Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Hope of Love

hello friends! Here is my latest illustration on a vintage page from a book dated 1918. I think he turned out pretty cute, surrounded by pinks, lol!

It's been a rainy weekend, perfect for staying in and painting.
After ruining a few ACEOs I was working on,  I realized I either don't understand color theory very well, or my watercolors and acrylic paints are not the right shades.

Can anyone recommend a  particular brand of watercolors that you feel are very bright and intense? Or even inks?
I mostly use Windsor and Newton watercolors, but would like something more bold.
Is there a really bright, transparent  pink out there, that is not muted? It's my favorite color, and I can't seem to get the intensity I want. A transparent purple would be nice too. The one I've got is just too dull, I can't seem to do anything with it.
I've heard good things about Windsor and Newton's Opera pink, but don't have it yet.
The Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic inks are quite nice, and easy to use. I may have to take a trip to the art store for some more goodies :-)

thanks for reading!
xoxo

19 comments:

Alexandra MacVean said...

I love your owl. Quite adorable, I must say! :) Say, what kind of watercolour paper do you use? Mine seems to be different and more rigid/rough than what you and others use. =/ I like the clean look better.

Happy Sunday!

pinkglitterfae said...

Sophia I normally use 200lb paper, it's a thicker paper, a bit cream colored. I have no luck with 140 lb, since I'm too lazy to stretch it, haha!

Marlene said...

Your little owl is adorable.
Daniel Smith makes great watercolor.

Cameron said...

Wow...the dialogue of true artists! I use 140 lb paper that comes in blocks or that I put on with masking tape...haha! I use pan watercolors that my mom used in college ages ago and the cheapo acrylic paints from the craft store....

Would love to be at your calibre someday! That little owl is precious!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

The owl is adorable! I can't help you with the watercolor pencils though. Sorry. :)

Sueann said...

Loving the owl!! I do collage...so the heavier the paper the better! Ha! And I use Dick Blick Acrylics..they come in some pretty intense colors. Can't help you on watercolors though...just don't use them.
Hey! My fiber sculpture is now installed! Come see!
Hugs
SueAnn

Terri said...

Well done and adorable..I love it!

Karen Kay said...

Have you tried Golden Fluid Acrylics? I use them as watercolor all the time as they don't lose intensity when watered down. Try the Fluid mixed with their Matte Medium, it makes a wonderful transparent glaze. Dioxazine Purple is one of my fav colors of theirs. I love your little owl.

readingsully2 said...

Just wonderful. :) So cute.

Pam of Always Artistic said...

Beautiful owl Betty!

Judy said...

Can I name the piece for you?

I suggest.... "Who loves you?"

You know the owl says who who... :)

Unknown said...

Oh how adorable is that Owl..as you know Betty I love all your art...you are so very talented my friend. (((hugs)))

Lee Pierce said...

That little owl is just precious.

I never stretch 140 lb paper anymore.
Opera is great and now available from more than just Holbein.

Love Daniel Smith and M Graham watercolors. DaVinci has some lovely stuff too.
I agree on golden fluid acrylics. If you want bright colors artist grade paint is better...more pigment, less filler.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Your owl is just FABULOUS! Love that cute little face. I wish I could recommend watercolors to you, but I don't use them that often. Hopefully, someone has given you a wonderful recommendation! Theresa

Unknown said...

ohhhh! I loooove this its so adorable and I love the use of the vintage pages.... I haven't use them in a while, since I'm so in love with acrylics but I love the Daler-Rowney watercolors, they are very intense and bright... also the Caran D'Ache neocolor II, they are waterbased pastels and they can be very bright but sometimes opaque since they are more of a pastel but the more water you use the more transparent they become without losing color. you can even buy 1 or 2 crayons just to try at most art shoppes. I love their intensity. :D Patti

Julia Christie said...

This turned out sooo cute, I love the hearts and this adorable owl- I love the wood texture on the side too. I absolutely love pink and have found a deep hot pink colored pencil that shoes up in most of my art! If I find a good pink paint I will let you know.

Smiles

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Amazing, love your style.
Hugs Anja from Germany

Lauren said...

I love this little owl, just lovely!! I love the pink shades you used, pink is my favorite :) ~Lauren

Cathy Bueti said...

Love this! So cute! I am looking forward to following your blog! You art is fabulous! :)