Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Watercolor Fracturing - Crabapples #1

 

Crabapples #1

5x7  watercolor on acid free paper Not for sale 

A friend from the Artist Guild brought me bunch of fabulous crabapples.
A big thank you to Phyllis Davis.

Artist Note.
I am on a quest to try and get my watercolors to look as if the same artist
painted them as my oils. It is a lot of fun.












There are two different types of crabapples in the container.
You can see the varied colors on the top left and right sides.
I have never painted crabapples before so I decided to do some
studies and become familiar with them first.
I used cartridge paper and a mechanical pencil then
I tried some watercolor just for color samples on top of a few of the drawings.


The reason I use cartridge paper is so I will not try to get "keepers."
If they are on a poor quality paper I am apt to be more free.
I am learning and practicing the fracturing method for watercolor
until I feel I am consistent so I will not be offering them for sale.
After saying that about the paper quality...it can be hard to goof up
on good paper, but I did.
I ruined the lower part of the #1 when I became
carried away with water. It is in my moleskin book which is a nice paper.
It sure makes it easier not to part with it!








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23 comments:

  1. This remind me about one of my favorite subjects this year, Rowan berries. I love your approach and the final painting.I am actually looking forward to the autumn.... a lot of fun is happening then.

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    1. I had to google Rowan berries to see what you meant. The are very similar indeed. The cluster of the Rowan berries is larger and more compact. The leaves and the way they grow on the branch are the biggest difference. I can see why you like them. They have a definite silhouette.
      I love your new huge pieces.

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  2. Wonderful experiments! The life of watercolorists
    is always conditioned from the couple paper- water!

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    1. hi sweet Rita - yes, the couple...paper and water. You handle them beautifully. What paper are you preferring?
      Your grapes turned out so well.

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    2. Thanks,dear Julie.
      I love different paper for each technique. I prefer mixed cellulose cotton (Fabriano5) or entirely cellulose (as Montval) for loose techniques alla prima.. .They can not bear very much reworking.

      Cold press 140 bs (Arches or Fabriano) works well for any tecniques. Arches bears many reworking!
      Hot pressed ... it is a bit difficult to mastering for me,but following John Bayalis online lessons, I realized the great potential for detailed work.White Wrapping White paper is great for testing everything, even very wet techniques.The surface of my freedom!!!

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  3. For some reason, I am reminded of the old timey postcards on this piece. Or old time advertisements. I love it!! I'm in a maybe I should just give up art all the way around mode because I'm not good enough mood again. I sure deal with that one a lot. LOL And I am also reminded of the time I attempted to make crab apple jam...

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    1. Most likely the color combination. Back in the day a pale background was often the choice. Also it has an oriental design element to it which was used a lot then. Sorry you are not in the mood but you do have a lot going on. I got a huge kick out of your blog just saying blah.. blah... blah...1 have felt that way myself and was not courageous enough to do it.

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  4. I love seeing you develop these and they are really getting the same look with your fracturing technique.

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    1. glad you think so, Bruce - thanks.
      love your french window painting. Beautiful colors.

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  5. Hi Julie, This is lovely! I think there is something psychological going on in your mind when you tell yourself your are doing a watercolor sketch versus a "painting" on good paper. More free, loose, spontaneous work results. I find that to be the case for me. What do you think?

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    1. Thank you, Kim, I agree with what you said. It IS all in the mind and for me, it works. You give me a pristine piece of expensive paper or canvas and by hook or crook...I will keep working the thing to death to get something out of it.
      You would think by now it would be different, but nope, it isn't.
      Wish I was rich so it wouldn't matter.
      Your blog is amazing and I loved reading the article and discovering how cosmopolitan you are.

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  6. Wonderful fracturing effects in WC, Julie!
    Wow!...I really admire your dedication to practice. And to keeping it purely practice.
    I really need to zero in like that.
    A great lesson today...Thanks! :)

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    1. Hi Dean - I love the practice part and thats why I do it. I find more things out that way.
      Your geese are really special Dean. The colors in the white are up to your usual high standards. It is the sunny glow you get just right!

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  7. I am fascinated by your fractured technique in watercolor.

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    1. Fascinated is a nice word from someone who is as brilliant at watercolor as you are. Thank you.
      Your new piece is awesome.

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  8. I am with great interest your test.
    I think on the Yupo paper (you can wash it many times) or hot pressed paper with light weight (less expensive) you could stretch the paint and be closer to the reaction of a good paper.

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    1. You are so nice to take the time to suggest the papers to try. Thanks, Lydie.
      Love your bird. Great job on making the feathers look soft and real.

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  9. Well, I think your piece is delightful!

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    1. Thank Lavon. I enjoyed reading the article about you. Any chance of getting a blog so others can enjoy your work if they do not get over to DPW?

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  10. Once again...........I love the process. And you came away with a beautiful study or practice piece. My weekend went awry so this morning in desperation, I did a little watercolor of my landscape. One thing I learned is that it is a great lesson in being loose and experimenting. There is a great, what I have I got to lose feeling. Anyway, good work.

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    1. Good for you for understanding why I do these. I am thrilled you also found it liberating.
      Neat idea on your post having the two study/paintings of the same spot with different focus.

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  11. Your technique is beautiful in watercolor. I always love seeing your painting process!

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  12. Julie I love this one! and I don't blame you for not selling it :)

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie