Thursday 27 March 2014

Moving On!!

I often get asked at workshops about do I paint wet in wet and in the main I don't although I do use a lot of water. The way I use the water gives me slightly more control than a pure wet in wet approach so even though I may end up with an even wetter painting I use the water to direct the flow of the paint, something I learned from Jean Haines a few years ago (Joanne also uses water in a similar way) and which works well for me. But I do admire the really wet in wet approach and feel I have reached a stage where it is time and have been working up to having a go. Another of Alex Lee Johnson's photos seemed a perfect choice... his images are wonderful, do check him out if you haven't already!! As some of you will know I love nudes (or semi nudes) and also like back views but to try and do this in a loose watercolour way was going to be a challenge!!

I started this by soaking a piece 200lb Bockingford rough both sides then letting it dry a bit. I didn't draw any of this as I knew I would have time to alter and play with the image if I didn't get it quite right. I used

Perylene Green
UB
Burnt Sienna
Touch of Alizarin Crimson

I added a wash of the green and blue, vaguely leaving areas for the shoulders and the head. Working like this does allow a lot of lifting for areas where the paint has sneaked into where it shouldn't and also leaves lots of soft edges so I do like the effects but does need a bit of practice to keep an element of control over what is happening. Bit of a duel edged sword because part of the beauty of watercolour is that very lack of control which produces all the wonderful effects we get when we let the paint and water do their magic on the paper but if we want to give some definition to something then we do have to step in and take control sometimes!!

I worked on this for the best part while the paper was still wet going in, darkening some areas, lifting others until I could see the image appearing, and constantly tweaking it to get the proportions reasonable. Not my usual way at all and not how I teach my students but to any of them who might be reading this, I didn't mess with my brush so no mud!! I do feel this is a progression for me as it is a completely different way and a way I haven't had much success with in the past so to say I'm a little bit excited about how this has turned out is something of an understatement!! As always I will leave this to stand for a while in case I feel it needs any more as it fully dries but am liking it so far and believe me that doesn't often happen!! Might do a little bit to the bg looking at it on here....

Would be really interested to hear what you think of this one!!


12 comments:

  1. Lovely wet in wet effects. Quite poignant painting for me as a good friend has just been devastated in a really horrible divorce case. This made me think of her. I do hope she managed to move on soon.

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  2. Oh so sad Vandy... yes let's hope she finds some peace. Very pleased you like the painting, think this one will be framed!!

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  3. It's interesting to hear your progress whilst painting this. It is a really beautiful watercolour painting, and I love the way the figure blends into the background. Quite right that you are pleased this one. Deffo frame it.

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    1. Thank you so much Polly, yes I will frame as in truth it actually looks better in real life!!

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    1. Thanks Maggie really appreciate such a lovely comment!!

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  5. I really like this one, Judith. It was interesting that you mentioned Jean Haines. I was just looking at her site and her paintings made me think of you. I'm glad you're pushing yourself to work with the wet on wet. Because you don't sketch the figure first, would you say that to produce the image you start by painting the negative space? (I learned about negative space when I read the book "Drawing on the the right side of the brain")

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    1. Yes Michelle... negative space is very important when you are doing something like this... the book you have is an excellent learning tool and there are also lots of online tutorials about negative painting. I did sort of add the paint around the figure but also lifted paint out positively to define her more.. definitely kept the white of her underskirt by painting around the areas but when the paper is so wet it is actually quite easy to rectify stray brush marks!!

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  6. Firstly I can see why you love this you have done a great and sensitive painting.Wet in Wet has worked so well I bet we see lots more of it from you in the future.

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    1. Thanks Lorraine it is a departure for me... as I said I do use lots of water but in a more controlled way and I am sure I will still continue like that as well but this way creates such soft misty effects which I do love and have been wanting to try for a while...

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  7. It's beautifully painted Judith, one of your best! Hope this leads you on to more of this technique, it's gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Sharon... I will certainly do more!! I think some images lend themselves more to this sort of technique so will be on the look out and who knows, after my photography course yesterday, may even be taking them for myself!!

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