art - 2021

[markskor]

One more...anybody else?

susans.JPG

[rlown]

How about painting a pic of the broken snow blower..

[balzaccom]

Giving this a bump, since I've been doing a little painting recently



Hmmm. That doesn't seem to work. What about these links:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CjDHVSn7KTPVJxFf6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nfAtzHQSffqE6FPT6

[markskor]

Nice job Balz,,,you are progressing nicely.

With this "stay at home" virus thing going on, a bit surprised many more artists have not stepped up here.

As for me, also a bit remiss on my art...the Tuolumne Store call got me inspired too...found a muse. So...lets talk about some watercolor mistakes...some rules to follow to increase your painting's interest. Maybe it is the ex-teacher in me but...Here is a 420 art lesson.

First big rule concerns Value. Arbitralily, let us assign 6 numbers to values: darkest dark (whatever color you choose) = 6, whitest white = 1 (the paper), middle values range 2 - 5.
In watercolor you have to save the white from the paper itself...it does take some planning. I paint light to dark...1 -> 6. Dark over a dry light. As a rule of thumb your finished picture should show somewhere about~ 10% - 15% value #6 (black), ~15% - 20% value #1 (white). Painting with the middle values for the rest. However, if all the painting is middle values, those are the only values used, your art is boring. An art teacher asked me once, "Are you too chicken to go to black, and where are the whites?"

value.JPG

Second rule concerns having a "center of interest." As an artist, ou have a duty to highlight something in your painting to draw your eyes in. (her eyes, (nipples?) a waterfall, teeth, the sun on the crest, the door to the store)...characterized by one area having the biggest major contrast...A 6 value next to a 1 value. No contrast - no center of interest.
Third is how you use colors. Watercolor has glorious hues...much like a stained glass window...let the radiant colors shine through. Embrace the unexpected. Sure you can paint/ go over mistakes again, all in drabs, 2s and 5s...browns, blues, and greys ...but where is the glory in that? Leave the mistakes alone...let it dry.

store 420.jpeg

Fourth...Painting from a picture. If you want an exact copy of what you are seeing, take a picture - then you can photoshop the heck out of it.
If you want to do watercolor...maybe move a tree, change the sky, lighten some part to show a real center of interest you are trying to focus on. Embrace the vibrants. If you want drabs...take up oils or acryics?

There are many more art "rules" too...too many to list here...line, form, contrast. rule of thirds, spacing, etc., etc. The trick is to paint whatever you want, however you want, but make it seem like you are not following any rules...but you are.
Find your own style, save the whites, and have patience.
"Be an entertainer, not a reporter. Be organized. Simplify. Use color wisely.
Create a Large Shape that is a Good Shape."
Watercolor is after all a thinking media.
mark

[balzaccom]

Hi Mark

Thanks for the note. I've been doing a lot of delta scenes recently. I love the flat, serene nature of that place:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dShXbMDB7Ypaz4KV6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/J9hAQFSWcgknr8mY7

[balzaccom]

One more--Twenty Lakes Basin in Yosemite

[Harlen]

Glad your well Markskor. We love your paintings! The Harlen clan.

[Wandering Daisy]

What size paper do you usually work on? Is there any particular size that you feel works the best for water colors.

My sister-in-law is a well known painter in New Mexico and she does oils on a very large format- like 4x6 feet. This one is on our wall; specifically for my husband, who is red-green color-blind, with lots of yellow and blue tones that he sees well. ( sorry, I shook the camera a bit- it really is sharper in reality.) Markskor your pictures remind me her colors. Different style with smaller format watercolors though. Anyway- I really like your watercolors.

IMG_1087.JPG

[markskor]

What size paper do you usually work on? Is there any particular size that you feel works the best for water colors.

Thanks WD...like my color palette too...Winsor Newton professional watercolors.

I primarily work/ using Arches Bright White paper, cold press, 140 weight (nothing lighter)... (22" x 30")...usually buy "on line - sale" type deals.... 25 sheets at a time. Look up/google Blick Art. If you buy on line (with a free shipping deal), it still cost ~$7 for a whole sheet...FYI, local Bishop Art store = $11 a sheet. After you "sort of" master the watercolor art...working bigger is better.

If working plein air, I cut/tear the sheets...(now to 22" x 15",) then use half-sheets mostly...taped down around the edges with the blue type masking tape, mounted on a stiff board.
If working studio...then maybe whole sheets used/ mounted.

[balzaccom]

Daisy, I like that one a lot. Very nice.