The act of starting a painting is so frightening, isn't it? As adults we expect to be more accomplished at art than children, even though in many cases we stopped practising art when we were children. We don't want to make any mistakes, forgetting that we get better by making mistakes. We learn from them.
I have found the best way of making progress is to paint a lot of pictures. They needn't be large paintings; small studies can still teach you a lot. Even just doodling with a brush-full of paint. It is a fact that someone who paints a hundred small paintings in six weeks will be a more accomplished painter than one who labours over a single large painting over the same period of time. So, following on from my previous tutorial on planning a watercolour painting you will have answered the questions raised and made the necessary thumbnail sketches and notes I'm sure... As a slide show.There is another version of this watercolour painting of Thomas Gainsborough's Statue. I was trying out different colour schemes and formats. Both are currently available for sale. If you are interested in either and would like further details please contact me. Other examples of my landscape paintings are in the gallery. The watercolour technique used is "glazing"
You will notice there are some colour/light differences in the pictures. The first four are photographs and the colours were affected by the time of day that I took the photographs. Goodness knows what caused the odd stripy look, I'm not a photographer! The final picture was from a scan. Caffè Florian, Venice Years ago, when I'd only been painting for a little while, I read a book called "Pouring Light" by Jean Gastorf, a member of the American Watercolor Society. I was amazed at the wonderful effects she had created by pouring the watercolour on to wet paper.
I learnt "Pouring" is a watercolour technique. It requires meticulous planning! You must have identified all the different tones within the picture before starting. I tried to do it and failed, mainly because of my lack of experience at that time but also my lack of knowledge in the materials used in watercolour. This painting is my second attempt. For those who are interested, I made some step-by-step notes and took photographs whilst I worked. I also made a short, one minute video showing the pouring process. The Thumbnail Challenge"Only the painter who knows his business can create the impression that a picture was done in one stroke" ~ Pierre Auguste-Renoir. One of the most commonly asked questions is, "How can I simplify my paintings?". The answer lies in the planning process, a step usually thought of as "boring" and therefore omitted.
"Thumbnail sketches” are small, preliminary sketches used to work out composition, tonal balance other areas that can make the painting process problematic. They can be used to explore the effect of adding or subtracting elements in your painting without committing time and paint to a large sheet of paper. Before starting a painting it's a good idea to make some compositional sketches, because planning makes the painting process easier. A Chance EncounterWhen one comes across deer whilst out walking, it often creates a feeling of calm and stillness within us not usually felt in our busy everyday lives.
My previous two deer paintings, Golden Light and Passing Storm had been bold and dramatic. In this painting I changed my palette of colours to cool neutrals hoping to recreate that sense of peace and quiet. This painting is framed in oak and is currently available to view in my studio/gallery. Other paintings of Animals and Birds are available in my online gallery. Payment for originals or prints can be made online via PayPal whether you have a PayPal account or not. Current Exhibitions by Eleanor MannMy studio/gallery is open for visitors.
Address: Stone Cottage, 6 Church Street, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7DJ Open by appointment or on specially arranged weekends. More details Blank Greeting cards and selection of Limited Edition Prints are also available for sale at The Tourist Information Centre in Sudbury. Address: Sudbury Tourist Information Centre, The Library, Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EN Opening times: Mon – Thurs 9.30am – 4.30pm, Fri 9.30am – 4pm, Sat 10.00 – 3.30pm Telephone: 01787 881320 Original framed paintings and unframed prints are being exhibited for sale at Ne-Lea's, a traditional café set in a newly expanded business centre. Address: Stour Valley Business Centre, Brundon Lane, Sudbury CO10 7GB. Opening times: 8am-3pm. Facebook Page I have a permanent display of framed originals and framed prints at Buckley's Tea Rooms. Address: 7A, St.James Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ. Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday. Website Another permanent display of framed originals and framed prints can be seen at Equilibrium Therapies. Addresses: Dorrington House, Rosemary Lane, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HW and:- Oak Lodge, Station Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2SP. Website The Bell Inn, 10 St James' Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3EJ has a selection of my paintings as cards for sale on display permanently. Website Blank Greeting cards are also available for sale at The Art and Framing Centre. Address: 8 Friars Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AA. Opening times: 9-5:30pm, Monday-Saturday. Telephone: 01787 310900 The Pheasant in Gestingthorpe are organising a "Big Painting Challenge" day with me as the tutor. Follow the link above or visit their Website for further information. Address: Gestingthorpe, Essex, CO9 3AU. You may be wondering why I am writing a tutorial about Planning to Paint so far into this course when the purpose of a plan is to have one from the start.
Paintings are made up of tones, colours, shapes, edges, lines, brush marks, textures, observation, mood, light, space, compositions, imagination, focal points, flatness, volume, perspective, gradations, transitions, simplicity, complexity, emphasis, contrast, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, fluidity, direction, ideas, passion...and paint . You need to know and understand these elements in order to make a plan. Golden Light.Another painting from my latest series (or should that be obsession?).
One of the most difficult things to know about painting is when to stop. Renoir said "When I've painted a woman's bottom so that I want to touch it, then it's finished". I'm not sure I want to touch the bottoms in my painting! I would like to be there though. Is that enough? The original sold immediately. Other paintings of Animals and Birds are available in the gallery. Payment for originals or prints can be made via PayPal. "No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist." Oscar Wilde |
Eleanor Mann
Putting a "Spotlight on Watercolour"I am a watercolour artist and tutor. Welcome to my painting blog.
I'll share my new paintings and news with you here - before they're published on the main site. Information about watercolour painting techniques and step-by-step demonstrations and a host of other things are available by subscribing to my online "art group", For more information about this please click here. If you would like to subscribe to receive notification that I've posted something that may interest you (don't worry, you won't be inundated) there is a form below. Thanks for visiting. Please read the Privacy Policy
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