Friday, December 18, 2009

It's That Time of Year, You Know



when there's no time to do anything except what's related to the holidays.

So this little 30-60 minute watercolor was able to sneak itself in because it will be the basis of a holiday greeting card. Which holiday? Well probably Presidents' Day given the late date!

I do continue to like Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchpad for these quick watercolors but the paper warps quickly when you use an overall wash as I have here. It's really better for just small strokes of paint, with not much water. This painting would be far better I'm sure on better paper. My brushmarks would be straighter and cleaner. But sometimes it's good to suffer through things like this because you appreciate the quality materials when you finally get them!

Maybe someone will get me a whole load of good watercolor paper for Christmas! Then again that's not the most exciting present. Better scrounge some up myself.

In case it's not obvious this is a Carolina Wren on our peanut feeder.

8 comments:

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

I think this is wonderful! Have a Merry Christmas!!

Ken Januski said...

Thanks Pam. And a Merry Christmas to you as well! We're getting about 12" of snow today so I guess we'll have the first white Christmas in many, many years.

Ellen Snyder said...

I agree with Pam, I think it is bright and festive. I knew what it was before you said! A Merry, White, Christmas.

Ken Januski said...

Hi Ellen,

Thanks much, and a Merry Christmas to you and your family! I've been enjoying your own postings though I haven't commented in awhile.

I think that there is something about the peanuts in the feeder that seems festive, like little holiday decorations.

Kelly said...

wow......30-60 seconds! Very cool.... I'm asking for the same thing. Lots of good watercolor paper! Merry Christmas...

Ken Januski said...

Hi Kelly,

Well not quite as cool as it might sound: it was 30-60 minutes not 30-60 seconds! I won't be doing those until next month:-)

But even the 30-60 minute ones are educational. I was just flipping through my sketchbook of quick watercolors the other day and was really happy to see how much I'd progressed. I think working quickly on so-so paper really gets me to take more chances and be a bit bolder.

But now I want to do the same thing on good watercolor paper. We'll see if I stay bold!

Good luck to you in your quest for lots of good watercolor paper. And a very, Merry Christmas!

MadSilence said...

Merry Christmas, Ken, to you & yours.
For a holiday treat, check out the Owl Art of Marisol Spoon
http://blog.2modern.com/2009/12/owl-art-by-marisol-spoon.html

Ken Januski said...

Merry Christmas MadSilence, to you and yours! And thanks for the link to the owl art. We rarely see owls but they really are a treat to see.