Quick Watercolor paintings

I painted these while I was waiting for my son to finish his Therapy sessions.
Lately I coudnt find the time to paint, if I have some free time, Im so tired, Id rather relax and hang out with hamlet :-) But I miss painting so I chose watercolor pencils. I can color the subject and when I get home and all chores are done, I can continue painting using water.

I miss having a nanny and maids LOL. But Im also glad that I can experience actually doing the work at home-it gives me the freedom to do what I want to do with our house.

I hope I can paint more complicated ones next time so I can really develop and hone my skill.

Portrait of an Elderly Man

Cold pressed, 150 Arches Paper/Gumbracher/Winsor and Newton/Old Holland

Alizarin crimson,Scarlet lake, Permanent Rose, Burnt Umber,French Ultramarine blue-Light,Hookers Green, New Gamboge,Burnt Sienna.

This painting is quite complicated for me because there were a lot of process, highlights to be recovered (lifting technique) and some of it I even used masking fluid just to make it easier and faster to paint.

The first task was to draw it in detail from a small picture in my Ipad. I started with the eyes then the details below each eye and work outward. Usually, I start with the shape of the head then the eyes then draw downward. Other people has their own way of drawing but thats pretty much how I do it ever since.

But since this portrait has too many detail, I drew it a different way. Sketching it in detail is my way of learning the grooves, cuts,wrinkles and other detail of the portrait so I can paint it better.

I dont know if its just me and if you can see it in the photograph  but the paper gives the painting a subtle glow

Daffodils

Its been a month since my last painting. Been very busy with errands and it took me awhile before I was able to buy what I need.

I ordered some more paints and Arches paper online, so my next painting I have to be more careful because I will be using an Artist grade paints and Paper! Wooah! Im moving up! LOL
Just kidding.

FLower painting

When I painted this I was so frustrated because I feel like I couldnt make it look like  flower. First time I used this paper. After a few glazes, the paper is rubbing off!! I cant lift off the color! So I stopped. I almost threw this painting in my dismay. After 2 days, I saw it again taped on my wall, I figured before I give up on it, I want to give it a try. After tweaking it a bit, I think it does not look as bad as before.

painting of Tulips. I got bored with this painting because It took me a long time removing the masking because the droplets are soo small and I have to take my time or else the paper will get damaged.

Calla Lilies

Perched Parakeets-watercolor

This particular painting was not hard to do although its time consuming. I felt I could have done a much better job with the feathers but I was running out of patience. hahahaha.

For the background it took me several washes before I achieved the dark background. I made the mistake of  removing the masking tape before it was completely dry so in the morning there was a major warping. I had to tape it down again.

Anyways, my first ever paiting of birds since college (1992) LOL

Another portrait, different skin tone series

 ok, so the second portrait from the series I will make is a brunette colored girl ( is that correct?)
The original reference photo has gingham checkered blouse. I started painting the squares individually, but who am I kidding right? I just don't have the time, between juggling with hamlet and my house chores. hahaha,

So I kinda "suggested" the check with this effect and just hope for the best!

The technique for this portrait is mainly ( patience?? ) glazing and layering of colors to achieve the one color of the skin. So I started using red, yellow and eventually to darken the skin, violet hue ( mixed)

The hair is a bit challenging too but I think I did a pretty good job.

Till my next post.. don't know what to paint yet but I know an inspiration will come to me eventually.

Portrait-light skinned blonde girl

I don't have the right colors to achieve the correct skin tone for this portrait, so what does a girl like me do? Go on ahead and improvised!  Flesh tone colors are winsor yellow, cadmium red (suppose to be Alazarin red and scarlet lake) and permanent rose.

The eye color should have been a turquoise shade of blue, but I used a blue green with yellow instead.

I will probably do this portrait again. I learned a lot and can't wait to do more.