7/27/09

SUMMER

It seems like I haven't painted for forever and haven't posted for over a week either, so here's a REALLY old painting done in the late '90's. The up close study shows the textures of the old wooden sign.

Back then, I'd never use black and still seldom do. The blacks here are just dark colors in separate puddles from my palette, then allowed to mix on the paper. I think I used Ultramarine Turquoise (a mixture of phthalo green and French Ultramarine,) Quinacridone Violet, Indanthrone, and Quinacridone Burnt Orange. All were from Daniel Smith Company in Seattle, WA.

I love the depth of color and richness that happens when darks are created this way, plus both a warm black and a cool black can easily be made depending on how much of each color is used.

Miskit was applied VERY carefully to protect the edges of the white feathers and the rope. I use an 00 rigger brush dedicated for just applying miskit, then rinse it really well in GOOF OFF before washing it with Dawn Liquid Detergent, then hot water to clean it out.

The painting is really a contrast of darks and lights with just a bit of humor thrown in. This pelican lives in Bonita Springs, Florida, and it's evident that he WAS fishing from that dock.

Enjoy the rest of your summer if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. We (grandkids and me, plus my honey when he's not at work) have spent time everyday at the pool... two more weeks of grandkid fun before they must head home. This week it's just the two girls, so life seems nearly casual this morning! Oh yes, I DID paint yesterday - little toenails and fingernails, some orange and some deep pink! I love painting, and I LOVE being a grandma.

"NO FISHIN'" Transparent Watercolor on 140#CP Arches 15 x 22" COLLECTED

7 comments:

linda Schuler said...

This was the first painting we did when I first came to you years ago. Remember the coffee??? This painting really brings back the memories.

A Brush with Color said...

Wonderful painting! And I love your idea of using the Goo off stuff on the brush afterwords--great idea. I never thought of that.

Dawn said...

excellent Sandy, love them pelicans!

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Isn't being a G'Ma just the greatest! Especially when one didn't have any girls and, now, has a wonderful 3-year-old, redheaded granddaughter! Life is good! Congrats on getting to get together, this isn't always an option for some of us! But, there is always Skype!

Ginny Stiles said...

Goof off? Are you sure it's not Goop Off? Or Goo Off? I have never heard of this. Would you check it out as I am always interested in how artists try to save brushes from the ravishes of frisket! I have been using liquid dish soap fairly successfully. I wet the brush, dip it in liquid soap and then wipe it quite dry with a paper towel, then dip into frisket and after while I clean if off and start that process over again. But your way sound maybe fewer steps. The pelican is great and I love the grandkid nail painting too.
It's really not warm enough for the pool in the northwoods of WI these days however. BRRRR. We hope to get to 70 today.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Can't believe how much I have missed being away or busy working and not blogging. That work created at your batik workshop is absolutely stunning - thanks for showing us so many pieces. As for the pelican - wonderful contrasts and narrative painting.

Sandy Maudlin said...

Thanks so much for commenting, everyone. The GOOF OFF is great, but because it's so strong, I keep it outside my studio. I used to use the saop to protect the brush, but it didn't work 100% for me.

Susan, It is wonderful to be able to get together with them, and they live only 4 hours away. How I wish I could just drop in and see them whenever I wanted. We're headed to the pool, AGAIN!