Exercises in Watercolour

[ChrissyMarie]

Following on from Andestines thread on Natural symbols, I decided to go back to basics a little bit on the watercolour theme.
I thought I would arm myself with a couple of books and try using some basic techniques..I even bought myself a new brush

After spending a little time in Waterstones, I armed myself with the Collins "Need to Know" book of watercolour. At £9.99 it isn't cheap but it seemed to be filled with some very good tips and exercises. I also think it will be a useful resouce for a long time to come.
I started with some simple type things. If you have read the other thread, you will know I wanted to have some tips for trees. In fact this little book is full of them so firstly I tried some winter images and then some autumnal.



Then because I can never work steadily through a book without wanting to have a go at something else, I just had to have a little paint of a shell,



Meanwhile, I also added to my resources by buying a small book from the works. 30 minute watercolours by Fiona Peart. At £2.99, it is very reasonable and I like the idea of 30 minute exercises. Sometimes, I struggle for time and lose my enthusiasm, finding time for art can be quite difficult when you work or have other commitments.... Anyway, I will report back on that one too

[Andestine]

Chrissy,

I wrote replies on Word to both your posts, and then spent three hours looking for just one last image I wanted to add........with no luck. And now it's bedtime for me (I know - very odd hours <g>).

My convalescence has now been enforced to not moving an inch off the couch tomorrow, so I *will* finish those replies tomorrow <g>

Cheers,

Andestine

[ChrissyMarie]

Andestine, get yourself better first, we will catch up at some point
Meanwhile my sincere thanks and appreciation go to Loripo, my shell was a little dark and Loripo very kindly lightened it for me

[Vincent86]

Lovely shell you got there Chrissy. Looks very alive.

[ChrissyMarie]

Originally Posted by Vincent86

Lovely shell you got there Chrissy. Looks very alive.

Thanks a lot Vincent, sometimes, I think it is great to practice with small simple type things rather than go too complicated. Although after that, I did go complicated ......

[Vincent86]

You're welcome Chrissy..and you're right, slowly but surely. Always good to start with small things. Hope you can post some more.

[Martin Wilson]

Chrissy.
Your style is light handed elegant and very relaxed, the trees are very ..... cant think of the words to say what I mean..I like the style and the simplicity of the shapes something I have not got the skill to achieve though I still will try to develop, great awareness and like many others would love to see a painting of yours.
All the best and a great style.

Martin

[ChrissyMarie]

Martin, thats a lovely comment for which I thank you
Very encouraging you are....
I haven't been doing too much, I have been working on a coloured pencil piece for someone else and a couple of bird watercolours in slightly different styles. I have also been practicing with one or two 30 minute exercises.
I really do need to find myself a local landscape that inspires and put some of my learning into more original practice.

[ChrissyMarie]

But, meanwhile here are some of my latest exercise. Apart from the landscape, a little bit original in that the birds were from my own photo's although I was trying different techniques! The nuthatch was done in biro before adding colour. Something about it is off....(the nuthatch) and I am not sure what. I wil have to look at it again in a few days. Oh, and for some reason, I have no thumbnail for it, even the Gallery is sending me weird messages, lol





I am at the minute going through one of those stages where I am not happy with anything that I do...I am sure others know that one

[Connor7]

That nuthatch if fantastic, so is the heron and the...... wait a minute, they are all brilliant