Monday, November 8, 2010

Watercolor- "Hidden Nest"



I was really in a watercolor mood this weekend -finished a few paintings, and started a few more. I guess that's what happens when I can stop being so consumed by baseball. My favorites, NY Yankees and SF Giants BOTH made it to the playoffs and that means a lot of games to watch. I have been a baseball fan for years, even sat through an earthquake at Candlestick Park during the 1989 World Series. Now that the World Series is over (WOO HOO-Giants!) I have more of my painting time back and my priorities are back in order.

I finished the bird nest painting. When I took the photo, I couldn't wait to paint it. I always have more painting ideas than time to paint them all! I enjoyed this watercolor, and liked it more and more as I got the layers of color on and the darker areas defined. I am not sure it has the depth I wanted, to really make the nest look like it is down into the rose bush. Who knows? I may go back to it after looking at it some more and seeing exactly what I need to add. I am kind of stumped as to what to call this watercolor. Any ideas out there? I never really named my paintings before- but since I started listing them on Etsy and learning about tags, I have started to see the importance of painting titles and descriptions. With gazillions of watercolors online, we need some way to get people to look!

I also started a few more wine cork paintings. I have more than a couple wine corks in jars at home, so my supply of corks to paint is kind of unlimited. I find them very interesting due to the detail and uniqueness of each one. Lots of nooks and crannies, grain lines and wine stains for a detail loving artist like myself to get into. Some of the labels on them are quite creative also. I have painted them small and larger, and using many different mediums. With oils on masonite, I can get the finest detail- but I also love the texture of the watercolor paper. This time, I wanted to do some corks larger than actual size. I drew these on 11X15 cold pressed, rough surface watercolor paper.
Thanks for looking!
Sheryl

5 comments:

  1. Very nice painting, Sheryl.
    If you want the nest to appear even further below the leaves, paint a very strong shadow alongside one side of the leaf, where sun would cast a shadow. If it isn't in the photo, you'll have to make it up. But strong shadows give depth.

    How about calling it: Hidden Beauty

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  2. Thanks, Pat! I thought about the shadow, but was afraid of going too far and not liking it. Now that you said the same thing...I will go and do that!
    I also love your title!
    Sheryl

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  3. The nest is very nice Sheryl!
    Original sketch of opening the bottle! Good idea!

    Ciao!

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  4. Grazie tanto, Franz! Hope I used that correctly!
    Ciao!

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  5. There are times I have had the same dilemma, Sheryl.
    My art tutor told me to make the shadow from non staining colours - that way if you really hate it, you can lift it out with a damp brush and a piece of kitchen towel.
    Its been excellent advice - for good shadows really do make a painting!

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Thank you so much for your comments- I love to hear what you think!