Norddeich, dark clouds - for a contest

 

When the new Revival Collection watercolours were announced, I got a bit greedy and bought as soon as possible the four colours I liked best. There are eight colours, so I could have done 'worse'. The colours were waiting a few weeks for me to gather courage to try them and here is my first painting using them.

The reason I painted this work is mostly because I wanted to submit it to the 2025 European Watercolour Contest that is restricted to the use of these special colours (and a graphite pencil for the initial sketch).

Finding out how to work with four new colours proved to be  a challenge but the result is really nice. The grey and ash colours are much lighter than I thought so I had to add the purple and orange for darkness. While doing so I was changing the atmosphere of the painting from a very dark one to a much lighter one, a result that was unexpected but not unwelcome.

The reference picture for this one was made last winter in Norddeich and I had used it before in a charcoal drawing setting the horizon a bit higher to show more of the water.

The information about the materials I have used, the size of this watercolour painting, its availability and my contact information can all be found in my Tumblr blog.

Japanese cherry - blossoms

 

Last weekend we were walking near our home and the Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata) trees that are growing on the side of the streets were having an abundance of blossoms. My husband offered to hold one branch for me so I could make a reference picture for a painting (there was a lot of wind and holding the branch still for the picture really helped).

For this painting I selected a rose colour that is perfect for flower paintings and because of that I rarely use it. With the help of some other colours I tried to make a loose painting of the blossoms and leaves that were in the reference picture.

The technique of flower painting is one I need to practise a bit more but I really like the result I got with this painting.

The information about the materials I have used, the size and availability of this watercolour painting and my contact information can all be found in my Tumblr blog.

Contact me if you are interested in my original artwork.

Freedom - for a challenge

 

The April challenge of 'Goed Gezien - Goed Bekeken' is about freedom and inspired by the fact that in the next month we are celebrating that we were liberated from the occupier and World War II ended.

In April my mind is more engaged by another kind of freedom, the kind we celebrate with Easter.

So I made a drawing of a human figure - outlines only - on white paper and painted with watercolours around it, from light yellow to orange. After that had dried I used willow charcoal for the dark areas.

The idea is that the shining figure drives the darkness away. 

As this is one of my first experiments with these materials combined the result may not be perfect. 

Still I am happy with the result - a very detailed work was never my plan for this one.

The information about the materials I have used, the size of this work, its availability and my contact information can all be found in my Tumblr blog.

Star Magnolia - a graphite drawing

 

Not far from my home (five minutes walking) are Star Magnolia trees standing in the residential areas and in Springtime they are beautiful. I have painted these before, but this time I wanted to make a drawing, using materials I did not have when I made the paintings.

Using a tinted paper and my water soluble graphite (tailor shape) I made the drawing. Of course some water was used as well after the first layer of colour was on the paper. After that had dried I applied more graphite, mixing the colours on the paper.

After I had finished the first branch with flowers I added some more to make a more balanced composition.

The result is what I hoped for.

The information about the materials I have used, the size and availability of this drawing and my contact information can all be found in  my Tumblr blog.

My Chestnut tree in Springtime

 

It is Springtime and my chestnut tree has lots of buds that are opening now. Some will be only leaves, many will also be flowers. Of course I wanted to paint that once again.

For this work I made several reference pictures and I started with the tree bark in watercolour. Not too much colour because that is how my tree looks in bright sunlight.

After that had dried I added a branch with a flower bud and some new leaves at the end and painted that as well with watercolour.

After that I started with my pencils, adding details and depth by layering the colours on my paper. 

One branch was not enough, so I added three more, only using my pencils, looking for a good composition.

Of course this work is not 'perfect' but with this I am continuing my series with tree bark and leaves or fruits of the trees that inspire me.

The information about the materials I have used, the size and availability of this work and my contact information can all be found in my Tumblr blog.