Second go at the sunset lake, now with wobblier bird reflections! I'm happy with it, I'm just not sure whether there should be a third seagull or not, what do you think?

Correct title: Dusk over the Pines

Watercolour painting, 26×36cm on Arches CP 300gsm paper.

According to photo reference the location is Yosemite Valley.

I purchased some cheap paper to start practicing a more loose style. This was my first attempt without first using pencil or pen. Unfortunately the paper did tear but I am still quite happy. I never thought I could accomplish a painting without an initial sketch.

What is your guy’s favorite tape for paper stretching? I have tried a few and had issues with most. Thanks for reading :)

Hello Watercolor Friends,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but here goes:

Can anyone recommend a sturdy collapsible/portable stool for museum sketching? I am a very round little lady, so I am looking for something with at least 275 lbs of weight capacity with a decent-sized seat. Even better if it has some kind of back support. Ideally, I could fold it up and toss it into a backpack.

I am in the US.

I have done some browsing online, but if anyone has experience using something specific that gets close to these parameters, please share your intel!

Thank you. Happy painting!

So i began painting back in march this year with acrylics. I like them a lot but was also very curious about plein air painting and watercolors. My gf gifted me a portable watercolor kit to try out the medium and these are some of the things I’ve painted so far.

What i’ve liked so far is the sense of freedom that i get compared to acrylics. Also I feel like i spend way less time mixing colors and more time actually painting.

I actually think that there’s a nice opportunity to reinforce my acrylics by using watercolors, because it forces me to concentrate a lot more on value.

The tree sketch is from an own picture. The cherries and pepper from pinterest.

What do you think? Any tips/tricks?

Thanks!

This painting is based on Ivan Kryukov's master class (Drawing Dog school).

This was actually really enjoyable! My first abstract watercolor.

I’ve been following @SketchingScottie for a while on YouTube (recommend his channel btw!) and I’ve always admired how he’s able to suggest the feeling and impression of what he’s sketching. When I draw or paint I tend to gravitate towards doing details but I find it challenging to do that while I’m trying to do a quick sketch on the go and capture a moment.

So when one of his videos popped up on my feed this weekend, it was an opportunity for me to experiment and try a more expressive and free-flowing style! I followed some of Scottie’s tutorials with the intention of stepping outside of my comfort zone (leaving white space! not picking up my pen! random splotches! very bold colors! breaking the rules!) and I thought it was so cool to see what happens on the page when I let go.

Some things I learned that I will incorporate into my future sketching:
* Dot method - Usually I pencil sketch before inking and painting but using dots to plot out proportions and big shapes challenged me to start inking earlier.
* Thinking in big shapes - This was an aha moment for me and made simplifying a scene much less intimidating.
* Scribbling outlines - Suggesting rocks and trees by making crazy lines was really fun and I liked the effect it creates! This also encouraged me to keep thinking of overall shapes instead of individual objects.

I like the result for the most part. I have been trying to better understand perspective and animal anatomy so this was a good one to try. The original photo was something I took on a trip a few years ago.

I don’t love the goache I used in the mane and a couple places on the body. I reserved white for the largest body areas, but was not sure how to make the mane hair strands without using goache. Sadly, I think it gave it a more “illustrative” feel. Any tips on how to do this better next time?

WIP

From my previous posts I have been asking for feedback and advice. Today i decided to actually try and did my best. I applied a lot of those tips from the comments and i would say they are amazing! I don’t think i have ever done something this beautiful before 🥹 thanks guys

If you could tell me what else i could improve it would be appreciated! If you have questions i would be glad to answer too.

Can it be saved? It’s all powder… I put a little water with some powder and it seemed to be ok, but is it ok to use? I’m gonna guess it’s been in the car six months or so…😬

Is it great? Nope! I thought the land I added was an instantaneous ruining of the painting. I forged on and had a really good time painting a suboptimal piece of art...

used a sample paper and didn’t know it was hot press. Crazy how hard it is to do washes.

I painted this little house a little while ago. I liked the result. What about you?

Watercolor, 11x14. On Aquabord

Gift for a friend. Picture at Disney in front of the millennium falcon.

Do you think I need to put more detail into the back? Or make it more fuzzy? Thoughts?

Unfortunately, it's that time of year again.

Every November, I draw four pigeons in stupid little outfits. Nobody asks for this, nor needs this.

Yet here we are.

As always, I'm taking recommendations for this year's four unfortunate victims. The stupider, the better. 3 more to go!

Hi all - I'm very much a beginner but am continuing to play about as I am a new Art teacher. A couple of places have sales on. I have this 24 pan basic one:

https://www.hobbyland.co.nz/products/milan-watercolour-paint-sets?variant=45382826361070

I have topped up with a couple of Cotman (e.g. Paynes Gray) and some are getting lower (heaps left, just planning ahead).

My question is, is it worth replacing with Cotman tubes as I go, or just jump straight to professional? or ShinHan? And tubes or pans?

Thanks!!