Botanical Paintings From Loose Washes

I am becoming prolific at producing small watercolor paintings---just by creating three washes a day and then creating a painting out of one a day.  See my previous posts about learning from artist Jean Haines.  Here are some botanicals:

I just got three new tubes of Daniel Smith watercolors to try out some new washes:  Cascade Green, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine, and Quinacridone Coral.  Can't wait to try them out!

And while I was playing with watercolors, I did another Bible journaling page to open the Book of Psalms.

Birdies and Trees

A few more blocks for new grand baby Layla's garden quilt...they will have French knots for eyes.  I have a few more to finish that will be facing right.

I am still trying to follow artist Jean Haines' advice and make three watercolor washes every morning using different colors.  Then see if you can make a painting emerge from the luscious pigment that landed on the paper

I did quite a few using paper about 5.5" x 8.5".  I think it is probably more fun for you to see the painting next to the original wash.  I have also edited some of the finished ones down to 4" x 6" so I can use them for greeting cards.

Lavender and green wash

5 x 8 painting

4x 6 cropped final version

Here is another from beginning to final.

Red wash with salt

5 x 8 Tree painting from red wash

Final 4 x 6 Autumn Trees

And here's one more.

Original "autumn" palette wash.  Cellophane was added when it was wet.

Autumn Jewels, 5 x 8, by Jeanne T. McBrayer

I liked the last one and did not crop it down to a smaller size.

It is really fun to do this kind of painting, just playing with color and pigment and water flow and seeing what emerges.  Thank you, Jean Haines!

Watercolor Washes

Today I continued with several more quick watercolor washes, and worked on  one of yesterday's.

Here is a little painting developed from yesterday's spring palette wash.

Spring Wildflowers

red and turquoise wash

yellow-orange and green wash

Pastel color wash

I also did a wash in my watercolor journal using shades of blue and added salt.

Blue wash with salt added

So far, I have turned it upside down and made an angel by painting the negative space around the wings.  I may add some scripture to this one.

Angel from blue and white wash

These paintings are loose, fast and fun.  

Atmospheric Watercolor Practice

In my last post I wrote about discovering Jean Haines work through her book, Atmospheric Watercolors.  I finished several of yesterday's practice projects.

Two washes became some new friends I am calling "Shorty" and "Lefty."

Shorty

Lefty

I also finished a practice page of anemones using Jean's guidelines from the book.

One of Jean's recommendations is to start each day painting three loose and juicy washes in different color palettes.  You can come back to these later and make finished paintings.

So, today I did a spring, summer, and autumn wash on small pieces of Arches 140-lb. paper.

Spring Wash- with cellophane and salt

Summer wash with cellophane

Autumn Wash with cellophane manipulation

And for those anxious for more pictures of the new grand baby...here are Charlotte and her new sister, Layla!

SaveSave

Atmospheric Watercolors

I am in love with  a new art instruction book that I bought for myself .  Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolors is a delight to view and read, and had me reaching for my brushes and paints to try some of her techniques.

She encourages beautiful, loose washes of color for starting paintings.  She paints loosely, leaving much detail to the viewer's imagination.  In the book she shares tips and practice exercises.
Here is what I have done so far.

elephant work-in-progress

Another elephant work-in-progress

Sunlit daffodils-I think this one is done!

Venetian door-I'm going to repeat this exercise to try to improve it.

Colorful wash-might become a seated figure or an angel

Painting in this loose, juicy style is so much fun!  There is no sketching ahead of time, just applying paint to paper and utilizing the unique characteristics of watercolor paint, like the way it flows, forms blossoms, and blends.  

Jean Haines has several other books available, which are being added to my wish list!

Mountain Weekend

We just got back today from a trip to our cabin in the North Carolina mountains.  Beautiful weather and beautiful scenery make for great times with family.

There were sunset rides to the top of the mountain..

Visits with my sister and her husband and grandchildren...and donkeys...

and her  pet cow, Sampson...

I spent a little bit of time on artwork during the football games on Saturday.  Here is a Bible journal page.  I borrowed the hummingbird image from a set of coasters given to me by my brother Jeff and his wife Anna.

I also added some doodles and journaling to a background that I had previously painted.  I used some wooden chipboard designs from Michael's to stamp the round shapes.  I hope it looks joyful!

Great News, a Fun Week, and More Great News!

We have just returned from a week on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  The purpose of the trip was to revisit the Dattoli Cancer Center in Sarasota for my husband's six-month check-up.  If you have experienced cancer in your family, you know there is always a bit of anxiety when you go back for tests or exams.  Fortunately, Charlie got the all-clear:  he is still in remission.  Yippee!  Charlie had Stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread throughout his skeletal system and lymph nodes.  We are still numb with shock that he is in remission.  Thank you, Dr. Dattoli and your staff!

On to a week of fun in Florida!


We stayed in Sarasota for two nights and enjoyed great dining, the pool, and some sunsets.  Then we spent one night in St. Petersburg on the beach.  Great sunsets!

On Thursday we drove south to Fort Myers to visit my brother Jeff and his wife Anna.  We had some great meals, a beach day, and a boat ride.  

We left on Monday, and got home before Hurricane Hermine would have affected our flight.  

After that we planned to go to our mountain place for Labor Day weekend.  Instead...my daughter-in-law went into labor!  She was about a week early.  Maybe the change in barometric pressure from Hermine had something to do with it.  

Now I am proud to present my newest granddaughter, Layla Grace McBrayer!

We kept big sister Charlotte all weekend, and then had a family day on Sunday.

Of course I have not finished Layla's baby quilt, but I have at least started it.  Here are some patchwork strips and pieced butterflies.