Thursday 17 October 2013

Poppies in Watercolour.




The other day, I arrived home with a tube of watercolour and noticed that the lid of the tin in which my colours reside barely fits anymore. I wondered how I had managed to amass such a number of tubes when, if you read almost any book on watercolour painting, you will be advised on the merits of a limited palette. Perhaps it is the element of mystery they hold. By this I mean that watercolour can be, as we all know, very unpredictable. Sometimes it can seem to have a life all of it's own when released onto the page and, whenever I pick up a tube, I wonder if I wouldn't be overly surprised to feel a faint and quickening pulse. But then of course, that pulse is in my eager finger tips - isn't it? My recent attempt with acrylics only emphasises this further. Acrylics do what they are supposed to do on the surface, they don't move from where they are put, they don't blend or bleed before your eyes against your very will, they don't thwart your carefully laid out plans and transform a picture from promise to failure in a split second and, they don't indulge in 2D gymnastics such as back-runs etc.  Ah, but despite their willfulness, watercolours are old, established friends. Real friends, with whom life is not always easy, with whom there will always be dis-agreements, arguments, even short periods of quiet distance. But they are friends nonetheless, who will always be there and, what's more, will always be treasured.  Ultramarine, a deep, warm blue which granulates on the paper providing texture as well as the colour of a Mediterranean sky. Cobalt, a kind of all purpose blue, a bit cooler than Ultramarine and ideal for more northern skies. Mixed with Alizarin Crimson it yields a useful shadow hue. Cerulean Blue is cooler still, the delicate shell of a Song Thrush egg or a wintry evening sky - one of my favourites.  Let's get down to earth. Raw and Burnt Sienna, rich and autumnal and don't forget that warm, ancient brickwork on farmhouses and village streets. Raw Sienna is so versatile it will even provide a warm backdrop for a summer sky. Burnt Sienna with Ultramarine summons a rich, warm dark for that open doorway.  The sun is shining through the window as I write this. Lemon Yellow, acidic, juicy and strangely cool for a colour that depicts sunlight so well. Then there are the Cadmiums, both Red and Yellow. Cadmium is a nasty, highly toxic metal (Cd. on the Periodic Table). Manufacturers have found substitutes to enable us to enjoy these colours safely. Uncompromising and opaque, they need care when applying. Just a few well-placed spots and Cadmium Red can lift a whole picture single-handedly. All the colours mentioned so far are what would be termed traditional, there are others, more modern with exotic names. I don't own any Perylenes or Indantherines but I do own some Quinacridones. Quinacridone Red is a pure, transparent and unbiased red. In diluted washes it gives a lovely, dusty pink, I've found it's also ideal for toning down greens. Quinacridone Gold, a potent, molten yellow. Apply it to wet paper and watch as it overpowers the white, almost scorching the surface. One of my all-time favourites is Green Gold. Transparent and intense, as it's name suggests it is somewhere between green and yellow but it is deliciously rich and evocative. Whenever I see it on a palette I smell turning Autumn leaves and the damp fragrance of Sphagnum Moss. I could go on and on ("No, please no"! I hear you cry.), Like what a curious thing Neutral Tint is. Hardly a colour at all, more like a mood, or a statement of intent. How on earth did they get that in a tube?  I haven't come close to covering all the colours I own but I think I've rambled enough. All the above consists of my own opinions and you, dear friend, may have good reason to disagree with some, or all of it. The whole point of this was to try to apply reason to the burgeoning content of my paint box. My wife has never questioned this but what if, one day, she did? She would be entitled to an answer. Or maybe (and this is highly likely), she already knows and simply indulges this 51 year old child his little bolt hole from the world. She has, after all, always known how to sustain my happiness.  Monday I go into hospital again. They are going to try again. My wife will come and fetch me home when they have finished with me. If I'm well enough I'm thinking of asking if maybe we could stop by an art store. Just to have a look around....  Watercolour on Saunders Waterford 140lb ROUGH.       

20 comments:

  1. Nice watercolor paintings Kev, I like the way you handled the backgrounds in these paintings, it gives them a subtle depth and makes the stars of the painting stand out.
    You did a great job with the acrylics from the last post too.

    Good luck on Monday hope everything turns out ok.
    Looking foward to your next painting.

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    1. Thanks very much Pat. I'm glad you like them and thank you for your positive comment about the acrylic picture. It's a new medium for me so that's encouraging. I appreciate your good wishes, I too hope it turns out well, this has all dragged on long enough!!

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    1. It's always a pleasure to see someone new!! Thank you so much for dropping in and leaving your positive comment. I really appreciate it!!!

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  3. Kevin, the acrylic was lovely but these are outstanding!!! The watercolors just make them glow! There is nothing better than having the skill to make watercolors do what they do best and not try to force them. You did that perfectly!!!

    I hope everything goes well on Monday for you...and shop your heart out if it makes you feel good. I love your analysis of all the colors!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Joan!! It's a lovely compliment to be described as skilled, that's very much a first!! I have enjoyed doing the flowers as I can't seem to conjure up landscapes at the moment. Glad you liked my ramblings, though I do go on a bit at times. I'm blaming the morphine!! I'll take your good wishes with me on Monday. Oh, and I'll tell my wife what you said about the shopping!!

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  4. I enjoyed your story about your love of watercolours! Your poppies are beautiful!
    I wish you all the best on Monday!

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    1. Thank you very much Judy. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and pleased you like the pictures. Thank you also for your kind wishes, I'm taking them all with me on Monday!!!

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  5. Your story about the colors is wonderful. I saw all of them appearing on stage, ..."raising the curtain for Mr. Cerulean Blue the perfect actor for a wintry evening sky ...", ... it was such a great show to see them all dancing around :)
    And your watercolor poppies are phantastic too! You brought back summer to me! Thank you so much! All the best for the visit in hospital!

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    1. Many, many thanks Stephanie. I'm very lucky to have people like yourself who always give me such lovely feedback, if I can bring a smile too then I'm happy. Your good wishes concerning hospital will come with me, thank you. Everyone has been so kind, my wife and I have been quite touched by it all. With all the good wishes nothing can fail this time!!!!

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  6. I am amazed! You have developed your style of painting A LOT in a very short time. These two are gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you so much Catharina!!! What you say about "style" really intrigues me. You say mine has developed yet it doesn't feel that way to me, I suppose it's because I actually operate within it rather than being outside, viewing objectively. I respect your opinion though and will happily take your word for it!!!!

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  7. Hi Kev.
    both paintings are brilliant mate. I haven`t got a favourite out of these two because I could say that they are both my favourites. All the best Kev.
    Vic.

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    1. It's very generous of you to describe them as brilliant Vic, thats a huge compliment, thanks very much!!

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  8. Hello Kev,
    These are two fantastic paintings. Love the colors. Looking forward to your next painting. Thanks for sharing your works. Cora

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    1. Thank you very much Cora. I find painting flowers is a great opportunity to use bright colours.

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  9. Absolutely wonderful, Kev! LOve the composition and the colors of both paintings. Great works indeed. Have a good week!

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    1. Thank you very much Tito! I'm glad you like them and I'm very grateful for your visit and comment. You have a good week too!!!!

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    1. Thank you very much for visiting Linda and thanks also for your lovely comment. I'm always grateful and really appreciate feedback. Glad you like them!!

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