Late to the party
Posted: June 3, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 11 CommentsI’m a little late in joining the party, but this year I’m trying to participate more in 30×30 Direct Watercolour, the annual June challenge to paint 30 watercolours in 30 days, directly, with no pen or pencil drawing. It was started by my friends Marc Taro Holmes and Uma Kelkar a few years ago, but I am usually travelling in June find it difficult to participate. This year, like everyone else I know, I am home, so no excuses.
I don’t do much direct painting. I like figuring out the composition first with a pencil, but there’s something very liberating about going direct to paint. You have to think a little more carefully about where you place the brush, at least I do, and also about how much pigment you are using in every stroke, since the point of the challenge is to keep your painting as fresh as possible. For me, the most difficult object to render in the fewest amount of strokes was the green glass nautical float that sits on my deck. Near impossible to do in one clean wash.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
It may have been difficult, but you nailed it! Beautiful and fresh. I especially like the nautical float and the water in the bird bath. It looks a glazed Lee Valley bird bath.
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The nautical float was the first thing I noticed–it’s wonderful!
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Lovely! I went to see the 30 x 30, and was thinking of joining in, but oh, my goodness. I think every single person in that Facebook Group is a professional watercolorist. No way I’m gonna join in with that level. Fun to float along and see, though. Thanks for the mention. Your latest session, Light, Color and Shade is most excellent. I’ll be going thru it several more times. Thanks! (So affordable too, Yay!)
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doing direct watercolor is a bit difficult. but you have done it very nicely.
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Heli, it really is very difficult but I keep trying!
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Shari — This has a different quality to it that’s hard to define — fresh, less studied somehow. Your greens are masterful. I love it!
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Thanks so much Lynn. It really is a different thinking process for me to work like this. We’ll see where it goes! Have you tried working this way?
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Wow Shari, that’s amazing. As for doing 30 pics in 30 days- well, I’m full of admiration. Even now I’m too busy to achieve this, Patsy
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I will try to get to 30, but I did start late so we’ll see. Even 20 would be nice! If you want to try this Patsy, just pick something simple. I am not sure why I keep picking very complicated subjects!
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Beautiful painting, beautiful deck. Respect re both!
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Oh so nice Tony. This year I am home and have time to take care of the deck and plant nice flowers, which I haven’t been able to do in a long time. Dual purpose work for me. I have some thing nice to look at while I have my morning coffee and then something nice to paint after my morning coffee.
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