Watercolor Pencils & Waterbrushes

In my watercolor class, I learned a new tip for painting while travelling. Instead of bringing a traditional palette of paint on your journey, create one by rubbing  swatches of watercolor pencils on a piece of watercolor paper. While you're out, use a water brush to pick up the pencil color from the paper and paint away. I tested this out at home and this could actually work if you're just planning on doing a light wash of color on a few small sketches. Definitely not for a larger paining.

M&Ms

For this past class's assignment, we had to paint candy. I chose to go with M&Ms in a circular pattern. I used my watercolor pencils to tidy up the edges of the M&Ms and for the shadows, which turned out nicely. Masking fluid was used to keep the highlights. There isn't much of the colored background, but I used the chalk again--it's just so fun.

Matches & Buttons

A new technique I learned was to use different materials as stencils. For the matches' background I used this type of wire tape and a cardboard doily for the button's background. Neither turned out great, but with a little less wet paint and a slower speed, I could see how this might look good. The buttons are just deformed.

Veggie Sketches

I would like to do more watercolor sketches. I love it when artists have a loose style, but I cannot seem to grasp it. Maybe sketching with watercolor pencils will help.

Radish

I whipped out this cute, little radish. Why do some paintings come out so much better, with what feels like less effort?

Lunchtime Watercolor

On my lunch break, I took my watercolors out to the park across the street and just had fun with my paints.