Tag Archives: watercolor

The Second Try Watercolor Painting Method

I often find that the second time is the charm when I’m creating a watercolor painting. As I paint the first attempt, I start seeing in my mind new ways to interpret the subject, fresh ideas or just a looser version start forming and demanding outlet. Sometimes that means I’ll end up scrapping the first effort and starting over, but sometimes I end up with two or more versions of the same subject, and sometimes they are radically different from each other.

Like my sunflower-inspired paintings from last year:

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:

I consider each of these paintings successful in their own way.

Right now it’s all about apple blossoms. You’ve seen peeks of the yet-unfinished original:

But what do you think of the intuitive strokes of the second version?

This started as a demonstration for my watercolour class – more wet-in-wet – and I continued adding layers after class. Part of me thinks it’s just too “pretty” in a kind of pinky/blue way but it was fun to paint and whether I end up framing it, selling it or storing it, I have learned that no painting is wasted. Everything I put into this painting will benefit the paintings that follow.

 

 

 

 

“Paradise” watercolour painting

With only two more classes until my Winter 2012 watercolour session wraps up, it’s been fun to see my students grow and change in their skills and painting style. Only three students were able to make it last night, and a smaller class size is always fun and laid back. When our two hours were up it really felt like we were just getting into the groove.

I learn a little more every time I teach a watercolour workshop. I teach very hands-on; I love to do demonstrations, and if my students don’t mind too much, I love to grab a paint brush and do a little “demo” right on the painting they are working on – it is so much easier to “show” than “tell”!

Our last few sessions have been independent painting sessions, where the students pick their own subject and I am on hand to give guidance and encouragement. Because this can be so hands-off for me – sometimes they are doing so well I feel like I’m not providing even guidance! – I like to do a demonstration of a technique at the beginning of class.

Last night my demonstration was all about edges – the mystery and beauty of the “lost & found” edge, when to use crisp, hard edges in a painting, and how to create a soft, blurred edge.

Click here to purchase “Paradise” 5″ x 7″ watercolour painting by Angela Fehr

 

I painted this little beauty during class as part of my demonstration – a lovely abstract chock full of colour and movement. There’s also a little salt texture which I demo’d as well.

I don’t do a lot of abstract paintings, but there was something so relaxing about painting this little, 5″ x 7″ watercolor painting. I followed my muse wherever it led, and was happy, happy in my heart when I put my brushes away at the end of the evening! I titled this painting “Paradise” because it really looks like those gorgeous tropical Bird of Paradise blooms that we used to see in Papua New Guinea. And that much colour is really paradise to me!

There will be more watercolor classes in my studio after this session wraps up on May 1. Last night we even discussed the possibility of en plein air painting sessions which would make me feel like a student too – it’s not something in which I’m experienced. If you want to join my next class, why not send me an email and get your name on the list?

Apple Blossoms in Fifteen Minutes a Day

Posted on by

While my studio is a cluttered mess these days, and I hate working in a disaster zone, I do like what that mess indicates; a busy, active creative mind. I’m preparing for classes for March and April, trying out new materials, and starting a commitment to painting every day.

It seems that while I love to create in many ways – paper crafting, painting and even sewing – I get the biggest response from my painting. And I do love watercolour, which is why I get so frustrated when weeks or months pass without any painting happening in my studio.

I know that part of the problem is the lack of space. I don’t have running water in the room I work in, so clean up and set up take extra time. Because the room sees a lot of classes, kids running in and out, and other projects going on, I can’t leave my painting stuff set up. I can’t tell you how irresistible a wet palette is to little fingertips – and then how expensive watercolour paper is the choice for surreptitiously cleaning off those little fingers! Even my nine-year-old can’t resist a fresh well of cobalt blue.

Anyhow, I’ve decided to do something about this lack of drive and do what I did when the kids were babies and my time was even more limited than it is now (all three were born within a 3 1/2  year time span); paint for fifteen minutes a day. I was first inspired by the daily painters who committed to an hour a day, only I knew an hour was more than I might be able to manage. But everyone can manage fifteen minutes, I reasoned, even if it means going to bed fifteen minutes later than usual. Or getting up fifteen minutes earlier, for that matter. I didn’t stick with the fifteen minute plan for long, but I’m ready to try it again.

Apple Blossoms in progress ©2012 Angela Fehr

I started this apple blossom painting a couple of weeks ago, and I really want to finish it before I lose momentum. I spent forty-five minutes (because 15 minutes always turns into more) on it this morning, defining the buds and some of the darks. Time will tell whether the painting will turn into something, or whether it’s an exercise in experience, but at least while teaching watercolour painting classes I can feel a little less like an imposter who only talks about painting.

Have you made any goals you’re striving to stick to this week? I’d love to hear about it!