I was fortunate to go to art college in the early sixties where the importance of figure drawing/painting was emphasised. During the coming week, I will write more about this discipline and how it formed the foundation block for my creative life.
For today, this twenty minute watercolour portrait of a model painted at the Boathouse Studio demonstrates some of the same techniques that I have been showing in my tutorials.
All the white, is white paper. I have used a mix of Burnt Sienna and Prussian Blue for the darks with hints of Cadmium Orange and a touch of violet.
One of the key elements in preventing creatives from working on a consistent basis, are The Chattering Moneys.
Chattering Monkeys are the little demons that fill our heads with reasons why we should not, and cannot do something!
They are the Yin to our Yang…..
I am sure just as you begin to paint, they are telling you that you don’t have time and that you can’t draw or paint anyway!
Ignore them.
Just begin, and eventually they will go away……..
‘Do not encumber your mind with useless thoughts. What good does it do to brood on the past or anticipate the future? Remain in the simplicity of the present moment. From the book Buddhist Offerings.
A Bientôt
My Life as an Artist (2) 
Yes, many things can prevent moving forward. I do love your chattering monkeys….gorgeous they are.xxx
Good morning Dina…..so glad you like the little monkeys….they are so adorable, but can cause havoc in the head:) Have a beautiful day.xxx
I just love that first painting, Janet. And think it very helpful that you bring up the problem of the chattering monkeys again. But they seem to me too innocent in your illustration. I would suggest that you make them more intense… frantic, actually…
You are right….these little monkeys look like butter wouldn’t melt in their collective mouths:)