Moto Moto

Just finished this watercolour of a hippo emerging from the water.  I called it Moto Moto after the Madagascar movie I watch with my grandson.

7th Lesson - Donkey

Now we are ready to paint the window frame.  It is an old, rusty frame with bits of hair and cobweb and peeling paint.  Great fun to paint.  We want to sharpen edges, allow for plenty of contrast e.g. dark against light, and give the paint texture by heaping it on.  This technique helps to give the painting depth, as the area behind the window frame and donkey's head is soft and out-of-focus.

 

6th Lesson - Donkey

Still blotching colours onto the background wall.  Keeping this section nice and soft so as not to detract from the donkey.

Another excellent painting by one of my students Grace Williamson.  This is the Isle of Skye creek painting that a couple of us are still working on.  We are now considering what our next projects will be in both of my art classes.

10th Lesson - Dividing Large Areas Into Sections To Avoid Being Overwhelmed

Continuing on with the water - the easiest way to paint this is to divide the water into sections by using the white wash as a guide.  The mid-tones can then be blocked in, one section at a time.  It is then just a matter of adding darks and highlights according to the various colours of the section that you are painting.

One of my students, Grace Williamson, has finished her Isle of Skye creek painting.  She has had it framed and it is a stunning piece of artwork. 

5th Lesson - Donkey

Started on the brickwork in the background today using all the same colours.  I simply splodged on different colours, keeping it fairly dark to blend into the background.  I don't want this wall to stand out in any way and detract from the donkey who is the star of our painting.