Following on from yesterday's post...
I took my little sketchbook and watercolour set and
one waterbrush down to Emmarentia Dam and, well, it's not as easy as
Sarah makes it look... I haven't got the hang of how much colour you pick up with your brush - some of them were way too thick and intense, like this canoeist's yellow vest and Burnt Sienna skin - he was actually rather pale! And I think I washed far more paint out of the brush and onto my towel than I got on the paper.
With all the lovely water paintings appearing on the new
Watermarks group blog, I've been thinking, now why haven't I painted the dam much more over the years I've lived so close to it? I got my answer an hour or so later - because it's darn difficult, that's why! But practice, as Periander the Sage said, (I found that on
Painter's Keys!), is everything. I will be back...
When a whole bunch of canoeists from the Dabulamanzi (which means 'Beat the water') Club arrived to practice, I gave up on the colour and just tried to sketch them as they flew past - way too fast for me.
I took my little sketchbook and watercolour set and one waterbrush down to Emmarentia Dam and, well, it's not as easy as Sarah makes it look... I haven't got the hang of how much colour you pick up with your brush - some of them were way too thick and intense, like this canoeist's yellow vest and Burnt Sienna skin - he was actually rather pale! And I think I washed far more paint out of the brush and onto my towel than I got on the paper.
With all the lovely water paintings appearing on the new Watermarks group blog, I've been thinking, now why haven't I painted the dam much more over the years I've lived so close to it? I got my answer an hour or so later - because it's darn difficult, that's why! But practice, as Periander the Sage said, (I found that on Painter's Keys!), is everything. I will be back...
When a whole bunch of canoeists from the Dabulamanzi (which means 'Beat the water') Club arrived to practice, I gave up on the colour and just tried to sketch them as they flew past - way too fast for me.
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4 comments:
Oh, this is great sketching on the Emmarentia dam; I love the water in that first one and the spontaneity of them all, especially on the canoeists!I hope you'll do more?
ronell
Yes - I agree - the spontaneity makes your sketches fresh and lively. Making your new tools work for you - well, I'd say you're doing jes faaan! Right - off to find a size 12 pair of sleek grey pants that 'work' for me... Slimming, elegant AND go with my Christmas outfit... :)
It is difficult to paint water--I live near a bay and always feel I should be better at painting it! But your water here, especially in the top one, looks good ... I think it's fine the yellow is heavy: makes it show, and same for the rower's skintone: you adjusted it to make what was best for the painting.
I'm impressed that you ventured out and tried something new--thank you for the nudge!
Thanks so much, Ronell, I enjoyed sitting there trying frantically to catch some of the action - I plan to do more!
Gillian...size 12! Sleek! Yoh! the pilates must be working... a Christmas outfit hasn't crossed my mind yet (it will when it's all too late - the size 12 included)
Laura - I think your water - and sand dunes - painting is wonderful - it breathes of the sea. I just love the convenience of this way of sketching... I get so stressed by gathering the right equipment often, that I don't get there at all!
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