I needed to play and doodle yesterday, and so I pulled out a piece of watercolour paper which I had already thrown some paint on. Not sure what I originally intended, but that’s not important.
If you look closely you can see that I have sketched the profile of Claudia, with a blue water colour pencil. I used a photograph of Claudia as my jumping off point.
Anyone who has taken one of my workshops will know how important I consider the warming up process to be. Like dancers, musicians and athletes, painters need to warm up at the beginning of the day. Playful exercises using newspaper, wall paper lining or painting over old sketches is freeing.
In this frame, it’s all about the negative space….applying colour into the area surrounding the profile, which immediately reveals the face. Even though I am working over a colour ground, I have applied juicy watercolour next to the face, and then with a clean, wet brush, I have pulled the paint out.
Remember when working from a photograph, it’s not about copying – rather using it as a jumping off point.
I decided to add some Indian Red water colour to the hair and into the negative space. If asked why….my answer would be because the colour was on my palette and I felt like it:)
Given that I am working off a colour ground, I have applied some Winsor & Newton gouache, permanent white…Had I been working on white paper….I would have left dry white paper for my highlights.
I have added some Cadmium Orange water colour which brings a vibrancy to the image.
In the final frame I decided to use the Permanent White, along with some Naples Yellow gouache around the image to bring a sense of interesting light and movement.
An artist who was recently visiting, talked about the problem of feeling that everything she did had to be a finished painting, even in her sketch book. In our discussion she realised how this attitude prevented her from playing, doodling and freeing up.
This post will be followed by a watercolour portrait on white paper…..
http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk
A Bientôt
It presents beautifully
Always a pleasure to visit here.
Stay well
Regards Thom
Thank you very much. Stay well and make sure to wash all hands and paws:). Janet X
Thanks for the online master class in painting Janet.
Thank you dear Brad:)X
🎨 😍
I really enjoyed looking at your beautiful pictures and art work. You are a very talented lady. I am originally from the U.K. Living in the U.S. I have always been interested in painting but I don’t do it. Now I’m newly divorced I am actually interested in it although an artist I am not. Thank you so very much for sharing all your wonderful experiences. The pictures and art work made me smile.
Jane Owen
On Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 2:13 AM My Life as an Artist (2) wrote:
> janetweightreed10 posted: ” I needed to play and doodle yesterday, and so > I pulled out a piece of watercolour paper which I had already thrown some > paint on. Not sure what I originally intended, but that’s not important. > If you look closely you can see that I have sket” >
Good morning Jane, Perhaps my tutorials along with the extra time we all have will help you to get started? I am a Brit, born in London, but in 1966 went to the States to visit for two years….28 years later I returned to the UK in 1993. Life is a journey.
Thank you so much for commenting . Janet 🙂
Yes I am considering doing that once I have a luttle money to purchase supplies. I have lived here for 37 years now. Im from Liverpool . In 1983 I left Liverpool to go to London to work as a Nanny and travel around Europe and then an opportunity fell in my lap to work as a Nanny in the States. 3 years later I married my American fiancee and have lived here since. My daughters are grown and I miss the U.K. but have no family left although I have lots of friends there still. I miss my roots more and more the older I get. Im leaving my options open and think about returning all the time. Its expensive to live in California. Now Im divorced there is the possibility of returning. Beautiful art work and such wonderful pics. ❤
Good morning Jane, I completely understand about your feeling homesick. Although I was happily married for a big chunk of my life in the ‘states, and raised to beautiful children there I was always homesick for the UK…and so after my divorce in 1987, I know I would return to the UK/Europe and I did in 1993 and have never regretted it. I have kept all my friends in. the States and have visited many times and they, including my children, have visited me many times over the years. Everywhere is expensive, especially London where I live – although I am fortunate to live on the edge of London close to Hampton Court with the river and lots of trees. After we get through this virus business, which is going to take time, I think a lot of people will re-thnk their lives.
Maybe you can pick up some basic supplies from an inexpensive shop….just to PLAY with:). Stay well. Janet :)X
Wow so interesting!
Thank you:)X
You’re a genius! ❤️
It looks like that one went through. Lol…..Yes the NHS is one of the reasons why I want to return also. I very rarely see my girls. They live with their father and he expects to be the number one parent even though he was never around when the girls were growing up. He knew we were always close but since our divorce he has managed to manipulate their minds about me quite a bit. I haven’t seen them in two years and they have not been in touch which saddens me . I returned from the U.K. because of my girls two years ago after my dad passed away and I have had nothing but problems since. Thing is I’m short of money right now so I probably would not be able to get very far with my income but in 9 years I will get a decent Social Security Check and I would be able to live comfortably but who wants to wait almost an entire decade. I have a busy year because a couple of surgery’s I need which were cancelled last month due to the virus. Did you ever change your Citizenship? That’s great you still manage to see your children and grandchildren. I had forgotten about the free travel after aged 60. That would be an added bonus for me too. I drive in this Country but I never drove in the U.K. because public transportation was more accessible and convenient. Looking forward to the tutorial and all the best for your week in Portugal.
Hi Jane, Hopefully you won’t have to wait a decade to move forward. We clearly have a lot in common…let’s continue to talk. Meanwhile, I do hope you enjoy the virtual week in Portugal….Make sure t have fun:)X
Yay glad you got it. Is there somewhere I need to login for the virtual week in Portugal? Is there a list of supplies. Help! I’m confused. Lol.
The week in Portugal began yesterday on this blog….and today you will see a list of supplies…but don’t worry about that at the moment. Take in the blog each day and then you can get your paints organised. :)X
Oh 9k thanks Janet. I will do. Hope your enjoying your week. Stay safe too. 😁
It’s a lovely week…hope all’s well with you. Janet :)X
Thank you so very much for responding again Janet. I’m assuming your daughters are still in the U.S? That’s why I’m having a hard time deciding even though our children have their own lives once they are grown and I don’t see as much of them as I would like too right now as it is due to them living with their father. It was a very long ugly divorce. I’m so glad your still in touch with all your friends. Your children must miss you but thank goodness for technology today. And yes your right in regards too: everywhere is expensive ……I think there is more help to be had in the U.K. though. As you know yourself nothing is free in the U.S. Yes I do have every intention of picking up supplies soon. Is there any way you could provide a list of the basic things I would need as I’m clueless? The more I look at your art work the more inspired I am in wanting to paint. Thank you again for sharing. What an inspiration you are. Take care of yourself and please stay safe. Jane x
Good morning Jane, I have a 54 year old son and a 45 year old daughter. My daughter lives in Cambridge Mass….and like me is used to working from home…My son and his partner live in Amish country in Pa. They run a horse farm and all their neighbours are Amish and I must say really lovely. When I returned to the UK, Jarrod was 27 and Christie had just entered university and was about to study in France and so it seemed like a good time to make the move. It’s always difficult when we live so far apart, but today with the technology its really not too bad at all..plus we do manage to see one another a couple of times a year.
One of the many reasons I returned to the UK was our fabulous NHS….It was such a relief to not have to worry about health insurance and just getting sick. Regardless of any propaganda that is pumped out…the NHS is fabulous. Now I couldn’t imagine living without it. Also because I am over 60 I have free travel, bus travel throughout the UK, and train and tube throughout London…There is no question that it is easier to live here, especially if you are on a limited income, as I am.
Starting next week, I will be posting a weeks tutorials in lieu of what would have been my annual week at a School In Portugal. It should be fun and before it I will post a list of supplies etc…Through painting you will find a whole. new community of people worldwide….Meanwhile enjoy your day, take care and stay well. Janet :)X
I sent you a response a few weeks ago but I got an email telling me it didn’t go through so I’m just testing this before I type a long paragraph, just to make sure it goes through. Lol. 😀
Hi Jane. I am sorry to hear that….this one has come through loud and clear. Can you re-send the other comment? Hoping all is well with you- and that you enjoy the art course. Janet :)X
I just sent you the other response and it’s telling me it went through so hopefully that is correct. Let me know if you don’t receive it. Thank you so much Janet. 😄
Beautiful work! You hang in there and keep doing what you are doing. God bless you and your entire family and may you be reunited with your girls.
Thank you so much…you stay safe and continue to make all our lives richer – Janet 🙂
This is beautiful, and I love reading more about the methods by which you create these marvelous works. I’m learning so much from you! Thank you for all the ideas you share in your blog.
So amazing, thank you for sharing the steps . I did try negative painting and recall that it takes a lot of patience and persistence:)
Thank you very much for your comment. Patience and persistence are key in all artistic endeavours:)