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!