Sunday, November 1, 2009

Watercolour, flower, and portrait

I have decided that I'm not a watercolourist. I love the medium and will probably persevere simply because I'm stubborn (and have a lot of watercolour paint!) but my attempts will surely remain just that - attempts.

I look at artists like Fabio Cembranelli who paints flowers in watercolour like an absolute angel and then I dare to post my couple of flowers in a pot! Cheek of it, but I thought, it's one of very few watercolours that I will be putting up. I need to practice!



Whilst on the watercolour theme, I tried a portrait as well! (Pushing my luck here). Not too bad, but still on the overworked side.

Eudith is a lovely lady with a beautiful smile who works as a housekeeper/cleaner for a number of people. She works like a demon and when I asked to take her picture, she didn't want to smile. She did eventually, but I did the one she liked first.


32 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

Please tell Eudith that I think she is beautiful! I think you are a fabulous watercolorist, Liz. Truly stunning pieces you've turned out. It is my favorite medium and I personally would rank your work right up with the best. I hope you continue to post your pieces; they truly are stunning to my eyes.

Krista Hasson said...

Liz these are both wonderful, you are being to hard on yourself. The more you use watercolor the more comfortable you will become, keep going! :)

Independant Lady said...

Not surprisingly, I too think your watercolours are exquisite. Very few people are able to do such stunning watercolour portraits. And I hope you believe this yourself by the time you've used up all that paint.
P.S. I burst out laughing at your comment on my blog about roadwork for the BIG GAMES in February.

Ajay Patil said...

both the paintings are good

Marian Fortunati said...

Who are you trying to kid, Liz...... They are both lovely...

Watercolor is a demanding medium... I don't think most people who haven't used it realize how much more difficult it is that most mediums.

Shelley Ross said...

hah! I agree with the other comments. Don't sell yourself short. The paintings are good.
That portrait shows a lot of skill and understanding of painting faces and of the medium. If you like painting with watercolour, keep going with it, because you DO have the ability.

Shelley

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Liz, these are beautiful. Don't give up on watercolors. I do know the feeling but usually I am happy with them after I finish.

Susan Martin Spar said...

Liz...you have a good hand with watercolor and it shows. You should do more of them.

Mineke Reinders said...

Thanks for the link, Liz. I didn't know Fabio Cembranelli, but I can see now how his work inspires you. Your paintings are sensitive no matter what the medium. If you love watercolor, don't give up. The flowers are lovely and delicate, and the portrait is awesome.

Maree Clarkson said...

Both your attempts are lovely Liz! Portraits is a real challenge for me and yurs is done beautifully.

Candy said...

Liz, this is my first visit to your blog. I love your work. Your watercolors are lovely, so I must disagree with you and say - you are a watercolorist. Paint on!

Dean H. said...

Your watercolors are coming along fine! Speaking for myself, I think posting the work is a helpful learning aid. I learn much by seeing my art on my blog.

Unknown said...

I had to double check that the portrait of sweet Eudith was watercolor because of the depth and warmth of the image! Methinks you protest too much my friend. We're our own worst critics no? I love the glow and moistness of Eudith's eyes. Brilliant.

Art with Liz said...

Dear Autumn Leaves, you are so kind - Eudith is here today and I passed on your message - she laughed delightfully! And thank you for being so kind about my watercolours.


Thank you Krista - I guess I look at all those wonderful watercolourists from India and stars like Mineke and Suzanne and blush when I look at my work! You give me hope.

Art with Liz said...

I also want to add Krista, that your watercolour birds are stunning - yet another amazing watercolour artist!


Thank you Independent Lady! I tried to access you through your name but couldn't get on.

Art with Liz said...

Ah Ajay, from a watercolourist like you, that is so kind.


Hello kind Marian! I do struggle with watercolour but all these wonderful comments make me think I must keep trying - especially your gentle nudge!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Shelley - I'm too stubborn to stop, so will keep going, in between the oils!


Hi Peggy, thank you for that - I seem to be happy with one in ten at the moment!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Susan.


Hi Mineke - isn't he incredible! But then I think you do the most amazing landscapes in this medium.

Art with Liz said...

Hello Maree - thank you so very much.


Great of you to visit Candy - thank you so much - will be keeping an eye on your lovely watercolours as well.

Art with Liz said...

Such wise words Dean, thank you. (And also for the black gesso!!)


Thank you lovely Sheila - your comments always make my day!

FitFoodieMegha said...

Your work always delights me. And yes, Eudith is so beautiful! You have a fantastic job on her lips, neck and nose. Well done!

Water Color Pencil: Bani Thani in Ancient Look...!

Dianne said...

Great watercolours, Liz! You are too modest - the portrait of Eudith is really lovely, you have a definite way with portraits.

carrie jacobson said...

Hey, Liz, I like the portrait very much, and absolutely love the watercolor. The flowers are so fragile, and the painting so soft and gentle. Again, you're finding your way so beautifully with atmosphere. Lovely!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Megha - Eudith is a delightful person and was enjoyable to paint.


Hi Di, thank you so much.


Hello Carrie. Watercolour is such a different discipline to oil, but if it's right, it's beautiful - so I thank you for your kind words.

Prabal said...

Liz,

I have somehow missed you paintings since Catherine Irene. And thanks for giving me a wake up call. And looks like I have missed quiet a lot. I think Bushman and Insomnia are great.

Coming to these two paintings, 'WHY DO YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE NOT A WATERCOLORIST?'. :)

I think both of them are very nice. The first one is very delicate and the second one is very good. Yes there is scope for improvement, but thats always there. Keep doing more watercolors and keep posting them.

Prabal

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Liz, I hope you know that from time to time we ALL feel just the same. I think it is the curse, but a blessing as well because if we love art like I believe you do...we just keep on working! I so admire your work...you have some absolutely beautiful portraits (something I do NOT really do cuz they are tough)...don't give up...I know you said you wouldn't. You know my secret when i was feeling like you??...very dark darks next to lights...It made all the difference to me when I felt like you!! NEVER GIVE UP! We love you and your work!!

Janelle Goodwin said...

I think your watercolor paintings are wonderful. And I think watercolors are hard to do! Oils are much easier!

Diana Marshall said...

Beautiful portrait,not easy in water colour, bravo!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Prabal - I somehow was missing you as well and am glad I clicked back onto your blog again. When I look at what you guys in India do with watercolour, I know I have a long way to go. But I thank you for the lovely compliment.


Saundra my friend, you are so wonderful and generous. Thank you so much for your lovely comment - luckily I'm not a negative or 'dark' person and will naturally just carry on regardless - your words give added impetus! Hope everything is fine with you now.

Art with Liz said...

I so agree with you Janelle - oils are so much easier to work with!! Mistakes can be corrected - watercolour mistakes are torn up. Thank you so much for the visit.


Thank you Diana - I just find portraits so much more satisfying to do than say, landscapes, so therefore find them just that little bit easier, even in watercolour.

Arti said...

Wonderful portrait...the eyes are so expressive..skin tones-just great!

Fábio Cembranelli said...

Liz......thank you very much..you've mentioned my name, I didn't know. Your watercolors are really good, the flowers backgroundb is excellent! Hope to see more and more watercolors...!