I came home from Italy with a gorgeous photos and I wanted to try my hand at painting the Lucca house - it had such a gorgeous color which changed thruout the day.
So I started trying to draw from this picture.
I drew...and erased...and drew again, and mumbled and sniffed back tears. I just couldn't get it right.
Then DH came downstairs at JUST THE RIGHT TIME and when he saw the trouble I was having said..."why don't you try a grid?"
"What's a grid" I asked.
So he showed me and it was like a new tool was put into my hands. I drew and redrew this house three times, and here are the results.
Number 1 6 x 20 inch watercolor paper. I had no idea how to do misty mountains and went onto Youtube after this attempt and got some instructions. But who cares!!! with the grid I can do it all again if I want to!!! (lousy photo, flash isn't working on my camera anymore)
Then I did a 7 x 10 hot pressed watercolor paper one.
And a little cold pressed watercolor postcard to send to the family.
I might even try acrylics next....
Have you tried the GRID???? Try it, it's fun.
13 comments:
I am familiar with what a grid does but have never used one. I think my photographer dad showed me that when I was a kid but I had forgotten about it till now. Probably would make life more simple. I love how your watercolors turned out! So you, yet so very much like the photo.
P.S. My SIL just got back from two weeks in Italy and I haven't seen her photos yet. Yours are fantastic.
The middle one is gorgeous and would look just lovely in my family room. I haven't tried the grid but I'm off today with time to play so might take a look.
Of course I like the brightly colored house best....just my style. I think you got the mist great over the mts. as well.
The grid idea is interesting.
Funny, my brother asked me if I traced my painting of the boys walking away. I was offended. I hadn't known that to be an okay thing to do...but still felt kind of proud that I had drawn well enough from my eye to paper for someone to wonder if it were traced.
But maybe it's also okay!!!
My DB has showed me how to do a grid before. I find it confusing. I love the way your paintings turned out. Bravo.
amazing amazing amazing...
...and i mean YOU for starts!
i can't even tell you how much fun this is to see. i like the middle painting best because the colors are so vibrant, but all three was way cool, mim.
a grid? does that mean using a ruler and drawing half inch or inch boxes on tracing paper and then drawing the image square by square? because if it does, i just was shown that by a very fine watercolorist, my friend's husband in vermont.
mwah mim!
love
kj
are those typos! i mean ARE way cool. i had to correct it. vanity insisted.
:)
yes the grid is little boxes on the photo and the same number - not always the same size - on the paper. it takes away the trouble with perspective...ah but then you have to paint it - and that ain't easy!!
I've used grids before but it's been a long time. I'm usually pretty good and transferring without, however have had some difficult times where it would be helpful. Your paintings are wonderful, I love how all three are different yet the same view. That's what's so wonderful about watercolor!
Very good Mim, Love the colors.
I have used the grids before but find that they sometimes arent the same size and things can get out of shape that way too. But I say what ever works is good to do. The point is to have fun doing & it does help your brain to see better and eventually you can do it without. Keep up the great work.
Beautiful Mim, i like them all. I don't know a grid and even though i still haven't used a tutorial on youTube(it's on my list), thank God for it!
Grid? You know it's all "Greek" - or should I say "Italian" to me...being the resident non-artist in this wonderful group....
But, I love what you were able to do.... it's breathtaking....
I mean it! And now, you will have something even more meaningful to remember your beautiful trip to Italy.
BRAVA, Bella Mim!
♥ Robin ♥
I think I've used the grid before but I forget why. I'm sure it was something large scale.
I love these postcards Mim. Each one is terrific! I can feel the warmth of Tuscany ;)
How wonderful that you can keep your holiday 'alive' with your art!
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