Balloons and Eyes in watercolours: the last session of the season

The last watercolour session of the season we worked on different subjects, starting and finishing hot air balloons and some portrait-preparation because we will spend September on all ins and outs of portraits in watercolours. Fabulous projects going on, check it all out below!

This amazing sunset with hot air balloon is so beautiful! Corinne Bu painted it. She painted the Payne's Grey foreground first, and then realised that that would probably stain the wet-in-wet sky, so she put masking fluid over it. That may have taken a bit more time, but it worked. So good!

Corinne Bru painted a balloon too, while teaching and helping her beautiful and talented granddaughter Cloë. I think it is quite an achievement that she still has painted that sky as well as a colourful balloon...

Cloë is 7 years old and she painted this! Of course she had help from the amazing Corinne, but still, it is very clever. After she had finished, she painted 'Smudge the cat detective' (That is my title, but she agreed). I love him. Tabby, big eyes that don't miss a detail, and clearly a sense of humour.
 

Just take a long look at this mysterious, innocent and friendly eye. Painted by Martin with a big brush and finished with a one-hair.  Totally in balance,and so quiet. Love it.

Roxane also started with eyes (this of course has to do with the Portrait Project) and drew the eyes of both her sons, just to 'get into it'

Judith went on putting transparent layers on the 'veils'. Until the moment decides that it is done. I want to note that for me (but I am not the artist) the one above has reached that moment. It is just exactly right and in balance and the darker upper right side works perfectly. The one below is much more of an experiment, interesting but needs something still, with all that movement going on. 

Thecla worked with Judith the whole afternoon. She painted her version of the 'transparent layers',and especially the painting above feels so very deep, it tells about healing and scars. Very good, and an excellent way to get a grip on the heavy things in life, while emptying your head. That is what art can do! 

Hot Air Balloons - in Aquarelle watercolours

Last session we worked with a small group (it is summer, most Aquarellistas are on holiday or preparing for it). That is another dynamic, very relaxed, lots of fun and also good, deep concentration. We painted Hot Air Balloons And how! 

Like this amazing, contrast-rich balloon in smashing colours by Corinne 2. I am impressed, the feel of it is so real! Fantastic. I want to be in it! And she also worked on a sunset version, but that is in the early stages ore next post! 

Plenty of time for me to paint a balloon - I used a lot of Gum Arabic, for the flow, to keep it wet a bit longer in the hot French weather, and to be able to lift the paint around the sun. It all worked well, yet another observation is that the paint granulates a bit more when using the gum. 

The 'road' is created with masking fluid on he first dark layer. 

We will continue the balloons next week during our last session.

In the meantime, other projects were started, continued or finished:

This funny Dachshund card was painted by Ingrid, to adorn a wedding present. It says (in German): "Lots of love and a looooooong, happy marriage". So Funny! 

 

Brenda used her Aquarellista time to work on some drawings that could use a bit of colour. This is Cipières, where we drew the village centre during a One Day Drawing trip. Great stuff, so good to see it again...

Laura moved from candle light to this adorable candle-lighted portrait of a little girl. 

The expression is so strong and good!  

Tony was there for the last time this summer and worked with great enthusiasm and all different kinds of input (phone, book, memory) on a anecdote painting of the market with the pink umbrellas in Grasse. They don't have that in Seattle, so he will have to come back soon!

Sandra worked on two different projects. This is one of her tulips, a WIP still, but already strong, colourful and true to her style,  a bit distorted.  And below a gorgeous soft Lake scape. Wonderful colours! Also WIP (I conclude that from the blue tape) 

More about Sandra in the Expo corner
 

During the Thursday session I had time to finish the antique golden shoe, it was fun and difficult but very satisfying

 
These two instalments in the Judith series are officially finished. They still needed one or two subtle brush strokes and then all of a sudden it was in perfect balance. First the one above and at the end of the session, the one below also.

 
There are two more, that still need lots of lush transparent strokes. I am very interested in the one below, because it is definitely a new approach. More next week, stay tuned, watch this space!

And Last but not Least, the EXPO corner

In this week's expo news, we have Sandra's August Exhibition, in the 

Office du Tourisme 
9 rue Frédéric Mistral
in Cabris. 

She will show her amazing Land- Sea- and Lakescapes and probably other watercolours.Together with a couple of non-painters, you can count on varied work!  The expo starts on 25 August and finishes on 15 September. There will be a vernissage, 

Open every day, 10 am - 1pm and 3 - 6 pm...
 

And when you read this, Martin's next expo has already opened.

Galerie Expressions 22  
22 Rue Alexis Julien
06560 Valbonne
Open Every Day
9.30 am - 12.30 and 3.30 - 7.30pm
Fun stuff exhibited in that gallery: next to Martin's watercolours there will be Glass, Carnets de voyage and Bronze sculptures. 

To be continued! Don't hesitate to send me the specs of your expo's as long as they are watercolours! 

 

Antique Shoes in Aquarelle Watercolours

The last weeks before the Summer stop. Almost Everyone is busy with family, travelling or preparing exhibitions (see below). But we were still with 4 Aquarellistas and we had a great time, with the heat outside, in that air-conditioned Hangar...

Denise's enthusiasm for the antique shoes was  contagious. She brought a couple of antique shoe-buckles, it was so fabulous to see them! She chose a pair of velvet shoes, almost finished - and started with another, golden pair, with golden watercolour paint... Work In Progress obviously, I am curious to see the effect when there are more washes!

I gave it a try too and didn't finish, love the metallic leather, but the beads are a bit much. I may finish it someday, If I do, I will post the result.


Charlie was not feeling like painting shoes (yet), and started with the candle light - in combination with plenty of metal. It is absolutely gorgeous, the shiny pears included. Love it. And then she worked on a couple of metal eggs, with a very big wet brush. She wasn't too keen on the result - we, the others, do not agree. They look so good, so tough, and very metallic! 

In the Judith corner an update of last week, interesting developments, changes in balance and it was almost àlmost finished. But not quite! Watch this space to see more transparent, more balanced colour changes... Every detail matters.

And the two newer versions, my favourite part is the blue left below... Once you get the hang of it, it is such fun to follow the developments, see the choices in colour and shape... Until next week!

And in Expo news - a lot of summer activity going on. Next posts more news about Sandra's show  in Cabris, Martin's in Valbonne, both for a longer period and both in August. 

Martin has already completed his first expo, in Saint Cezaire. Looking fine and sunny!

 

 

Candle light in Aquarelle Watercolours

In the latest watercolour session we concentrated on a subject that turned out to be difficult - but returned fab results: Candle Light. There were also Works In Progress, two 'corners' one for Denise and one for Judith and 2 Expo announcements, both of Martin!

This marvellous painting was created by Corinne2. The amazing effect on the fingers gives it the extra depth that it needs. 

Everyone was struggling with the dark background, not easy to get that even. I have done some experiments and it looks like Gum Arabic is a solution. More later!

This beautiful and simple candle with a warm flame was painted by Anna. Great and tasteful colour-combination!

When we did our line up, seeing this lush lazy candle I said - this will be even better when the white is removed (because then the flame will be the only white). To which Denise said, no - it needs the white - for the balance. Interesting huh? What do you think now you see both versions? 

NB - very well painted by Martin who cleverly used horizontal lines to create momentum for the light around the flame.

WIP by Denise, as always very original and purply! With tender vertical lines to 'up' the mystery. The warmth of the candle brings good contrast with the roses, but as it is Denise's it may still change completely!

In the meantime

Tony creates anecdotes, records on paper, of what he sees, for real and in his head. He switches on his antenna and draws everything that is there... Fantastic painting of the Hangar that day, with the cookies and the ginger tea  and the flowers and the brushes and the chairs and the sculpture stand. And so much more! The musical instruments were in his head 😃

Merel visited us for one time, we all think it is a shame, she fitted in perfectly, but she has to return home. As all new participants she painted the spheres and did a wonderful job. And then she painted the eyes with the mask... Not finished, maybe she will when she's back home and send it to us!

and a new and improved version of the Mona Lisa, painted by Laura. She has such a naughty smile and is instantly recognisable. Good work!.

1. The Denise corner 

Above a WIP by Denise, it is a part of the mushroom series and it will get its' rhythm and patterns in the next week(s) Below a finished mushroom that is so delicate, it looks like glass! I love the shadows.

And this one is just so very Denise, with the fragile elegant white lines and the colours and the depth. You are really sitting on that terrace looking over the lawn. Fab!


2. The Judith Corner. 

 
These two beautiful large paintings looked finished and round . To me. Not to the artist, Judith, who is slowly developing further. And she knows that one day something will happen that makes it the final version. We will follow it all, watch this space!

 
These two are in the first stages of development. I see a bit more geometry here - but we will let ourselves be surprised in the coming time. Watch this space for more...

Aquarellista Martin Crocker has two exhibitions this summer. 

 

The first one is a yearly lively happening in St Cézaire-sur-Siagne, with music, a concours and animations for children.

It is called 'LA RUEE VERS L'ART'. 
Sunday 20 July 10am - 6pm

Martin will participate with his aquarelles.

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The next one is in Valbonne, from 28 July - 24 August. The beautiful poster speaks for itself and I will come back to it with more info when we're closer to the date: