Colour blobs and squiggly lines.

When I started watercolour paintings, the brushes I bought are a mix of synthetic and hair, decent brushes without spending great wads of money for sable. I've also tried sable brushes and they are really worth the money but so expensive. I didn't buy them right off the bat because, knowing me, I didn't know if I was going to stick with painting. Then Opus put their Winsor & Newton sable brushes on sale - 25% off. 

I told myself that when I retire, I'm going to treat myself to a set of sable brushes. I couldn't wait that long...they were on SALE!  The practice for the last few days have been just mark making with new paint brushes. The other brushes were good but these ones are glorious! 

Be it knitting or painting, use the best tools and materials you can. It really does make a difference. So true. 

Week 3 of Daily Practices

Week 3 of daily practices. 

Just the highlights of the practices. I'm not sure if I'm getting better but I'm certainly learning lots.

Checking in with the Opus Daily Practice Challenge.

 

I found it really helpful that I have an area in my workroom all set up.  There's a lot of waiting for things to dry with watercolour painting.  I just leave everything set up. 

I look at the stuff other people are posting on Instagram and Tumblr and I'm blown away that these are their "practice" work.  Yikes!  I try not to be intimidated by that and just keep going.  Some days I sit in front of the TV and just do a page of line drawings (badly) of whoever's on TV.  Some days I paint. 

Sometimes I'm happy with the results, sometimes not so much but it's all practice.  I've been posting each day on Tumblr if you're interested in seeing the full size photos. 

Day 1 of the 28 Daily Practice

Back of Hon's Restaurant.

I had a lot of ideas what I could do for the 28 Daily Practice Challenge but in the end I decided to do an urban sketch each day.  This is something that I always wanted to do but not comfortable sketching in public.  I may hate it at the end of the month or I could love it and get over my shyness.  I'm hoping it's like knitting in public, you get over the reluctance and stop worrying that what you're doing is not good enough and if someone looks over your shoulder, they'll laugh at you for attempting to draw.

The quick pencil sketch was done while waiting for the bus, across the street.  Ink and watercolour was added later.  I wasn't that comfortable painting at the bus stop.  Baby steps.