Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Watercolor, arrrggghhh!


Oh deary me. It has been a long time since I posted on this blog and for good reason. I just haven't created anything I felt worth posting and still don't but decided what the hey! this is my life and process. I am trying to learn watercolor and finding it damn hard. It is a different way of thinking...all this transparency stuff and thinking light to dark. AND a whole new vocabulary of pigments and stuff. So here is my Guatemalan lady with her amazing head gear and heavily embroidered blouse. Poor thing...she is really much more interesting than you would surmise from this painting. I'm just having a hard time learning the pigment to water ratio and so I keep layering. By the time I'm through layering it looks tired and overworked. Arrrgggghh! This was our assignment last week and today we got another Mayan face to work on. I get a little bored with trying to match the skin color and just want to draw him again throwing some wild purple on him. Is it just me that feels this way? It is all just so controlled...I am used to slinging acrylics on with abandon.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Would it be the end of the world if you DID throw some wild purple on?

:)

Your painting is really cool- do more. Don't be afraid to let yourself experiment. And post it- so we can enjoy the journey with you!

Donn said...

I think you have done an excellent job with the watercolors. Like the way the area below the face is subdued with the emphasis being on the face and scarf over the head. An excellent job!

Karen Winters said...

Kay,

I think you're right ... go with the colors you like rather than trying to match a photograph. A painting is a new creation, not a camera. Go with your good instincts and have fun!

caseytoussaint said...

Well, I don't know what you're complaining about - you've done a great job with this (and I love your self-portrait too). Having been trying to teach myself watercolors for way too long, I'm signing up for Kate's class as soon as she starts a new one. You're doing great, keep it up.

Lin said...

KAY!! THIS IS FANTASTIC!!! LOVE THAT FACE -- TRULY!!!!! EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT JOB!

SideShowMom said...

It's beautiful Kay!!! I love the detail in her face and cloth and the looseness of her blouse!

Purple...go for it!!!

Lynn said...

I'm sorry you're feeling so frustrated with this because it really is very good. Part of the fun of watercolor is that it's a bit unpredictable, you're never really sure how it will turn out. But I think you've done a good job with this one.

Linda said...

Hey, this is really great! Don't worry -- when you get a bit more familiar with the paint THEN you can start flinging color around even more wildly (or at least with more unpredictable results) that you can with acrylic! A lot of people think WC has to be very controlled, but it can easily be adapted to YOUR style! Congrats on trying something new, too -- I think you're doing wonderful work!

Joanne said...

The headwrap thing is just awesome. Vibrant color. I love the shadow on the face too. My bet is that you'll judge this a little more kindly after a time.

Thank you for sharing your struggles. It's helpful to know that we all have to slog through them. Keep on paintin' and postin'.

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

I really like this Kay...the yummy colors...i think the shadow could use a little less brown?? as chirsteen said maybe some purple or green would work too....and bytw post everything even your gaffs...others learn that you dont do everything right so its ok for them to mess up tooo & ps I am SOOOO glad you dont use those darned letters:> to post

Jana Bouc said...

I know exactly how you feel. I'm going through the exact same thing only opposite, trying to learn acrylics! I like this though, it looks interesting and you have lovely colors and interesting textures.

Babs said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's better then any watercolors I see in San Miguel - truly! STOP being critical of yourself........YIKES.....Go for it.

Jules said...

Kay, this is wonderful and I think you shouldbe very pleased with the result. Her face details is super.
Please post your other stuff so we can learn by your process!!!