Friday, August 24, 2012

Blobbing Sketchbook

 An old friend kindly lent me back some sketchbooks I'd given him a while back when I was clearing out a closet a few summers back.

 I was surprised
 By these

 I thought I'd give you a look.
 Throw down washes (wet color on wet paper).
Then once the washes are dry, drawing on top with with a brush.
 The underwash colors should be pale and warmish.

 For contrast.
 Sometimes I like to draw with a loaded brush, especially figures.

 Sometimes the layering is just abstract blobs.

 Layered blobs on top of blobs.
 With a bit of spatter
 Always put warm colors down 1st and cool colors on top. Not the other way around. To quote The Watercolor Book:
Applying cool over warm gives more luminous results, while applying warm over cool produces darker, more opaque effects.
A quote from British watercolor artist Brabazon Brabazon:
by Brabazon
"Broadly speaking, my mental processes which I attempt to express can be roughly summarized thus: (1) The creation of the nebulous atmosphere in harmony with the scene which will enable me to pass through and beyond the surface of the paper into a world of imagination in which I can breathe and look about me. This we will call depth. (2)Then I am able to observe the main forms and color masses which interest me: form."

 Are you inspired to paint blobs this weekend? I am.
BONNE WEEKEND!

36 comments:

  1. Carol, I am really loving these posts about your process, sketchbooks, etc. I have always felt understanding the artists process only enriches the experience of the final products. Thank you so much for your insights.

    I also love to lay down grounds and have them about when I feel the urge to move them forward. I also keep a piece of watercolor paper on the side and use it to "clear color from my brushes" and some interesting things turn up with those, as well.

    Thanks Again, Carol, for the lovely postings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Carol, I adore this type of sketchbook. Such personality!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I play at a wedding tomorrow, but Sunday I'm inspired to BE a blob. On the couch. With a recovering barfy hairy Harry Cat snuggling me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonne Blobbing this weekend!

      Delete
    2. That sounds like a wonderful plan!
      I'm a big fan of barfly cats!

      Delete
  4. You inspire me to want to pick up my water colors again, something I haven't done in many years.

    ReplyDelete
  5. marilyn10:56 AM

    love your loose style and vivid colors! i tried for many years to master watercolors and was never able keep it so relaxed and flowing. love seeing your work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try doing blobs with a limited palette of just 3-4 colors
      You'll be surprised at the outcome I promise.

      Delete
  6. I am certainly inspired by yours..The gondola ones are Master worthy..Yet you call them blobs:0
    I would love to blob like you.

    I am just going up to blob a bathroom sign for my friend..
    I bet you were so happy to see these.
    How I wish I had my mother's trails..And even her brushes:(

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your blog today.....
    looks like you're back to watercolor...
    and you had a great summer....!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Geri NJ11:40 AM

    Definitely inspired...loving the Italian theme of this sketchbook. Have never had success with a Venice scene ~ you make it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Venice IS easy..
      The island is one big extended blob.
      The figure is very simplistic
      The eye finishes off the details that aren't there.

      Delete
  9. I've never taken a watercolor lesson in my life, so I always learn a lot from you. Merci mucho!

    ReplyDelete
  10. When I get a little money, and a little space- I'm buying some of your work! I love it.
    Eat Cake

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very beautiful, Carol. I know that they are just practice blobs, but I love the Italian villas and the Venice sketches.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great watercolor technique! Now you've left me wondering, what the reason behind laying cool colors over warm ones?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Warm(red-yellows) colors on top of cool(bleu-greens) look crumby & dirty.
      The underwash dominates.
      Try working with just Brt Sienna and ultramarine blue.
      You'll see instantly that the warm and to go down 1st.
      Watercolor is transparent washes overlaid like theatrical jells.

      Delete
    2. To quote David Dewey's The Watercolor Book:

      Applying cool over warm gives more luminous results, while applying warm over cool produces darker, more opaque effects.

      Delete
  13. I tried it only once, someone I know showed us a video where the teacher was blobbing in people. It will be pushing an edge for me (Help! I want my ink pen & something to observe!), but I shall play. When I worked with preschool children, I was amazed by the freedom they had in laying in & blobbing colors...Merci, Rita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactement SW
      Little kids have no problem with blobbing uninhibitedly.
      I played with my food like crazy as a kid - early training for blobbing
      Hey try finger painting!

      Delete
  14. I cannot believe you parted with your sketchbooks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. lovely washes and studies—gorgeous color.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carol, I must wait until Monday, since I must work tomorrow and Sunday, but definitely will remember the warm first cool later.

    Sort of like baking n'est-ce pas?

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Another marvelous post!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gosh those are beautiful! I'm so glad you're so talented. Your art blesses my days!

    ReplyDelete
  19. BRAVO!!!!
    for today's blog on blobs
    Annie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you again PB!
    These 'blob' paintings are inspiring...I'm keeping this post in my ART file....for reference. Great idea, great exercise!
    ~Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  21. I cant believe you parted with your sketchbooks either. :) Next time you clean out your closets can I come and visit??? :)I love your Art posts. I learn tips too. Maybe if I ever start using better paper it will sink in more. :))

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh yes I'll definitely be doing some more 'blobs' this weekend. J'adore this post Carol....and j'adore your new look too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thnaks for these lessons! My kids gave me some equipment. After this, I have no excuse not to try! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, and those are the ones you discarded?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very nice Carol.. I love how free you are and how. You make it sound so easy, but it's not!! Ha.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just found your blog on La Table de Nana, I'm so happy I found you, just the inspiration I need to get back doing some watercolour painting again. I just love the idea of blob painting on sketchings, I can't wait to get the time later today & start blob painting. thanks a million I'll be back soon to look at your paintings.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous9:37 PM

    If I may be so bold - Davids blobs are very delicate, which is how he gets his effect. It's the contrast that makes it.
    If you practice with graphite or charcoal just on tone (even tonalise his pics)you'll see what I mean.
    It's very easy to get duller tones when you mix colors, I don't know what he does, but pure tints might help as well.
    Nice sketches by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  28. ravishing - I used to paint with watercolours many, many years (another lifetime) ago.... feel nearly 'homesick' for watercolours - such riches of memories, pure joy... thank you for sharing your (old) treasures, love them all!

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you