Day 364: Still Life

Here we go. The last three posted. This one is inspired by Charles Reid. Let's start with still life.

Day 331: A Pot of Flowers

My plant died so I've filled the pot with new flowers.

Day 310: "Beautiful Oops"

I came across a children's book called "Beautiful Oops" today and I just started dipping aluminum foil on the watercolor, dabbing it on a blank paper, spraying some water, dabbing a different color, waiting for the whole thing to dry, then adding some dark color to get some depth and then I got this lonely flower.

Day 277: One More Rose

Yaaaawwwn. Worked until 8 pm today but a day off is coming soon.

Day 276: Poppy

Working until 10 pm is not fun! Fortunately I had a company today. 

Isn't it strange that it's always the same people working hard and late ? Do we work too slowly ? Or did we not manage time so well ?

By the way, I really want to try Sumie painting! It should be a great way to practice brush work. :)

Day 270: Orchid

I haven't painted orchid, have I ?

Day 268: Orange Sunflower

Are we tired of flowers yet ? (Sorry about the quality. I don't have a camera with me!)

Day 267: More flowers

Alright people! We're down to 2 digits countdown. 99 days to go. :)Today painting is a bit flimsy. Why don't you check out photos of my first fall season paddling from today instead ? It's so pretty out there. Get yourself outside! :)

Day 266: First Day of Fall

A quick painting with fall color scheme. It is here!

Day 250: Another Flower

Day 243: Three Flowers

Let's get away from portrait a bit today.

Day 238: A flower created by pieces of masking tapes

The flower today is created by pieces of masking tapes which are randomly attached to the paper. And I just love the imperfection of the dry strokes. Hope you do too!

Day 210: American Lotus

Convert my painting into black and white to see how I am doing on the lighting level. (Bad on highlight!) Check out the photos from my paddling trip today at Lotus Blossom in Mattawoman Creek in Maryland. 

Day 208: Blue Tulip

To get the broken and gradient look on watercolor, paint with a brush parallel to the paper and push it around as you can see on the left petal. You get that effect in one layer.

Day 200: Dry Technique

I used very little water to paint this on a grey paper pad.

Day 199: Without Sketch

A bit busy again today! I did this drawing without sketch line.

Day 191: Paint with a Spoon

Yep, I painted with a spoon. I used every parts of it. :)

Day 170: When Things Have Gone Wrong

You guys don't want to know how many things have gone wrong on this painting.

You do ?

Well...that's not nice. ha ha.

Okay, Let's go down the list.

1) Don't use cheap paper if you plan to wash the background more than twice because when you pull the dry masking liquid it will peel the paper along as well. As you can see on the flowers, the branches on the image.

2) Find a brush to apply masking liquid. You want a nice define edge or line and thin masking liquid layer. Just soak it with soapy water so you don't ruin the brush. Don't get lazy like me. I use a wood stick. 

3) A pen on saturated paper doesn't work well. You won't get crisp lines. Duh.

4) Use a waterproof pen if you plan to apply water afterward.

5) Don't use cheap paper because the masking tape will take the paper as well.

I guess that's quite a list for this tiny painting!

Day 166: Umm...black ones

oh well.

Day 165: A Red Flower

Oops! Better late than never. Of course I fell asleep again.

Hope you love this flower! :)