Sweet September, 30 sketchbook watercolors in 30 days
30/30!
This isn't the first time I've signed up for a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, a tough decision, difficult at times (especially on weekends)... but always worthwhile. My self-induced rule was painting from life in watercolor in a sketchbook. I had used watercolors for many years as an illustrator and wanted to play, instead of work with them.
I've painted with gouache and discovered I could do a pretty awful watercolor and "save" it with gouache. For this series, I kept a bit of gouache handy as an emergency device but wanted to work mainly with transparent watercolor. Gouache is an opaque watercolor which can cover mistakes and hide horrible bits (and came in handy it did!).
During the past 30 days, I studied watercolor books, discovered brilliant watercolor artists online, watched Youtube videos and relearned how to use this medium. I rediscovered the joy of splashing about with watercolors!
The caps on my old illustration Winsor and Newton watercolors, carefully stored in airtight containers, were so old they crumbled when I opened them. Thankfully, Winsor and Newton replaced the caps when I reported the problem!
I also used Daniel Smith and Schmincke watercolors. Treated myself to a nifty little Schmincke travel palette that fits in my purse (12 pans which I refitted with 24 half pans).
Sketched image with mechanical pencil Graphgear 1000 Pentel 7, or a Pentel waterbrush. The only brush I used for the main part of painting was the Escoda Versatil #12 travel brush (LOVE IT!), held lots of water, covered large areas or small details with a fine point.
Started series in a Non-watercolor paper 6x8" Moleskine sketchbook, then to a 6x8" Handbook with watercolor paper. Have a 6x6" Pentalic watercolor sketchbook waiting in the wings.
Discovered many new directions and possibilities in this challenge. Watercolor has become my favorite sketching medium and will inform my oil painting. These 30 watercolors are only the beginning!
Strada Easel 30 Paintings from Life Challenge, Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days September 2018 Challenge
Happy Painting!
4 comments:
I fell in love with your watercolors Diane! Thanks so much for sharing the information on your tools and process! I have heard so much about that brush, gonna have to get one! Love the little peek at your palette as well. Congratulations on a superb month!
Good for you Diane!! I enjoyed seeing your works come daily this past month!
Lovely, Diane, to see all your beautiful work together as one collection. I am happy that I can follow your art now and go a little bit along with your journey. Take care, stay well...happy painting!
DearSheila, Marcela, and Laurelle,
Thank you for your kind comments during my 30 day sketchbook watercolor challenge!
It's nice to have cheerleaders! I will be posting again but taking a break. A lot of painting is still going on
but cannot post because it's "serious" gallery work for a show in March. Will show these oils then.
Thank you so much!
xxoDiane
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