'The Sunny Spot'
8" x 10" watercolor on Aquaboard
Sunlight on baby skin is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. :)
A few years ago I spent an afternoon outside on a white puffy blanket with my baby, photographing him from every angle. I loved how he perched underneath his one chubby leg and looked so intently at everything around him. He had such a serious face. He was crawling at this age, but would not leave the borders of the blanket for fear of touching that dreaded, spiky grass.
And this painting has sealed the deal for how I feel about working with Aquaboard. It's tricky at first and I'm still getting used to it, but I keep looking at this painting's glossy surface (I spray varnished it so I can frame it without glass) and I just LOVE how bright the colors are and that they're right there in front of me. I have another painting planned for this Aquaboard that I'm about ready to start soon.
And I had a completely wonderful time with my husband on our little anniversary (twelve years of marriage WOOT!) getaway, and my computer is all better now thanks to the hard work of some good friends. HUZZAH!!
Thanks so much to all of you for your well wishes and always kind and generous comments, sometimes I don't know what I'd do without all my great bloggy friends. :))
See you soon everybody. :))
Love this and I love the bright sunlight, casting those contrast in shadows, well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Roger. :) I really value your opinion and your comments mean a lot to me.
DeleteHello Crystal:) I also love to work on aquaboard. You did an amazing job with this painting. The hair and the light. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations with your 12th anneversary! Up to the next 12 years!!
Thanks so much Renate! :)) You are so kind.
DeleteI'm so glad you had a wonderful time away with your hubby, Crystal!!Happy Happy 12th!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never worked with aquaboard and wonder if I can use it with pastels? This painting is gorgeous...the skin tones are flawless!!
Thanks so much Hilda! :) We had a great time for sure. It's been a while since we've gone anywhere without the kids. And I think you could use this with pastels, it has a bit of a rough surface that would be cool. But Ampersand also makes a board like this for pastel artists called Pastelbord. You should DEFINITELY try that, I love it for colored pencils and I think you would love it for pastels too.
DeleteHi Crystal, just love the story of this painting and how indeed the painting itself for you brings back that moment in time with your little one. How precious is that. Gorgeous painting :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much Ann. :) It was such a sweet moment, I think I'll always remember it.
DeleteI just love it! How can you bear to sell it? I love his cute round tummy and those beautiful colours. He really is ADORABLE!!
ReplyDeleteDid you say you could varnish watercolour? Really? I didnt know that! But before I varnish my latest, maybe you can confirm its safe and whether spray varnish for acrylics and oils is ok?
I think you need to write an instructional book now. Can I please reserve my copy? :0))
Thank you Sandra! And I think I may keep this one for myself actually. I really do love it. :) And yes you can varnish watercolor! I've never tried it on paper, but this is the second one I've done on aquaboard that I've used the glossy spray varnish on and I absolutely love it. I think the spray would work for oils and acrylics but I'm not positive. The brand I use is Krylon. And I need to get working on an instructional book! It's been in my mind for a while, you shall definietly have a reserved copy! ;)
Deletewhat a beautiful piece, i love the skin tones-perfection!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind comment Sue! :)
DeleteThe baby is delicious! love your portrait, i always said the same but is true!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mari! :)
Deleteme encanta, es un trabajo realmente sutil y con una maestria excepcional. enhorabuena.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Jose! :))
DeleteCrystal, you sound so wonderfully happy. You really must have had a great get-away! I love the richness of the colors - Fabulous!!! And HUZZAH, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteOh thanks Kathryn! It was great to get away. :) Huzzah back at ya!! :)
DeleteLove the lighting on this one Crystal. Your color choices are so confident and bold. Makes for an exciting painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kim, that means a lot. :)
DeleteYou are a genius. I have never seen aquaboards. But it really does not matter. You can create magic on anything.
ReplyDeletePrabal you are too kind, but thank you so much! And yes now it's official since you said it, I am a genius! LOL! ;)
DeleteSunlight is a sure winner,and you can't go wrong when a baby is involved; you lucky mum of three! :)Love this! I am still tentative about aquaboard- does it behave like paper? Oh heck- I should go and try one myself!....enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes Arti you should try one! Thank you so much. :)
DeleteI like how the warm and cool glow in the sunlight! Happy 12th and wishes for many more! I just researched aquaboards a bit and it sounds like painting on gesso or yupo, but not as slick? sounds like a challenging and fun surface :)
ReplyDeleteTHank you Meera! :) And it is similar to yupo in that it's hard to blend, but it's more stable. It sinks into the surface doesn't sit on top.
DeleteI think you captured the sun and a whole lot of love with this painting. Very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI've never used aquaboard. I don't know what it is. You've sparked my curiosity, but I'm going to leave it to you. You do paint magic.
Thank you so much LInda! You are very kind. :) Aquabord is a hard masonite panel coated with a textured clayboard surface. It's pretty cool you should try it.
DeleteLittle Mr. Precious kissed with light and such a happy post.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much CHris. :) *hugs*
DeleteLOVE IT Crystal!!! And I agree about that sunlight on baby's skin. Precious! And isn't is simply divine putting that coat of varnish?! Magical. The colors are amazing. I think this painting looks fantastic! I'm planning my next Aquabord adventure too. :)
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So lovely.Wish you happiness.
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This was a nice post and I think it is pretty easy to see from the other comments as well that this post is well written and useful. Keep up the good work.
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