Gail's Gallery Jan 2023

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After Rembrandt

For this, I made a light sketch first, and used just one shade of watercolour whilst trying to differentiate tonal values. The colour I used was sepia, in different strength washes to create darkness, light and shade. The task also called for ink work to outline the details but instead, I chose to use my tiny brushes and the thicker wash of sepia for the outlines. I think it looks a bit better than black ink personally. My paper, on the other hand, decided not to play ball and cockles quite nastily on the far edge, which I don't like, but it is what it is. Another of my works that my son prefers to the original!

Landscape After Rob Adams

I used the grid method once again to transfer this one to my huge sheet of paper, although I got the size of my grid quite wrong this time! Nevertheless I continued to sketch it out in class and found my concentration was really good and I enjoyed it. I took my time sketching, hoping to get it all in to my tiny rectangle! I added the India ink with dipping pen at home, which took two nights, then decided that perhaps I should add a very pale wash of watercolour to the scene. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this, and am really pleased with the end result. My son says that he prefers my version to the original - but I don't know about that!

portrait

Using the grid method on a large sheet of watercolour paper, I carefully sketched out this striking portrait of a young lady. I struggle hugely with portraiture but was pleased with the sketch. I started layering light washes of watercolour in class, leaving it to dry in between each layer. I was dreading doing the eyes because this is where I fail every time. So I continued adding layers at home and took on the task of the eyes in relative privacy and comfort, hoping for a good outcome. I quite like the finished painting, I don't think I could have stretched my abilities further for this one.

St Fagans

Esgair Moel Woollen Mill, St Fagans.
I was really looking forward to class this week but unfortunately we couldn't make it due to the wintry weather. So I set up on my kitchen table and made a start. I thoroughly enjoyed completing this one, I was completely relaxed. I started by sketching out with my mechanical pencil using a grid method, and then going over it with India ink and dipping pen, trying to take care to make it as natural looking as I could. Then I added washes of watercolours to complete the task. I still need lots of practice but I'm pleased enough with it.

Winter scene in Gouache

This painting has been done in gouache on watercolour paper, with no prior sketching done beforehand. I'm still not sure if I like gouache, as I find it behaves difficultly for me but that is down to lack of practice. I liked this scene a lot when I saw the task sheet and got on with it. I was very pleased to have finished it in class! One thing I might change, however, during the use of gouache paint is to try smoother paper because I really don't like the grainy textured look in the sky. Some scenes lend themselves to rough paper, but I feel that this one doesn't. The painting in my view is ok, but needs lots of improvement (and practice).