Watercolor: Eleanor

Sorry for my absence; about two weeks ago I hit a sort of “low” and due to severe insomnia/weight loss I deemed it best to focus on recovery (aka lots of mcflurries, crying, and Haruki Murakami) rather than blogging.

And in the end, I bring you a well-timed painting that I think adequately reflected my mood during the time in which it was painted. This time, I remembered to take photographs of my progress. As always, the painting is not quite finished, but it is definitely at a point worth posting.

1
The yellow is liquid resist, which is used to a) preserve extremely white highlights (since the paper will ALWAYS be the whitest highlight… even whiter than gouache), and sharp edges (in this case, for the gold clasps and the suspenders).
Workdesk includes: watercolor palette, coffee cup of water, pack of menstrual relief pills LOL, and more nonsense…

2
Peeled away some liquid resist to tackle first suspender, and laid down first wash of skirt. This is where I started freaking out – the black came out TOTALLY cloudy and definitely not what I had in mind. Realistically I should’ve expected this but I was somehow hoping for the sheer tulle of the skirt to automatically paint itself. Also added: darker skin shading

3

4

The current product, which is still not finished:

final

And for those interested, the photo reference:

la belle dame sans merci



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7 Comments

  1. Katie
    March 9, 2010 at 3:37 am
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    Wow. Your artwork is so lovely. I’ve always admired people who do watercolours, it seems (to my uneducated eye) like it would be one of the hardest ways to paint!

    Reply

  2. Indie Mom and the Reluctant Banker
    March 9, 2010 at 6:38 am
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    Sorry to hear you were feeling so bad. Hope you’re getting better.
    The picture and the painting are both beautiful though.

    Reply

  3. Lisa
    March 9, 2010 at 8:15 am
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    I hope you’re feeling better! Love the painting so far, it’s very beautiful.

    Reply

  4. -i
    March 9, 2010 at 4:19 pm
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    Big fat Checkers 1/2 lb double cheeseburger.

    that is all.

    Reply

    • Catherine
      March 9, 2010 at 10:53 pm
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      I have never been to Checkers but suddenly I feel compelled to go. Your suggestion is making me crave a giant, juicy burger!

      Reply

      • -i
        March 10, 2010 at 1:08 pm
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        DO IT!

        also make sure to get some fries. they’re quite remarkable.

        Reply

  5. M. Dominic
    March 16, 2010 at 3:12 pm
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    I SERIOUSLY love this painting!

    Reply