Monday, March 09, 2009

Watercolour sketch


I am playing around with watercolours a lot these days, just trying things out, letting the colours and the water get really messy on the paper. I found this paper the other day, a very odd kind with a surface that reminds me of canvas, and I had to try it out. This is the result of about an hour of play with watercolours and various odd objects I found at work.

I started with the yellowish frame - I put some very wet colour onto an actual metal frame I found lying around at work, and then quickly (otherwise the colour will run off) threw it down on the paper. I leaned the paper a bit, letting the yellow run around inside the frame. Then I went on with printing some textures onto the paper with various materials (cellular plastic, wood boards, cardboard) and painting the rest. I like the surprising textures you get from printing with watercolours - it is of course impossible to control a print like that, and they always end up completely different than you expected.

This sketch gave me some ideas for several new paintings, so I´m going on experimenting...

16,5 x 25 cm, watercolours and pencil on some strange Hahnemüle watercolour paper.

24 comments:

owenswain said...

What is the paper called? And, great little painting.

Aveen said...

Very interesting to hear how you did this. I find the result very appealing. I'm also interested to know what the paper was.

Chris said...

Wow, this has such great control. I love that sketch. Ready for more.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh I love it!! Beautiful blend..

Anonymous said...

Your work is a great inspiration. I definitely need to remember to play and have fun with watercolors!

Anita Davies said...

Sounds like great fun Nina, interesting result too!

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Nina, this is SO exciting! Love the printed bits, and the textures, and the colors, and...well, everything.

seesue said...

Nina this is amazing! charming! delightful. Your crisp edge on the white portion of the building in combination with the 'printed frame are a wonderful balancing act.

bubblemunch said...

The paper does look like canvas - that's what I would have guessed it was if you hadn't have said!

Lovely sketch. I'm looking forward to the other 'experiments'!

vivien said...

what a lovely experiment - I love the unexpected that happens when you let go of control a little like this :>)

Lindart said...

I LOVE this painting! I love the colors, and the "grunge" aspect of it, I like the yellow border. Great job!

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Like the fact that you can see right through to the paper surface rather like a canvas . Your description of the paper as 'the strange Han... ' etc made me laugh. Great atmospheric result. Thanks for the detailed description of the process.

Sarah Ketelaars said...

Gorgeous work as ever Nina. I love your style.. what type of paper was it?

Sandy said...

What a fun experiment and the outcome here is glorious!!!

Beth Baxter said...

I like the contrast between the crisp lines of the building and the blurred edges in the sky and foreground.

Pascal Kirchmair said...

Great result really!

r garriott said...

Stunningly Gorgeous! The linen texture serves the watercolor well. I love the feel of rain and mist.

Anonymous said...

Watercolors can be so versatile! I am just getting ready to jump back into the world of watercolors after a year or so spent in the b&w world of pen and ink!

Sandy Maudlin said...

What a wonderful watercolor -so well stated and refreshing. Love your blog and will be back soon.

Anonymous said...

This is what's the greatest about experimenting...the suprise sometimes takes you into a whole new direction, or it adds new dimensions to what you do. Love this painting with its free "techniques".
Hope summer arrives soon for you in Stockholm. Summers in your Northern countries are SO spectacular!
Ronell

Margaret Ann said...

Really nice sky! WOW!

Anonymous said...

I love the way this turned out - and I do appreciate your generosity in sharing your ideas. I don't come from an artistic background and tend to lack imagination when it comes to doing something different!

A Brush with Color said...

Looks fabulous! I love it!

caseytoussaint said...

Oh my, Nina - this is stunning! You are such an incredible artist.