Box of WIPes

"Self Portrait"

watercolor and pastel

on Arches watercolor paper

This one got wiped and wiped before I was satisfied.

Finally got the eyes right and worked some more 

on everything...could keep going..maybe I will.

Always fun to do YOUR younger self, even with

new hairgrowth and 'extensions' (those were

not around in my day - ha ha)

Anyway, onward.

DAY13 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

"Entry Shelf"

5" square

mixed media/watercolor and pastel

on Arches watercolor paper

This is another one that has been 

in my stack for some time.  

I thought it would fit into my theme 

if I tell you that it is an inviting sight 

when you walk into my back door.   Works for me!

I also went for the blurred edges where I could.

A Watercolor and Pastel Painting

"Elusive Visitor"

9" x 12"

watercolor and pastel on Strathmore hot press watermedia paper

SOLD

This is from another entry in a visual journal I have started - although it doesn't seem to have any journaling in it.  First an artist, then a journaler...I have plenty of these books and there is another one and then another that I plan to do some journaling in, for now.  This particular book seems to continue with finished watercolor pieces.  Dr. Martin's watercolors are so bold on their brilliant colors,

and that is what is used in the background.  Done from a photo taken at the Denver Zoo, many years ago.  I chose to change the background from a concrete block wall to a wilderness area suitable for this predator

who is always on the run in the Central Plains.

Mixed Media/Watercolor-Pastel

"Poppies II"

watercolor and pastel

4" x 6"

Canson watercolor paper

Experimenting with these two mediums. The pastel needs a 'tooth' to set down on the paper and there isn't any.  The surface is pretty smooth.  Once I spray fixed it 'on purpose', I added pastel into the wet surface and it made for an interesting finish, feels and looks almost "impasto" and a little abstract.  I also realized that my Photoshopping efforts weren't making my photos bright enough once blogged, so this one seems a little pumped up bright to me.  I am trying to get this 'watercolor' painting idea - in the meantime - so different to use if you are used to oil or pastel.  Lots of practice and 'duds'  - a title my brother used to give to his firecrackers that didn't explode when he was a little boy.