Friday 18 May 2012

Playing with watercolours

On Saturday, I felt like taking out my watercolours again, after quite some while. I had an idea, an image in my head that I wanted to get down on paper. I have started doing more and more figurative and portrait painting lately, but abstract painting is something that still fascinates me and that I will always come back to. I just love the interplay of colours and textures.

I wanted to use a cool palette of greys and dark blues, with a touch of red and bright turquoise, putting one layer on top of the other to create depth, and light and shadows.


The finished piece, by daylight. I put it into a white frame, behind glass, to see how it would look. It makes such a difference.


I'm sure that a traditional watercolourist would have a thing or two to say about my use of black and white paint and pen, and about transparency. But I'm not a traditional watercolourist, and to be honest, I've never quite understood that thing about not using black and white paint in watercolour (although some of the white areas above is the paper). I think they work just wonderfully.

Linking up to the terrific Paint Party Friday. Make sure to go and have a look at all the wonderful, inspirign work there. It's always a treat.

I'll be away from my computer for a few days, and I'm not sure if and when I'll have some internet access in. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, have fun and create. I'll be back again soon.

25 comments:

  1. I absolutely love the effect you've created. Bravo!
    Stay inspired!

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  2. Its amazing the difference once its framed. Terrific painting. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  3. gosh...i love this to bits...i wanna do one now....it looks amazing in the frame too...xxx

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  4. Really nice! I just put away my water colors and pulled out my acrylic paints (LOL!) - finished a MOdigliani copy and also started on a background.
    Rinda

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  5. I love it! Your textures and shadows are great!

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  6. It looks wonderful - amazing how the frame always pulls everything together. A great piece of work and definitely worthy of hanging on the wall!

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  7. Love the movement and textures ~ wonderful abstract ~ framing just adds to its loveliness ~thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  8. This is simply beautiful. It makes me think of looking down through the clouds at a countryside landscape on a cold frosty morning with a pink sky! I agree that I don't understand how there are rules in the art world as to how you should or shouldn't do things - art to me is about experimenting and finding something you enjoy and that works for you. if it moves you and the people who look at it, then its art!

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  9. You are absolutely right! Who makes these silly rules! If it works for you then why not use it - and clearly it does! I really like this :0)

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  10. Great and original... I like. Saludos

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  11. Love your muted palette of grays and blues.
    The design looks spontaneous and has a lot of rhythm!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  12. Really nice! I think your palette is beautiful. How did you create the lines? Just call yourself a mixed media artist and do whatever you want.

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  13. This is wonderful, so graphic. Who cares what the uptight purists think? I think the white lines are what makes this so incredible.

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  14. I really like this abstract. the colors are perfect for the design. Beautiful work. Happy PPF

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  15. Absolutely love this!! Just great, it's moving and full of life, it captivates and lets the eye wander all over it, playful and such fun.

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  16. Stunning! The white lines give it such depth. Perhaps traditional watercolorists should take a lesson from you!

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  17. That's wonderful! I love your art in the frame, it looks all professional. Well done! Happy PPf!

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  18. I've never been one for traditional use of watercolours either... love playing with them and all those poor sods who follow the rules miss out I think... this piece looks great framed... love it xx

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  19. This is beautiful.
    Happy PPF!
    Sheri Cook
    Happy Horse Studio

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  20. Amazing piece!! I love the wonderful colors how they blend and the movement in this painting... You give watercolor a new name!! I have new hopes for watercolor...I love the white in it!! Yep, my eyes just love this piece so unique!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  21. Reminds me of a wonky quilt. Nicely done!!! HPPF too!

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  22. das sieht wunderbar aus... ist das ein Faden oder wie ist der Effekt erzielt mit dem weißen Raster???
    erinnert mich ein wenig an die mit Faden bespannten Keilrahmen(QUADRATO LOGO oder so ähnlich hiessen die), die ich mit meiner kleinen Tochter mal vor Jahren gemacht hab..
    aber natürlich kein Vergleich zu der sagenhaften Tiefenwirkung in diesem wunderbaren Werk hier!

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  23. Oooooo. I have been experimenting with shape and texture. I love what you've done with this, and I don't think that it would be nearly as successful without the black and white!

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  24. I really love this piece ! will have a try ! thanks for sharing

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