Here are the remaining portraits (Part 1, Part 2). I did on the Berkendijkje Watercolor-Exposition.
Right now there is the Nude-Exhibition going on by the way.
I’ll start with one of the peacocks roaming there. I also went and painted the chickens in the den – I fear though one of brushes fell down and they must have dug it under. Devious gallus gallus domesticus! That was my favorite watercolor brush!
Peacock trying to impress everyone.
One more of the cat - kept coming back to sleep on my brushset.
you portraits are wonderful; i admire your skill to convey the likeness, in a fresh way, and to do that with watercolours where every mistake you make can be vital:) all that in 20 minutes! By the way, do you feel the pressure generated by a sitter’s expectations? Does this ever interfere with you work?
your post on brain activity made me think about the harm of sticking to the computer too much, which I have been doing lately..
will certainly visit your blog again
sergey
p.s. a long time ago i downloaded your watercolour of amsterdam houses/roof/sky/clouds. never had a chance to tell you how much i like it. it is SO VERY amsterdam in its mood… the angle/composition is great, and the execution is masterly. big congratulations:)
Hi Sergey!
Cool to hear that you like the artworks. The pressure is indeed an issue – even worse than the sitter are the people behind your back. Since I usually start with very abstract shapes it raises critique early – and it is tough to stick with the process and not try to please the onlooking crowd.
But I feel that courage is very important in art – something I think a lot about. Failures happen – and it would be a bad idea to only go the safe route so no one is disappointed. And these sessions helped me to grow a bit more of a backbone when it comes to that.
Also glad to hear that you found the blog post thought provoking. :) …and that you like the Amsterdam painting. I should really do more, I enjoyed it a lot.
Hi Thomas, I can totally relate to what you are saying about onlookers’ pressure. Even when I simply sketch in town and somebody stops to look over my shoulder, there is this stupid feeling in the stomach, kind of embarrassment. Especially, as you say, you are early in the process and there is nothing you can “show”. So I usually try to find a spot where nobody can stand behind me:) I guess it’s a fear of being judged as a poor drawer, what else?
Getting rid of this self-consciousness is difficult but vital – I totally agree. I think it helps to understand that you are the only judge for yourself and then you are able concentrate fully on what you do instead of thinking what others might think. It’s cool that you have managed to make big steps to get over this thing:)