Waiting for Ike!

This was the first one. The lines were so much nicer than the second attempt but I had started too far over on the page. In this photo I put the first and second together to add some of the upper leg. Funny that they fit together so well.

While we are waiting for Ike to blow in I thought I would post some of this week's quick sketches from the Watercolor Society of Houston's weekly Wednesday session that I attend with artist friend Liz Hill (http://www.lizhillart.com/) .

...Demon's at the door

The background Details didn't lift on this paper like I expected them to. Possibly because I'm working on the back side of it. I will put it away for a few days to see how I feel about it. I may start another one in transparent watercolor on cold press and finish it much lighter just to see

the difference. This looks like it should be called

'great life except for the demon's at the door'.

I'm starting my drawing class on Tuesday so probably won't begin anything large this week. I like to just focus on the students and getting the class off to a good start. Cheers, for now.

update on painting #1

I think I will have to wipe it all down to get that washed out look again...at least on parts. Her shirt was yellow, I changed it to red...hmmm,...we'll see.

Yesterday Sketch

Yesterday's last sketch of the day at the Watercolor Art Society Houston aka WASH. The weather was rainy but went anyway. Also a fun little watercolor from Monday paint session with a cute model dressed as "little Bo Peep". She sat for us once before as a Fairy but I missed that one.

So now back to painting #1 with the dread locks. Hopefully I will have some changes to show later. Its pouring rain so I'm not going anywhere!

Finally back to the first painting!

Okay, finally back to the first painting! It was hard to work on it as I really liked the washed out version. I'm committed though, to my original vision. She is an older woman with wonderful dreadlocks that I met at the Renaissance Fest last year. I hope I can do her justice. I decided to make her headwrap a different color as it was almost exactly the color of her skin. There is a black part in the back of the blue wrap on her head that has some detail that I haven't put in yet. I want the background to be dark but it was so interesting with all the wind chimes. I will have to really focus and not be distracted by the shiny objects...as Dawn says. Let me know what you think. I'm sure I can use the help. Cheers for now

Here are some of my sketches from the Wednesday model session...

Today's installment..

Today's efforts. Didn't get to the other painting, just got focused on this one. Still trying to get away from literalism but of course it's hard for me. She is such a lovely girl, it's hard for me not to try to capture that. Until tomorrow then! Cheers from me.

Experimenting with design changes

This paper really does let you change things up dramatically compared to regular cold press or hot press papers. Didn't like the design so am moving things about. Watched a video by Carla O'Connor and am inspired to try new colors and shape elements. Got a long way to go on this one it's still in the ugly "what was I thinking?!" stage. LOL! Have a great Sunday. I'm off to work on the other one.

Here is an update on the first painting with a darker background which I wiped out, and then the beginning of the second
painting. I didn't show the drawing of the second
painting because it looked just the same as the first
and isn't that exciting to see.
With this paper the the fun of it is to be able to add washes and then wipe them out and keep adding and subtracting in that way to get very interesting and varied surface results
that can't be had with cold press papers. Lots of fun! Let me
know what you think or what your preferences in paper are etc. Cheers, Tonya

New painting progression

This is one of 2 paintings I started on Sunday.
I drew it out on Bristol 5ply plate and then realized
while taping it to the board, that I had drawn it on the wrong side of the paper! The back side is
a little more absorbant and not quite as slick so I will see how it goes.
It's watercolor and gouache. I may use some of my fluid acrylics too. We'll see. When I get some color on the second one I will post it as well. I like to have two paintings going at the same time so I
can let one dry properly while working on the other. This keeps me from impatiently painting when I shouldn't be.
I am waiting for the bad part of tropical storm Edouard to hit
and hoping the power doesn't go out so I can
continue painting on this today.