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
The strong dark I have added in this next frame is a mix of BURNT SIENNA AND PRUSSIAN BLUE – I don’t use black.
In this frame I have scraped out some of the dark with a knife to add energy. All white areas continue to be DRY WHITE PAPER.
Note that I am moving colours around the image to produce a sense of rhythm.
The most important thing is to have FUN…..and to PLAY a little every day.
For those of you who have been waiting to see the video we shot in December….you will have a little longer to wait…..
In total we numbered thirteen…however, in this group picture taken in the studio on the last evening, we are missing three of our company – Elizabeth who unfortunately became ill early on, and then Inara from Norway and her daughter Eva from Latvia who had to leave a little earlier because of flights. 
Inara from Norway produced some beautiful work. This quick study of me teaching is superb,
And this lovely piece from Eva – who lives in Latvia…..This was a totally new experience for her. 
Another different element to this year was the addition of tutor Dora Keogh. Dora and her husband John are Canadians who also have a home in Olhao…Dora joined us for all the painting and some of the messing around stuff as well:) I really enjoyed this, and hope that we are able to work together again.
As is often the case, by the fourth day, people are getting into a flow. This gem was painted by Jayanthi…..and is a clear example of what happens when a flow is achieved. 
These two beauties came from Mitsuyo’s brush. Mitsuyo and Larry live in Kaikoura New Zealand. During one evening Larry showed some slides of this beautiful part of the world, plus some of Mitzuyo’s magnificent jewellery. 
It is important to remember that my courses are all about loosening up and letting go of preconceived notions. I can say that everyone stepped up to the challenge. 
Celia explaining to us how the colour of the glazes aren’t necessarily what they appear to be!
The tiles produced by some of my group……what fun. 
Demonstrating a loosening up exercise working from a colour ground. 
Boat driver Nuno taking us to Armona Island. Note to the left is his beautiful dog who is always there to greet us. 
One of many fine meals….this one at the Beach Cafe on Armona….fresh grilled fish and vegetables….and lots of lovely fresh air. 
On this day we ate at a really good Indian restaurant in one of the Alleys in the middle of old Olhao. I am no connoisseur of Indian food but this was delicious and Jaynthi, who knows all about India said it was very good. I look forward to returning there. 
Love Moira’s quick sketch on Armona Island. My photograph does not do it justice
It’s important to recognise that many of these artists are used to working in a much tighter way…..It’s always gratifying to me to see when the looseness starts to show. 
There are so many more paintings to show…..Please check Art in the Algarve FB page…plus my FB page, twitter and instagram.
Carlotta is Margarida’s youngest……Unfortunately I didn’t get any of Beatrice this time.
And wonderful Dora inviting everyone for a beer…..This was the biggest beer container i have ever seen:)
Sketching at the Saturday market. 
Famous for the storks that nest there every year, this little tree is right across from the Ceramics studio. A great place to sit and sketch. 
My Life as an Artist (2) 