Messing about with nastursiums in watercolour

May 21, 2013 by eastwitching

So disappointing - my real nastursium seedlings are taking a hammering by greenfly so yesterday I finally gave in and sprayed them with bug spray. I hope they pull through as I love their tumultuous tumbling oranges, reds and yellows .

Watercolour nastursiums on the go…

Meantime I started a loose nastursium watercolour as part of a demo I did at the Kestral Art Society in Pencoed, Bridgend last Thursday.

It remained unfinished as time ran out so I am going to continue with it here and see how it turns out.

TOP TIP:- For complex and larger drawings such as this do them onto very fine (90gsm) tracing paper and NOT onto your expensive watercolour paper. Transfer your image when all the correcting and rubbing out has been done on the tracing paper by using this pencil like carbon paper which can be rubbed out – It is called SARAL - http://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/21762/

I stretched my Arches hot pressed 90pbs paper on quarter inch plyboard and when dry I used masking tap in a belt and braces tactic to stop and pulling away at the sides as I worked very wet.

My last years’ nastursiums were stunning

Dimensions are about 11×15 inches so it’s a nice comfortable size for me I don’t like working very big.

Paints are Winsor and Newton: Cadmium Yellow, Scalet Lake, Cerulean, Sap Green, Pthalo Blue

Here are some nastursiums I painted last year as inspired by the photo above – still not completely finished but I quite like the half done look! Do You?

I did not mask out the flowers as I had decided to paint around them. I could have masked them out and done a wild wet into wet background though.

I am going to continue to build the flowers and the background equally and see how that looks…..

Painting Cherries in Watercolour – step-by-step demo

May 6, 2013 by eastwitching

In a virtual frame but not quite finished yet…..

Always a satisfying subject to paint cherries are. I love their beautiful red, claret colour and the spindly curvy stems. They make a beautiful composition no matter how you place them in readiness to paint.

Brushes at the ready but I only used a 3 and a 6 round really.

Here is a group of 5 cherries with stems. I just used Arches hot pressed 90lbs paper and a Size 6 and a szie 3 round brush plus Cadmium Yellow Pale, Alizarin Crimson, Rose Madder Genuine, Olive Green and French Ultramarine to paint this simple study.

It is not finished yet as I have work to do on the shadow sides and to create more shine on the sunstruck parts of the cherries…watch this space for the final final result:)

I lifted the white “shiners” out with a clean dampish brush.

I was satisfied with this painting because it went well with the washes looking natural and the forms shaping up nicely. I relished in plunging the deep red/clarets into the wet washes to get the darkest part of the fruits shown.

Playing about with pastel – an adobe building on Canyon Road, Sante Fe

May 6, 2013 by eastwitching

“Adobe Bloom”

Years ago in 2005 I went on a 3 month trip of the USA. Trip of a lifetime it was and I took so many photos on days spent wandering the 4 corner states.

This is one of them.

A pinkish peach adobe dwelling calling to me on Canyon Road, Sante Fe

Heading back from a long hike to Bear Canyon the sun was setting and just casting flecks of light on this dwelling. An old adobe building – peachy cream in the sun framed by cool and dark vegetation. I had to paint it.

I am using Art Spectrum Colourfix sand paper and Unison Pastels.

My fave pastels of all UNISON

Please see the photos below and click on them to bring the image up big:)

Here is the final result in a virtual frame (sorry its a bit out of proportion!)

Overall I feel the painting is a bit clunky, lacks coherence and wasn’t planned very well. I rushed it as I was so excited to play with luscious colour. I will no doubt have another more measured, thoughtful go at it when I am calmer! I just had to go at it like a bull at a gate to get it out of my system.

“Adobe Bloom”

On the Beach – final steps and finish in pastel

April 28, 2013 by eastwitching

Following on from my start of a pastel beach scene yesterday I couldn’t wait to get at it again this morning:)

Here is the earlier post if you want to see it all - http://eastwitching.com/2013/04/27/on-the-beach-pastel-step-by-step/

Here are the next steps I took above.

At this point I feel I should stop. You can go on and on with a painting. Here if I continue I am just fussing. I am quite happy with the effect overall. The fave bit for me is the whites in the sky and the foamy bits in the sea!

Below is the image scanned in using my 1200dpi scanner and edged in a dark brown like that of the rock to tie it all in.

April’s Private View – Last Friday of the Month Art Exhibition – Plus WIN A PRINT!

April 26, 2013 by eastwitching

April has just galloped along hasn’t it! With Spring teasing us here and there making odd appearances and then vanishing. Let’s hope that we can enjoy warmer and brighter weather with every passing day.

I’ve been painting with a focus on animals but including some other subjects and today am unveiling the latest collection of my original works on paper.

Original watercolour sketch of a Moroccan door.

Join me today – Friday 26th April for a virtual private view at my online gallery

www.eastwitchinganimalart.co.uk

- where you will find affordable, original works on paper.

Also see below on HOW TO ENTER the PRINT GIVEAWAY!

This month has seen my start my art demo career! I had a lovely welcome from Pentyrch Art Society 2 weeks ago where I did a watercolour afternoon. Also this month I have joined a local art society to discipline myself to paint more. Cilfynydd Art Society is a relaxed group of painters meeting every week in Pontypridd, South Wales. Next year I hope they will let me take part in their annual exhibition!

Have a glass of virtual wine, put your feet up and browse with your fingers – enjoy!

Here are just a few of my originals that are featured in my April exhibition. But before you go I would like to send this exhibition of with a bang and do a print giveaway.

TO ENTER

1. Visit my April Exhibition H E R E

2. Choose your favourite artwork

3. Come back here and leave your comment stating your favourite artwork as a comment to this post

4. Await draw day ( Friday 10th May) with bated breath! and I will create you an archival print of the work you chose if your name is drawn by the random number generator!

An original puffin that I painted in pastel.

Original Bengal Cat Watercolour. Click image to go to main artwork page.

Off to a flying start with onion pastels

April 25, 2013 by eastwitching

I promised myself to christen my new pastel workstation by – well – doing a pastel!

So here it is – done whilst still in my dressing gown early this morning.I love using UNISON soft pastels – they are the business although I also love Sennelier and Schminke soft pastels too – they are pure compressed pigment with no binder so the colours last forever and don’t fade! The paper is Canson pastel paper although I love Art Spectrum Colourfix paper too.

I know they aren’t fab but I enjoyed just having a go in pastel. Soon I will reach for my old friend watercolour and hopefully do them justice.

Art Blossoms Painting Days in Pontypridd – new for Spring/Summer 2013

April 18, 2013 by eastwitching

For those who are mesmerised by colour, paintings, paints and paper and would love to have a day being totally immersed in watercolour I would like to announce my new Art Blossoms Painting Days.

I will be running regular watercolour tuition days from May through to the end of August in my studio here in Pontypridd, South Wales.

Full and half-days available now – £45 for a full day and just £22.50 for a half day – all in!

Escape from your workday surroundings with all the usual distractions that pull you away from your art. Let your bohemian side have some fun!Nothing will disturb you here! Classes will have no more than two people in them so that I will be able to give you quality, tailored tuition from start to finish.

Jump in to watercolour!

My north facing studio is light and spacious and has everything you need to paint all day!I am a fully qualified teacher (PGCE & Trinity Cert. TESOL) and have painted for over 20 years. My watercolour florals and animals have been published by several major printing houses in the UK including Paperlink UK and Beechwood Publications Ltd. My work has been exhibited at the Royal Cambrian Academy and features regularly in popular UK home design magazines including GoodHomes, Coast, CraftSeller and LandLove.

In 2011 I was commissioned to produce an artwork for VIP guests of Brownhill Insurance Group and AXA Art who were the sponsors of the London Art Fair.

More recently I have begun giving watercolour demonstrations to local art societies and enjoy the two way street that is teaching and learning!

To see a range of my current animal art please pop over to Eastwitching Animal Gallery and to see a range of florals, landscapes and portrait work please go here.

BUT I CAN’T DRAW! I hear some of you say. Don’t worry – you don’t need to be able to draw like a professional to be able to produce a successful watercolour – I’ll show you how.

We will proceed at your pace and I will show you step-by-step how to paint.

Prior to your painting day we will have talked about your needs and worked out a plan so that we can focus on the areas in which you would like instruction. If you want to paint florals, landscapes, architecture or animals we can customise the schedule to suit your wishes. This is the course where you tell me what you need! (Please note I am not currently offering portraiture tuition).

You will have unlimited use of professional artists’ grade watercolour paper and paints while you create at your own workstation for the day.

I only provide top quality artist grade paints and paper. I do not use student grade materials as this hinders your progress.

My studio is in my home making things relaxed and comfortable. No need to bring any equipment at all if you don’t want to as I have everything you need to paint watercolour here. But if you do have some favourite brushes and a palette please feel free to bring them along.

The home of Art Blossoms Watercolour Days

You’ll be able to have breaks and refreshments whenever you like and you might like to browse my varied art, creativity and self-development library over a coffee or tea for inspiration!

Have a break whenever you like:)

The cost for a full day (10am – 4.30pm) of painting tuition, all materials and lunch plus any refreshments during the day is £45 per person and if you and a friend book together the cost goes down to £40 each.

A deposit of £10 at time of booking will secure your place. Should you need to cancel please do so at least 2 days before you were due to come and I can refund you in full. Any cancellations later than that will mean that you will lose your deposit in order to cover my costs.

Parking is right outside my house.

Course starts at 10am and ends at 4.30pm.

Please email me at eastwitching@hotmail.com if you are ready to get away for a day of art and creativity!

Art Demo Initiation – Thank you Pentyrch!

April 16, 2013 by eastwitching

I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier group of artists to whom to give my first ever art demo.

At Pentyrch Village Hall yesterday from 1-3pm I was very warmly welcomed by all of the members and was so glad I had accepted their invitation to come and paint.Thanks to Christine Mather and Anne Peebles I had a great time meeting everyone before doing two slots either side of a teabreak – painting a watercolour crab and doing a demo of a dog’s eye followed by a partial poppy demo.

The time flew and two members Roger and Mike had set up a video camera, projector and screen so that everyone could see me paint. I don’t stand to paint and sit down to work flat so it would have been a bit tricky for about 20 people to stand around me and watch!

My demos for the afternoon

My first ever watercolour demo at Pentyrch Art Society

Pentyrch Art Society is due to have an exhibition on 19th May from 10am till 6pm in the village hall and so I will go and see the work of those to whom I demonstrated.

For garden lovers I would recommend that you go to the hugely popular National Gardens Scheme open day that Pentyrch has held for several years . It is a real treat to wander around the winding roads and lanes that lead from one beautiful property and its gardens to another. Here is a useful link to GarthGardeners blog - http://garthgardeners.wordpress.com/

Many thanks to all involved and as I understand you would like to have me back at some time I will try to think of something completely different to paint for you then.

Alison

Wish me luck as I attempt to draw the Buttercross, Ludlow, Shropshire, England

April 7, 2013 by eastwitching

Even the name is gorgeous isn’t it? This beautiful, listed building which stands at the heart of Ludlow in Shropshire was the town’s butter-market. Its warm buttery stonework seems to reflect its past life and on my visit to the town on Friday I looked up at it from every angle and took many photos to try and capture its essence.

All set to draw the Buttercross, Ludlow

So now the real work begins. I needed to print my photograph off extra large as the first two print outs were way to small for me to have been able to draw any kind of detail and boy does this building warrant detail.

So I shall keep you posted as to my progress. I love the design, the location and the presence of this grand building…..

UPDATE! Have started –

Slowly does it….already I can see that I have overshot the scale by a mile on the paper size I chose – oh well…

Come along to my Friday Private View – Art Sale

March 22, 2013 by eastwitching

Today I am launching a mini exhibition and art sale via my online gallery – http://www.eastwitchinganimalart.co.uk

For the lover of original art you will find a range of my works on paper to browse.

There are pastels, watercolours and line drawings to choose from.

So – pour yourself a glass of wine and sit and let your eyes wander!

Enjoy – Alison

To come to the private view simply click on the image below.

eastwitching

Watercolor Animal Art for All

Tag Archives: art