About twenty years ago when I was living and working in the Magical Town of Crickadoon, (Crickhowell, Wales), I found myself experiencing a block….it happens…it’s quite normal. The key is to find ways of moving through the block…..
The three ways that help me to do this, are – walking – visiting museums and allowing myself to PLAY.
In this instance, I set up long tables in my studio with large sheets of paper….and began to throw paint around…..anything, just to get the juices flowing. I wet the paper, adding a mix of watercolour and gouache and watched with great excitement as the transparent watercolour mixed with the opaque gouache……Bingo….I had broken through the block:)
Initial sketch of Claudia – using watercolour/gouache on a gouache colour ground.
Until this point, I had only used transparent watercolours on white or tinted papers, but now with the opaque quality of gouache, I was able to paint off of colour grounds. Plus I loved the interaction of transparent watercolour with the opaque gouache.
Claudia (2)
I would urge anyone who feels a little stuck, or is just beginning to paint….to PLAY.
It is not necessary to use expensive watercolours or paper….newspaper, brown wrapping paper, wallpaper lining, and inexpensive paints will do…..the key is to just do it.
Claudia has been my Muse since 1977….
The following portraits of Claudia are using different mediums….
Charcoal sketch of Claudia – Claudia is an actress and so projects many different personas
pen sketch of Claudia working on her computer in Paris
watercolour of Claudia, Wales 1995
Small oil sketch of Claudia when she visited me in Wales
The first portrait I ever painted of Claudia when she was 17 years old and living with us in the USA. She is now in her fifties and a very successful director of theatre and actress. oil on canvas. 
To finish -a watercolour/gouache sketch of a magical hummingbird.
A Bientôt
