A different view of The Slough, gouache, and some perspective problems, both atmospheric and size. Sigh.
Still, I will say parts of it I really like. One thing I enjoy about gouache is the colors are so cheery if you don’t turn them into mud. Mixing is such a challenge with this medium – you need a lot of white to make light colors unless they come like that out of the tube.
Practicing watercolor, and here we are – once more addicted! My new routine is artwork in any form, and then some sewing or other fiber arts. Gardening soon now that it isn’t raining. Life in quarantine hasn’t changed our lives much here – no kids to home school – but it has helped to focus on what is important in our lives besides food!
9×12 Arches watercolor, done mostly with a angle brush and rigger. Some gouache used.
Above is the first in pen and iron gall ink.  Some watercolor, too.
First watercolor, on cheap paper. No lines.
On Arches 140 CP. No birds – they all flew away.
Given I haven’t done any watercolors for weeks, I decided to begin with pen and ink – not thrilled with results. From there, straight watercolor without any preliminary drawings or pencil lines. Got me loosened up and made me remember how much I like drawing and painting in any format except maybe acrylic and oils.
I think an abstraction in watercolor is on tomorrow’s agenda.
This scan has a really greenish cast for some reason – or maybe I just used a lot of green without realizing it. Anyway, given the fact that yesterday’s painting looked like it was sliding uphill into the ocean (art can do that, even if reality can’t), I worked on it again, this time using gouache. Here, the sand works a lot better – at least it seems to be doing the right sandy thing!
Maybe some watercolor tomorrow of the same subject?
I have been busy sewing masks for friends and family, and it’s been a slow process, taking a lot of time. However, I am back to my determination to paint or draw something every day, either in the morning or in the afternoon. As I had an appointment this morning, I used this rainy, rainy afternoon to paint the Goleta Slough. Or part of it. Generally speaking, I rather like it – all those little dabs of white, grey, and black are seagulls and other critters. The sand jutting out needs to be fixed – seems like it is riding upward or something, but …. ?
Ink, Yarn & Beer 