Have an awesome day!
Deborah
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Forty Niners Work in Progress Update
More work went into this watercolor of the San Francisco Forty Niners Defense last night. I took the reference photo for this one at the Jets/Niners game at MetLife Stadium last year. How about that game against the Rams on Thursday night?!! 35-11!! Go Niners!! I'm really looking forward to getting this one finished. The image is a little bit washed out because I took this photo with my phone but you can get the idea of where it's going. I'm really not wanting to get too fussy with the details. and working wet on wet, dropping in pigment and moving the board around and just allowing the watercolor to do it's thing. I love this medium, and this team for that matter! :) It's going to look awesome in that gold frame that I have picked out for it. To see previous progress photos of this painting you can click here... Niners WIP
Thursday, September 26, 2013
It's Football Season!!
It's that time of year again! NFL Football season! Have a mentioned that I am a HUGE football fan? And have I mentioned that I am even bigger San Francisco Forty Niners Fan? There is probably nothing I enjoy painting more that the color and action of NFL football.
I had started this painting of the Forty Niners a while back and got caught up working on commissions so I never got around to completing it.. I took the reference photo for this painting last year at MetLife Stadium in E. Ruthersford NJ when they beat the NY Jets. I love the interaction of the players. Don't you just want to know what these guys are talking about? Who else is a football fan? Favorite team?
I'm tightening it up, pushing those darks and it should finish up pretty quickly now. It's an odd size...6.5 x 19 but I have a really nice gold frame for it. Watercolor on Arches 300lb, Hot Press.
To see the progression of this painting can read the previous post on this work in progress by clicking here - Forty Niners WIP
It is an interesting size painting at 6 1/2 x 18 but I really like the size. It is a bit further along than this but I'll save that for the next post. Watercolor on Arches, 300lb Rough Press.
Be sure to check out my other football painting in my gallery here.. Football Gallery
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
My Porch Studio and Workshop in Italy!
Today I'm going to blog about my new studio space. As many of you may know we moved at the end of June and one of the fabulous perks of our new house is an extra wide, wrap around porch. This porch is like having three extra rooms on the house. Since I'm an outdoors-y kind of girl I decided to make use of some of it by setting up a studio space. I used my Cheap Joe's Signature Watercolor Easel... which I reviewed here and created a nice, simple work space. I found this easel to be too cumbersome and heavy for actual plein air work. This is the next best thing to en plein air painting and I'll be using it for as long as the weather allows. I'd love to hear about your workspaces. Feel free to post links in the comments section below.
On another exciting note! Who is interested in doing a painting workshop/vacation with me in Tuscany, Italy in Ocober 2014? Artists (all levels) and non-artists welcome. You know you want to!!! Fun!! I'm brushing up on my Italian as we speak! Contact me for more details! Deborah@DeborahBollman.com
The 2014 is not up on the website yet so email me for more info! Fun!!!!!
Monday, August 05, 2013
Seagull Watercolor
Ahhh.... the beach. Nothing like the beach to entice the artist me to hit the brushes then the beach in summer. I am thoroughly entertained by the antics of seagulls at Fire Island and they are quickly becoming a favorite subject! This little fellow (or is it a gal?) posed for his portrait. :) A fun little note... I actually used beach sand to get the effect of sand in the foreground!
This little watercolor was a quick sketch just look to get the idea across without too much detail. Part of my $99 series of sketches.
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| Seagull, 9 x 5, Arches 140 RP, SOLD |
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
NY Giants Painting- Work in Progress
I have five paintings that I am currently working on including this rather ambitious watercolor of the NY Giants playing the NY Jets. Guess who won? This measures 14 x 22 and I'm working on 140lb Waterford Saunders Rough Press. My main goal is this piece is too capture the intensity, excitement and movement of thr game. I don't want to get too tight and I'm really just letting the paint do it's thing.
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| ©Deborah Bollman |
In this second image things are starting to throw a shape. I'm finding my darks and establishing my center of interest which will be the player facing the viewer. He's got the ball! As far as technique goes I wet the paper and drop the pigment in and move the board around and then lift out the light spots. Anything goes to achieve the effect I'm after.
I have more on this on my studio Facebook page. You can check it out at Deborah Bollman Fine Art on Facebook. As always comments welcome!
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| ©Deborah Bollman |
For you football fans I am one of the Official bloggers for the NY Giants for SportsBlog.com at our blogGiantsBigBlueBlog.net so be sure to pop on over to Facebook and like our page and then check out the blog! GiantsBigBlueBlog.net on Facebook
Happy painting!
Deborah
Monday, December 24, 2012
Happy Holidays!
Wishing You and Your a
Very Merry Christmas
and an
Amazingly, Awesome and Creative New Year!
Very Merry Christmas
and an
Amazingly, Awesome and Creative New Year!
Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me and my art!
This one is for you! This egg nog will not disappoint and is not for the faint of heart! This recipe has become a tradition for me so I'd like to share it with all of you. This Egg Nog is one sinfully delicious concoction! It is totally worth the effort. If you have snow it benefits from sitting out overnight in a snow bank but a few hours in the freezer will work, too! The icy snow or freezer will make the nog thicken and the flavors come together even more.
Bert's Egg Nog
6 eggs, separated
1 C sugar
1 pint bourbon
1 jigger Bacardi rum
1 pint whipping cream
1 C sugar
1 pint bourbon
1 jigger Bacardi rum
1 pint whipping cream
1 pint whole milk
Whip Cream
With mixer, beat yolks until very thick and pale lemon color. Add sugar gradually, beating well until all sugar is dissolved. Add bourbon and rum, pouring it in a very fine stream and beating constantly. This cooks the eggs, so do pour it slowly. It helps to have a second set of hands here, especially if you're using a hand mixer.
In a large bowl (that has been chilled, along with the beaters), whip the egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into them the whipped cream.
Slowly pour the yolk mixture into the whites and cream, folding carefully. Thin with milk to the consistency you like.
Set out in the snow or freezer overnight.
Serve in a mug on Christmas morning with freshly grated nutmeg. YUM!
I serve this with the mother of all frittatas but that recipe is fo another day! But goes just as nice during the game!
Generously shared to me by Alyson B. Stanfield, Art Biz Coach. Thank you, Alyson!!
~source: Aunt Susan's How-To Cookbook (1951)
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Lady Bugs!!
With the holiday season in full swing I imagine most of you are in the middle of holiday frivolities and preparations. Be sure to slow down and take a little "me" time and enjoy the moments!
On that note, every Year I pick a word that inspires me for the year. See how I got started with this here... Word . Lately I'm feeling very inspired to put images to my favorite words. Words that I have focused on as I do the work of life. Lady Bugs! was inspired by one of my favorite movies Under The Tuscan Sun (Lady Bug clip). Lady Bugs is my constant reminder to stop trying to force things happen. Sometimes you have to just do the work, then sit back, surrender, breathe and just allow. I have many others and will be posting them and adding them to my website. So stay tuned!
~Oh, and Lady Bugs is available as a print!
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| Lady Bugs! La Bella Vita www.DeborahBollman.com ©Deborah Bollman |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
My Favorite Brush
I had mentioned a few weeks ago on my Face Book page that I had bought a new brush and I received a flurry of emails in reference to what exactly it is, could I post a photo, where did I get it and why do I like it. So I thought a perfect subject for today would be about my favorite brush. I am primarily a watercolorist and I adore my brushes. I have only a few that I use regularly. As you may know any good quality natural hair brush is very expensive but well worth the investment. My most used brushes are my Rekab Kazan 320S Pointed Squirrel Mops. I use the #4 and the # 8 most often and an Escoda Tajmyr Sable in a #8. For today I am going to talk about the Rekab Mops.
The Rekab brushes are superbly made and are surprisingly affordable considering the quality. These brushes have a quill ferrule wrapped four times with brass wire and short black handles. You can paint all day without having to recharge the brush.They come to a very sharp point and you can paint the tiniest of details with them or do large juicy washes. Unlike other squirrel mops that I have tried they are not a floppy brush. I have an Isebey Squirrel Quill that I like but for my purposes this brush outperforms the Isabey every time. I did bring these to an Alvaro Castagnet workshop I attended and he said these were very, very nice brushes.
The only place I know to purchase these is through Armadillo Arts . You need to send them a request for prices on these brushes. To give you an idea I paid $24 + shipping for the #4.
Happy painting!
Deborah
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| Rekab Kazan Squirrel 320S Pointed Mop |
The Rekab brushes are superbly made and are surprisingly affordable considering the quality. These brushes have a quill ferrule wrapped four times with brass wire and short black handles. You can paint all day without having to recharge the brush.They come to a very sharp point and you can paint the tiniest of details with them or do large juicy washes. Unlike other squirrel mops that I have tried they are not a floppy brush. I have an Isebey Squirrel Quill that I like but for my purposes this brush outperforms the Isabey every time. I did bring these to an Alvaro Castagnet workshop I attended and he said these were very, very nice brushes.
The only place I know to purchase these is through Armadillo Arts . You need to send them a request for prices on these brushes. To give you an idea I paid $24 + shipping for the #4.
Happy painting!
Deborah
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Back To Regular Blog Updates
As many of you have noticed I have a name change now. Due to divorce I have decided to change back to my maiden name which is Bollman. So my new business name is Deborah Bollman Fine Art.
After a very productive holiday season painting lots of portrait commissions I took January off from my regular blog updates. Now that all of my portraits are completed and gift certificates redeemed I can turn my attention back to my watercolor. Once I get through the holiday commissions my attention for a good portion of the winter turns to working/improving on technique, studying color theory and implementing my new business plan for the year and marketing.
I am starting the year with a nice line-up of events including two solo exhibits, a return to the Maplebrook School Art Show in May and a 3 day watercolor workshop with renowned watercolorist, David Taylor. I have a few other irons in the fire and will update you as information becomes available. So bookmark or subscribe to my newsletter if you would like updates. To subscribe.. Deborah Bollman Fine Art Newsletter.
In addition, I am teaching a bi-monthly Artist Marketing Salon for local artists based on Alyson B. Stanfield's book, I'd Rather be in the Studio. Our first meeting was last Friday and we had a really great turnout of wonderful local artists and artisans. I will be highlighting each of them in my upcoming blog posts.
Watercolor classes are back in action. Classes are Tuesday evening at the Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY . They run from 6:30 - 9:30. Drops ins are welcome. Contact me for more info at Deborah@DeborahBollman.com
After a very productive holiday season painting lots of portrait commissions I took January off from my regular blog updates. Now that all of my portraits are completed and gift certificates redeemed I can turn my attention back to my watercolor. Once I get through the holiday commissions my attention for a good portion of the winter turns to working/improving on technique, studying color theory and implementing my new business plan for the year and marketing.
I am starting the year with a nice line-up of events including two solo exhibits, a return to the Maplebrook School Art Show in May and a 3 day watercolor workshop with renowned watercolorist, David Taylor. I have a few other irons in the fire and will update you as information becomes available. So bookmark or subscribe to my newsletter if you would like updates. To subscribe.. Deborah Bollman Fine Art Newsletter.
In addition, I am teaching a bi-monthly Artist Marketing Salon for local artists based on Alyson B. Stanfield's book, I'd Rather be in the Studio. Our first meeting was last Friday and we had a really great turnout of wonderful local artists and artisans. I will be highlighting each of them in my upcoming blog posts.
Watercolor classes are back in action. Classes are Tuesday evening at the Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY . They run from 6:30 - 9:30. Drops ins are welcome. Contact me for more info at Deborah@DeborahBollman.com
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| Snowy Barn, © D.Bollman, Watercolor, 7 x 9 |
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| A Good Scratch, ©D.Bollman, Acrylic, 8 x 10, SOLD |
Monday, November 22, 2010
Watercolor Classes
Watercolor Classes For Adults
Students will work from still life and photographic reference material.
Come and join us for a fun, creative evening in a relaxing environment. All levels welcome.
Classes are taught by professional painter Deborah Bollman-O'Sullivan.
Classes will run for 4 weeks. Tuesday evenings from 6:30 -9:30. Classes start Tuesday, November 23.
4– 3 hour classes- $175
Drop in fee- $38.75
Art supplies provided by student. Materials list available upon sign-up
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| ©Deborah Bollman-O'Sullivan |
Watercolor, Available
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Studio News and a Poll
Art Exibition and Studio Tour
I have quite a bit going going these days. I am getting several paintings completed for the Friends of the Great Swamp Art Celebration in Pawling, NY on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24th. The event culminates with an art auction on Sunday. The FROGS Art exhibit is part of The Arteast Open Studio Tour in Dutchess County, NY. It is a beautiful time of year to get in the car and do the tour while Mother Nature still has on her finest colors!
New Name and a Poll
As many of you know I have been working hard a making a new life for myself as a single, working mom (an oxymoron) and I have made the decision to go back to using my maiden name. I have spent a lot of time and effort branding myself with my married name. Now I need to re-brand myself and my art swith my new (old) name. have already started using my maiden name, which is Bollman, in the middle and in a year I will drop the O'Sullivan. Not a drop of Irish in me! Italian (raised Italian) and German all the way. -) So in the spirit of fresh starts and new beginnings I need to come up with a new name for my business. So here is where I could use your help. I set up a poll for you guys to help me decide what name to go with. I am thinking that by using a studio name I can make this more seamless.
One of the names a particularly like is Aquarelle Studio-
Webster defines Aquarelle as...
~French, from obsolete Italian acquarella (now acquerello), from acqua water, from Latin aqua
(pronounced "ak-we-rell") - transparent watercolour.
The poll is over there on top right hand side of this blog. So, please, take a second and vote for your favorite name.
I have finally gotten through having a nasty cold and have just about gotten back into my regular late night groove again. I thought I would post this work in progress of a Dressage horse. The reference photo is courtesy of one of my collectors, Kathy. Thank you for use of your fabulous photos! The subject of this painting is of black horse. Always a tough color to paint without making things dull and too dark. I choose to run with the violet and blue highlights on this gorgeous horse.
Stay posted for the final on this one and don't forget to vote in my poll! Thanks! Til next time!
Enjoy!
Deborah
I have quite a bit going going these days. I am getting several paintings completed for the Friends of the Great Swamp Art Celebration in Pawling, NY on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24th. The event culminates with an art auction on Sunday. The FROGS Art exhibit is part of The Arteast Open Studio Tour in Dutchess County, NY. It is a beautiful time of year to get in the car and do the tour while Mother Nature still has on her finest colors!
New Name and a Poll
As many of you know I have been working hard a making a new life for myself as a single, working mom (an oxymoron) and I have made the decision to go back to using my maiden name. I have spent a lot of time and effort branding myself with my married name. Now I need to re-brand myself and my art swith my new (old) name. have already started using my maiden name, which is Bollman, in the middle and in a year I will drop the O'Sullivan. Not a drop of Irish in me! Italian (raised Italian) and German all the way. -) So in the spirit of fresh starts and new beginnings I need to come up with a new name for my business. So here is where I could use your help. I set up a poll for you guys to help me decide what name to go with. I am thinking that by using a studio name I can make this more seamless.
One of the names a particularly like is Aquarelle Studio-
Webster defines Aquarelle as...
~French, from obsolete Italian acquarella (now acquerello), from acqua water, from Latin aqua
(pronounced "ak-we-rell") - transparent watercolour.
The poll is over there on top right hand side of this blog. So, please, take a second and vote for your favorite name.
I have finally gotten through having a nasty cold and have just about gotten back into my regular late night groove again. I thought I would post this work in progress of a Dressage horse. The reference photo is courtesy of one of my collectors, Kathy. Thank you for use of your fabulous photos! The subject of this painting is of black horse. Always a tough color to paint without making things dull and too dark. I choose to run with the violet and blue highlights on this gorgeous horse.
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| The initial sketch |
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| Medium values |
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| Almost completed. I need to come in with the final darks and detail. |
Stay posted for the final on this one and don't forget to vote in my poll! Thanks! Til next time!
Enjoy!
Deborah
Follow me on ...
Twitter- Epona Studio
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Border Collie Sketch
Today's painting is a small 5 x5 inch watercolor painting of a Border Collie. I have been down and out with a cold but I managed to get this done. Painted on heavy 300 lb Arches Hot Press paper this little gem will be available to go home with it's new owner for $55 which includes free Priority Mail shipping to thh U.S. Email me for more info Deborah@DeborahOSullivan.com or click to purchase.
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My website- DeborahOSullivan.com
Follow me on ...
Twitter- Epona Studio
Monday, September 13, 2010
Showjumper Painting Is Completed!
The showjumper painting is completed.! The title is Jump. (Thank you to Nilesh for the name!)I am really please with how this one came out.I chose not to get too fussy with the details. The colors in real life are more saturated than what you see here. The equine painting is a very large watercolor measuring 22 x 30 (unmatted, unframed size), and is painted on a full sheet of Arches 300 lb Hot Press paper. Arches is one of the finest papers available and this is a very heavy weight substrate. I am selling this unframed. It will require matting, framing and glazing (glass or plexiglass).
Jumper has a ton of impact and captures a horse at the top of an oxer. It would look super in your living room, tack room or farm office!I have detailed photos for anyone interested in investing in this piece. Email me for info Deborah@DeborahOSullivan.com $1400 includes shipping and insurance or Click to purchase
Jumper has a ton of impact and captures a horse at the top of an oxer. It would look super in your living room, tack room or farm office!I have detailed photos for anyone interested in investing in this piece. Email me for info Deborah@DeborahOSullivan.com $1400 includes shipping and insurance or Click to purchase
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| Jump! |
Monday, September 06, 2010
Children's Art Classes & Showjumper WIP 5
I have been preparing for the See/Hear Virtual Art Exhibit that will be held at the John Kane House on E. Main Street, Pawling, New York on September 18th. See/Hear, a virtual gallery where artists digitally display and discuss their artwork in a fun and fast paced slide show format.
At the end of our presentation there will be a question and answer session with the artists. Refreshments will be catered by Chef Paul Rubin of Dutch Oven.
Feel free to share with family and friends! The Showjumping WIP that I have been posting here and on Facebook will be part of my presentation and the actual painting, beautifully matted and framed, will be available for viewing.
Here is the latest update on the Showjumper. The background is not blue it is actually white. I am just about finished with this. I added some more glazes to the eye and started the bridle. The bridle is simply a sweep of the brush. I did a bit of lifting and a few more light glazes of color. The last step is finishing up the eye and around the ears, paintings the boots, hooves and jump standards and then of course I will add my drips and dribbles of paint! :-) Getting into the final details is probably my favorite part of painting.
Showjumper is still untitled. Name suggestions are welcome! Just leave your idea in the comments section!
Children's Art Classes Forming in Patterson, NY
Classes are now forming for children's art classes at the Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY. For more information, please, add your name to the mailing list below or contact the gallery directly at (845) 490-4542
Have a great day!
Deborah
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Epona Studio
Website
Facebook
At the end of our presentation there will be a question and answer session with the artists. Refreshments will be catered by Chef Paul Rubin of Dutch Oven.
Feel free to share with family and friends! The Showjumping WIP that I have been posting here and on Facebook will be part of my presentation and the actual painting, beautifully matted and framed, will be available for viewing.
Here is the latest update on the Showjumper. The background is not blue it is actually white. I am just about finished with this. I added some more glazes to the eye and started the bridle. The bridle is simply a sweep of the brush. I did a bit of lifting and a few more light glazes of color. The last step is finishing up the eye and around the ears, paintings the boots, hooves and jump standards and then of course I will add my drips and dribbles of paint! :-) Getting into the final details is probably my favorite part of painting.
Showjumper is still untitled. Name suggestions are welcome! Just leave your idea in the comments section!
Children's Art Classes Forming in Patterson, NY
Classes are now forming for children's art classes at the Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY. For more information, please, add your name to the mailing list below or contact the gallery directly at (845) 490-4542
Have a great day!
Deborah
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Epona Studio
Website
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Showjumper WIP #4
I headed out of dodge with my dog for a few hours today to recharge my batteries. We went for a hike to a favorite spot where I never run into anybody. I've been feeling a bit burned out the past few days with so much going on with my studio, my son and summer activities. Then it was back to the studio and I had several uninterrupted hours of painting.
So here is where I left off. After this dries I'll put more time into this later this evening. This painting is a watercolor and the support is a full sheet of Arches Hot Press 300lb paper. For those of you who missed the previous posts see my earlier blog posts for photos of the progression of this piece. I am really getting in there with the darks. I am using a really strong mix of alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. The pigments are not thoroughly mixed on the palette . Instead I charge a large squirrel mop and really load the brush so the colors can mingle on the paper. This prevents the darks from becoming flat and dull.
I am really careful to keep a lot of soft edges at this point by wetting and softening with a brush any hard lines that appear. I save most of the hard edges for the final details or any place I want to place emphasis.
The eye is now getting it's initial glazes. I start by working wet on wet. This keeps soft edges as I start to describe the shape of the eye and ears and find the expression. In addition the values around the muzzle and nostril have been increased. As I push the darks the initial lightest glazes start to take on a very cool glow. This is the part I love about watercolor.
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Epona Studio
Website
Facebook
So here is where I left off. After this dries I'll put more time into this later this evening. This painting is a watercolor and the support is a full sheet of Arches Hot Press 300lb paper. For those of you who missed the previous posts see my earlier blog posts for photos of the progression of this piece. I am really getting in there with the darks. I am using a really strong mix of alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. The pigments are not thoroughly mixed on the palette . Instead I charge a large squirrel mop and really load the brush so the colors can mingle on the paper. This prevents the darks from becoming flat and dull.
I am really careful to keep a lot of soft edges at this point by wetting and softening with a brush any hard lines that appear. I save most of the hard edges for the final details or any place I want to place emphasis.
The eye is now getting it's initial glazes. I start by working wet on wet. This keeps soft edges as I start to describe the shape of the eye and ears and find the expression. In addition the values around the muzzle and nostril have been increased. As I push the darks the initial lightest glazes start to take on a very cool glow. This is the part I love about watercolor.
kStay tuned! This is coming down to the finish! You can click on any of these mages to get an enlarged view.
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Epona Studio
Website
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Showjumper WIP #3 & Children's Art Classes
Showjumper WIP #3
Today's post is the latest update on the Showjumper WIP (Work In Progress) . I have to admit I approached this last night with a LOT of trepidation! I am liking it so far and watercolor is not very forgiving. I got into the zone working n this stage where I just lost track of time. I love it when that happens
My original plan had been to do the eye and get rid of the creepy-mask-horse and just get some life into the piece. I can paint eyes in my sleep. But... because I was afraid to get in there with some darks I knew that THAT was where I needed to start. I got a lot further then I had planned and when I took a break a breathed a sigh of relief! I haven't killed it yet!
When I lay down the glazes in a piece by looking for different shapes I can get away from fussy details because the viewers eye fills in the rest of the information. I do like to use unorthodox colors in my horses and even though I ramp up the saturation in the initial glazes I will go over all of it with a light uniform glaze of ,say, Burnt Umber to pull it all together.
When I lay down the glazes in a piece by looking for different shapes I can get away from fussy details because the viewers eye fills in the rest of the information. I do like to use unorthodox colors in my horses and even though I ramp up the saturation in the initial glazes I will go over all of it with a light uniform glaze of ,say, Burnt Umber to pull it all together.
You can get a larger view of the image by clicking on it.
Watercolor Classes For Kids
My children's watercolor art classes are a go! Starting in September I will be teaching art classes at the Front Street Gallery in Patterson, NY. I will offering 6 week courses for homeschoolers during the school day and after school classes for children attending public school
We will cover basic techniques, such as getting to know our materials, wet on wet, wet on dry, finding basic shapes, basic color mixing and color value. We will then jump in and explore the fun world of watercolor. Students will work from still life and photograph reference material.
If you have an interest or would like to sign up , please, add your name to the mailing list for information and updates.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Jumper WIP - Continued
I hope today's blog post finds everyone well.I have been doing great. Things are moving along smoothly and after quite a few setbacks I am onto Plan B. It is all good.
I have been getting quite a lot of painting done these days. The previously posted jumper WIP has been coming along nicely. At this stage I am continuing to add glazes to the horse, finding the shapes of the light and shadow. I started adding darks to the rider. Painting people is my nemesis and watercolor is very unforgiving. If you mess up ....well...oh well. Do over. So with that thought in mind I am getting the worst of the rider over with.
Now I am adding some darker values to the horse. This really brings out the light. Adding darks is one of my favorite parts of working with watercolor. It is the opposite of working with acrylics where you save the lights for the end.
The eye still has that mask like quality to it. So my next step is to go in and get some life into the painting and detail the eye. The horse is really looking like it is emerging from the page now.
I have some decisions to make at this point. #1 is the background. I usually have a pretty well thought out plan of what I am going to do relative to a background when working this large in watercolor. But not this time. I seem to enjoy flying by the seat of my pants these days. :) There is a wing of a jump on the bottom right corner and I may let the paints fly and run and do it's watercolor thing to keep it loose on that section. But the rest? I am kind of liking the white but we'll see how it goes.
On other studio news. I am once again a participating artist at the Sea/Hear (aka Slide Slam) that will be held September 18 at the Kane House on E. Main Street in Pawling, NY. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artist, their thought process, motivation, experience and influences. My next blog post will provide more information on this fun event.
See/Hear
Til next time!
Deborah
I have been getting quite a lot of painting done these days. The previously posted jumper WIP has been coming along nicely. At this stage I am continuing to add glazes to the horse, finding the shapes of the light and shadow. I started adding darks to the rider. Painting people is my nemesis and watercolor is very unforgiving. If you mess up ....well...oh well. Do over. So with that thought in mind I am getting the worst of the rider over with.
Now I am adding some darker values to the horse. This really brings out the light. Adding darks is one of my favorite parts of working with watercolor. It is the opposite of working with acrylics where you save the lights for the end.
The eye still has that mask like quality to it. So my next step is to go in and get some life into the painting and detail the eye. The horse is really looking like it is emerging from the page now.
I have some decisions to make at this point. #1 is the background. I usually have a pretty well thought out plan of what I am going to do relative to a background when working this large in watercolor. But not this time. I seem to enjoy flying by the seat of my pants these days. :) There is a wing of a jump on the bottom right corner and I may let the paints fly and run and do it's watercolor thing to keep it loose on that section. But the rest? I am kind of liking the white but we'll see how it goes.
On other studio news. I am once again a participating artist at the Sea/Hear (aka Slide Slam) that will be held September 18 at the Kane House on E. Main Street in Pawling, NY. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artist, their thought process, motivation, experience and influences. My next blog post will provide more information on this fun event.
See/Hear
Til next time!
Deborah
Friday, August 20, 2010
Watercolor Jumper WIP
After working with acrylics for the past week I find I must get back to the watercolors. It is my favorite medium. I am once again working large and this painting measures in at 22 x 30. This is a full sheet of Arches 300 lb Hot Press paper. Which is my favorite support and is a super heavyweight, archival, smooth paper. It is really fun to push the colors around on the paper. If I dampen the paper first and drop in pigment the colors will mix and mingle on their own creating wonderful effects.
I always think it is kind of cool in watercolors how my horses start to appear out of the paper! :-) This first step is the intial glazes of color. Just trying to find the light. I went ahead and added the darks of the riders helmet because I had such a nice mix of colors left on my palette. I don't know how I made that one..a lttle of this...a little of that. I believe the primary colors are burnt sienna, alizarin crimson and Ultramarine blue but then I dropped in some partially mixed violet and let it mingle on the page.
In watercolors I work from light to dark. I rely on the white of the paper for the white as opposed to acrylics where you mix with white paint. I use mostly transparent pigment. I do sometimes use some of the cadmiums at the very end of a painting when I am adding the details. The transparency of watercolor paint is what gives a painting such a beautiful glow.
This horse has the scarey mask thing going on because I haven't addressed the eye yet. Once I have all of the lightest values completed I will move right in on the eye to give it some life. Then next comes the middle values then the darkest values and the fine detail. Not sure about the background yet...I am playing with idea of leaving it white or perhaps just the lightest hint of color..
Going backwards here. This next image is the initial sketch. The rainbow of color here is due to upping the saturation in Photoshop so that you can actually see the sketch. The paper is white. I do a pretty light sketch first with wc.
I am going to need a title for this piece so suggestions are welcome. All of these images are clickable so that you see a larger version. Til next time- Have a great day!
Deborah
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Website
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I always think it is kind of cool in watercolors how my horses start to appear out of the paper! :-) This first step is the intial glazes of color. Just trying to find the light. I went ahead and added the darks of the riders helmet because I had such a nice mix of colors left on my palette. I don't know how I made that one..a lttle of this...a little of that. I believe the primary colors are burnt sienna, alizarin crimson and Ultramarine blue but then I dropped in some partially mixed violet and let it mingle on the page.
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| Untitled, watercolor 22 x 30 WIP 2 |
In watercolors I work from light to dark. I rely on the white of the paper for the white as opposed to acrylics where you mix with white paint. I use mostly transparent pigment. I do sometimes use some of the cadmiums at the very end of a painting when I am adding the details. The transparency of watercolor paint is what gives a painting such a beautiful glow.
This horse has the scarey mask thing going on because I haven't addressed the eye yet. Once I have all of the lightest values completed I will move right in on the eye to give it some life. Then next comes the middle values then the darkest values and the fine detail. Not sure about the background yet...I am playing with idea of leaving it white or perhaps just the lightest hint of color..
Going backwards here. This next image is the initial sketch. The rainbow of color here is due to upping the saturation in Photoshop so that you can actually see the sketch. The paper is white. I do a pretty light sketch first with wc.
I am going to need a title for this piece so suggestions are welcome. All of these images are clickable so that you see a larger version. Til next time- Have a great day!
Deborah
Deborah O'Sullivan Art
Website
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