After a fresh snow deep in the Colorado backcountry, the colours give an aura of splendour. With the mist rising from the water, I cannot help but feel entrenched in the mood of such a magnificent place. I wanted to give the viewers a sense of being. I wanted them to feel the crispness in the air and smell the blue spruce. I wanted them to be able to experience the magic of such a moment.
STEP ONE
I soaked my 140 watercolour paper in cold bathwater for about 15 minutes. I then stapled it down to my treated plywood watercolour board and sketched my initial image in French Gray #70 watercolour pencil.
STEP TWO
After everything was completely dry, I covered the foreground rocks with liquid masking fluid; along with some of the rocks in the stream.
STEP THREE
This was a time to really think about where the paint was going, as I applied the paint in a very quick and wet manner. This was the time to set the mood and atmosphere of the painting. It is important to know ahead of time where to place different colours as they will bleed into one another. My skies never take more than a minute – or they get overworked.
This story is from the No 171 edition of Artists Palette.
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This story is from the No 171 edition of Artists Palette.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Eye of Observation
Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
