The fine art of seeing
The January 2015 issue of BayNature arrived at Joel's. The cover looks like a watercolor but isn't. I read the article, looked up Josie Iselin's website, ordered a print of the cover and we went to see her at a presentation at Bay Conference Center.
I intended to recreate the cover in watercolor, since the picture looked like a watercolor. Over time I did several paintings of limited success. It was an exercise, but I wouldn't have minded if I could send one off to Josie for helping me see what was right in front of me… See: April 3rd post.
My watercolor teacher, Pablo is a master teacher, mixing from a basic pallet and helping to understand the application of those colors to create form and value. He teaches with the copy method. Perfect. Learn a new way, that's what I wanted. The seaweed was my 'at home' project. My drawing done, palette was loaded, a less than satisfying experience, and results. Enthusiastic responses at class.
Saturday I did it again. Drawing done, palette loaded. Took out a blank sheet and painted freestyle. That's me, my painting, my hand. Then I did the final painting of the cover art. Blah.
What I found out is 'my freestyle' is my style. Pablo's lessons enrich that style. The fine art of seeing.
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| Print, on top. 1st painting in middle is my favorite... to the rt is #2, left, #3. less satisfying each attempt. |
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| The real thing! |
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| Took out a blank sheet and painted freestyle. Me. |
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| Final painting of the cover art. blah. |
