This fortnight it's Paper Artsy who challenge us with watercolours or watercolour look. I just had to join in and pull out my neglected paints for this!
The beauty of watercolour is the way different pigments travel in a their unique way across a wet page. When using textured watercolour paper (cold pressed or rough) the effect is particularly pronounced and I wanted to use this sort of paper. However, this kind of texture doesn't play nice with stamps...
I applied washes to the sky for a rainy sky look, switching to ochre where I later placed my castle. When this was dry I applied the green washes of the grass.
A close up of how the pigments "granulate" on the textured surface:
You can see how the Ultramarine settles in the valleys of the paper separating from the other pigments. Earth colours such as Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber are granulating pigments too.
Instead of stamping directly on the textured paper I stamped the castle (Paper Artsy HP1110) on tissue paper and frayed the edges around the image before sticking down with gel medium. I touched up the edges with more watercolour to help the tissue blend in the background.
From a design point of view I feel there's something missing, namely some sort of foreground, but I liked the way the castle stood, isolated and imposing and didn't dare adding anything.
Thanks for coming by,
I am also entering the Lost Coast Design challenge.
I remember Watercolour Challenge with Hannah Gordon, I was a milkman at the time so I saw everyone of them!!. Love your watercolour study, the sky is very atmospheric. I see what you mean about the foreground, I would not be brave enough to add any extra's. Perhaps some form of foliage stems or grasses so to give an illusion of looking through to the castle??
ReplyDeleteA splendid watercolour picture. I know that Watercolour Challenge show, in fact, it was repeated on Sky Arts channel quite recently, I never saw it the first time round.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea to stamp on the tissue, the castle is perfect.
It's a lovelg watercolor creation Christine and a very stately looking building which sits necely against your background.
ReplyDeleteB.
Great piece, Chris, I do remember the programme, too.
ReplyDeleteFab !
ReplyDeleteAwesome Stamp! Super pretty watercolor background.
ReplyDeleteI love that sky. Very moody and emotive. Thanks for joining the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity challenge. Hugz
ReplyDeleteA great image and lovely brooding watercolours...a storm is on the way xxx
ReplyDeleteFabulous watercolours, Christine!!! And huge congrats on your winning!!! xx
ReplyDeleteJ'aime beaucoup l'ambiance de ta carte. c'est une réussite. il faudrait que je pense aussi à ressortir certains tampons Paperartsy.
ReplyDeleteBonne semaine.
A beautiful watercolour - I remember and enjoyed Watercolour Challenge.
ReplyDeletexxx Hazel.
This is beautiful Christine, I love your moody sky, and there's no way that I would add anything either!Thank you for joining in with our challenge at Lost Coast Designs and have a very happy week. Sue xx
ReplyDeleteTrès chouette... Moi aussi j'aime bien ton idée et ta scène, très belle association encore une fois.
ReplyDeleteBonne chance pour ce nouveau challenge.. mais je crois voir que tu as gagné le précédent bravo !!!!
Bises
Another stunning make Christine the background looks so moody as if a storm is brewing.
ReplyDeleteWarm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsArtwork.
This is really wonderful! You have really made the stamp stand out against your beautiful background.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the Lost Coast Designs monthly challenge!
Thank you for joining the Lost Coast challenge. Lovely watercoloring.
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