Sometimes it is fun to sit at the kitchen table to watercolor (the most difficult medium IMO) or enjoy Holbein Acryla Gouache which I discovered about a year ago, a fast-drying, opaque acrylic based watercolor paint which is water soluble when while wet . When dry it is water-resistant, matte and opaque. The latter is easier to use like oil paints, in that you can paint over your mistakes if you know what they are! Easy water clean-up.
Tonight I wanted to watch Baylor and Kansas play in March Madness basketball, a new stretch for me and paint at the same time, in order to have something to post. I thought I could try to watercolor Molly, a memorial portrait. I immediately wished I had gotten out the acrylic gouache.
I had used this gouache to paint several self-portraits (the first two here) on one trip to NYC when I had no other models. At the Neue Gallery I bought and studied a book on Paula Modersohn-Becker portraits. She often painted flowers under the faces of people and I decided to add to Molly’s portrait the flowers Dianthe brought by in remembrance. As art often surprises, they formed wings for Molly.
Love Molly's portrait. I noticed the plant behind her, but once I read your post, I went back to see them as "wings". Neat! The two self-portraits were done recently in NYC or some other time there???? I like the one on the right best. How wonderful to be able to capture people and beloved pets as well as you do in paint, whatever medium you choose!
ReplyDeleteI like the first one on the right, too. Somehow you caught just the right (pensive) expression. I don't know how portrait painters do it, but it makes the picture come alive.
ReplyDeleteMolly's portrait is wonderful! I love the "face forward, this is who I am" aspect. I saw the plant, but didn't see "wings" until you mentioned them. Perfect! Yes, bummer about the game, but how neat that you watched. I regret that you didn't get to see them at their winning best.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are always so experimental yet always yourself. Love all your portraits and you have sparked an interest in that new medium for me. I'm glad you used that happy yellow in Molly's portrait and the plant behind her.
ReplyDeleteMolly is alive to me! Wonderful, wonderful picture. You know how to capture spirit.
ReplyDeleteI am posting this chiefly to refresh my memory of how to do it, so I can try to diagnose what Sherron is doing wrong! BUT I do like the additon of the pink one!
ReplyDelete