Today's palette comes from Theresa Hendrickson, my mother. She is a watercolor artist, that frequently paints landscapes & objects found on walks. Her eye for capturing the natural world is amazing. I tagged along to her first watercolor landscape painting class. While I struggled even getting paints on the paper, she laid in the grasses, barn, water & sky as if she had done it 10,000 times before. Her skill is unquestionable. Follow Theresa on Instagram for more gorgeous watercolors.
J: What color do you wish wasn't there? T: This is a relatively new palette. The colors are pale as compared to all of my previous palettes. I think I would get rid of the "opera pink" in this line up. J: What is your favorite brush? T: My favorite brush is a 1 inch flat that I have had for at least 10 years. J: What is your favorite paper/surface to paint on? T: I use "Winsor and Newton" watercolor, and "Arches" 140 lb. Hot Pressed Paper. J: What is your favorite color to work with? T: One new color that I am especially enjoying is "indatherene blue." I like using it to paint the sky.
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Yesterday I worked on a pattern & it did not resolve. This morning I worked on it more in the hopes that after sleeping my brain would have come up with the solution. No such luck. Sometimes this happens. My good friend Lydia Makepeace wrote an excellent post last month about how you have to make a lot of ugly art (it doesn't mean you have to share it). But you do have to make it. So I chalk the past 24 hours of pattern struggle up to the learning process and present you with arrow trees, a common motif, but one I have not yet attempted (also not the atrocious pattern I have been working on for the past 24h).
People often ask, "How would you describe your work?" I say that I am an abstract landscape painter. This is often met with confused looks. I think this painting in tandem with the video clip below adequately encompassses this concept. I employed only at Winsor & Newton Water Colour Marker to do this painting. And while I still prefer my brush it was good to see that enough pigment is dispersed to allow for a salt reaction. Today's palette comes from the extremely talented Jacquelyn Gleisner. Her work is expansive (30ft.), but approachable. The detail & raucous color make it enjoyable to travel the entire surface of the painting. Included below the sketchbook images, which were made with the palette shown above, is a brief Q&A regarding materials. H: What color do you wish wasn't in your palette?
G: Hot pink. I have a problem with neon. H: What is your favorite brush? G: Kolinsky Sable brushes are my absolute fave, especially small liner brushes (size 0 or 2). H: What is your favorite paper/surface to paint on? G: Paper is my favorite surface, but I do enjoy working on canvas treated with Golden absorbent ground or a well-primed panel on occasion. H: What is your favorite color to work with? G: Blue, always blue! I certainly agree with Jacquelyn that blue is the best color to work with! And would encourage you to check out her website for more wonderful art, along with her twitter & instagram. And if you happen to live in the Lancaster, PA area stop by Sunshine Gallery by October 29th, for a real life viewing. Vicki Sawyer says, "If birds can build nests, they can make hats." And paint hats for them she does. Her paintings always bring a smile to my day with their whimsy, detail, and directness. The photo Vicki included of her palette also shows her painting which I take as a bonus. I had never considered a plate palette, but seeing the results certainly makes that method a contender now. It is great to see how people work & use their palettes. You learn a lot that way, along with asking questions. Included here is a brief Q&A: J: What color do you wish wasn't there? V: Sometimes I wish raw umber was not there, but I use it so much. J: What is your favorite brush? V: I love using brights because they can give you a thin, controlled line or a broad stroke. J: What is your favorite paper/surface to paint on? V: Having sewed a lot, I love the texture of painting on canvas, but since I usually paint highly detailed pieces, I prefer a fine textured canvas. J: What is your favorite color to work with? V: My favorite color to work with is diarylide yellow because it provides a great, enhancing undercoat for the more transparent reds and greens. If you are interested in seeing more of Vicki's work head over to her website where she also has information on her latest shows. She also has a fun zazzle shop full of customizable merchandise. Sometimes when I take a photo instead of captioning it at the bottom, I place the caption on top using the over app. Just wanted to share a few with you today. Happy Friday Y'all!
It seems that after a hiatus I like to tackle something bigger than before. This is my largest painting yet! Measuring 33"x40" If I continue this trend I will soon need to find some trees further apart. Below are some detail shots. I will need to go back & fuss over some spots in this one now that I have been able to step back from it. Because my working method is so wet it necessitates a flat surface, but even when standing on a chair above it there was not enough perspective. If you would like to see a little, 15 second, video of me working on this painting click here. Happy Thursday Y'all!
Yesterday I was explaining my process to an acquaintance and said, "It is all a conversation between the paint & brush & salt & paper." I am there to try and facilitate it. They looked at me askance and laughed. However, I stand by that idea: a conversation is occurring between my materials; I am there to facilitate by providing supplies & helping the participants move around. Like the rest of us the paintings have been enjoying the sunshine this summer. Hence another aerial view al fresco. Happy Wednesday Y'all!
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