CHALLENGE 29 - March 2013

Hearadh wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 10:18 AM

A green frog...not your blue frog  Marsha  I rather like frogs and have a collection of them in all sorts of materials..wood,.cloth,glass etc. The smallest is from Italy... quarter of an inch.

I used to have a small pond but it has been converted into a bed of heathers.

C. Brown wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 10:36 AM

Wonderful watercolor Sarah! You're backgrounds are so well done and something I've yet to master.

B.J. Bailey wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 4:45 PM

Sarah, a great picture. I love the expression the frog has as if he's just waiting and watching for a fly to come by. It makes me think of how much I would like to hear our spring peepers. Nicely done.

Joyce Lydia wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 6:22 PM

Jen your egg looks good, nice pattern I don't know if I could ever do that.

Joyce Lydia wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 6:31 PM

Ok everyone I'm to far behind to cc everyone you all have done a wonderful job with this challenge.  

B.J. Bailey wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 6:59 PM

A very nice River Walk Marsha. It appears the Hot press paper worked ok for you. The umberella colours and reflections in the water are great. And removing the fence opened it up to the tables and people and the viewer becomes more involved in the activity. Just wondering if you found any challenges working with the Hot press paper?

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 7:39 PM

Sarah, what a wonderful frog painting.  Jen's right.  He does have personality.  The rock he is sitting on  has so many lovely colors.  I like the background, too.  

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 7:40 PM

Jen, what a shame that Rome went into hiding for your visit.  That would be soooo diappointing.

Alexandra Spencer wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 8:54 PM

Marsha, a very soft and pretty painting of the River Walk. You captured the European feel of it with the trees, outdoor cafes, colorful umbrellas, and reflections in the water.

Sarah, a lovely painting of Goldie among the lilypads.  You have a beautiful and distinct style that is so pretty. I, too, appreciate the contrast in values.

Jen and Fred, two very different interpretations of the old building with the "historic" vehicle ... Each, in its own way, captures the sun-faded, barren, abandoned look of the photo.

Catherine, you have a uniquely original way of looking at things. At the beginning of this process I thought you would go for something sweetly charming, but you ended up with a painting that seems serious, mysterious, and symbolic! 

Sarah, I like the indistinct surroundings around the frog in contrast to the sharper portrayal of his body. And, with your lights and darks, he is clearly the center of attention.

wetpaperfan wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 9:31 PM

Sam what an interesting story about the River walk.... 

Jen your story was as well but sadder to go that far and not be able to see what you came to see.  

Thank you to all who spoke about my RiverWalk WC..  

Sarah, very very nice frog.   I like his personality... and the colors and texture and detail....

Joyce, I went back to take a look and there is alot to catch up on, but we are glad you are here.

Bonnie,  regarding your question about the hotpress paper.   SMOOTH would be the first answer, but it was fun and you can play with the edges and colors and no bumps to deal with,  I like this for buildings.   I am working on the frog but I chose Arches 140 cold press with some roughage....  for texture.  I'm also working on some daffodils, 140 lb cold press paper that I got on sale by some strange manufacturer ,   not real pleased with the way the paper works...

This evening I did a pastel of the Narcissus flycatcher that I will post now.  I did what Jen suggested and called UArt and they sent me some samples....

wetpaperfan wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 9:39 PM

yesterday I received  the UArt pastel paper samples,   the sizes they sent to me are all 3x6 ...  pretty small, but I managed to get the little flycatcher on it.   I did this tonight,   400 is the number on the back of the paper.

Alexandra Spencer wrote

on 12 Mar 2013 11:28 PM

Bonnie and Marsha, an interesting discussion of hot press v. cold press paper. I use hot press WC paper for my WC pencils and really love it, but will try a small pad of cold press just to see what it's like to work with.

Marsha, a very pretty pastel of the flycatcher. I like the way the strokes of the pastel gave a feathery appearance to his chest and that they help "shape" his body.