Tag: Watercolour

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watercolor Watercolour

I don’t have artist block, I have something a lot worse

Ferry at Finnboda
Ferry at Finnboda

I have been suffering badly from depression (SAD) since September. I’m not going to go into detail but anyone who suffers from the same ball and chain affliction knows it isn’t easy to achieve anything of substance. So this little painting, although a bit grey, is a ray of light as I have been able to complete it. It makes me very feel good.

I am returning to the doctor this week, the current approach hasn’t worked. Hopefully a solution can be found soon. I so do want to enjoy life, smile and paint, paint, paint.

Click the thumbnail below if you want to see the full sized image

Ferry at Finnboda
Ferry at Finnboda
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Uncategorized Video watercolour video youtube

My Field Easel and sweet summer memories

During the summer we sailed to the Åland archipelago, which lies between Sweden and Finland. During the trip I made a short film about my easel set up and kit bag. I do long for the summer months when I see this video.

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watercolor Watercolour

“Don’t paint pretty sunsets”, they said.

Sicilian sunset
Sicilian sunset

Wise painters stay away from pretty photographs of ocean sunsets. I know this is true as I tried years back and yes, I failed. The watercolour turned out to be cheesy, a classic motif to sell to tourists maybe but not a work of art that I was proud of. Nothing I would wish to show to others.

William Turner, he painted many sunsets, he had a certain attitude, he was a rebel, a hero to many, an inspiration to me.

I snapped an evening photo while sailing off the coast of Sicily, I thought to myself, this is not your typical sunset. So dramatic. It’s badass. I had a go at trying to capture the moment. 36 x 26 cm.

Click the thumbnail below for a full sized image.

Sicilian sunset
Sicilian sunset

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Uncategorized

A tourist’s watercolour

I was recently lucky enough to be sailing along the coast of Sicily not far from Palermo. There was this beautiful town called Cefalu that hugged an impressive rock. It just had to be painted. 36 x 26 cm

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demonstration

Painting watercolours where I live – New YouTube video

Painting a Tugboat and talking about composition

It’s here at last, Episode 29. I really enjoyed this watercolour. It took two days to film. I did a pencil sketch on the first day but then had to wait a day to paint the final watercolour because I ran out of daylight. I talk a lot about composition and my approach to simplifying the subject. I hope you find it interesting.

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art youtube

Camping in the wild to paint watercolours

I spent a beautiful two days in Björnö nature reserve back in June. I used my new hammock to sleep between two trees. I got a good night’s sleep and did some great sketches the following day.

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Plein air watercolor Watercolour

Practicing painting my skies with a new technique

I have been using perspex plastic on my watercolour sketching board. I wet the back of the paper then tape it down. After that I wet the front of the paper and let it settle. This isn’t actually my new technique. I am placing a damp cotton sheet between the paper and the perspex before I tape it down. This gives me lots of time to work on my clouds but I have to get used to it. My watercolours are a little pale at the moment but I’m working on it. Practice, practice.

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youtube

A new video at last.

Yes, it’s been a bit of a break. I think it was September or October last year when I last published a video. I have had a tough winter. I stopped producing videos as I couldn’t cope with the workload. I focused instead on painting and my life drawing classes. But now I feel good, my energy levels are back to what a 57 year old should be. I’m not a teenager for sure but I have regained my curiosity and enthusiasm to explore and achieve.
I hope you enjoy the video, I kept it short (6.30 minutes). It was filmed on Djurgården last August.
Cheers,
David

Categories
watercolor Watercolour

Using wet on wet watercolour techniques

Donaghadee lighthouse
Donaghadee lighthouse

I am experimenting with damp watercolour paper techniques. There are many ways to keep the paper damp for a longer period so that one has time to paint a scene. I am not going to get into that in this post as I am in a bit of a rush. The most important thing for me is that my watercolours blend well on the paper and the edges stay soft, having more time to work is also a plus.
Since being accepted into The Water Colour Society of Ireland I have felt an urge to do a few watercolours of the emerald isle. I’d love to travel there but Covid is still restricting travel. I get my first jab this Friday, feels like a relief that I’m finally getting it.

This watercolour is of Donaghadee lighthouse, which lies southeast of Belfast. 52 x 34 cm

To view a full sized image please click the thumbnail below.

Donaghadee lighthouse
Donaghadee lighthouse