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Nope, sorry - I didn't keep up with my intention of posting every day about the workshop! After trying to absorb all the tons of information - what a generous and totally giving teacher she is - all the concentration and painting, painting, painting for 6 hours a day (plus an hour for lunch) I got home completely exhausted and unable to string two words together.
But now, after a little rest, to continue with...
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I'm discovering my washes need lots of work! I haven't been mixing enough paint to cover the whole area, so add water and pigment halfway and cause cauliflowers or cabbages to form... nor have I been mixing it thoroughly, and get streaks and blobs. Too impatient and not enough care!
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Finally for the day, a close up head of a giraffe. You'll see above the stages that Hazel used - I've put it in a separate post so as not to make it look as if I'm trying to pass off her paintings as my own! By this stage I was so tired, willing my giraffe to please, please, not go wrong. I think if it were the only painting I was doing that day, I would have put more into the darks, been more careful with the spots and softened some hard edges, but as it was, I was quite pleased with painting into such a big shape without stuffing it up, and keeping it fairly loose and not overworking anything.
At this point, I think I must remark that, although this may seem like a slavish following of Hazel's methods, they are all techniques that she instinctively uses after her years of experimenting, and her gift to us (I did ask her permission to blog this workshop!) is to take the time and thought to put her natural - though she plans ahead - actions into a sequence that we can use, to paint freely and in our own style once we know a few sound principles and logical steps to produce - as was her aim in this workshop - vibrant, lively watercolours.
Also, some of this I, and I'm sure many of you, do know from our own experiments or reading or lessons, but to have the sequence so clearly laid out when say, presented with a beautiful silhouetted subject on a coloured background, will make painting it much simpler. If you're anything like me you'll be scratching your head thinking, " now, how did I do that last time..?" by which time the bird, or kudu, or whatever, has flown!
8 comments:
Oh my word Cathy, so much to remember! And so much to take in - but if we only even learn and remember ONE thing it will be worth it! Just LOVE the ostriches!
Beau travail, j'adore la girafe...
Those dancing, elegant ostriches are to die for! I just love those! I always feel like a total beginner when I head to a workshop--I feel like nothing I do is any good, but I do learn. The things you've shown here are marvelous.
Oh, my, you're being much too hard on yourself - enjoy, listen, learn, and absorb it all and then practice it when you're home and comfortable and rested. I think these little watercolor sketches of the animals are perfect, and love your giraffe! Thanks so much for sharing Hazel's workshop with us (love her work).
I can just imagine how exhausted you must feel...taking in so muh and then still have to do your own versions...But it seems to be worth every drop of sweat! you did great with all your efforts...I'm sure once you get back to nromality with your own thoughts, it will all take shape much easier and with some new touches...and that is what I'm looking forward to!
Ronell xx
I think these are lovely - Your giraffe in particular. You can really get a feeling of the strong sunlight by your clever use of colour and shadows. I would be really pleased with this! I love the antelope too, so simple yet so effective! And the back lit birds are really dramatic! I wish we had animals like these here in the UK. Unfortunately we have to go to a zoo to see them!
I love the ostriches!! Their shapes, and especially their legs, are grand--they just make me smile! And the antelope--you've captured that attentive, but quiet, attitude they have.
WOW
good
creations
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