Tag: spring

Spring Tulip 3/20/19, and da Vinci Quill Brushes

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This is direct watercolor using A. Gallo watercolor paint on Arches 100% cotton cold press paper (in the book I made in a previous post), using one of my new favorite brushes, the da Vinci Casaneo Quill Brush, size 2. (This is an Amazon affiliate link, and I get rewarded (a little!) if you purchase through this link, without it costing you more… but shop around! I haven’t checked prices on these elsewhere recently. It is $29 right now, but I only paid $21 a few weeks ago… maybe try to wait out a price decrease?)

 

Quill brushes are sized differently than round brushes (though both are round!) and a 2 quill is maybe like a 6 or 7 round brush. A pretty convenient size. The brush is soft, keeps a beautiful thin tip, holds a ton of water, and this one snaps back nicely. It is actually made from synthetic fibers, and I was surprised by the water it holds. … the brush head itself isn’t as long as I thought it would be. I wonder if that explains the snap back that it has? So far i have enjoyed it immensely, and love the size 0 I got just as much.

This afternoon, I was reading this blog post by a friend of mine, Chandra, from Swap-bot, … She takes beautiful photographs, and always has such thoughtful things to share. I was inspired to try painting one of her tulips tonight. Ok, it turned into something very different, but it’s all good practice! If it looks unfinished to you… that’s because I don’t really know what I’m doing yet. I’m more comfortable sketching in ink, and filling in.

Happy first day of Spring! Go paint a tulip or something anyway!

🙂

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3/19/19 More transparent watercolor petals…

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In honor of the first day of spring, coming up quickly, FLOWERS!

Lots of people on youtube show techniques for painting delicate, transparent watercolor flower petals. The first time I ever tried this technique was following a Jay Lee tutorial on youtube. I’ve found several since then… Here is Emma Lefebvre’s video “Layered Watercolor Flowers”

This is the one I was watching a few days ago. I watched it again tonight, and made this little page of practice blossoms.

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Use lots of water. and let each layer dry before applying the next.

With practice I know I can get better at this. It’s pretty relaxing, too. 🙂

Day 111 (Fri April 21) watercolor clematis vine

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Based on a photo I took in the backyard. Using daniel smith paints in my strathmore 400 series watercolor journal (love this little book so much more than I expected to!) with my faithful uniball deluxe micro pen. I don’t love the overall composition as much as I’d hoped, but I like the individual elements… I like the flowers quite well, the brick, and really like the way the fence came out (which I learned from a previous tutorial!)

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I love my daniel smith watercolors, (this sap green being particularly useful today!) BUT, it turns out I don’t love using them wet, from the tubes. I’ve purchased this Meeden metal palette for $13.00 (!!!!!) which I ADORE. And $13 is a steal… includes 24 half pans or 12 full (sized) pans!! I filled the 12 full pans with my daniel smith paints, and let them dry for a couple days, and I just love love love it. It even fits my favorite paint brushes. The only thing… I wish I’d gotten the larger pan! I don’t NEED more colors. But I know I’m getting more. So for a few more dollars I may get the larger one (24 full pans) soon. Heck, I’ll use both, probably. I know I sound like a commercial. I looked hard for a metal palette. I suppose the $60 ones are nicer. But I like this one SO MUCH, I don’t see how I’d care to have the costlier one. Let me know if you try one, or if you have one you like better!