Old bag
Posted: October 15, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 35 CommentsThis really is an old bag because I did my first watercolour of it many, many years ago. It was on a full sheet of watercolour paper (22″ x 30″) and this little sketch in my Moleskine is about 5″ x 8″. I’m still trying to work out how to apply paint on this paper but one thing is for certain — working in small areas is more successful than big washes. And this paper takes the darks really well. I’m still not giving up on it.


















brilliant !
I can’t get over how crisp you manage to be on such small pages.
Thanks John. This paper is really smooth so it is easier to get crisp edges than on the Moleskine watercolour paper.
Glad to see you are getting the paint to stick to this paper. Love all the detail and texture here. True drawing mastery. This bag still has lots of character. (the original painting is hanging in my living room… Lucky me! 🙂
It is a bag that still get a lot of use even after all this time. Thanks Alison!! Glad you still like the painting.
Wow! It just jumps off the page. I think you’re getting that Moleskine to work for you!
I’m starting to get used to it Vicky. And maybe even like it.
Shari this is phenomenal!! I love getting your updates sent daily to my email! They’re always a treat for the eyes.
Thanks Curtis. It’s great to hear from you!!
I agree it jumped off the page.Just great.
Thanks Monique!
Love the variations in the tones of brown.
Thanks Valerie!
You are one freaky artist, Shari!!! You do a watercolour in a sketchbook designed for pen/pencil that you have been trying out for just a few days, with yellow paper which really doesn’t want to be painted on… and you produce a stunning life-like painting that looks like it is on a sheet of 22×30. Who does that??!!! [disbelieving tone]
Did you like this one Ross?
Yes, but I thought that was what I just said… perhaps it was hard for you to see that because I called you “freaky” in the first sentence and then said a lot of other things. Sorry, I will try to keep my comments simpler for you in future. : )
I forgot to put the smiley face at the end of my question. : )
Good to hear that… I thought you had lapsed into a severe case of English comprehension deficit. : )
I love this picture! The shadows are great, but I particularly like the way you’ve captured the well-used look that a good, well-loved bag has. 🙂
It is well-loved! Thanks.
Yes! You made that painting work on that paper 🙂 Love it 🙂 You can feel that this bag has been used well. Great texture!
Excellent rendition! Congrats! lily
Thanks Lily!!
Looks like you’ve learned how to paint in 3D! If this were the cover of a J. Peterman catalogue it would sell a million. Love it.
Do you think Elaine would like it?
Get out! I’ll take the Old Bag and a BIG salad.
Love the bag! FYI I bought a Moleskine
sketchbook like yours and wow, it really repelled the watercolor. BUT….it takes gouach paint beautifully. I happened to have a tin of gouache pans and thought I’d try them on a test page of the sketchbook. Imagine my surprise when the color stayed put! Just passing this along. Thanks for doing your blog…my daily inspiration.
Thanks so much Pat. I guess I will have to try goache one of these days.
Hi Shari,
amazing!!! This actually looks like a photograph on steroids — LOL 😉 Beautiful work.
Thanks Jane!!
I would have to say, Shari, that this is my favourite sketch/painting of yours! Love it.
Evie
Thanks so much for letting me know Evie. It seems like a lot of people like this one.
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks!
Shari. I’m looking forward to the day when you’ll get the hang of it. It’s going to be even more spectacular. All of your drawings are great and your compositions are flawless.
I’m amazed what you can do on a small format.
Thanks for all the great stories. That’s one thing that I am certainly not good at.
Thanks Helmut!!