Firestone Farm - Krista

I created this sketch from a photo I took in the late 1980's.  It has remained a favorite photo because I still visit this place even today.

Painting #7 of 100

Watercolor, 7 x 9", Aquabee sketchbook, 90 lb.

Back then, I took the photograph because I was captivated by the roof’s inlaid geometric design.   I remember turning around to look back at the house for some reason, seeing the roof, and exclaiming in wonder that I must take a photo of it.

It was only later, looking at the photograph anew with artist’s eyes, that I realized how the strong lines of the fence and shadows pulled me in and almost begged me to paint it.  One reason I love working from old photos is that you get to revisit those memories from your past all over again.

When sketching, I simplified the background by eliminating the outbuildings to focus on the fence shadows, leading the way up to the house.  I also eliminated some of the background trees because, truthfully, I could not see a lot of detail back there.  This was meant to be a sketch only, but perhaps I might make it into a formal painting at a later date.

If you’d like more information about the Firestone Farm and the Henry Ford Museum, please visit my personal blog.  You can get there from the link on the side bar.

Clifton Gorge - Krista

This was previously blogged about on my personal blog, but thought I'd include it here, as it is Painting #6.  It was a great day, because Kelly and I were on a painting date!

Trabuco Canyon - Krista

NEXT.

Painting #5

Watercolor, 3.5 x 5", 140 lb Arches Cold Press

 

Pierogi - Krista

 Painting #4 of 100 Paintings
Watercolor, 9x9", Aquabee Sketchbook

 

Reference photo

This was previously blogged about, but thought it worth posting since it was done as part of the 100 Paintings Challenge.

When I first started this sketch after working on 140 lb cold-pressed paper for a few months, it was a joy to sketch in pencil in my sketchbook.  The pencil glided across the paper, caressed it almost.  But... I forgot how watercolor works (or doesn’t work!) With this type of surface.  True, I did want to have more of a sketchlike feel than an actual painting, but I was quickly getting frustrated that I could not make the paint do what it did on heavier paper.  My darks weren’t getting dark enough - and that’s exactly what I had wanted to concentrate on.  In the end, though, this came out to a reasonable interpretation of what I was hoping to achieve.

Also blogged about on my personal blog, describing a more personal point of view (and the recipe!).  Click on my blog link at left, then my 100 Paintings Gallery.

Bobbing for Apples - Krista

Painting #3 of 100 Paintings
Watercolor, 3.5 x 5", 140 lb Arches Cold Press

 

Reference photo

I was really attracted to the brilliant colors in the apples, nice warm colors set up against a cool silvery blue backdrop.  Salt used in the wash for the tin achieved the look I wanted.  It was a little harder to do the water, or to make the apples look like they were in the water and not just floating in air.  Ellipses are always a challenge for me, as well as getting the colors their brilliancy, but I’m pleased at how it turned out.

Also blogged about on my personal blog, describing a more personal point of view.  Click on my blog link at left, then my 100 Paintings Gallery.

A Froggy Swimmer - Krista

Painting #2 of 100 Paintings
Watercolor, 4x6", 140 lb Arches Cold Press

I chose this painting for the bright sunlight and shadows, and the froggy was cute too.  Practicing those hard edges and values.  For some reason, I’m attracted to painting people.  I’m still drawing and painting a wide range of subjects to find out what I like doing best.  Funny how when I painted Troy, he ended up looking as he does NOW, not as a chubbier preschooler.  I eliminated all of the unnecessary background and made the inflatable frog a bit simpler.  I tried Laure’s technique for the water of putting down some squiggly lines and then brushing clear water over it to blend the lines.  Photo reference attached.

Also blogged about on my personal blog, describing a more personal point of view.  Click on my blog link at left, then my 100 Paintings Gallery.

Lily Pond - Krista

  #1 of 100 Paintings
Watercolor, 3.5" x 5", 140 lb Arches Cold Press

Ok, I guess I’ll go first.  I’ve already done about 18 paintings because I didn’t want to wait until the first of the year to start.  I was afraid I might lose momentum if I didn’t start right after the latest class ended.

First of all, thank you so much, Laure, for providing a forum like this, where we can share our paintings and keep each other motivated in this goal.  Thank you also for providing any feedback necessary.  You are very generous with your time in doing so.

For this painting, I deliberately chose something with hard lines and a dark background.  I knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty painting, more of an exercise.  I don’t even mind that it is opaque, because my goal was to get really heavy with the pigment without too much mud, but at the same time, I wanted it subdued.  Tried varying the greens a little and tried not to blend too much.  This was a painting demo out of a book titled, “The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor, but I don’t have the photo reference handy.

Also blogged about on my personal blog, describing a more personal point of view.  Click on my blog link at left, then my 100 Paintings Gallery.