Figure Breakthrough

A couple of 20 min. figure sketches done several weeks ago. I felt that I was beginning to understand some techniques; such as hard and soft edges and being able to effectively soften edges to create the feeling of light passing over form particularly in the face area.

In watercolour it is so important to keep going, to have faith that improvement will come. Practice not only improves technique and skill it also promotes understanding; the "Ah-ha" moment.

Still Life #4

Here is the next one.

Still Life #3

This one is even better. Good clear shapes, recognizable objects and lots of colour. Something I learned at the Charles Reid Workshop. Fresh moist paint and lots of paint on the brush.

Still Life #2

This one is a bit better. The same set up, but better drawing for starters. And a tighter, more focused composition.

Doesn't it seem true that the second time that you attempt a particular picture it is better. I guess in the first you are just bumbling along trying to solve problems, discovering other problems after you've finished and in the second you have an inkling of the problems that you will encounter as you go along. I guess a way to deal with these is a preliminary sketch or experience.

Still Life #1

I have recently returned from a Charles Reid Workshop, at which I learned a bunch of very important things about how I paint and how I should paint.

I am attempting in a series of small and (I hope) daily paintings to apply those things that I have learned and show some improvement.

Here is the first.