I have a watercolor workshop coming up this Saturday. Here are two subjects that we will be painting in Paynes Grey for practice of brush technique, values, and edges. In my previous post, I painted the same female subject in acrylic. This watercolor version was painted on Fabriano Uno, 140lb. cold press (about 11"X16"). The male subject is also water colored in Paynes Grey. I painted to the music of Andrea Bocelli. His magnificent voice keeps the brush at a sure and steady flow while not interrupting one's concentration.
Damn, you're good! monochromatic paintings have richness and quality if their own.
ReplyDeleteComparing with the acrylic version, Venus no longer has that wispy look in her eyes, but has developed an attitude, which makes her nonetheless compelling.
She looks like Jehovah's Witnesses have just knocked on her door for the third time that day... (great background on her, by the way).
Wow,
ReplyDeleteI will have to try a study with Payne's grey. I haven't watercolored in a while. It was my first love and I've been wanting to watercolor for a while. I have to tone down my colors a bit. This would be a good study.
Gorgeous! I especially love the young woman with the variety of textures in her hair and the interesting background.
ReplyDeleteNeetzy: Thanks for dropping by my blog. The very best Paynes Grey is Winsor Newton (professional grade).
ReplyDeleteMyrna: Thanks.The background comes from my love of fast brush movement. Again, sure do like your h2o portraiture...more character than mine. I need to experiment some more.
ReplyDeleteLovely value painting on the female. The guy is ok as well but I like the woman (and women in general) better.
ReplyDeleteGeesh.....this is why I've passed along "Brilliante Weblog" award to you, you can read more about it on my site. Excellent as always!! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYour work looks so effortlessly fabulous. Monocromatic paintings have their won beauty and your paintings sure do reiterate that.
ReplyDeletedavid
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love these. the acrylic venus is fantastic,her hair is so cool with the texture and light/dark contrast.sweet.
and really love the paynes grey monochromatics too, super nice.
Onpainting (W.R.): Thanks and yea, I love painting a value situation like she was in...challenging and real purrty if one can pull it off. Almost as purrty as a truck mud flap nude!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike! Reminds me that I gotta check out how ya doin on your blog.
ReplyDeleteDavid- these are so good. I liken this in a way to black and white photos where the image is everything and the color doesn't take the place of strong shape and definitive placement of brush strokes.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive that you've mastered such different mediums.
The Botticelli is sun dappled, sweetly siren-y, and lovely.
Bravo to you.
Very inspirational.
Indiaartist:When I was in first grade, the elementary school nurse called my parents. She was concerned that I was not drawing or painting in color. I just liked to work in regular non-colored pencil and grey paint. She felt that I might need some psychological counseling. My parents ignored her suggestion. It has occurred to me that even at that tender age, I knew the importance of learning and practicing value before progressing to color!
ReplyDeletePsychological counseling? Oy Vey.
ReplyDeleteThese monochromatic watercolors are beautiful. The draftsmanship is superb.
I love Romanza and could listen to it forever. The duets on that record are wonderful. I think it's his best one.
It is with chagrin that I note, once again, that good draftsmanship is the first pillar of a good watercolor. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThis are fantastic! Esp. love the one of the girl with hair blowing in the breeze. Exquisite. I also love Andrea Bocelli when I paint.
ReplyDeleteGreat watercolor portraits, David! So well balanced, so expressives!
ReplyDeleteMusic suggestion (if you like Boccelli) : listen to Lara Fabian (she's a belgian singer established in Quebec) singing Carusso! (it gets MY juices flowing...)
Thanks so much Mary. Yea, nothing like a classical oriented Italian singer!
ReplyDeleteEdgar: I think you have something developing and good with your h2o style. Do you know the art of McMullen? A commercial watercolorist who has done a lot of work for The Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts in New York City?
ReplyDeleteMona: Thanks for dropping by. You do some very cool work!
ReplyDeleteion: So why would you abandon your blog. You do fantastic watercolor work, dooode! I'm definitely going to check out Laura Fabian. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful work. I'd hardly call these "studies" :-)
ReplyDeletemumble*showoff*mumble
ReplyDeleteno really, these kick ass, david!
mumble-mumble is right!! Wow!! You definetely have the touch, Dave. It isn't often one has the virtuosity with a brush to do paintings like these. To translate those values so well without fussiness is no skill taken from a book. This only comes from years of developing acres of paintings. NICE WORK!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry
ReplyDeleteMike: Yes, acres of paintings is right, and I still have to keep an eye out for the fussiness gremlin!
ReplyDeleteIon: Thank you. Your water color portraits are outstanding! Thanks for the tip about Lara Fabian.
ReplyDeleteHOT DAMN!!!
ReplyDeleteWell thank ypu, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThat second one is a killer, David. So much to look at and admire, you don't even miss the color.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick. Heather has a great face. She told me that when her hair is down it goes down to her butt...that would be a challenge to water color.
ReplyDeleteNice work David.....these are beauties!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jared!
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