Movie Titles in Aquarelle

Amazing Watercolour results with the subject 'Movie Titles'! It was very inspiring for all - because movie titles are often visually strong, meant to have impact and make you think twice. And if you can't think of something yourself then there are always the affiches, or the actors, or specific scenes to use as image.

Elia took the title 'City Lights' and used it in her own special way, so expressive and with a beautiful mood. It is based on Chateauneuf (where the Hangar resides) by night by the way!

Michelle F. took her favourite movie 'Priscilla Queen of the desert' as starting point and loosely based her watercolour on the poster. It is already stunning, and with a stream of stars, sparkles, glitters and serpentines added next week it will be incredible!!

Glenn created her version of  'The Beach', concentrating on the reflection - and it worked!! Very delicate!

Agnès created a poster for 'Beauty and the Beast'. It is as always very original, very well done and I love the beast so much... For his expression, his fluffiness and his belly button...

Marie-Claire painted these bright red tulips, bent by a strong wind, inspired by 'Gone with the Wind'

And she was not alone in choosing that movie, Sheila also used it as inspiration. She painted Vivien Leigh in her role as Scarlett with a red boa and a great pout!!

Michele C. gave her own twist to the movie 'Modern Times'. Charlie Chaplin is not running from the gears, but from all kinds of computerized equipment!

Anna Karin experimented with last week's subject 'inspiration from Marie Françoise Ingels (see last week's blog). At the same time this could be a perfect poster for the 2013 movie 'White Cross'

Celina finished last week's exercise with a vengeance!! I love it, and it could also work really well for the Terry Pratchett movie 'the Colour of Magic'

Last week's inspiration (also see last week's blog) was so meant for Liz - who couldn't be there. So she used it this time, and combined her own style with M-F Ingels's, which included using some  tape cut in geometric shepes, and also adhesive gauze tape (DIY stuff that in french s called 'Calicot pour fissures')

 Michele C. also tweaked her painting of last week and in such a way that I want to show it once more!! Super, that sky!

Isabelle, who does not have a whole lot of experience with  watercolours, but an amazing good 'feel' for it, decided to work on one of the essential starters exercises. Doodling, then coloring (wait until a part is dry, avoid cauliflowers etc), then washing the whole lot off, dry it, and then add volume, by using shades and patterns. And look at this!!! Awesome!

 And last but not least, Liz' other M-F Ingels-inspired painting!

Ideas for New Year Greeting Cards in watercolours

The past month some of us have been working on several ideas for Christmas cards - and they have been well-received! But many of you out there don't do Christmas, maybe New Year is more your thing and in that case, you might like to use one of the following 'the new year starts with a BANG!' cards.
1. Agnès experimented with a combination of watercolours, candlewax and black gouache:

Write your wish underneath in a gold or silver or white pen - best card ever!

 2. Using watercolours and Masking Fluid

 Write your wish underneath in a gold or silver or white pen and send!

3. Be inspired by great fireworks pictures:

 This painting by Liz is seriously better that he photo of Florian Gerus! 

And then of course you can let yourself be inspired (or just drool over) the fireworks by famous aquarellistas like Paul Jackson...

...and Alexander Cresswell (Thanks Bev!!)

Broken China Watercolours

Anna Karin painted this awesome picture of a broken china plate. Did you realise how fantastic broken stuff can look?

Something from our wonderful Hangar kitchen fell & broke and there we had our subject for Tuesday! Something came up just before the end and I had to leave in a rush, and I am sorry, but I do not have pictures of all the beautiful work that was created! But here is at least some - and it is so worth your while!

Not finished, this helmet by Sandra. It will be broken too in the next stage - but I show it for the background! Impressive!

 Fabulous broken crockery by Celina - it is so 3D! And has great colours...

 Behind the broken bowl, we had the rest of the still life, with roses and unbroken bowls... Agnès chose that - and I think it is truly amazing, especially the contrast of the roses against the dark background...

 Carol painted this still life in her typical 'soft' style. It is so peaceful and deep! I love it.

Both really good impressions of the actual subject! I am in awe with the execution of both versions, by resp. Carol and Liz.. Big compliment!!

And last but by no means least, the broken china by Patience, with a deeper meaning no doubt. The female figure will get a colour in the next stage. Stay tuned for more!!

Turtled!

Last week our subject du jour was 'Sea Turtles'. Just Because. Also, they are very interesting - and I have once in my life actually seen one in the middle of the Ocean, in a storm: he (or she) paddled calmly past us. And made quite an impression. They are ancient creatures, around for over 100 million years, from the time of the dinosaurs. I learned from Agnès that they cannot retract their flippers like other turtles. Well, and they are absolutely beautiful, intelligent and full of expression!
All of us worked on doing them justice in watercolours  - and I think that worked out! Here are the results:

 Doreen painted a baby sea turte of (as she called it) "a whole new species". She experimented with salt, very brave!

Brenda's turtle looks mildly at us while swimming...

This sea turtle was painted by Bev, 'Diving' movement very well achieved!

Celina's turtle - almost finished... I love her clear lines and the contrast between the flowy background, the interesting back and the almost mosaic-like flippers and head

 

Dave painted this friendly giant turtle - with a beautiful aura. Quite an achievement: it was his very first painting in watercolours!!

Another gorgeous sea turtle, by Elia. This one high up in the sea. Perfect use of salt and colour. I hope to show you the finished version next post! 

Sylvie already painted a sea turtle some time ago, but she started a new one in a new style, with pleasure!

This colourful version was painted by Agnès, I love it! For the story behind it, check out her blog www.hobbysketcher.com

 

And last but by no means least, Patience painted this amazing fast andenergetic turtle... he swims just under the surface, and the sun shines!

 

Rentree of the Aquarellistas!

 Big Rose Flip flops by Elia B.

We've been on a well-deserved summer break - to relax and enjoy the sun, and most of all to absorb impressions and get inspiration... I still owe you the work that was created the last time we saw each other, the 1st of August (feels like ages ago!). To prepare for the holidays we had a 'beachy' still life with flip flops, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and espadrilles

Andre first finished another painting and didn't finish but his version looks great!

Liz painted a contrast-rich and quite glamorous looking beachy watercolour

Patience was very much impressed by the brave pilot whose plane was heavily damaged by the egg-size hail stones in Istanbul, and who managed to land the plane perfectly.

So she used that as inspiration for this painting - SO strong! Fantastic!

More finished work:

Elia's 'old couple'...

...and her 3 faces with ribbons.

Agnès's 'Paris Street Orchestra'... so lively, you can almost hear the music!

Sandra's 'Spring Onions' - they have her signature orange light which makes them extra interesting

Cathie's old man - a combination of watercolour with brou de noix. Fabulous painting, with so much character!