I'm FREE

I'm FREE

Sunday, March 27, 2016

The Watcher in the Woods ... Class Projects

A photo I took a few years ago. I thought the old tree looming over the open area really did look like it was watching over the spot.

This was a class demo on splattering. I masked the large tree and the bottom snowy area and covered the sky with irregularly-shaped pieces of watercolor paper and tape. Then I splattered with quin. gold, quin. burnt orange, alizarin crimson and cobalt blue. I lightly sprayed to encourage the colors to mingle a bit. When dry, I did a graded wash of cobalt blue all over the painting, then removed the masking.


Thin wash of burnt orange over the large tree, and some thin lines of grey to imply some scrub trees in the distance.

Played with some lines in alizarin, indanthrone and orange to get some bark texture.

Started to shadow the tree ...

... realized I didn't like the brown color, so glazed over it all with indanthrone.

Deepened the shadows in the bushes here ...

 ... and here

Added some softened line of blue-grey for shadows in the snow ...

... and I am here now. I think the tree needs a bit more work, but overall the painting is a nice example of what can be done with splattering.

I also had requests from some students to demonstrate how to paint eyes. Like all of us [me included], the students want immediate results! I have a feeling the idea of glazing at least four or five times to achieve the result put them off. But the effect one attains is worth it!

I wish you all a Happy Easter! Thank you for dropping by!!

11 comments:

  1. The tree painting is just beautiful! Happy Easter, Miss Kathryn!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the tree, what an interesting shape! I never thought of several glazes to paint an eye, I'm going to try that. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh what a beautiful tree, Kathryn! I love your splatter work and glazing.
    Happy Easter.
    fondly,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful work!!! The tree is coming out so perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  5. From a photo with very little color you have really made it come to life in your painting. And the tree is fabulous ! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. one of the big reasons I dont teach is because beginners are too impatient for me lol you can't get what you want from art without putting the work in first. wish you could just have instant success tho, would maked life easier :p and save on torn up paper :p

    great background on your tree :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Kathryn- beautiful subject and your splattering looks superb. Your students will certainly learn so much from you. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You've got some fun techniques going on there and so effective! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  9. this is looking really beautiful katharyn ...the tree branches reach out to us it's a wonderful composition

    ReplyDelete