With a few tulips blooming in the garden, I'm capturing them in watercolor batik on rice paper! While many frozen spring blooms are re-emerging from the ground, a few tulip blooms are posing up, though they are short. It's the perfect thing to paint in this medium, where I can blur the background away and let their beauty shine. Painting number 4833 to 4833 days.
I've been playing with watercolor batik again, and I love the process of the layers! On delicate rice paper I sketch out my scene with an India ink pen. This is important to maintain the lines through the layers of watercolor and hot wax to come. Much of the ink will have faded through this process. I can paint a layer or two outside, but need to go in for the hot wax already warming in a dedicated crock pot. The best part of the unveiling of the painting as all of the wax is removed, and the image emerges. So unpredictable and invigorating! I have several in progress now. Painting number 4798 in 4798 days.
I'm trying a new mini watercolor palette by Sennelier for these watercolor batik pumpkins. I LOVE tiny kits that fit right into a pocket! So, I love the portability, but the feel of the brush against the paint drags a little, almost as if there is honey in the mix. It is also a little resistant to the brush, not picking up as much paint in a stroke as I'm used to. I think I'll need to play with it a bit more, and keep it in an extra sketch bag, but it will not supplant my current favs. Painting number 4708 in 4708 days.
The pumpkins have been gorgeous this season, and I'm painting this one with ink, watercolor and hot wax on super thin rice paper! With tissue thin paper, I must work this paper very lightly. The slightest bit of pressure when wet can cause it to tear, and brushing the paint in can brush right through the paper! So carefully I work until the image emerges, and I lift the hot wax away. Painting number
I love exploring these pumpkins in the layers of watercolor batik! From the first ink lines to the ironing off of the wax, the painting unfolds organically. This rice paper is thicker than my usual, and even has a masa feel to it. It's not as fragile, and therefore easier to work with. What fun it is to try different papers with the same process! Painting number 4694 in 4694 days.
It's fun to unwind with a little ink, watercolor, hot wax and pumpkins! I start by sketching my composition with India ink. Next, I add watercolor, layering until the hot wax is applied. Several layers later, crinkling, more watercolor and ironing between paper, the image is revealed. Only then do I find out what has emerged with the process. I love the serendipity of it all! Painting number 4692 in 4692 days.
I love exploring how ink, watercolor, and hot wax play on delicate rice paper. First, I draw the lines with India ink, then follow with the first layer of watercolor. Hot wax is added where a resist is desired, and I build the layers from there. Once the crumbling of the wax and last wash of watercolor goes on, I iron off the wax between sheets of paper, this revealing the painting. I love the very unpredictable nature of this medium. Come see this watercolor batik on rice paper painting at the Harmonie Verein, and take a restorative class at the Yoga Bliss Festival! Painting number 4596 in 4596 days.
The iris are simply beautiful this year, so I've painted one in watercolor batik! I pick up iris rhizomes from family and sometimes in the wild, and give them a spot in my garden. It's a surprise when they bloom for the first time - and I remember where each came from. Painting number in days.
I'm working with ink, watercolor and hot wax again on a couple of our home town boys! I have long been wanting to paint some of our Chiefs in watercolor batik, and this is the perfect week to do it! The rice paper I am working on is so very fragile that I'm having a bit of trouble with it. I'm using Qor red here - and it is absolutely perfect for this! It didn't fade through the hot wax nor the ironing is said wax off, which is amazing! The other paints are Daniel Smith since I'm working on the studio for this one. His paints have been my favorite since I first picked up watercolor paint. I'm lucky to have chosen his first, I probably saved myself lots of time and disappointment with inferior paints. I've got a theme going, and I hope to keep it up to game time! Painting number 5091 in 5091 days.
I love painting the gorgeous farms of the Midwest in watercolor batik! I'm starting to see that autumn color now, and I can't resist capturing it today in watercolor batik. These large barns dot the landscape, and we lose them as they age. I am happy to paint them while they stand. Painting number 5170 in 5170 days.
Tis the season for watercolor batik pumpkins!! I love the layers of this magical process!! I begin with a thin piece of rice paper and I sketch my pumpkins with in India ink pen. These lines will almost fade away entirely with all the layers. If I want them to show, I need to use a heavier line. After the watercolor goes on, I add hot wax to any areas I want to resist further paint. And so I proceed through as many layers as it takes before I wax it all, wad it into a ball, then lay flat to wash on more watercolor. After ironing to remove the wax, I am left with the above painting, ready to frame and hang for the autumn season! Painting number 5169 in 5169 days.
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I love capturing Kansas City in watercolor batik! This view is looking down Main from near Union Station, where I could sketch from the Link that connects Crown Center to Union Station. Catching this place in the golden hour was my good fortune, so I marked those colors quickly! This large gallery piece is one that shows with my Kansas City Collection for the Now Showing program with ArtsKC. Painting number 3930 in 3930 days.
