Sharon March 10th, 2010
Sometimes it is the small things that makes painting session go more easily. Here are a few notes from my easel:
- If your palette colors have dried out, put a drop of honey or glycerin on the pan and let it sit. The honey or glycerin will attract moisture from the air and hydrate your paints. If they are REALLY dried out (petrified) give it up. Scrape the paints out and start fresh. I prefer to let my palette dry out between uses because it avoids mold growth. The one time I did put a wet sponge on the palette and covered it with wrap, I found a disgusting blue fuzz on the paints the next morning!
- I avoid using a hair dryer to speed drying since it dries the paper from the outside in instead of the inside out and even when the outside is cooked the inside is likely still damp. I prefer to take my time and let a painting dry naturally (usually overnight) before putting another layer on the next day. It is possible to add a few drops of alcohol to speed drying but the paints will settle differently.
- If you want paint to dry more slowly, mix a bit of ox gall or flow medium with the water. You can also prime paper with it.
- If you are working on a large painting you may want to mix your colors in larger containers to avoid having to stop and mix colors. I use ceramic muffin pans (for microwave use) or ceramic divided plates for the purpose. Those are nice because you can get a wide brush full of paint.
- Keep piece of scrap watercolor paper near to test colors. If you make notes on that paper you can punch holes and keep the color notes in a looseleaf notebook for later study.
- Test for paint dryness with back of hand. If the surface is cool, it is still damp and it is better to wait a while before adding another layer.
- Prevent harsh edges between light and dark. Dampen the paper on both areas and lay down light tones and allow paint to flow in areas to be covered with darker
- Don’t press down when painting washes or you’ll get streaks and be careful not to put pressure on the paper with the side of your hand.
- Turn paper around and upside down when working to help the paint flow where you want it to.
Sharon February 24th, 2010
I think everyone is tired of winter! It’s time to get out the paints and look for spring colors to be coming very soon. I am sometimes asked if I give watercolor classes and I’m afraid I don’t teach anymore but there are local classes available.
If you are in the Snow Hill, Princess Ann or Pocomoke area, you may be interested in signing up for the watercolor classes at the Delmarva Discovery Center in Pocomoke. Doris Glovier will be teaching a series of beginner classes and intermediate classes (offered both mornings and evenings). The series begin in mid March so sign up soon. Painting in watercolors is a wonderful way to enjoy spring!
For information visit the Delmarva Discovery Center online.
Sharon July 7th, 2009
Several years ago I was invited to visit a large historic house on the river. The owner, a delightful lady, shared her knowledge of the house which was built in the 18th century and which her family had painstakingly restored.
My grandfather was an architect in Washington DC and I’ve always been interested in buildings so I was pleased to be asked to do a painting of the interesting house in it’s beautiful setting.
Unfortunately it was a blustery February day when I visited the house and took reference photographs from every angle, including one from the end of the pier that jutted into the river. It was very cold and very windy out there!
I had every intention of getting to that house portrait as soon as it fit my workshop schedule. Unfortunately within days of taking those photographs I was quite ill with pneumonia. The house project was set aside and it seemed that I even shivered to think of it, remembering the cold.
Recently I was invited to a gathering at that house and it was a pleasant day with interesting people and another tour of the fascinating building. This time I came home and started sketching.
The completed painting shows the river front side of the home as seen from the end of that pier. The original photographs, taken in winter, showed more of the house behind leafless trees. My second set of photographs, taken in spring, were more colorful but somehow seemed to show less of the house in it’s distinctive landscape. I decided to paint a late winter scene with frost at sunrise.
This is painted in watercolor on 300 lb Arches watercolor paper, chosen for better control over the sunset sky. Some windows and doors are detailed with a little white fluid acrylic which I like better than Chinese white watercolor. The painting is 15×22″ and probably will be titled ‘Sunrise Frost: Almodington’.
Sharon July 1st, 2009
I was asked by a private school near Baltimore for permission to use my illustrated Chesapeake Bay map in a seventh grade project to learn how to do a grid enlargement. I agreed to let them use the map because I knew it would be a unique learning experience for the students.
Enlarging a drawing using a grid system is a classic low tech technique to copy something fairly accurately. Simply put, you draw equal squares on the small drawing and make a grid of equal number larger squares on the larger paper. Then it is a matter of copying the lines within one square to the larger drawing.
You have to think about where the lines start and end in relation to their position as they cross grid lines and I hope that while the students worked on this map, they also learned more about the Chesapeake Bay.
I think they did a very good job with their project and it was displayed in their school. They may not think they will ever have reason to use grid enlargements in adulthood but you never know! It is a useful skill for enlarging patterns or diagrams among other things.
