertex. We started with a large square canvas, and outlined the fish shapes. Apart from the basic shapes we could use any textures and colours we liked. This is a semi-abstract take on Siamese Fighting Fish.

First we roughly painted in the background, and next we added texture onto the fish using a little Powertex. Then followed several layers of acrylic paint.

A 5 hour workshop is quite an intense experience, and I didn't finish the detail until I got home, spending probably another hour or so on it until I was happy.

I did a little research into these fish, as I'm not well versed in fishy facts, and here is a brief description:

The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), commonly known as the betta, is a popular fish in the aquarium trade. Bettas are a member of the gourami family and are known to be highly territorial. Males in particular are prone to high levels of aggression and will attack each other if housed in the same tank. If there is no means of escape, this will usually result in the death of one or both of the fish. Female bettas can also become territorial towards each other if they are housed in too small an aquarium. It is typically not recommended to keep male and female bettas together, except temporarily for breeding purposes which should always be undertaken with caution.

Wild bettas live in shallow, freshwater areas. They prefer ponds, streams, canals and rice paddies, but they are also found in rivers. They feed upon plankton, mosquitoes and insect larvae. Bettas are known as fighting fish because two males in close proximity will fight with one another for dominance.

So, remember - don't keep your Bettas in the same tank!