That Magical Moment

Dog coming to life in watercolour

It doesn't matter how long I have been painting or how many times I have painted a dog. But whenever I start a new pet portrait there is a fabulous point in the creative process when I feel the character I am working on leaps to life right in front of my eyes. 

I know many artists who work in my loose style understand how I feel. I have seen this happen time and time again on my workshops. The "Wow" moment that you cannot believe happens. One minute you are looking at a blank piece of paper. The next, with just a few touches of colour and encouraging brushstrokes something magical happens. Your subject starts to talk to you almost, as it appears on the paper.

I love the very early stages of a watercolour. When I feel as though I am literally breathing life into my work. With each whisper and gentle brushstroke I almost will the subject to life.

 And that magical moment happened on this piece. A new dog appearing in a new watercolour.

There cannot be a better feeling on earth than this.

I do wish everyone painted. Those who don't miss out on this exciting feeling!

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New DVD : Demonstration

A demonstration from my new DVD

Notice where my hand is? Far away from the sable point and at the furthest end of the handle!

This is one of my personalised brushes and so soft to use,great control and easy colour load.

I opened my emails to see some stills from my new DVD this morning. It won't be long before it is available next month and I am looking forward to seeing it myself. Actually that's not quite true because I don't enjoy watching myself on film! In fact I usually invite two very close friends over who watch it with me for the first time. It's almost a tradition now and expected.

Just like in a painting I will see all  my faults. I will  think of the things I wanted to say and probably laugh at the comments I could have been wiser not to make. I was enjoying myself far too much at one point and had to stop laughing on camera. I don't work from a script so have no text to guide my train of thought. I simply describe exactly what I am doing while I am doing it.

I do devise a programme well in advance so that I can cover the subjects and techniques that I want to share. But in this DVD I was very much guided by artists who have been on my workshops over the last year  and the  many questions they raised. As a professional there are areas of working in watercolour I take for granted. I think its far too easy to forget the beginner who may not understand the reasoning behind certain actions by a seasoned artist.  And this can lead to their paintings being developed as more of a mystery and headache than sheer pleasure found in the creative process.

So with very careful thought I have gone through the products I use and why. I have looked at colour application and washes. And then worked those washes into subjects in my own unique way.

The aim of this film is to encourage artists of all levels to try something new, push the boundaries and paint any subject at all but looking at each with fresh eyes seeing how colour and a variety of techniques can bring them to life in a more exciting way.

I do hope you like my new film, I will wait nervously until it has had its private viewing here!

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September Watercolour Challenge 2011

                                                                 "Taking a Nap!"

I will be adding the  September 2011 Challenge paintings of Bailey to my blog  this weekend because this week is the deadline for all my own new paintings to be completed for my new book.They will leave my studio by courier to be delivered to my publishers on Thursday morning. After that  the final text and design discussions will take place. It is a very special time in the journey of creating a new publication. I am aware decisions I mak t his week are final so I do need to focus 100%.

Apart from working on my book I was  taken in by the number of submissions of Bailey paintings for the September challenge and the very high standard of each. There was not one painting I could instantly dismiss from selection as they were all  interesting in use of colour and brushwork. Many are unqiue with a strong sense of Baileys character in the gorgeous collections so its taking me longer to choose favourites!

I will be setting a new October  watercolour challenge on this weekend but one with a difference!

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