Ink and pastels (oil and soft) are often my entry point to play. Completely different from watercolours, so maybe that's why. These were a bit rushed. Will look at them and see if there is any energy there that's pulling me. I'm feeling the pull of wind and waves. I need to step back for a while and look at each on its own.
The afternoon started sunny and quite pleasant, but weather changes quickly by the sea. Clouds came in and it felt cooler. By the time I came out of the pub, it was very wet. Just a normal sketching afternoon in Dublin.
Yupo paper (a plastic, really) was fun to observe while the watercolour pigments were travelling around trying to decide where to settle. But when it dried, it wasn't quite as exciting. When I zoom in, there's lots of interesting detail, but the overall effect is not so much. I must have another go.
Moody landscapes were the theme for this session. And I decided to use my Rosa set that I bought in Toulouse. Love these sessions - such a nice group, always lots of interesting ideas. I really like it that they are live Zoom sessions, and we can discuss ideas and materials if we want. I always feel uplifted.
And I love what they do. But they don't seem to sell them anymore!! Shelley told me Jacksons Art have it in stock. Next order, I will definitely try them again! It's not as floaty as the Claybord panels, but I love the variety of edges, and no buckling!
I haven't tested if I can spray fixative on this surface without losing all the beautiful watercolour effect. And now I really like what's in front of my eyes! I need to photograph it again in better light - very dull this afternoon - so maybe I could print it, as in a print I could sell, or even cards to give away. Just in case the fixative ruins it completely!
This is the time when I should have been on the Beara Peninsula. So yes, I am feeling sorry for myself. I overdid it with layers, mostly Grey of Grey, and lost all transparency and granulation!
So the previous version on the Claybord panel is gone. I flushed part of it (to check if I can get back to pure white - not entirely, but close enough) and I painted over the rest. This is not quite as crazy as the previous version, but there is enough movement to still excite me. I wonder how much reworking can a Claybord panel take? I guess we'll find out. Until I'm 100% happy with the result, I can keep playing! And if any of you know a paper (apart from Yupo) that will give me a similar effect, let me know!!
Probably one of the last nice days of the season. We sketched in the Iveagh Gardens, just off Harcourt Street. I brought limited supplies - a small set of watercolours, a handful of acrylic markers, 5 colour pencils and my Sailor Fude. I normally carry more with me, but my physio says I can't use a backpack over my left shoulder or hang my handbag across that side either, as I could destabilise it again. So, limited supplies it is. And no umbrella, even!
