I hate to admit it, but I usually only draw when I am on vacation! They say confession is good for the soul so I will tell you honestly: I am a lazy artist! LOL. I use TONS of graphics for my mixed media art. I finished this watercolor pencil mermaid yesterday, but I usually purchase digital downloads on Etsy.
My watercolor pencil kit that is one of the first things that I put in my suitcase when I am heading out of town. The little zippered case holds my watercolor pencils, a package of watercolor postcards, pencil sharpener, fine watercolor brush, and a plastic lid deep enough for 1/4″ of water. Sometimes I slip in pieces of 140lb watercolor paper the perfect size for bookmarks (with the hole already punched for a ribbon.)
My kit has been from Disneyland to Germany! Confession #2: I HAVE to create something everyday, otherwise my brain might pop!
The beauty of the watercolor pencils is that they behave like a regular color pencil until you add a tiny bit of water and then there is MAGIC! The color comes alive as you coax it with your paintbrush strokes. I usually don’t apply the water until I think the piece is good to go. I wait until the piece is fully dry if I want to add more watercolor pencil.
Yesterday it was too hot for me to go for my walk and I was actually in the mood to draw! So I dug around the studio to find an unfinished mermaid that I had partially sketched on my last vacation.
I was so relaxing to PLAY! The hair gave me an opportunity to be free form, and the tail was a study in pattern. I used five colors of pencil for the hair and three colors for the tail. Now I can scan her into my computer and use my own graphic for ONCE! teehee.
I came up with the idea for the bookmarks when I wanted a project to do with my grandchildren when I visited them. My little kit was full of blank watercolor paper bookmarks and we spent a morning drawing and then “painting” them with the water.
I just love your mermaid art!
LikeLike