Painting Blue and White

Painting Blue and White china,5.5" x 7.5"

I'm late posting today...I've been struggling with painting blue and white china. I bought a bunch of pieces at Tiny Doll House yesterday thinking it would be a whiz to paint.

Course, now that I look again at these ginger jars at Ch. Vaux le Vicomte.

Well, they don't look like a piece of cake to paint, do they?

In fact, maybe I should stick with painting cake.

This set was in the Chateau's divine gift shop... I spotted this Coalport china enroute to Tiny Doll House - definitely not easy to paint! In the same window...well someone was able to paint the damn stuff! HUMPHIn Bergdorfs' Xmas window this china would have been a killer to paint, but I LOVE blue, especially Cobalt Blue Light. Back to cakes toute a suite! This chaotic "former" still life is not the result of my wrath.

No way! I just happened to breath in the wrong direction and WHAMO! C'est la vie...

More blue and white here:

Bergdorf's Bleu et Blanc
Blanc et Bleu Etude..
Petit Dejeuner Bleu et Blanc
BLEU et BLANC
BONNE JOURNEE!

Payne's Grey Puddles

Blue and White china teapot,watercolor on Etsy, .5" x 7.5"

Yesterday kayork said:Love the blue and white china, and the washy freedom of the background (well, and the looseness of the foreground, too, actually!) So class, I thought, time for another watercolor lecon - laying down "blooming" blue washes.First I checked out the blue colors I made myself...Then I made test swatches of some of the blues in my paintbox...OK Time to dive in - First lay down a nice fat pool of clear water where you're going to "drop" your paint...Next drop in the Paynes Grey and let her run! Payne's Grey is a blueish dark grey color made by mixing a blue and a black together, typically ultramarine and bone black. Sometimes a touch of red is added to the mix.Payne's Grey is a color your teacher will tell you to leave alone. But it's also a color that loves to race around like mad in a nice puddle of water.With a bit of gravity (i.e. tilt your boards class!) Payne's Grey will take off like a bat out of hell, mainly because it's mixture of pigment particles are small and they love running! Just like obsessed joggers. Larger particled pigments like earth colors ( ex. Yellow Ochre) will tend to just sit there like bumps on a log...You can always go back into a Payne's Grey wash with droplets of clear water to see some more locomotion. Often called bleeds, blossoms, cauliflowers or "happy accidents" - this is that unpredictable element of risk that both terrifies and pleases watercolor painters. Basically you give the reigns of control over to the paint, sit back and watch, with just a little bit of guidence. It's called "watching paint dry". Anyone can do it. You don't have to be Matisse to drop water on paper and then throw in some paint.
Please begin class!
BONNE JOURNEE

Les Fleurs at Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte

Back to Chateau Vaux le Vicomte .Another much-needed escape from realite.

Les Hortensia,Are you tired of visiting the chateau - not that I'll listen mind you.

I was just telling Corey I took 5000 pictures last trip, so you'll just have to sit tight a bit longer. Shes done Hortensia (Hydrangeas) post today too. Great minds..

 There are tons of flowers where ever you look at the chateau. This tapestry chair is a beauty.  And P., please do not ask me to bring back this chair for you.

Fleural prints are huge and caught my eye immediately upon entry to the chateau.

Definitely not minis.

A rather elaborate vase...a bit overdone in my opinion. But the flowers.

There were so many bouquets...I wish I'd taken more pictures. Please click to view watercolors on Etsy.

BONNE JOURNEE!

Macaron News...

La Vie en Rose, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

With all the gloomy news out there...I thought I'd perk you up with a bit of happy, if highly trivial news today. Don't we all need some trivia now?

I got an email invitation this morning from Pierre Herme. You can get one too by the way. You only have to subscribe.
Le 20 septembre, Pierre Hermé vous invite à un week-end d’exception

Pierre Herme is OPENING A NEW SHOP!!!

Course, it is not in New York nor in your hometown (gloomy news). But still this is something to jump about. And there is a grand opening day - the 20th of September, if you just happen to be in Paris this Saturday...
Did I say the new boutique is on 4, rue Cambon 75001 and you must RSVP if you would like to attend the opening day here.

Herme has a new cookbook on MACARONS out. Ok, it is in French, so far...but that should not be any deterrent to the throngs of mad macaron lovers. *You can order the book online at AMAZON.FR!

And now some thrilling news for mini collectors. We are loved by Pierre Herme! Really we are. There is a NEW collection of his FAB desserts coming out in October. I have not slept a wink since I heard this. The gloomy news is it isn't coming out until October. Dear Priscilla, Rement Queen in LA will be carrying it, so you might want to let her know to put one aside for you.

But look at the macaron box half filled, rather than half empty
BONNE JOURNEE!

Decadent Desserts:from Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte,watercolor

After posting Monday about the new cookbook from Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, I went looking for a copy.

 

The pictures and setting are utterly lush and truely decadent - just as good as a visit to the chateau. I was inspired to do a version of this heavenly line-up of L'ile flotante/floating island with pink pralines and green tea custard.  

The inside is every bit as yummy as the cover: Decadent Desserts: Recipes from Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Kitchens are downstairs at the chateau - I shot these pieces montees of fruit and macarons - click for a better look!

A model of an old dessert, decorated with architectural details much like Antonin Careme.

 Stacks of brass molds to make even more desserts.

 

Plus a life size tableau of a cook preparing the meal. 

 The author of Decadent Desserts and resident owner of the chateau, Countess Cristina de Vogüé. Sylph-like, it's hard to imagine even a cracker crossing her lips much less the fabulous desserts in her cookbook. Note the countess is wearing an apron with the chateau's symbol, l'ecqureuil/squirrel.

Ah to be a countess and reside here. It must be a lot of work I suppose. If you visit Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte on a spring and summer weekend, you may catch their special candle light dinners well worth attending. Someday...
BONNE WEEK-END! 

9/11/2008

Fall apples, original watercolor, sold, 5.5" x 7.5"

Parisbreakfast On ETSY

Hydrangea teacup, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

ENFIN! I've finally got my new miniature watercolors listed on Etsy.com

They're already matted.

Lavender Bleu, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

And ready to pop into an 8" x 10" frame.

French chaise, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

Cache pot at Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

And you can purchase them straight off of the site.

Hydrangea bleu, original watercolor,5.5" x 7.5"

No need to email back and forth.

Berthillon Caramel Ice Cream, original watercolor, 5.5" x 7.5"

Some Parisian flowers while you're browsing..?

And a few macarons if you get hungry?

Thanks to DesignersBlock and Bridget is Painting I am vicariously exhibiting at MOMA too..
Please take a peek! My username is parisbreakfast
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A PEEK AT MY ETSY STORE

BONNE JOURNEE!