Decorated Pumpkins - and abstracts - in watercolours

In our latest session we painted Pumpkins because it is almost Halloween and because they are so beautiful to look at and because they are great to paint. The results were fabulous - and then there were some others who wanted to continue with the abstracts of last week (or do both). And that more or less describes the content of this blog. Great, inspiring stuff for all of you out there! Have a look and enjoy...

This exceptional white pumpkin with beautiful decoration was painted by Anne. It is so beautiful,  interesting and different yet recognisable. Great work!

And how about this awesome pumpkin, decorated with tiny gold curls but mostly just a wonderful juicy orange colour. All created by Charlie. With masking fluid, that is already rubbed off but she has so well suggested the depth that I thought it was still on! Awesome.

This wonderful and cute Nemo-pumpkin was painted by Glenda. So much humor and well-executed. She will finish it at home for the kids so we may be able to post it next week!


Glen painted a really quick and really sunny pumpkin. It was just a quickie after her 2 abstracts - and does it look good or what!

This is Ingrid's pumpkin, she also used masking fluid for the decoration and it has come out absolutely fabulous!!

And it was lovely to hear from Barbara, who used to be an Aquarellista but moved to England. She will be working with us now she has her own atelier and send results. Here's a firs Halloween-pumpkin one!

Fionnuala is a friend who can't come too often as she lives and works in Ireland, but when she comes she does something spectacular! She is now planning a 'sweet tooth' series and she started with a large size macaron with raspberries and cream... Not really a pumpkin but close 😍

Next to the pumpkins, there was a lot of creativity going on around last weeks' abstract painting.

Roxane Very actively picked up the abstracts. The one above is my favourite - she will only add some very fine-painted little figures in the white, to symbolise human friendship and then it is done. The one below isopen to many interpretations, one is a clown, easy to recognize, but if you turn it 90° it becomes a tulip in the sun... and more. To be continued...

Charlie finished her fragile transparent abstract, wonderful in colour and mysteriously poetic! Well done!

Anna's abstract makes you feel as if you are looking out of a tent (someone said 'Oriental' and I agree) At a peaceful landscape. It is definitely very Zen.

o the other side of the (colour) spectrum are the abstracts by Glen! what an explosion of colour! I love them both, different as they are, they have a definite connection. Lots of movement and passion.

This landscapy abstract by Sandra is coming from a different perspective, not lowing of colours and the see what it is going to be but very determined; The orange is breathtaking and there is a fine and beautiful texture (click to enlarge picture) because this actually a waterclour on gesso'ed canvas!


Sylvie has done most if not all the work on her commission with blue pots. It is such a great composition and I do see some oriental inspiration here too.interesting effects with salt and very good shadows.

Long time no see - beautiful little Mira, Thelma's best friend - and also best painting. SO well done!!

And how about this beautiful fragile slightly sad octopus -- so well painted by Sonya. It is both decorative and telling a story. His name is Octavious. I am impressed... great work!

Roxane also painted some quick vases, WIP (Work n progress) so more next week - but the colours are stunning!