Saturday, November 30, 2013

Painting intuitively with watercolors

In this post I would like to share how to make an intuitive painting with watercolors. For me it is a very relaxed way to paint because you have very little influence on the final result. The  technique  I’ve used is called: wet in wet. This means that you paint with wet paint on wet paper. The paint washes over the paper and is going its own way. You can of course guide it, but you can’t paint detailed shapes.
I have made this painting in three stages:

I've dripped and pressed the paint on the paper and moved the drawing board back and forth so that the paint could find its own way. This time I've even turned it around because it made me think of a forest.


      After the painting had dried fully, I've  put another layer of paint over it. But now I was looking more consciously for shapes and lines. This can be compared with the interpretation of a tarot card; I search for images and meaning in my painting that are waiting to be highlighted. My “forest” could use some branches and trunks.


 In the final stage I picked up my pencils and added a few touches in my painting

I want to stress, this way of painting is not about the end result but more about the process, It looks to me a lot like meditation. You are completely present in the moment. Is relaxes me and gets me in a flow. I always find myself humming while I’m painting like this, so it will surely do me some good. Perhaps you like to try it for you self some time. J

14 comments:

  1. OOOooo :) How do you keep the wet paper from rippling as it dries?
    Have you ever tried encaustic painting?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't. it just ripples and I don't mind because it not meant to be a beautiful painting. I keep them stored in a folder. If you don't want the ripples you have to tape the wet paper on a board with gummed brown tape
      And yes I have. But it is more difficult then I thought it was :)

      Delete
  2. That seems like a wonderful "meditation in motion."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Especially for people who can't sit still :)

      Delete
  3. Both the process and the image are lovely! Thank you for sharing them :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perhaps someone can find some inspiration in this way of painting :)

      Delete
  4. Hi Ellen!!! It's very very beautiful!!!!!! I like it very much! It's a forest in a sunny day, blue sky with some clouds, it´s perfect the effect of the clouds! Even I can see some plants with fuchsia flowers at the height of the trunks of the trees. It gives joy and peace to me. Congratulations! Thank you very much for sharing your art with us and you inspire me to try with watercolors. Big hug and Muchas Estrellas!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for looking so detailed my forest. I didn't even consider the reddish spots could be Fuchsia's. I am glad if I can inspire anyone to get there art supplies out and play

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. It is a very relaxed way to play with paint

      Delete
  6. Oh my gosh, Ellen. Absolutely gorgeous and filled with so much. No words. Thanks for sharing and explaining your process. I would buy that!! xxxooo

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this! I love how the trees emerge slowly as you go through the process of creating it…. it's very beautiful and peaceful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Olivia, it is always a surprise what will emerge.

      Delete