Painting from life can be both exciting and nerve wracking, for me anyway. I seem to go into a trance as the action of painting and the colors of the paints hypnotize me. I don’t see what I’m doing. Overdoing the work with watercolors can happen before I can blink and wake up from my stupor.
These two little paintings are the ones that were sold in my Etsy shop. Both were painted on site. I painted Beach Day while at my favorite Long Island beach, Pt. Lookout. This couple were sitting in their beach chairs enjoying the day. I guess they were having a good day, for all I know they were annoyed with each other and just sitting there. Can you tell that I like a good story while I work?
The Greek harbor scene was painted while we were on a short day cruise to three Greek islands, Aegina, Poros, and another one that I can’t remember now. They were all lovely and had different scenes, but at Aegina we sat at a cafe to have an icy ice cream frappe because it was so hot we couldn’t continue without something cold. We were at the harbor and I had time to quickly draw the scene out with a bit of color. I finished it later on, but basically had it sketched with paint right there.
When I started with watercolors I purchased a small travel set that included half pans of basic colors, small brushes, and tiny pad of watercolor paper, and a little bottle for water. It’s like a fanny pack you can clip around your waist, but I never do that. I added pencils and some other stuff I need for painting and it’s the perfect bring along set.
The funny thing is the paints that are included are minimal yet I do my best work using just those colors. The palette at home has so many colors now, but I gravitate towards the ones in the travel set. I think I should pay attention to that and maybe minimize my choices. Whatever I do, I know I like painting from life. I just have to try and stay in the present rather than have those out of body moments.
Very cool! I always paint from photos, much less stress and the shadows don’t change (I am slow).
I am impressed!
Thanks Sheryl! These are small so I can sketch out my subject kinda quick and not take alot of time with details. When I paint from photos I tend to get tight because I see too much.
Painting from life can be so daunting! But, the results so fresh and lively! These are fun and well done, Dora!
I love the vibrant colors.
Peggy I agree with you. It keeps me on my toes!
Thanks C!