Day 1 of 30in30 Challenge — “Tree” Watercolor on Canson, 6″ x 6″

My next craft show is only 11 weeks away, and I have yet to get serious about working in the studio. So when an artist friend of mine announced that she would be participating in another 30 in 30 challenge, I decided to sign up as well. Granted, I can’t produce a piano art piece in one day, but if I get into the studio to paint something every day, I’m bound to get some piano art done in the process. That’s the plan, anyway.

If you are interested in joining us, you can sign up at Leslie Saeta’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, and then post and/or view the other entries at the linkup. Today is actually Day 2, but my computer crashed last night just when I wanted to share my first painting, and it has taken me until now to restore it to default and start putting things back where they belong. So my posts here will all be one day behind, but that’s okay.

Why Watercolor?

This past Saturday I took a watercolor class at the local art gallery. Watercolor is fairly new to me, and rather intimidating, to be honest. So I’ve decided that when I am not working on a piano art piece, I am going to attempt some watercolors.

Someone gave me a set of watercolor pencils quite some time ago, and I had never used them because I didn’t know how. But rather than invest in a set of watercolor tubes at this point, I decided to get out those pencils and give it a try.

First I watched three demonstration videos on YouTube, then went into the studio to gather my supplies and begin. Watercolor pencils? Check. Cup of water? Check. Paint brush? Check. Board and tape? Check. Paper towel? Check. Paper? Hmm….

After searching my entire supply of paper, I found one piece that would have to do. It isn’t watercolor paper, but it is semi-heavy Canson paper design for dry media. I hoped since I was using pencils instead of traditional paint, the paper wouldn’t get too wet. It did bubble up some, but as it dried it flattened again. I cut it in half to make two sheets approximately 6 inches square to use for Days 1 and 2. After that, I’ll either have to be brave enough to paint some greeting cards (I have plenty of blank ones.), or make some ATCs (artist trading cards), but they are very small, about the size of a business card. While I do intend to do both, I will also run up to the local craft store to purchase a pad of watercolor paper.

First time over the drawing with water, the colors did not blend very well.

The colors are blended better now, but the tree lost some definition.

I do not pretend to be a good watercolor artist—acrylic is my medium of choice. But one of the purposes of this 30-day challenge is to learn something new. So after 30 days I will either learn how to paint with watercolors, or I’ll learn to leave watercolor painting to those who can. 🙂