Nest
6x8in watercolor on moleskin book paper SOLD
Whenever I do a series I venture into various media to explore
different effects. Here are a few of the watercolors I did.
Artist Note
The one above was the first of the watercolor sketches I did of the nests
I was experimenting with the fracturing technique using
the basic warm and cool colors. Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna.
Next came the one below - this time with less blue.
I dry brushed the really dark areas.
Nest in Tree 7 x 9 moleskin book paper SOLD
The one below is a watercolor of a cactus wren's nest
on YES multi media canvas. I added some ochre and pale yellow
to the palette and was careful not to use a staining color.
I found it easier to fracture in watercolor on the canvas than the paper.
I painted a dark shape for the nest and lifted out the shapes for
light nest material. I actually placed the wren in this one.
My computer is acting weird and I keep
trying to download some of the others, but it is not working
going to have to let this be the last one.
Tomorrow I will show some of the others from the show.
Cactus Wren Nest 8x8 Yes canvas SOLD
This is a wonderful series..I love them all and understand why they were sold. I didn't realize you can use the fracturing technique with watercolor..Wonderful work, Julie!!
ReplyDeleteHi Hilda - nice you like them - thanks. I am still experimenting with the fracturing in watercolor but I do like the effects I can get.
DeleteYour pastel work is AMAZING!
The first one is a stunner, your watercolors are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gloria. I visited your blog and found so much to keep me interested. Your work is really great and I loved the modern ancient glass post.
ReplyDeleteThese are all so lovely Julie. And mixed media to booT! You know how I love mixed media. I am especially happy to see SOLD on these. How totally wonderful! About wrens...we bought this wonderful hand-made wren bird house from a pleasant retired fellow a few years back. He told us to hang the house with the opening facing to the North and we did. He also said that the male wrens will go from place to place and actually PICK the home he and his sweetie wren will nest in. And they did! Did you know that? I was overjoyed when they picked out little wren house and I could hear there chatter-chirping all the day long.
ReplyDeleteThank you for watching my sweet Aunt Jean's video today. She had a birthday today and is now 87! Oh to be so lucky.
xo
I really enjoyed reading your wren story. I have learned so much about the nesting habits of birds since I started painting them three years ago. They are like us - tidy ones and messy ones...master builders and renters.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that your Aunt Jean is 87. Tell her she looks fabulous!
I feel like I know her after watching the video.
bird's nests! bird's nests?? wow---no wonder it took you awhile to put together that show! Bird's nests are complicated (and you did such a good job of them!) Seriously, they look so time-intensive! I am sure that is a show that people will long remember. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet Celeste. I had a lot of them done already because I have been painting nests for my own enjoyment. It was when I had to have enough for a show that things got tough. I am going to do a post on my failures.
DeleteThank you for showing these water color paintings from your show. I have no idea how you use fracturing in watercolor, but I love them. Looking forward to see more. =)
ReplyDeleteThere are more coming - thanks, Roger. I am using the posting time with things from the show as a mental readjustment. I was pretty wiped out by the time it all came together as I had the Artists Guild show to organize at the same time. Are you thinking nests?
DeleteWhat can I say, you are an inspiration and since you suggested it, I thought it could be a fun challenge.
DeleteOH BOY! I encourage everyone to go and see the nest Roger did. It is fabulous - done in his unique and wonderful style.
DeleteGreat beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your
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Thank you for the visit. My new website is still in progress so will get back to you but you can subscribe to this - my blog and that is where all my activity is anyway. Up on the right bar. Cannot get it on your phone.
DeleteAll are so beautiful, Julie. Are you doing some fracturing in the watercolors too? Or are the interesting patterns all brushed in?
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry - yes, I was fracturing with my handy tool. Neat effects in watercolor.
DeleteI have been surfing online more than 2 hours today,
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Yours is a very nice comment too. thank you.
DeleteThese are truly exquisite! Thanks for sharing:)))
ReplyDeleteThanks Bruce - looking forward to your next one.
DeleteThey all look very ghost-like-very nice effects for such a good subject:)
ReplyDeleteDon't even mention technical difficulties-I had them all weekend long!
My difficulties were just with blogger - were yours?
DeleteI adore the photos you took on your trip and am looking forward to seeing if you use any for inspiration.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely lovely!! I love the combinations of the loose textural, fracturing technique for the backgrounds to the exquisitely painted nests. Beautiful!
Thank you Kim. I went to your site and can see you are a very experienced artist. The bananas you did were a favorite. Looking forward to seeing more.
DeleteLove the fracturing with watercolors. What a stunning effect. There is so much out there for artists to explore. Another door opened. And what you can do with just two colors.....yes!
ReplyDeleteHelen I just saw your new painting and really, really like it.
DeleteGlad you like the watercolors with the fracturing. Me too!
Ahhh- these are wonderful! I love seeing how you handle the various media- AND the fact that you used the 'fracturing' technique in there, too! As always- you are insightful & inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI saw your landscape and daffodil The landscape has such wonderful atmospheric perspective and the daff is clean and bright - just like spring.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment.
Beautiful watercolors Julie! Glad to see your posts again!
ReplyDeleteNice of you Sherry - thanks. Nice to be back with such great folk.
DeleteLoved your fresh and lovely watercolors of the vineyards.
Julie, lovely pieces! If I had been together I would have loved to see your show. Is there a good gallery to go to and see your work?
ReplyDeleteYes, Lavon. there is.
DeleteI was in a gallery in Santa Fe, but they gave big discounts which I had to absorb and would not let me see the tickets to make sure they really did give that much off. It is an old trick I had been warned about. I did not even consider staying with them after that. I like the local gallery because I have a great relationship with them and trust them. If you ever come to las Cruces we will do lunch and go there.
Julie, These are fabulous! Your paintings are magnificent in every medium.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie - nice to hear from you. Love what you learned in Stapleton's workshop about porn star pink. It certainly worked on your trees.
DeleteInteresting to see that fracturing can suit watercolor. I really love your nests, they remind me my attempt to the same subjetc (blackbird nest) in acrylic.
ReplyDeleteThe watercolors I saw on your blog have a lovely sensitive feel to them. Tried to find your acrylic blackbird nest. Am sure I would love it.
DeleteSo nice to see that you're back, Julie! You were missed.
ReplyDeleteThe nest series is terrific. It's great to see where you were searching out the fracturing technique.
There's a bit of spotlight effect on the nest brim in the first two....Adds to the dramatic look!
Thank you Dean. Glad you liked them
DeleteYour bulldog painting is very special. What a great eye! I loved the colors you used too.
OUTSTANDING WORK!!!! i'm in love with them all but the first one is just incredible!! Wow!
ReplyDeleteComing from you it means double. Thanks Suzanne. Your portrait is awesome.
DeleteYour watercolors are just as fabulous as your oils , love this subject , so unusual and masterfully done. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Jane - what great colors you have in your still life.
DeleteWant to let you know I do struggle. I am going to show some of the rejects in a couple of days.
Good to see you back, Julie! What an original subject for a show, I just love the idea ... and the paintings are too die for!
ReplyDeleteNice to see the scope of media - a clever touch.
This painting Malarkey is quite good fun isn't it? I am so used to taking weeks on a drawing, that turning out a painting in a couple of sessions is quite a change!
Love Malarkey - not heard that for a while. Glad you like my avian theme. Thank you.
DeleteMy egg temperas take weeks like your drawing but I do love the process. With acrylics, broader bushes make for fast progress. You are doing gangbusters with them
I love the way the nests all emerge from the mass of shadow color-lovely!
ReplyDeleteThey do seem to do that. Glad you noticed. Thanks Mary.
DeleteThe floral paintings you are doing are beautiful.