Callas

 This got entirely stalled whilst I scribbled with pen and ink. There is always some fear holding me back, and daily prompts from pen and ink challenge have helped a little. I did get a pen repaired and have fallen into daily use with it, as it is such a joy to draw line with.

The background colours were a little too dark, in retrospect. Still, carving shapes out has been somewhat successful. I love the image unfinished, and this is making me stall. I don’t understand why I worry so about blowing the job, since things do, for the most part, turn out! 

I am also documenting process with video on this one. It will generate a story on Instagram.

The soaked paper was used wet with flowing colour dropped in.

The colours were mapped out on a strip to help me recall them; Lemon Yellow, Pthalo Blue, and Transparent Iron Oxide which is used below to carve out the yellow blooms.

Droplets and Negative Painting

 I spent time practicing. I needed an eye-stopper for the negative painting to finish.

There are three basic wet on wet base paintings here for a negative painting project. In the colder months I really need something to hunker down, that is additive and contemplative, experimental and imaginative. Kind of the opposite of plein air painting which is time- limited, location oriented and based on life. And outdoors. I read Linda Kemp and love her creative approach, especially with these spontaneous watercolour explosions!

Freesia are half finished, from the top one of the three basic grounds. The blue and yellow elements are suggesting Callas to me, and the blue green red turned into a Christmas Cactus. Callas present mysterious and confusing shapes.