Vivaldi at Sainte Chapelle, DIY Watercolor Stains

Thank you Cyndy, Sukicart, Jeanie, Ann, Judith for reminding me of the evening concert series at la SAINTE CHAPELLE.

I went last night.

Tickets can be bought at a ticket counter in Galeries Lafayette men's department as well as at FNAC and other venues. This men's cologne looks a lot like stained glass or am I seeing things?

You enter the chapel through the portico, not the tiny winding stairs but it's still a knock-your-socks-off experience!

I bought the cheapest seat (27,50€). No reserved, numbered seats but still just fine as far as acoustics and visibility go.

The main thing is to have the time to really LOOK at the stained glass windows leisurely.

Instead of the mad, pressured blur when you visit during the daytime. It doesn't hurt a bit to have Vivaldi playing in the background.

I saw so much more of the variety of colors and patterns last night I'd missed on my first visit.

Look for a small diagram near the portico door. I'd wished I read more before visiting and of course my only ballpoint pen gave out so no sketching.

The PARIS MONUMENTS site has a 12-page PDF meant for kids (in French) but still interesting for a bit of visual orientation before you visit.

Patterning accents of reds, blues, greens and yellows are surprisingly abstract.

Here's a mini DIY watercolor demo on making glazes.

I used Windsor and Newton watercolors: Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt blue, Cerulean and a mix of bluish greens (transparent colors).

This is where you have to "watch paint dry" before adding the next overlayed swatch of color. My flat brush is a 2" synthetic.

I'm not the most patient person on the block, so the red swatch 'fused' with the yellow. I should have waited...

A good trick - tilt the paper slightly looking for shiny areas. You can also touch it lightly with the side of your hand...just a quick bounce to feel for dampness.

Do Not spill wet paint on your leg or lap. You'd think I'd be more experienced at these things...ahem.
Voila!
When this is done right, the colors combine creating new colors. The white paper acts like the light behind the stained glass windows, illuminating the layered colors, giving an added brilliance (why you have to keep the washes transparent and thin).
*You can still get a stained glass watercolor by subscribing or renewing the Letters on Etsy, dear PBers.
Tomorrow I'm off to relook Chartres. More stained glass and Medieval times to come. All in favor say Yay or Nay.