The Importance of Keeping Sketch Books – 2

Carrying a sketch book at all times is a good idea, however this time of year is perfect to put a small sketch book, palette, brush and pen into your bag.    Then find a place in nature where you can doodle and enjoy….oh and don’t forget something to eat and drink…

Sketch books come in all sizes….and although I like to carry a pocket sized book for quick notes, every now and then I will use a bigger tablet, which was the case with this sketch book I used in France during the summer of 2012.

The first two rapid watercolours appealed because of the reflections of the boat and overhanging trees…plus it was such a peaceful place to sit on the banks of the Sein.

This sketch was painted on July 4th 2012….I was with artists, Mariethe Salort, and Bonnie Halsey Dutton….We had just enjoyed a lovely champagne lunch provided by dear Yves….our taxi driver:)

Courriers sur Sein  – watercolour and gouache 

We spent another blissful day in the beautiful village of Gerberoy.   I remember that the Tour de France was close by that day, and every time we passed riders, we yelled ‘Viva La France’ from the car…

This sketch was from the church which sat high up over the village of Gerberoy,  overlooking the beautiful French countryside.

Mariethe Salort managed to arrange for us to paint in Monet’s Garden at Giverney after all the tourists had gone.     It was a wonderful experience to sit in the gardens with no one else around.

Sitting in Monet’s Garden, all alone. 

A bridge over the lily pond at Monet’s Garden, Giverney. 

 

Remember to click on images to see a larger version.

 

You might even see some Magical Hummingbirds.

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

HummingbirdHQ.com

A Bientôt

 

 

To paint is to dance with colour……

Why not dance a little today………….

Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend.

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Bientôt

Artists At Work – preparing for Festival of love….

On my way from London Waterloo Station, about to walk across the Hungerford Bridge….I saw this sign….Artists at Work – Preparing for the Festival of Love.    How wonderful is that?

Clearly it’s going to be a very colourful festival….

Looking down from the Hungerford Bridge to South Bank.   This was about 11.30 before the lunch time crown gathered…

Looking back at South Bank from The Hungerford Bridge.

 Maybe the whole world should be preparing for a Festival of Love….

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Bientôt

Allowing the brush to dance….

The following watercolour/gouache painting is an example of warming up, playing and allowing the brush to dance…..

I cut an unsuccessful painting into quarters so that I could re use the paper for this and other images.

Using a mix of Opera Rose gouache – plus a little permanent white gouache I rapidly indicate the flower heads….I use violet and Alizarin crimson to indicate the darker areas of the flower.

Note that the underlying colour from the original sketch integrates with the flower.

Allowing my brush to dance across the surface, using a mix of burnt sienna and prussian blue watercolour, I begin to indicate the stems and leaves.   I have also added a little Winsor & Newton green gold – an expensive pigment, but one I highly recommend.

Using a knife I scrape out some of the paint while still wet….which gives a sense of energy and movement.

In the final frame, I mix some Green Gold with permanent white gouache to highlight areas of the image and to indicate seed pods.    I also move more opera rose around the image to bring a sense of harmony and balance.

This is all about spontaneity.     Working like this is a great way to hone observational skills.     The key is to let go, be playful and allow the paint to do its own thing……It also helps to work on several pieces at the same time.

I would also add that my ‘wet brush no paint’ technique is used throughout….this means as I add colour, I immediately clean my brush to pull out the colour.    This prevents muddiness, the enemy of all watercolour painters:)

Here is a Magical Hummingbird to start the new week…..

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

HummingbirdHQ.com

A bientôt