Painting:   Fireworks at Dusk

| Laura (Createarteveryday)

One thing working with watercolor is teaching me:  If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.  (and Repeat, as needed.)

I was trying for a companion to the two landscape sketches I posted a couple of days ago, but with a bit of a brighter sky.  It was not to be.   I took a blogging friend’s advice (thanks, Ruth) and rinsed the entire painting several times and retried…..and finally gave in and let the thing be what it wanted to be.  Splattered it a bunch of times to vent my frustration (which was great fun) … and it looked kinda cool in the morning.  Maybe the painting fairies came in during the night.   I should leave milk and cookies out for them.  Like, every night!  Maybe they’ll visit more often.  🙂

0611

I will try again, on the flip side of this one, and see what happens.   I’ve learned with watercolor that it’s best to go in with no expectations, and hope for a pleasant surprise.  It’s best, but I don’t always make it to the Land of No Expectations.   Edited to Add:   Thanks to Kirkistan for the title suggestion!    Love it.   

Happy Friday Eve to all.  Paint splatters and big smiles all ’round!

56 thoughts on “Painting:   Fireworks at Dusk”

  4. so true – that is what I am learning and exploring with watercoloring. Last night I did like 5 paintings of an iris in 10 minutes – they are all loose and unique and different. It is so fun and freeing. Not sure if they are art, but they are fun.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Watercolor is your medium, I think. I struggle with the loose and free part. I am too tied to the end result. Although I was happy with this one in the end, I guess. But very ticked off in the interim. Was not a good night. I bet yours are all beautiful! You seem to have a way with flowers and with the medium, so I’m sure the combined result is very cool!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. not so sure about them – looking in the light of day – but I am super critical of my own work – always wanting it to be “better” That is the main point of my “journey” with this, though, using it to let me “accept” the way I am and the way I do it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. You’re totally right. My struggle with WC is that I did those two paintings and liked them. So I did a third, just changing the sky a bit….and it bombs? Why? The first two were fine. It was a different day with the third, and I was in a pretty bad mood when I sat down. Did that play a role? Probably. It’s pretty frustrating when you do X and Y and then Z is stubborn. It’s not like I just started doing watercolor either, so my expectations are even higher. I think your philosophy about your painting is helping your paintings. I sit down with a bad mood and I want the art I do to make things better. Always. This is why I started doing art. So when it makes it worse……yeah, ticks me off. lol. Any other medium, it works out. Day gets better! Not WC. It feels like a bad marriage I can’t get out of sometimes!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

            1. Oh, a bit! Lol. No doubt. The thing is a good pencil, charcoal, CP sketch is never never never as good as something in WC that I’m happy with. And I dig in my heels. I don’t let anything stop me lol. Probably the wrong attitude for WC though. But I’m not a loose and free person. Not right now, anyway. I think your approach is much better!

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply

                  1. You know, Laura, it did initially – A LOT – until I’ve recently decided to loosen up – seriously – it sounds hokey – but it is seriously like magic. Now I wouldn’t even attempt to do something detailed, landscape, etc. – not nearly ready for that – don’t know if it is – or ever will be – my “thing.” I SURE admire it – but it overwhelms me. I like to do small single items right now. We’ll see where that gets me. Watch for tomorrow’s post and let me know what you think of my 15 minute watercolors LOL!

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply

                    1. I’m sure they’re beautiful. Looking forward to it! I understand what you’re saying but not sure I can flip the switch. Hmm. “Decide” to loosen up. lol! I wish! I admire you for getting there though. I do think it helps the end result! Maybe in any medium, but definitely in WC.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    2. I think it really does matter in watercolor. Post prepared for tomorrow morning 🙂 – YIKES! I like a couple, but not all – will be anxious to hear your HONEST opinion! Please! Now I am second doubting – LOL!!!!

                      Liked by 1 person

  8. Wow i like that. It reminds me of fireworks at dusk. And the colors close and clouds behind. I really like that. Did I just read all that into it? To me that is stunning. Here’s to creating art every day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I think it is really FABULOUS Laura! Like the yellow color on the bottom edge and the blues and clouds at the top. I think it reminds me of summer in an abstract way. What if you tried making more clouds in different colors in the middle of your piece? When a watercolor doesn’t turn out like I wanted in my head – and yes, I have MANY of these – I try to use it to try another technique. Sometimes, I will just cut it up too and use the scraps for collage art. Reminder my quilt with the watercolor “confetti” squares?! That was a failed watercolor painting. 😊
    You could even cut it up and make little doodle books like I showed how to make on my blog today! 😄 Hope you will keep at watercolor! It has taken me years and many classes to get a FEEL for it. And I have to be in a calm state of mind or it frustrates me in a hurry. Sorry for writing a book here! LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your book; don’t apologize!! Your sentence toward the end about approaching it in a calm state of mind really resonates. I think that’s where this painting went wrong – it happened before I got any paint on the brush! I’m glad you like it. More and more, I’m thinking about making this the centerpiece in a small quilt. Your confetti squares turned out great! I really like Kirk’s title. It suits this piece well.

      Thanks for your advice, Jill; you’ve got tons of art wisdom to share, and I always learn something when you speak! I will definitely keep at it, but I need to let go of the result. And approach it in a good mood, too, it sounds like.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Yes, I agree, Laura. It helps to stay open to new “possibilities” when painting in watercolors. (And all art really). Sometimes it is the unexpected or undesired result that can lead us to a new path that we may never have discovered if the painting had turned out the way we wanted. Hope this makes sense. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That usually helps me too, Jill, but every now and then I’m looking for a certain result, like for a project, you know? And then….that’s where I can run into frustration and disappointment. I think your attitude and Jodi’s is wonderful, and I’ll strive to get there! It’s a climb for me. The third painting (again, by luck) seemed to work out tonight, and will post tomorrow. At least, I like it. Not sure if anyone else will. But for today, I’m happy with wc again. I always love it, it’s just sometimes an abusive boyfriend I guess lol!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Pingback: (Quick &) Mountain Quest | Create art everyday

I'd love to hear from you! Constructive criticism is most appreciated. Thank you!

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Google photo

You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s