Lily Pad Sphere

Lily Pad Sphere

Image size 24" diameter

Watercolor

I tried a new experiment this week.  This handmade paper had no sizing in it so I sealed it with gesso which makes the paint sit on the surface.  That makes it hard to glaze layers of watercolor paint without lifting previous layers.  I wanted to use watercolor paints rather than acrylic paints because watercolor paints have more interesting textures and aren't as flat looking as acrylic.  

I bought some airbrush medium (Liquitex) which has the same consistency as water and used it to mix my paints (instead of water).  By doing that, once it dried, it became permanent so I didn't have to worry about previous layers lifting.  It does have that acrylic sheen which I don't like so I'm going to finish it with a layer of matte medium.

It was a fun experiment and I would definitely try this technique again on future paintings.

Greek Fishing

"Greek Fishing"

Image size 15" x 22"

Watercolor

I visited Katakalon, Greece on a cruise with a friend many years ago and fell in love with the (very) small town.  This was one of many charming boats waiting to head out for a day of fishing.  

It had an old chair sitting on the deck which I planned to paint, but I drew it too lightly and painted over it before I realized that it was lost.  I may try painting this again sometime in the future and add the chair, but for now, I'm on to the next project.

Swells

"Swells"

Image size 24" x 18"

Encaustic

I didn't post this last night because I couldn't access my blogger account.  I updated my computer and it has screwed so many things up that now I remember why I ignore those prompts for so long!  I finally figured it out this morning, so here is my post.

Anyway, this is another abstracted water scene.  I was using up colors that were mixed on my palette so I can start with some new colors for my next project.  I don't know what that will be yet, but it probably won't be started until after the holidays.

Reflections

"Reflections"

Image size 12" x 24"

Encaustic

Koi fish are a favorite subject for me to paint.  It's harder to paint them in encaustic than in watercolor, but I enjoy the challenge.  I have several more koi paintings planned for the next few months.

Purple Haze

"Purple Haze"

Image size 12" x 12"

Encaustic/Shellac burn

Purple is probably my favorite color and I feel that it's a good addition to the blues and greens in this painting.  I mixed the purple with clear shellac to create the net-like textures when the shellac was burned.  I like the eerie quality that shellac burns add to an encaustic painting.