Bella Italia - by the Aquarellistas

Scorcese by Brenda. Love the glasses and the expression!

La Dolce Vita by Agnès! Fantastic those quick drawings - proof that practice pays off

A young and very subtle Sophia Lorèn by Elia B.

To be tweaked but the resemblance is already spot on! Lino Ventura by Sylvie D.

Another subtle portrait, very watercolour: Claudia Cardinale - by Hélène

Venice, a memory of Isabelle. Lovely in atmosphere - to be finished next time!

Portofino, revisited by Liz - now still light & lots of masking, I'm so looking forward to seeing it finished!

Still life with shells by Bev, she is a magician with 3D effect - it looks so real

Broken glass heart - by Patience. So poetic and subtle and sad. There's a story behind it - which makes it a true work of art...

Escargots en Aquarelle - Snails in Watercolour

 From our Breton correspondent Michele C - a very cute and well-painted snail

The latest Aquarellista Session was dedicated to 'Snails'. They are beautiful in many ways, there are many many different species and their shapes and colours leave room for imagination. Above and below you can see a good variety of possibilities!

 Snail shell by Hélène, very wel done - the volume is great and the patterns enhance the shape!

 Celina created this Snail-Leaf composition, true to her style. You would think this comes from her imagination, with the bright red and the perfect shape - but it is based on an existing snail! 

 Lovely watercolour with reflection by Glenn. I think it is a young snail, it somehow has a vibrant feeling to it.

 Almost abstract snail by Vanessa. points for warm colours and nice contrast. 

I hope she likes it better when she sees this picture! 

 Elia B. painted a mother-of-pearl shell on this beauty - and nailed it!

 Brenda used a photo of a simple shell to create a big painting in her loose and transparant style - and so did Bev. On first sight the two look similar  - but that is because of the colours. In fact they are very different... (click to enlarge)

After this Bev was interested to go a step further, so she took the box with real shells and built a still life with them. Below the first brush strokes - more next week!

NB - there are paintings missing. my bad - I didn't take pics of everything I am ashamed to admit. I have to pack'n prepare for the Hangar Spring Trip and am scheduling this post. So have a look for them next week, in the 'other projects' 

And here are the other, finished, started and ongoing projects - very worth looking at also! Earth, Water and Fire by Carol, Liz and Sandra...

 Carol's Awesome horizon-painting, inspired by the city she grew up in

Two amazing water splashes, by Liz. Both look as if they are really happening, great stuff!!! 

 

And to finish, here's one great work of art by Sandra. I am over the moon with this one because it tells one hell (literally) of a story that 'deepens the mystery'. I interpret it as the downfall of the Maya culture - but there are many ways of looking at it. Breathtaking if you see it for real - also interesting technique-wise. The structure in the arch was achieved by using gouache. If you want to see more by Sandra visit her website

The beauty of water - in Aquarelle

 Elia B. - rich in detail, click to see better

Very short comments this time - my days are filled with exhibitions, presentations and other pressing things, but I did want to post about this fantastic subject, recommended to everyone... here are some examples by the Aquarellistas from France...

Sheila. This is a real splash!!

Water by Celina. Fantastic how she always stays true to her personal style!!

Abstract based on water - by Sylvie D. I love it!

Almost symbolic for water, this drop with circles by Glenda

Fab light, fab movement, fab artist! Isabelle experimented with loose painting inspired by flowy transparent background. Above and below.

Linda wasn't delighted with her drop - but I like it. And that means posting it!

Other subjects and projects;

Marie-Claire's Sylvie Vartan, finished and SO improved!

Cathie's beautiful vase - flowers a bit further but not much because she was helping me big time...Much appreciated Cat!!

Another gorgeous still life-to-be by Carol

Interesting volume by Hélène - and the start of exercise 3 - the layers (below) Going fast!!

 

Cyndie started and finished the layers exercise last Tuesday. 

Well done! Those two 'starters' really get it!

And last but not least, the complementary-colour-flower by Marie -Claire. She mixed the violet and combined it with  the yellow, and yes, it jumps from the paper!!

9 Aquarellistas - 11 different subjects

A very Zen session last week, we used it to finish ongoing projects, try out ideas and experiment with colours and lines. And welcomed two brandnew group members:

Cyndie and Hélène both painted for the first time with transparent, watery aquarelle. 

They both really enjoyd the 'Spheres' exercise, clearly visible in the results above and below!!

 Hélène started the washing exercise, and washed it thoroughly! 

Next week she will give this vague shape its volume...

Cyndie went on painting when at home, and created this brilliant patchwork! 

With a bit of volume, and loads of patterns. Well done!

Healthy green smoothie in a bottle. This is going to be another gorgeous still life by Carol, can't wait to see it finished!

Cathie worked on this amazing begonias in an old rusty blue pot.

Liz finished the complementary coloured sunflower, now forming a set with the oranges. I  love it very much!

Right now mostly masking fluid and tape - but already super cool, this painting-to-be of Menton. Also by Liz

From here: the portraits section! Starting with a very good monochrome portrait of Johnny as Jack Sparrow. By Elia. Look at those lips...

A super experiment by Agnès, she started this in her carnet de voyage: Bic Pen, combined with watercolours... Looks like a good combi to me! This was done on paper with a layer of gesso, next week more, on 'untreated' torchon... LOve his name! So very fashionable 😝

 Another wild experiment, by Isabelle. She drew a couple of portraits of her gran and on this version, which came out with a bit of a scary look, had a ball with patterns and stripes

 Elia finished her portrait of Sylvie Testud. It is a very interesting face - just like the woman herself!

  Fab portrait of Sylvie Vartan, by Carol, now finished. Still Love the Look

 Two more portraits of Sylvie Vartan, both by Sheila... I'm sure both she and Carol were looking for character and expression when they chose these!