Watercolour interlude/Art dump

[amberdreams]

I'm taking a break from painting my two elephants this weekend and trying some watercolour painting. Neither of the two pieces have turned out how I imagined, but I'm not unhappy with them all the same. I really need to keep reminding myself I'm a proper novice and need to practice, practice, practice before I'll be able to produce the kind of work that I'm getting excited about watching Youtube tutorials.

Yesterday it was a Sam day. I thought this could be Boy King Sam, but also, it could be Witcher Sam too...


I did this one in my Etchr Perfect SKetchbook (which has 300gsm cold press paper), and the Poems About You handmade watercolours from Etsy, which I really like so far. Mayan green, indigo, rose madder and cobalt turquoise.

Today it was Dean's turn, and honestly, I've no idea what's going on here. It can be anything you want it to be, I suppose!

This one I used Clarefontaine Flamboyant watercolour paper - I'm not sure what to make of it. It has a rough texture but with a kind of large pocked surface. It seemed to take a lot of water and working, but I'm no expert. The watercolours I used were the same set, with a limited palette again - mainly indigo, rose madder, orange and indian yellow.

Art dump - a sketch of my best friend Rachel's mum, from a photo Rachel's dad took back in the late 1950s


 

Comments

[mekare]

I love how intense Sam‘s eyes are in the first portrait.the nailpolish and lips make him looks very androgynous. Dean‘s eyes are a lovely shade of green and that sketch looks amazing.

[amberdreams]

Thanks very much!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Looking good. Dean's eyes, especially, look great!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thankee kindly!

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

Your art is lovely!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks, petal. ♥

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

With all the different types of painting you're doing, you sure are getting enough practice in! Love the Watercolour Sam; the eye is awesome, but I'm also in awe of that gentle mouth.
Dean looks fierce!
I adore your drawing of Rachel's mum, it looks delicate and strong at the same time.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure there's such a thing as enough practice! :D Thanks so much for the comment about Rachel's mum, I think she was a pretty tough cookie, having seven kids to look after, but in that photo she has this ethereal look too, so I'm dead chuffed you can see both qualities in her.

[ellerkay.livejournal.com]

These are gorgeous!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much!

[tyrsibs.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of personality in these. I feel like all three of your subjects could tilt their heads and start talking. Beautiful!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you, that's a fabulous compliment!

[aerynsun5.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of blocks of watercolor paper from years ago, but I don't have any paint. This would be something fun to do while isolated, but I didn't think it through. If I can find some pencils, maybe I can do something. You're an inspiration!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Firstly - hello you! How is our not so splendid isolation treating you?

Second - DO IT! You can get some watercolours from Etsy or other shops online. Everyone recommends Princeton Neptune or Silver Velvet brushes, and having now tried them, I can see why. Of those two, I'd say the Princeton are slightly better, but both are vegan friendly brushes, which is a bonus.

Re: the handmade watercolours, they are not as expensive as you might think. The ones I used here were from this person (not Pfeiffer as I falsely state above, I need to amend my entry). Poems About You is US based so shipping won't be an issue for you, and since she worked from home anyway, I would think she'll still be open for business. I bought individual colours starting with six, then buying six more later.

The first Etsy paint maker I used was Redwood Willow, and I think her paints were the best I've tried, but sadly she disappeared a few months ago or I'd be recommending her paint over all the rest.

But if you want a wider selection of colours to play with, a lot of artists on Youtube recommend White Knights full pan sets (or if you want specific colours you can make up your own set quite cheaply). Because I'm addicted to art supplies, I do also have a set of these... LOL! They are pretty nice. I bet you can get them much cheaper than I can because you have fab art stores online, like Blicks.

....and that was probably more of a reply than you expected or needed ha ha!

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Well, I certainly toss a coin to your Witcher Sam! I love these, the colours are stunning, both Sam and Dean's eyes are beautiful. And Rachel's mum looks like a glamourous fifties film star, so lovely!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love that photo of Rachel's mum for exactly that reason! Thanks, petal, hope you're staying sane somehow without your trips to Hever.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I'm doing okay thanks, it's just been so frustrating to have so many lovely days and not be able to go to 'our garden' at Hever! I'm so grateful that Sam's here or I'd kill Brenda! and to have all you lovely lot in internet land!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

ha ha I think many families are discovering that staying indoors with each other is actually not that easy! I'm glad you have Sam too. We've been to 'our garden' Christchurch Park a few times for a short walk but it's only across the road, so it's much more convenient for us than Hever is for you (and of course, Hever is closed!). We're lucky the parks are staying open for now.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, being confined together is a challenge, especially when someone is hard of hearing!! We have a small park next to us, which is a blessing. All we can do is grin and bear it - and eat chocolate!

[tx-devilorangel.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about art, art supplies, etc. but I do know what I like and I like these. They are wonderful and you are very talented.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

And you are very kind. Thank you!

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

that's a lovely sketch of rachel's mum. also sam is kind of creepy but the one eye you can see is great, as is his hair (creepy isn't a bad thing! and jared has such a fivehead, bangs look better on him than having his hair all off his face), and dean kind of looks like he took some blood spatter to the face. like something (someone?) was killed right in front of him, or he killed something and it spurted at him. again, not a bad thing. :D i know nothing about watercolors or watercolor paper, but i really like how you always mention the paper and paint that you used.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Thankee! I'm chuffed you thought SAm was creepy and Dean looked bloodspattered - tick int the box!