More Moroccan Door Paintings

March 31, 2013 by eastwitching

I have found some gorgeous doors that really appeal to me.

This is where I have stopped for the moment. I will continue soon.

So here we go in watercolour.
I am using Arches hot pressed 90lb 100% cotton rag paper.

The next door I would like to paint.

The first door is pure butter! Yellow crumbly walls surround an even more yellow antique wooden door. Such a feast for the eyes.
Please click on any image to bring it up large so you can see more detail.
I draw the doors freehand as I like them a little bit higgledy-piggledy and organic. I hate perfect straight lines and spot on perspective. For me it kills the painting. Anyway – that’s just me.

Here are the steps that took me to where I am now.

The second door is blue and very old and battered looking. Again it is set in an atmospheric stone archway that is well worn and crumbling. I love the heft and weight of this door and that huge and dark thrown shadow shows how sunny it is in Morocco and is what drew me to paint this door.

Here is where I am at the moment. I will be doing more work on this.

To see the steps click on this image -

4 steps to painting this door study

This was my original wiggly drawing.

My Studio is a Mess

March 19, 2013 by eastwitching

It really has got a bit out of control lately and I can’t go in and draw or paint when it is like this.

There are piles of images and papers all over the place, stuff on the floor and general mess.

I have a small back bedroom as my studio and it is probably no more than 5 meters square so a lot is packed in to a small space.

Here I draw, paint,pack parcels, create cards and do my pastel work too – as well as watercolour.

It has a great north facing window though which gives me the perfect light by which to paint and take photographs of things if I need to.

So with a spring in my step I am about to tackle each small area at a time; be ruthless and sort out!

How do you keep on top of your creative spaces?

Hitting the Headlines (well almost:)

March 11, 2013 by eastwitching

Today is a good day and I am doing a happy dance.

Why? because I have got a feature about my animal art in the CraftSeller Magazine published in the UK.

I was contacted by MISI (Make It Sell It) where I sell my art online a few months ago about being a featured seller. Now how could I say no.

MISI is like Folksy and presents handmade British crafts direct from the makers.

So here is my little piece for those who’d like to read it.

Thanks MISI and CraftSeller

…and now for something completely different…Native American Pencil Portraits

March 8, 2013 by eastwitching

Pencil sketch

I’ve been feeling the urge to draw some Native American Indian faces – well – to be honest – it’s always there in the background but I hold back and don’t get down to it as I want to get it right so badly that when it goes wrong it kills me.

my original pencil study

I love drawing in graphite, carbon and painting portraits in soft pastels. This is my drawing gear.

The combination of long hair, feathers, fringes and their sheer presence has always appealed to me because of its wildness and naturalness.

My original pastel of a Native American Indian 2005

Two of the best Native American Indian portrait artists in my view are Howard Terpning and Harley Brown.

My pastel sketch of "Two Arrows" Dimensions 13x19 inches

My pastel sketch of “Two Arrows” Dimensions 13×19 inches

Both of them paint in a masterful and emotive way that stops me in my tracks.

My original pencil sketch of "White Belly" 2005 Dimensions 7x11 inches

My original pencil sketch of “White Belly” 2005 Dimensions 7×11 inches

I once started to read “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” by Dee Brown but had to stop reading quite early on in as it is just so tragic.
I love painting and drawing these people and hope you enjoy a look at some of my sketches and pastels that I have done over the years.

Original study I did of "Medicine Crow" in blues and purples and whites. 13x19 inches

Original study I did in blues and purples and whites. 13×19 inches

I will paint a white chicken if it kills me!

February 16, 2013 by eastwitching

My first ever white hen

I have been prevented from painting many animals that are white – why? Because I can’t do it!
I find it very hard to paint white fur and feathers convincingly. Painting white on white watercolour paper is of course very tricky.

To quote a famous artist “With the tools of darkness he labours after light”.
But some artists manage it beautifully – so there must be a way.
I have been looking at such artists a lot lately as I am desperate to be able to paint fluffy white hens, swans, white horses and more.
So here is a head of a white chicken done today as a follow on from my post about painting fowl – here – http://eastwitching.com/2013/02/12/feeling-fowl-paint-a-chicken/

I limited myself to the head to see how I could do.

I used Arches hot pressed 90lbs paper, Cadmium Scarlet, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Cobalt Blue, Winsor Violet a bit of Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna for beak and eyes and for the black of the eye and nostrils I used a mix of French Ultramarine and Burnt Umber.
Brushes are size 3 and 6 rounds.
I am happy with the end result and see that I just have to leave some white space bordered by other colours. In this case the blue reflecting light of the sky and the green underside suggesting grass reflection. I am very excited about painting her whole body…watch this space.

Anyone with painting white animal tips feel free to comment!

My first ever white hen

Art Demo – Painting a Young Stag in Watercolour

January 25, 2013 by eastwitching

Now that I have my drawing I am ready to add the initial washes.

I use a 3 and a 6 round sable brush, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Sap Green, Cobalt Blue and my paper is Arches Hot Pressed 90lbs 100% rag.

Please click on the image below as it will come up nice and big and you can read what I did.

At this stage he doesn’t look too pretty or to coherent but when he dries thoroughly overnight I will be adding the further washes which will unify and warm him and then these blotchy blocks will form the underneath of his head structure and create form.

I added cooler notes of blues to the top of head, antlers and ears and top of nose as these planes reflect the blue-tinged light of the sky.

Under his ears I added green as these are reflecting the grass underneath him.

I add these cooler notes to off-set the warm siennas and to create a believable form with the warm and cool light plans. Any planes of his face that catch the warm light bounce or the green grass light bounce from the ground will be coloured accordingly.

Anything catching the blues of the sky will be painted blue or purple. See an example of this with this little zebra I painted. Her belly is warm red/orange reflecting the desert earth and on her shoulders is a swathe of blue to reflect the sky light.

Here is a finished Stag painting I completed last year – I enjoy the drama of painting antlers! Watch this space for the continued young stag demo….

How to Paint a Watercolour Crab

January 3, 2013 by eastwitching

Here we go – for those who want to know how to paint a crab in watercolour -

Here I am using a size 3 round brush to add some New Gamboge yellow to his foreclaw to suggest sunlight

I drew the outline of the crab then painted his entire surface with clean water. This gets the paper ready to accept splashy and watery colour to good effect.

Then I banged in some teal blue and let it run – I tip the paper this way and that and let the medium do it.

The first 4 steps…roughly – it is very hard to paint and photograph myself at the same time!

As it starts to dry a I then went back in to darken shadow areas and start to build form. Finally – when totally dry I add the detail work and spatter – viola. Only problem is I forgot one leg!!!!

Here we have a crab with the correct amount of legs created into a cute pillow -

To see my range of crab artwork that I have in my online gallery – please click here - enjoy!

The last 4 steps. Due to being overly worried about taking shots of myself painting I forgot one of his legs.

Animal Magic – start your OWN animal gallery in 2013

December 31, 2012 by eastwitching

Appealing and whimsical animal art adds a certain natural essence to any space you wish to transform.

Select your favourite animals from my unique menagerie of over 150 watercolour animals!

If you love nature in all her glorious forms I have a large selection of animal watercolours that I have painted over the last 3 years.

Prior to that I had never painted an animal as I found them too challenging but a lady asked me to paint her dog – I tried it and the rest is history.

Since that day in 2010 I have painted animals around the world, revelling in their colourful fur and feathers and their endlessly enchanting expressions and mannerisms.

Create a glorious gallery of foxes if you love the woodland feel or maybe create an inspirational and liberating seashore feel in your bathroom or hall with a nautical selection of seahorses, crabs and starfish.

Take yourself to the shoreline every time you pass this nautical animal collection of prints.

Just lately I have discovered geese and hens and love their assertive fussy attitude. They would look great as a rustic kitchen accent and be a great conversation piece for when the girls come round for coffee.

A dandy looking hen – stunning kitchen decor guaranteed to raise a smile!

Currently you can buy 5 animal art prints of your choice for the price of just 3! Plus I am offering FREE worldwide shipping:)

Select your favourite animals from my unique menagerie of over 150 watercolour animals!

“But I don’t have much wall space! I hear you cry.

Don’t worry – my collectors have long told me they would like animal throw pillows and scatter cushions so here is my current selection – plump one up and get cosy with a fox or baby elephant – these are gorgeous and double sided pillows and you can buy them with or without a faux-down insert – enjoy looking here.

So – come over now and get your animal art collection started – I am here at Eastwitching ready to help.

Thanks!

Alison

Artist/Owner at Eastwitching

GSD Art Demo in watercolour – How to paint an Alsatian

December 8, 2012 by eastwitching

Started painting this stunning Alsatian a day or so ago for a lady called Katie. Charlie belongs to teh clan MacKenzie and I am building up his Scottish tartan kerchief slowly but surely.

Here are the very early stages of his portrait which will need much more work before completion so watch this space…

What am I going to get HIM for Christmas?!

November 5, 2012 by eastwitching

If your man or any male on your shopping list for this Xmas is an animal lover may I take all the pain out of gift choosing for you?

Pick one of my natural and authentic animal portraits that will be a well-received keepsake to outlast other gifts.

My prints cannot be found on the high street and I print, sign and date each one individually for total quality control on arty Epson 190gsm paper for a beautiful finish.

Choose from favourite woodland animals such as foxes, wolves, stags and owls or go exotic with safari lions, zebras and deer. For the ocean lover I have sea-turtles,whales, crabs, lobsters and more plus a range of dog breed portraits and insects and rodents – the choice is yours!

Fox watercolour prints – a great choice for Dad, brother or even the boss!

For those wanting to create an even bigger impression I have created gallery sets of 4 where you can gift an entire and instant collection of ravens, owls or foxes!

Fabulous gift for the wildlife lover – a set of 4 stunning archival raven watercolour prints.

All prints have been taken by me from my original watercolours painted here in my studio in Ynysybwl, South Wales, UK.

Made in Wales, UK. All my prints are taken directly from my own watercolour paintings.

I can gift wrap each print plus I will add a matching handmade gallery card making the perfect gift package for the animal loving Dad, boyfriend, brother or boss.

I will add a FREE handmade matching animal greetings card – to complete the perfect animal lover gift.

Why play it safe and buy socks, pens, wallets or the dreaded sweater!

Click here to see my range of animal art that I have selected For Him and also browse my whole range HERE which offers further choices.

Alison – Artist/ Owner at www.eastwitching.etsy.com

eastwitching

Watercolor Animal Art for All

Tag Archives: welsh artist