hi friends. Do you ever have one of those days when you plan to paint all day, but by the end of the day, you've accomplished so little? that was today for me.
I woke up looking forward to a day of painting. My goal was to create at least 5 or 6 ACEOs, and work on a portrait workshop I am behind on. Well, everything I painted came out just awful! I spent hours on a flower fairy, changing it, trying to make it better, and in the end scrapped the whole thing. My owls, which I paint regularly, were also giving me a hard time. The above painting is the second version, the first was a disaster, so I started that again as well. I couldn't do anything right!
I'm going to blame the paper. I know most people when using watercolor, use 140lb paper. How do you all do it?? I find it warps so easily. Am I adding too much water? Also, I find the colors are dull.
I ended up starting over again on 200lb paper, which I normally use. So what am I missing, is there some secret? The 140lb paper isn't cheap, it's Arches brand. Any of you watercolorists out there, do you have any tips for the rest of us?
In the end, I worked most of the day and have 2 lousy ACEOs to show for it...I swear time sped up! Before I knew it, the day was over.
On a happier note, on Friday I went to my nearest art shop, and picked up some Copic markers. Folks, if you haven't used them before, they are a joy! I will be going back for more. They're perfect for little details, and the colors are gorgeous! Unfortunately they are a bit pricey, so I can only pick up a few at a time.
Well, that's it for today, hope you are all enjoying the spring weather (or the fall for my friends in the South hemisphere).
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15 comments:
This is such a sweet painting - I love the way the cat is nuzzling up to the owl.
When I use large sheet of watercolor paper I stretch it first... I don't know if that's something that's normally done with an ACEO sized painting or not, but it keeps large sheets from warping. I'm not sure if that's helpful or not, but I hope so :)
xo
Kristin
p.s. And, yes - I definitely know about not getting nearly as much done as I thought I would! ha!
Wow what a sweet card. I am glad you were able to get 2 ACEO's that you were happy with done. Hope your back to normal artistically now :)
That kitty is beyond cute! Love how she cuddles with the owl. :) And yes, we all get one of those days. :) Can't give you any tips on the watercolor paper. I don't use it.
I have heard from others that those markers are wonderful but I haven't tried them yet! Guess I better!
I have had days like that too!
Should have stopped and got a glass of wine and read a book. Ha!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Your owl painting is so darlingly beautiful! Hope you have a freer arty day today!
Maybe you could get hold of some watercolour paper samples. Maybe a business will send you some and you can test which paper is best for you. Maybe Ebay may have sample books?
Loads of lovexx
Julie
Oh.....this is so sweet, I love it. Sorry you had such a bad day. I use 140 lb paper and if you are going to be painting wet you need to "stretch" the paper. Which is to cut it larger than your finished size and tape it down to a board of some kind. Don't remove the tape until it is dry and use painter's tape as it is easily removed.
Little beauty, Betty!
I use 140 lb all the time and do a bunch of wet in wet. I wet the paper on both sides and let it stick to my table or a small piece of acrylic glazing while I work on it.
I love when my cats nuzzle like this....you captured it so well! I have been having days like you just mentioned...I will actually dream about painting and be so excited to start...then nothing seems to go right!
I use Arches paper also but I recently tried Fabriano and liked it...but I'm not totally happy with either.
1,001 Blessings...Deborah
Thank you for sharing... as I am one of those that ends up messing up everything especially on an excited, brimming with optimism kind of day. I always wonder what I'm doing wrong, glad its not just me that has "off" days! :)
ps. your owl came out lovely and I guess 2 aceos is better than none?
:)
Hey Betty, you are so cute! And, so is that aceo! I think I am going to have to head over to ebay ;o) By the way, those two layered aceo's you are doing, are cool! You know, when it's a day like you said you had, it's better to walk away! That's what I do. I only use acrylic, so I can't help you with the paper. I have to check out those markers. Can I get them at Michaels? Take Care, Have a great day!!!!
Oh Betty...I completely understand! At least you were painting...I usually plan a day in the studio and get on the computer to do one "quick" thing and end up passing too many hours there instead :(
I've never worked on anything other than 140lb paper....I either tape it down or use a block. I find if I'm planning to do more than one painting, I take one large sheet and tape it down, then measure out multiple squares or rectangles with the tape within that large sheet. I'll cut them to their correct size after they are dry and I've removed the tape. As far as the dull color, I don't know how to fix that.
I really adore this ACEO, though! So sweet!
Big hugs,
Cam
I don't know a thing about painting or water coloring. I'm not even certain if that gene runs in my pool. However, I am a great admirer of those who can, and I love the image you used today. It is too sweet!
I have indeed had many days like that! I just completed a background today which I am very happy with. It felt great to create after feeling so stagnated. :) I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Copic markers - maybe some day I'll be able to get some! LOVE your new little owl and kitty, by the way!!! :) Therea
Gosh, I haven't painted with water color for a long time! I still have 4-5 really large sheets of Arches in my craft room. I don't know if you'd want to stretch the paper for a 3-1/2" X 2-1/2" ACEO. But, maybe you can use your 140lb paper for acrylics or colored pencil. Or, those new Copic markers you just got.
Love your Owl and the Pussycat ACEO.
Morning, if the above it one of those you worked on it's still a cutie but then you know me and Owls :)I have had one of those weeks baking. Last Sunday i thought i would tackle a recipie given me for making a pizza base, didn't think it could be that hard but it ended up in the bin closely followed by the next unrisen bit of dough and at this end of the week a sunken uncooked in the middle cake! Seems a waste of time and ingredients but i shan't let it put me off. Happy Sunday :)
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