In Living Color 41 - Wisteria

The idea for this next painting came from a trip I made to the Morse Museum of American Art located in Winter Park, Florida see here, showing the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.  The idea didn't come right away but some time later when I came across the ticket stub that I had saved from my trip there.  

The ticket was 4.5"X 2" so I started out by scanning it so I could print a larger picture to make the cartoon from. I have started using a different method to create my cartoons than the one I explained in the post from June 4, 2011, Just Black & White 11, which I find more efficient.  I start with a black and white 8X10 photo of the subject I want to paint.  I then use a sharpie pen to out line the areas that will result in the cartoon.  From there I place a sheet of tracing paper over the above piece and trace in pencil the areas I have outlined.  Once this is done I check my work to see that everything is in order then once again go over the pencil outline with a fine tip sharpie making this the final step.  Using this drawing it can be enlarged to any size I want to paint, full sheet, half sheet or quarter sheet, by taking it to our local Staples and letting them do the rest.  I usually take the watercolor paper that I will paint on so we can get the correct measurement and check the enlargement against it.  So far I have only used quarter sheets but the dimensions should work for the others as well.

Stain Glass Cartoon

This was a very tedious cartoon to make but once again I really like doing detail work so even though it took awhile I enjoyed the process.  By the way when I scanned the ticket I hadn't punched the hole in it so I didn't have to guess how to fill in the missing area.

Picture of Ticket

Once the watercolor paper was ready to go I started what I thought would be an easy painting....WRONG....it was much harder than anticipated.  First there is a lot of blending of colors to get the right effect.  Then as I would look at the picture to see what color to add I'd lose my place on the painting and spent a lot of time going back and forth to get the right color in the right place.

Stain Glass - In The Process

Once I finished filling in all the blanks it was time to add the leaded effect which consisted of outlining all the previous work with a thin semi-black color and adding a signature.  Below is the picture of the completed work but I have to add that I didn't do a very good job of taking the picture and I no longer have the painting in order to retake it.  You will notice a shadowing over the bottom left of the painting that shouldn't have been there and the colors in the original are much brighter as you can see in the photo above.

Stained Glass Wisteria- Study
Watercolor
11"X15"

In Living Color 40 - Zinnias

This painting was exciting to do.  I tried several new techniques in achieving the final results.  First was cropping of the original photo to a close up view of the flowers and eliminating unwanted clutter.  Then while in the photo shop program I started playing with the picture to see what it might look like with the various effects that were offered.  I started out using the watercolor effect to see what it could look like once painted then moved onto another effect that gave it the pen & ink look.  Unfortunately I can't remember which effect I used for the second step and should have written it down at the time.  I rather liked the look and decided I would attempt to paint it that way.  I made a print of those results and began from there. 

Original Photo

Cropped and Altered Photos

Watercolor Effect

 

After painting the photo to look like the watercolor effect photo I then moved onto the Pen & Ink effect to finish the painting.

 

Pen & Ink Effect

 



Working the Pen & Ink was the most time consuming part of this painting due to using a small tipped ink pen and achieving the effect with dots and scribbles.  Strange as it may seem this is the most relaxing part for me and I didn't mind doing it at all but was somewhat excited to come to an end and call it finished.

Zinnias
Watercolor
11"X15"

The Word 20

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

My Favorites - Lilacs

On our last vacation to Utah Gary and I spent a lot of time in the mountains so I could get my fix of fresh mountain air before going back to flat Florida.  I was surprised to find this lilac bush growing there since I'd not seen one in that area in the past.  I love lilac's and they have the most wonderful aroma.

My Favorites - Lilacs

In Living Color 39 - Moonlight Lily

It might seem strange that I would list this painting under In Living Color but it actually is a watercolor where I just use one color, Payne's Gray.  Ever since I painted the monochromatic chicken posted earlier, while working under my first teacher Louise, I have wanted to try doing another painting using that technique.  This painting was a lot more challenging than the chicken, was a great exercise in color value, and I really like the results.  The original color photo, if I recall correctly, was one I found in a Birds & Blooms magazine.

Midnight Lilly
Watercolor
11"X15"

In Living Color 38 - Nemo's Friends

My next painting was the inspiration of Karen.  We were sitting at the kitchen table one day going through magazines and I was looking at a copy of my husbands Scientific American.  I found a picture of Nemo's friends and when Karen noticed it she asked if I would paint it for her.  The next thing I know I'm making an enlargement from a 1 1/2"X2" photo.  I started the painting while Karen was still in Florida but due to the slowness of my work I didn't finish it until after she left for Utah.  But eventually it was completed, framed and shipped to her as one of her Christmas gifts.


Nemo's Friends
Watercolor
11"X15"

In Living Color 37

One summer before I left the beach house classes we had our daughter Karen, who lives in Utah, spend a few weeks with us which gives her mother a little vacation and some time to herself.  I would always take Karen to class when I went and she loved the opportunity to do art along with the rest of us and get a lot of attention in the process.  Here is a picture of Karen enjoying class and a couple of art pieces she completed while there.

Karen

 

Karen's Art - Drawing

 

 

Karen's Art - Watercolor

 



 We had a good time!

In Living Color 36 - Butterfly

After going out on my own I started this painting and I was very pleased with the outcome even if it took me forever to figure out the process and to complete it.  I remember spending a long time just deciding how to do the back ground and at least that much longer getting the nerve to paint it.  I knew that once I started the background I needed to complete it in one sitting so it would be cohesive.  This will not be a new picture on the blog as I've used it on the sidebar for some time now but felt it needed to be included in the body of the blog as it fell into place among the others.

Butterfly
Watercolor
11"X15"

In Living Color 35

It was several years that I spent taking lessons to learn the finer art of drawing, pen & ink and watercolor but as with all good things a time comes when you feel that a new direction is needed.  I was very fortunate to have two great teachers but also felt that, at the time of this decision, I was not moving forward any longer.  In fact I found myself doing to much comparison to the teacher and other students and felt my work was not living up to my expectations.  It was then that I decided I needed to go out on my own and discover what I could do using my own choice of subjects and the knowledge that I had obtained to that point.  It was a slow process moving forward but I was determined to do it. 

Regarding this subject I want to leave you with a parting thought about my teacher Therese Ferguson, here.  She is an amazing artist and can paint just about anything with complete ease.  She has been in many competitions and has brought home the prize probably more often than not.  She and several other ladies run an art studio, Art & Antique Studio, located in Melbourne where they give lessons in many different media.  Here is a picture of Therese giving a lesson in one of the classes I attended at the beach house.

My Teacher - Therese Ferguson

And here she is with an award winning ribbon at one of the shows.

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us Therese!

In Living Color 34 - Succulent

It seems that every now and again I find an artist that I really like and want to see if I can duplicate their style.  I found such an artist in a book at the library.  Library's are really great places!  This time the book also included a step-by-step video to watch.  What a bargain!  The artist is Birgit O'Connor here and she likes to do really BIG paintings.  I have tried a few of her works and here is one that I feel I didn't do my best and actually have not completed yet but maybe when I finish it I will feel a little better about it.  I will post the other paintings I've done of hers at a later date.

Succulent
Watercolor
11"X15"

My Favorites - My Little Buddy Solomon

I am dedicating this posting of My Favorites to my little buddy Solomon who has truly been the light of my life.  We met 18 years ago and have spent those years in a relationship unlike any other I've had with my pets.  He had the most lovable, adorable and beautiful spirit ever.  We just had to look into each others eyes and know that there was a love only the two of us could share.  He will truly be missed but will always have a place in my heart.  Love you little buddy!

My Favorites - My Little Buddy Solomon

 

 

In Living Color 33 - Vineyard

It seems that I've always wanted to be able to paint quicker and looser so every now and again I give a new picture a try to see if it can be done.  I found this picture on the cover of the April 2011 issue of Watercolor Artist and loved the work of the artist Michelle Taute.  I did accomplish my objective to paint quicker, although not as quick as I'd hoped, and I didn't do the painting justice in comparison to the original artist which I expected, but I had another fun day of painting.

Vineyard
Watercolor
8"X11"

Just Black & White 15 - Ballerina

I was in the mood to try a little drawing since it had been awhile so I pulled out the paper and pencils and worked on this drawing which I saw in a book.  It was a fun exercise for a change.

Ballerina
Graphite Drawing
9"X12"

My Favorites - God's Painting

Here is another beautiful sunset taken in Titusville.  I think it goes nicely with The Word today.

My Favorites - God's Painting

The Word 19

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2

In Living Color 32 - Cute Little Bird

I have always loved birds and over the past couple of years I have done a few paintings of them.  Some of the paintings I have also used pen & ink in the process.  Here are a few.

Birds

Cute Little Bird
Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor
8"X10"

This was the first pen & ink drawing that I used watercolor with and decide not to paint the bird but just the foliage. 

 

Prothonotary Warbler

Watercolor

5"X7"

 

 

Cerulean Warbler

Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor

5"X7"

 

 

 

Pine Grosbeak

Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor

8"X10"

 







In Living Color 31 - Trumpet Vine Flower

I decided that watercolors didn't have to be large and could be used for something other than hanging on the wall so I started painting cards to send to family and friends.  I was able to buy a box of blank cards made of watercolor paper with envelopes included.  Here are a few of the ones I did.

Cards
Watercolor
5"X7"

Trumpet Vine Flower
This one was taken from a portion of a painting I posted earlier.

 

Vase of Flowers

You might also recognize this from an earlier posting.



Girl with Apples

This painting was more of a drawing.  I had a set of watercolor pencils that I had not used and wanted to see what kind of results it would produce.  I think I like using the paints with a brush best.

 



Lone Tulip

A good opportunity to practice doing backgrounds.



 

Happy Birthday
This card is one of my favorites to do and it is always fun and colorful.

 



 

Butterfly

I have an idea for a painting I want to do in the future that will include a butterfly so I did this card to see what the one I chose for the painting might look like.

My Favorites - Trees

Believe it or not this picture was taken last summer.  We drove up into the mountains of Utah and it was lightly snowing at the top.  The trees had not yet come into leaf even thought the ground was covered with grass.

My Favorites - Trees

In Living Color 30 - Stained Glass Iris 1

While at the library one day I found a really great step-by-step watercolor book with several paintings I thought would be fun to paint.  The book is Step-By-Step Guide To Painting Realistic Water Colors by Dawn McLeod Heim.  She is a very detailed instructor with easy to follow techniques and I found it quite easy to do the painting.  To date I've only tried one project from the book but I learned a lot and love the painting.  I liked the book so much that I found one on line and bought my own copy.  I look forward to trying a few of the other techniques that she teaches.

Stained Glass Iris
Watercolor
11"X15"

The Word 18

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

In Living Color 29 - Portrait Practice

Still having a desire to do a portrait I decided to try one, of a picture in a book, for a little practice before trying my granddaughter Grace.  I had fun painting it and it certainly looks like a person but I need to work on refining the process.

Portrait Practice - Watercolor

 

After the above practice I found a picture of Grace that Gary had taken that I liked and gave it a try.  I am not at all satisfied with the outcome of either painting but at least I tried and I will try again in the future.

 

Grace - Cartoon

 

Grace - Watercolor

 

I am so amazed at how much layering and detail a portrait requires and I find that choosing a photo with the correct lighting would be a plus in defining the facial features. 

In Living Color 28 - Morocco

After Gary and I took a trip to Morocco it was only fitting to do a painting of it.  Actually our trip consisted of a drive to the Epcot center here in Florida and was done in a day but was fun just the same.  This scene once again gave me the opportunity to try several new techniques.  It consisted of many different layers and textures I had to figure out since I was doing this painting on my own and not with the help of an instructor.  In the original picture there were many people wandering in the street and I decided to cut them out and make up a few of my own.  That was a challenge that I've not done before and as you can see I still need to work on people for any future paintings.  All in all with the exception of the people I like how most of it turned out.

Morocco
Watercolor
11"X14"

In Living Color 27 - Laundry Day

A while back I repainted my laundry room and while doing so I thought it might be fun to create a painting that I could hang in there.  So with a bit of inspiration and a sheet of drawing paper I pulled out the paints and started creating.  I was and am happy with the outcome but I have never taken it from the first stage to a full sized painting using watercolor paper.  I would still like to do that someday with a little tweaking here and there but I have so many others that I am currently working on that I think it will be awhile.

Laundry Day
Watercolor
9"X12"

My Favorites - Natures Art

This photo was taken during a trip to Washington DC in the museum of Natural History.  It is of a sliced section of a gemstone.  I thought it was so beautiful and looked like it could be a painting.  I might just try to paint it one day.

My Favorite - Natures Art

The Word 17

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33: 21-22

In Living Color 26 - Boat

I'm not sure it's even worth showing this next painting since there is so little of it completed but in order to move ahead to future paintings I will.  This was the next painting in line that Therese worked on with us and the drawing was different than the photo it was taken from.  I got started but as you will see didn't accomplish much and I haven't taken the time or effort to go back to it.  First because I am not the best at working up a painting without an original photo/picture to work from and second because everything but the boat was unavailable to view.  Some day I will attempt to complete it just to say I did.

Boat- Original Photo

 

 

Boat - Watercolor

In Living Color 25 - Daisies

Here's another painting taken from a picture in one of my art books of a vase of flowers that I wanted to try.  This one is very small about 3X3" but cute.  Will probably use a large matting when I frame it.

Daisies - Watercolor

After I finished the above painting I wanted to see what I could do by creating two paintings of flowers that I just made up.  Believe me some days are better than others and results are not the best but they belong in my works so here they are.