Pussy Willow in Watercolour
I am having a blast in my studio. Our new puppies are peacefully sleeping at my feet and the short walks I take them on each day are leading me to see nature at its' best. Right now the country lanes are adorned with catkins and pussy willow. Both favourite subjects of mine to paint.
The pussy willow always has been a subject that appeals to me. As a child I loved touching its' soft fluffy buds. I loved how my step mum would always arrange them with bright yellow daffodils in a vase in our home to cheer the room especially on grey days when it was raining, which it often did in Wales where I grew up. Maybe that is why I often avoid using grey shades, I saw too many as a child as in grey skies.
But back to my painting today and as you can see I am happily back sharing on my blog again.
The above piece was created after I played with a small study first as an experiment. I have used Daniel Smith Walnut ink for the dark central area to set off my soft pussy willow buds. I can't wait to complete this but it has to dry before I work further on it. Rather than waste time I began a second wash so the two paintings sit side by side on my easel waiting for the finishing brush work to be added.
It is so exciting painting something you love but challenging yourself at the same time to paint it differently from the year before. And better.
Side by side. Two pussy willow paintings waiting for the next finishing touches to be added.
Once I start painting I almost feel as though a light has been turned on in my soul. Something magical happens in that I feel energised, invigorated and eager to create beauty with my brushes.
Oh how I love Spring. How I love working in watercolour and how I love life.
If only we could have 48 hour days and ten day week so that I could fit more in !
Happy painting!
Second painting of pussy willow waiting to be developed.
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No artists tip today other than suggesting you go for a walk anywhere to discover something that tugs at your heart strings to paint it.
Don't paint the same thing every day as that can sometimes crush your artists' soul. Keep it alive , refreshed and excited at the prospect of painting and as often as possible
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New puppies! Enjoy them! I got four new kittens two summers ago and they grew up so fast!
ReplyDeleteI really admire how you are not afraid to use water!I can see how much it adds to your paintings, but I am so afraid to try it myself (actually I use a lot of water, but not to so good effect!)