Lidzey Exercise 4 - Still Life

The book, "Watercolour Workshop" has exercises, demos and projects. . . I'm referring to all as exercises and assigning numbers just to keep it all uniform on my computer. Having said that, this was really a step-by-step demo. It's done on the Lama li paper - which I'm getting a bit more used to - and several pigments were used. I'm fairly happy with it, as always there's bits that I'd do differently if I do it again. I guess that's what learning is all about anyway. Ever since I worked through the Pike book, I've gotten more comfortable with flat brushes and find myself using them more than my old beloved rounds! It's always nice to step out of our comfort zone and find we like the alternative as much as or even better. I did NOT like the flats the first several times I used them, but I perservered and it's been worth it. I'm also using as large a brush as possible for as long as possible. I do think that has helped me get a bit looser, although I've quite a ways to go to attain the level of looseness I desire.
Well, the wood flooring FINALLY came in and was delivered yesterday. The workers are scheduled to start on Monday -so, yipee!! I'll be in a mess again all next week, but we are in the final stretch and I'm SO READY!!
I took our new (2 week old) grandson to the doctor yesterday as he's got a head cold and we were starting to get concerned. He doesn't have congestion in his lungs (which is what I was fearful of) and my "home" remedy of using saline solution and an aspirator is exactly what the doctor said to do--so we will continue with that care and watch him CLOSELY! I'm afraid I was rather firm with his mom -- ABSOLUTELY NO SICK VISITORS!! I'm picking them up and bringing them to my house today -- maybe it's my "control" nature, but I feel better if I see him for myself and administer some good ol' fashioned granny care.

Lidzey Excercise 3 - An Exterior Door

The wonderful photo reference was taken by Karol and you can see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/byrdiegyrl/24267911/in/set-72157594219948621/

Thanks, Karol!!!

This was painted on lama li and while I really LOVE the texture of this handmade, cotton rag paper, I found it was too absorbant to get the tree branch shadows to bleed well. I think I'll give this a go on some good Arches sometime soon! I almost just gave up working this particular painting, but decided today to just "do it" and get it finished I didn't do a tonal study of this before I did the painting and I'm really sorry I didn't. Honestly, I just didn't think about it--I guess it truly is by mistakes that we learn!

I'm so behind on artwork and am finding it quite frustrating. Just too many things going on, life can sure get busy and overloaded. Our house remodeling is at a standstill as we wait for Lowe's to go cut down some trees to fill my wood flooring order - at least it seems as if that's what they are doing. It's SUPPOSED to come in today, at which point I will have to schedule the installation with my contractor. I still need to get up to Northern California to see my mom. My sisters have been helping her tremendously as far as going through Dad's stuff and getting his truck, motor home and boat sold. I feel guilty that I've not been able to help. I'm still not regulated on thyroid meds--hopefully the next dosage change will be the "one" that works. I'm too busy a person to be tied down with fatigue - ha.

Our new grandson, Austin, is such a sweetie and I've been helping with him the past few days. He's not quite 2 weeks old and got a cold. We are watching him closely! You can see my little sweetie on my flickr here http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendas_watercolors/

Hopefully, it won't be WEEKS before I get some art done and posted. The next Lidzey is a still life and I'm looking forward to it.