Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It was rainy last week which kept #1 Grandson and myself indoors. Some of the things I’m trying to teach him are coloring, writing, and painting. One rainy morning I set up his paints, paper, brushes, water bowl, and crayons. While he was giving his crayons a bath, and finger painting I reached for a piece of his Artist Loft watercolor paper then using my brushes dipped into his Artist Loft’s watercolor palette to paint a loose rendition of the Vermilion Flycatcher I had photographed the previous week-end.
A few days later I tried to paint it with a bit more structure and detail using my Turner Watercolor paints, and Arches 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper.
I like the loose painting best even though the pigment isn’t as rich and the paper hasn’t much tooth.
The Reference Photo-
The following evening instead of watching TV or reading I went in a different direction and painted Poppies.
I used my Turner Watercolor Paints, and Arches Watercolor 140lb cold pressed paper for
this painting. I’ve been doing poppies on and off for a few months and I like this one the best so far. I have a LONG way to go before I’m anything other than mediocre as a painter, but I’m having fun learning and trying.
Panasonic Lumix FZ200| Lexar Professional Digital Film| PS CC 2015|
More to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Beautiful shot of the Vermillion Flycatcher! Hope to see it someday. Is that a new camera?
Oh gosh, this was back when it was new. As it turns out I’m not that impressed with the camera’s long end. Which is why I bought it.
I hope you see the Vermillion Flycatcher one day, Gordon he’s a beauty! Dali and I drove all the way up to Maxwell to see it.
Wow! So many lovely watercolour paintings! I love the looseness of the first one. And the vibrant colours are delightful. Did you use the straw blowing technique on just the grass? I’ve never heard of it but your grass looks really cool.
I recently got some watercolours and they feel quite alien. One of these days I’ll actually paint with a youtube tutorial instead of just watching it! Thanks for the inspiration! Are there any special tricks to the straw method?
Thank you so much Myriam! Yes, I did use the “straw blowing” technique on to paint the grass and branches. I loved the effect.
No, it’s dead simple! Put down some light puddles of color then with a straw blow so the puddles streak and spread.
I used a straw that is flexible near the top so I was able to bend it a bit.
I’m still using YouTube tutorials to help me with techniques, and motivation. I probably will for some years if not life.
I need to spend more time with the “parts” of the whole rather than just the whole, and sketching period.
Open up those paints and give it a whirl! You’re so creative, and a talented artist already that I think your learning curve with this medium won’t be long.
Thanks Deborah :-). I like working on my skills by focusing on parts and sketching. Then I feel better prepared when I work on the whole. I did that when I drew the owl. I wasn’t sure how to draw eyes so I drew only the eyes a bunch of times. With the watercolours, right now, I’m mostly working on mixing colours and figuring out what the heck the paint does when I put it on paper. The straw method is a must try. Maybe I can work it into a bird painting too!
I love the poppies! This inspires me to get out my paints again. Like you, I never feel all that happy with my paintings but I enjoy doing it and that’s the most important thing. 🙂
Thank you so much! I hope you do get out your paints and share it so I can see.
What a wonderful and sweet thing to expose your grandson to! I love the poppies… much more than mediocre in my opinion!
Thank you so much Denise you’re too kind!
Beautiful work, Deborah! I wish I could draw and paint!!
Thank you so much Donna! I don’t think I can. I’ve been working on it off and on since grade school. It’s only been since my 30’s on that I’ve made any progress beyond hills, and stick figures. This is worse than Piano! As long as it’s fun I’ll keep trying!
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
beautiful work Deborah!!
Thank you so much Cybele!
Wow Deborah!!! Impressive work! I’m very excited for you! I hope you post a link to this under Kerfe’s post Monday for Draw A Bird Day! Way to go!!
Oh high praise coming from you Laura! Thank you so much. If you think it will be alright to link this post on Kerfe’s post Monday I just might do it. Keep the motivation going eh? Thanks again Laura!!
Is it alright?! Yes, more than alright! Please, do! I’m so glad to see you arting! This is wonderful!
I’m not as disciplined with sketching, drawing, and painting as you are, but when inspired to I do. I don’t always post what I do here, but have shared more on Instagram.
I like all the paintings. I can barely paint the walls in a room. That bird is just so pretty.
LOL! That’s how I feel I paint too! After a lifetime of struggling and trying to paint and draw I am finally slightly better than drawing stick figures!
Thanks so much for the comment Dan. I appreciate your insights, and comments very much.
Very lovely paintings of the picture you took. I love the first one because I love watercolor and it looks dreamy and pretty! all of the paintings are very nice!
Watercolor is the hardest of all mediums! What I also find is that progress is much slower than with oil or pastel. But I love the loose-ness of it in your first pic and I’m using the same Arches paper.!
Thank you so much for the comment! I should probably try loosening up more. 🙂 Progress has been slow for me, but I’ll keep playing and trying.
Don’t feel bad – I have the same “I should be further along in water color,” so I seek comfort in the oils:)
I’ve never tried oils! I wouldn’t know where to begin.
Glorious, Deborah! There is so much life in the first one!
Thank you so much Melissa! Coming from you a real artist I’m thrilled!
Are you using the straw blowing technique?
Yes, for the grass under the Vermilion I used the straw blowing technique. #1 Grandson loves that technique too! It’s super fun, and makes painting grass and branches easy. 🙂
Yay Deborah! Join the paint splashing club!!👍😝. I love the first one too.
Thank you very much Jodi! Splashing club! I love that!