(TSoT = The story of trees)
As I indicated a few weeks ago, my next blog post would be about my "traditional" watercolour Kalahari scenes. Watercolour, as most artists know, is unpredictable and in my mind watercolour painting requires a measure of self-confidence or gusto. I first encountered the wonder of watercolour in my high school art class in 1980. I liked the freedom of the medium immediately, but it never became my favourite; the allure of the brighter media captured my imagination. However, a few decades later, I must confess, watercolour as a medium definitely has advantages and the best one is: cleaning the equipment is such an easy task.
My art talent tilts more to the “frivolous” side, because I prefer abstractions which do not require meticulous steps, as dictated by the “traditional” watercolour way. Obviously, there are many styles of watercolour painting, but I am honing in on the one where one slowly builds up the work with the lighter colours washed in first.
Let me get to the painting I am talking about here: Sketchy afternoon. I took my painting gear and I set off to try my first plein air “traditional” watercolour work. I did this kind of watercolour sketching on site, 23 years ago. I was a little nervous; it took about an hour for Sketchy afternoon to emerge. I was very happy, because at least I did something! As I was painting, I realized that my brushes were not the best and there were a few small things which annoyed me; perhaps I was annoying myself with my clumsy approach. I knew I had to concentrate; I could not venture down the abstract avenue.
I collected my “luggage” and walked home. At home I sent my new creation and its inspiration scene per WhatsApp to a friend. He is a watercolour lover, I just need to add. His response left me a little “concerned” because he wanted to see the dusk tones of the photograph in the scene I had created, which could be a fair expectation, but it was not my intention to do that. Obviously, I did not comply with his requirements of what is expected of a "watercolour artist", but fortunately I do not consider myself to be the typical watercolour artist, so I did not care too much his tonal preferences. (I do understand that the photograph does have mystical nuances for which watercolour would be ideal.)
Something started to happen, which made me “wish” I was indeed the typical watercolour artist; people started to respond favourably to the “traditional” watercolour-scapes which you will see in these blogs. I started to reflect on the phenomenon: “Why do people like these watercolour scenes? Is it a South African thing? Is it a farm thing? Is it a mood thing? Is it because of the muted colours? …” I was surprised by the favourable reactions of my friends.
One friend has already booked the entire collection you will see in this series of 10 blogs. I have not even exhibited them, but they are all "sold" as per agreement. (I told him that he could only have them, once I have exhibited them.) I wish I were Rex Brandt. He said, “After a few thousand watercolors you will find that you have fallen in love with paper and paint.” (https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/watercolors.html) It seems that paper and paint could add a few dollars to the bank - if one has the stamina to do the thousands Rex hints at.
I think I have made enough “sketchy remarks” for one blog. I used www.canvy.com to create the context photo. Once again, I will add my links below, where you can see how the art work could look on other items. See you in the next landscape and remember, there is art in your heart.
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