Tropical Fish with Coral
Watercolor
In my beginner art class we practiced sunset skies again. Into these skies I had them practice blowing tree branches with the straw method. Blowing reduces the fear factor of making it look perfect. This method was shown to me in workshop with Lian Quan Zhen a few years ago and we painted tropical fish with coral which will be Lesson number 2. It looks complicated but the fish are drawn on and then masked off with masking fluid. When that is dry blobs of paint are blown into coral shapes with a straw. It's a fun way to put in an otherwise complicated background that can tend to get too picky.
I'm teaching at a wonderful facility which is called Lifeline Family Center. It's a residence where young mothers get prenatal care, education, parenting classes, and counseling. In about two years they are ready to support themselves and their children. Some of them go on to higher education. Art is a way to have fun and enrich their lives. Two of my students have just had their babies and are on maternity leave from classes so they concentrate on caring for and bonding with their babies. As a result, I am down to one student for the time being.
I'm teaching at a wonderful facility which is called Lifeline Family Center. It's a residence where young mothers get prenatal care, education, parenting classes, and counseling. In about two years they are ready to support themselves and their children. Some of them go on to higher education. Art is a way to have fun and enrich their lives. Two of my students have just had their babies and are on maternity leave from classes so they concentrate on caring for and bonding with their babies. As a result, I am down to one student for the time being.
The corals are amazing--so colorful and lacy!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful facility and you are doing a great thing for those young mothers!
Thank you, it is challenging but rewarding. It's a very disciplined approach but the women who stick with it and their children are the real winners.
DeleteJan, good for you for sharing your talents.. This is a terrific painting. Yes, a super easy way to do this background. It looks great.
ReplyDelete