Quality Paper - its worth it!

Infusions 1
38cm x 28.5cm
I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for and today this was very evident as I struggled with the very last steps in this watercolour.  I did not have a "real still life set up" which would certainly have helped as I battled with the cup and saucer. The Tea tin is also a bit skewy but I can live with that. I was really pleased with the Apple blossom and as it took the best part of 5 hours painting, I just really wanted the rest of the elements to workout. I ended up so overworking what was going to be a white lightly decorated tea cup and saucer  it ended up being washed off completely down the sink twice. Thank goodness for the 425gsm Saunders Waterford paper as other than it getting a bit furry from all my scrubbing it held up to the rough treatment very well, and by painting the cup dark and the saucer in gold fluid acrylic all was not lost. Lesson here- more drawing practice required.
As I have reached number 12 in my Aesop fables series I have been thinking I need a watercolour series without collage to keep some variety and today I started with an idea in mind and this first painting is an indication of where I am going next. "Infusions" will be a series using tea and its many infusions giving me the opportunity to combine still life as in cups and saucers, tea caddies, etc but also my love of floral and fruit. Well that's the plan if I practice my drawing. When I have about 3 under my belt I will consider myself on the way with my new series.

Comments

  1. Lorraine I love your apple blossoms! And I always admire all your mixed media experimenting!

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  2. Lorraine this called me over in a flash when I saw it on my blog list. I love it. Skewness doesn't bother me and neither does it bother Shirley Trevena and Picasso. Perhaps it will only bother people with an untrained artistic eye. So my friend you are in good company with this more imaginative style of yours. For me it shows even more talent and a braver approach to take risks.

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  3. Good luck on your series, Lorraine.
    You have a great start... these are beautiful.. BJ

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  4. Lorraine - this sounds like a great series. I struggle so with drawing cups and saucers and such...those darn ellipses cause me a great deal of grief. I think though you did a fine job with this one...agree good paper is definitely work the money. Must try Waterford...generally use Fabriano or Arches. Have a great week and good luck with your new series.

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  5. Sounds like another great series coming! This is so bold in color choices, it, too, called me over from my sidebar icon - enjoy the wonkiness and maybe even play with that a bit more - using words where they don't belong, tilting things or having things floating, etc.! Looking forward to more of these :)

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  6. Your colors are just wonderful. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your new series. I agree - there's no replacement for good paper.

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  7. Beautiful work Lorraine! The apple blossom is lovely and I found my eye particularly drawn to the gorgeous buds!

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  8. What a lovely idea for a series. It's a great theme - you can do so much with it. This one is lovely - I particularly like the blossoms.

    I'm looking forward to following this new series.

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  9. I love your idea to combine these. Love the blossoms and the cup and tin. Yes, it always pays to use good paper! It knows how to stand up to the abuse we give it. lol Sounds like another great series.

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  10. Your generous commenting is always appreciated and especially so when I show something different for me

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  11. Like where you are going with your new direction Lorraine. I just recently changed over to Saunders Waterford paper and can't say enough good things about it. I find that the paint doesn't soak in as much as it does on other papers and the colors end up being more vibrant when dry.

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  12. A cup and saucer must be one of the most difficult subjects to do, but I like the concept (and tea)! Beautiful blossoms too.

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  13. Just a thanks for visiting my blog.
    Yes, the zentangles are so relaxing. You should do them only when you feel like sitting back.
    There are no rules, no right or wrong and a great way to let your mind and body relax... BJ

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