Sep 23, 2016

Painting Up A Storm!

In my last post, I mentioned taking a watercolor class.  Our first homework assignment was to draw a thumbnail sketch of what we wanted to paint for our masterpiece and then draw a "cartoon" of what it would look like full size.  The instructor really liked my cartoon -- which surprised me because I think it's rather rudimentary.  He thinks it would be fun if I did an impressionist painting.  Me, I'm not sure.


The day I was to take my cartoon to class, it was raining.  Look what I came up with to protect my cartoon!  My classmates thought it was ingenius. LOL


During the second week of class, we learned about and practiced watercolor painting techniques: Wet on Wet, Wet on Damp, Wet on Dry, Washes, Hard Edge/Soft Edge, and Drybrushing.


The instructor walked us through doing our first class painting project using the techniques we learned and practiced.


I thought my painting was going along swimmingly well until the instructor had us "lift" fog into our paintings.  He said my paint lifted a little too well.  I think my fog bank is too wide.  Not bad though, for a first time using some of these techniques.  We also got to use frisket which is really useful to maintain white highlights.

Week three, we learned how to paint florals.  Mine is still a work in progress.


Another student and I have been meeting once a week outside of class to do our homework and practice painting.  I'm trying to get this floral done so I can move on to my "masterpiece" which is supposed to be mostly done by next week. I haven't even started painting it yet. Yikes!

Week four, we learned about painting skies and water.  While my clouds look okay, I think they're way too dark for the water below.


Rocks and trees will be taught in the next classes.  The white areas in the previous painting are where the rocks and trees will go.

In a different class offered by the park district, I learned how to paint trees.  The instructor remembered me from when I took the floral class back in June.  He asked if I'd been doing some painting because I was using techniques I learned elsewhere.  I finished painting one tree and started on a second.


Until next time...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I LOVE your fall tree. I cannot believe you are just learning! You appear to have some natural ability. If you keep working with watercolor, we may lose you from x-stitch entirely! Great job - I admire your ability to go out and learn.
Judi in Phoenix

Anonymous said...

Everything is beautiful!!!! You have a great talent. Thanks for sharing.
Betty in AZ

Cricket-bug Corner said...

I agree you are a natural. I also love the Fall tree - I can't believe it's been 4 weeks!!

Deb said...

Beautiful work Meari! Look forward to seeing yoyr master piece!

Brigitte said...

So great to see how you discovered the world of painting. And you are doing a really great job. I particularly love the fall tree with these wonderful colours.

Unknown said...

Your watercolors are beautiful! You have such talent!

Anonymous said...

Very nice Meari. I enjoy looking at you art work.

Karen V
Fitchburg MA USA

Vickie said...

Oh Meari, I am most impressed with your iris! You are obviously enjoying yourself! :D

Robin in Virginia said...

I love your fall tree. Your floral is looking lovely. Have a wonderful weekend.

Lyn said...

I think you are doing very well in your painting class. I'm not surprised at all though, since you always put forth your best effort in your projects and your stitching is always beautiful!

Lyn said...

I love your paintings and the fact that you're expanding your creative knowledge. You're always so brave, in my book. I am shy and have a hard time doing new things. Your paintings look great! Looking forward to seeing both more of them and the project you're stitching for the exchange!

Faith... said...

Glad you are really enjoying your new found talent! You are doing great.

Anonymous said...

Your paintings are beautiful, Meari! I can't wait to see your masterpiece. :)

Karin in CA

Vickie said...

I am so impressed!!!! It looks wonderful!!!!!

Carol said...

Really impressed with your painting skills, Meari! I am one that can't draw a stick figure so I am a bit envious, too :)