I've been trying to decide exactly what it is about watercolor and pen that I love so much and how I can best practice this type of art. So yesterday, I worked on an ink sketch of this comfrey (Thanks, Kate, for the photo!) and added several watercolor washes. But lo -- I didn't like the result as well. I felt that the ink was too heavy, too bold.
So today, I went back to my pencil sketching with watercolor added -- and yes! That's it .... with perhaps a bit of ink HIGHLIGHTS. YEAH!!! A lightbulb moment!
It's the juxtaposition, I think, or the blending of two things--the softness of watercolor washes and the crispness of ink ...!
And so today, I set out to redo my comfrey sketch with pencil and watercolor. And rather than add black ink highlights, I rather liked this result with a bit of white ink for the comfrey hairs alongside the softer pencil lines.
I am learning!
10 comments:
Those lightbulb moments are fantastic, aren't they? Great job with the experimenting.
Experimentation is good. I think we learn more from that than anything-at least you took the chance! Love the softness of this.
Lin, isn't it wonderful. The more experimentation, the more we learn. I am experimenting with pen and ink, watercolor, and colored pencil.
I love your comfrey!
It is so fun to "get it"! and figure out what YOU really like! This is beautiful, I love the softness of it. I think, for me, it all depends on the subject that I am trying to do. Your poppy yesterday was perfect with the black ink but you are right about the comfrey, I think the black ink may look to strong (in my imagination anyway). I love the line "I am learning" I should creat it as my signature!
I can't add anything original to what the first four wonderful commenters had to say, except to tell you again how much I love your spirit and your enthusiasm. Reading what you write and seeing what you do are great pleasures.
Yes, we must remember these highs when we're feeling stuck :)
Love the effect Lin. Just the right amount of detail, IMHO, with the pen.
This has the soft velvety look of comfrey leaves too. Well done Lin!
Lin -- this is great! What a wonderful A-HA! moment -- and with immediate and wonderful results!
You are being wayyyyy toooo hard on yourself. This is lovely.
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