Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A bigger work in progress

new watercolor work in progress
10" x 14" 
 reference photo by faestock on deviantArt

So. I felt like it was about time I did a bigger painting. There is just nothing like big splashy watercolor backgrounds. So much fun. The background and her hair are finished, just the rest of her figure needs work. When I started this painting I masked off the entire figure (after I had painted her hair) with a combination of frisket film (for the majority of her figure) and masking fluid to seal the edges. It looked like this: 


It ended up working really well. There's just that one spot on her arm that leaked, but that's a dark area anyway so it won't matter. Which is a good thing because I used a ton of pthalo blue in the background, which if you're an artist you know NEVER COMES OUT OF ANYTHING. I've ruined quite a few shirts by splashing pthalo around indiscriminately. 

I had originally planned to pour the background on this painting. But after giving that a try on another painting that I did for a fundraiser with my son's class, I decided not to. I really don't care for pouring. I think it gives the most beautiful and luminous results, but I don't have the patience for it. Maybe one day I'll give it a try again. 

Speaking of my son's class fundraiser I just remembered I never showed you guys the finished painting! Here it is, they did a really great job I think. :) 


The finished painting! I had three of the girls write the quote with a wax resist crayon and then each kid got to pour several cups of paint onto the painting. There were about 65-70 kids and each one of them got a chance to build up this painting. It was really cool. The stars are colored pencil drawn on once the painting dried. But the letters are entirely wax resist. It worked out pretty awesome I think. Considering all the paint that got poured onto it.


Until tomorrow friends! 

Listening to: The Dead Weather
Reading: old art magazines
Watching: my crazy dog hiding in the curtains
Snacking on: Cadbury mini eggs

She is such a good hider. :)

Posted by Crystal Cook at 8:58 AM
Labels: , , ,

21 comments:

  1. Bren Graham ThebeauMarch 6, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    Oh this is shaping up beautifully, appreciate seeing the different elements or stages your paintings go through. Fun painting that the kiddos helped you create!

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 9:37 AM

      Thanks so much Bren! :) I thought they did a great job.

      Delete
  2. maddyroseMarch 6, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    That red hair really draws the eye and the background is seriously beautiful. I can't wait to see this one when it's finished.
    The kids did a wonderful job on their painting!

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:24 PM

      Thanks so much Maddy! I will tell the kids you said that. :)

      Delete
  3. Teresa Palomar LoisMarch 6, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    OH that glow is stunning!!! I'm so happy that you didn't pour the background, it has much more energy this way! gorgeous image, I'm completely mesmerized by your wips lately, keep them coming :)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:25 PM

      Oh thanks Teresa! Your glowing watercolor you sent me the email of sort of inspired me to do this one. :)))

      Delete
  4. Gatepost productionsMarch 6, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    A large painting, Crystal. I'm just learning about masking in my bid to become the world's best painter. I looked everywhere on your post for a doggy ... but she is such a good hider I never spotted her

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:26 PM

      Thanks so much John! LOL, she will be so pleased you didn't spot her! ;)

      Delete
  5. Roger ÅkessonMarch 6, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    I look forward to see the final painting. Nice to see you go big, like me. Nothing like it.
    It looks promising, make it work =)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:27 PM

      Thanks Roger! I love your big works, the energy you create is amazing. I'm gonna try and make it work! :)

      Delete
  6. Studio at the FarmMarch 6, 2013 at 4:08 PM

    Good for you for tackling a large watercolor! It is looking most intriguing right now.
    Dog ... I don't see any LARGE dog???
    Mini-eggs?????

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:28 PM

      Thanks Kathryn! :) LOL, she is SUCH a good hider right??? ;) Mini eggs, you know those little chocolate eggs with the colored sugar shell?? DELICIOUS!! Unlike real eggs which I hate. Blegh.

      Delete
  7. hmuxoMarch 6, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    This is going to be a winner! Love her red hair, Crystal!! Love the pooch hiding!!!

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 6, 2013 at 6:28 PM

      Thanks so much Hilda! She is my sweetheart. :)

      Delete
  8. martinealisonMarch 6, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    Je ne m'inquiète nullement sur le rendu final de ton travail. La chevelure est très belle.
    Ma fille Fauve a la même couleur de cheveux... Sourire !
    merci pour ce joli partage étoilé et l'excellente photo de ton toutou!
    Gros bisous et une caresse à ton ami à 4 pattes.

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    Replies
    1. Crystal CookMarch 8, 2013 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks so much Martine! Your daughter is lucky, I've always wanted red hair like that! And I'll be sure to give my dog a love from you. :)

      Delete
  9. Sandra BusbyMarch 7, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    I am so glad you are doing a WIP. I just LOVE those! And I can't believe how real the hair looks! I've never heard of that film before - I never got on with masking fluid either.The thing I love so much about this is that beautiful halo of sunlight bouncing from her red hair... Stunning! :0)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 8, 2013 at 9:12 AM

      Thanks Sandra! I keep working on this wondering why I'm doing it because hair and clothing are my least favorite things to paint. I guess that's why I need to do them. :) Frisket film is like a vinyl sticker, it's what air brush artists use for masking.

      Delete
  10. PrabalMarch 8, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    Somehow I am really attracted to that poured watercolor. It has such a mysterious feel to it and such depth.. I'll wait for your finished work in the meanwhile..

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 8, 2013 at 9:12 AM

      Thanks Prabal! I thought it turned out really pretty. :) Today's the day it's auctioned off so I'm hoping it's well received!

      Delete
  11. Michaele RaziMarch 8, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Wow! Can't wait to see what it looks like when you're done! And I love the pouring painting. How cool!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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