Watercolors... Are they coming together

Well.... The watercolor journey continues.  I guess the good news is that I a beginning to like the medium... And I think I can probably work with it pretty well... It does have distinct advantages over oils, not the least of which its easy to clean up after myself... Not to mention that the house doesn't reek of toxic chemicals any more.

I have reread all my watercolor books, and even looked at a few tutorial videos (plus the hundreds... good and bad... of YouTube videos on how to paint in watercolor).. they have all helped, but in the end its just practice, practice, practice until I start to feel comfortable with the work I am doing, and develop my own style.

The other thing I like about watercolors is that my output has increased.. I don't know if this is because of the medium , or because I am painting on small canvases (well CP watercolor block actually).  I can do 2 to 3 paintings in one sitting if the mood is right.  And... they stack really well so I don't end up with a room full of canvases... but I ramble on.

I have reverted to portraits again... I must have a thing about painting people.  Here are a couple I did last night (I have been doing the unthinkable... fan art.. because its easy to find a photo to work off, and I don't have to be embarrassed when I show someone I know a portrait I have done in watercolor when I am not yet happy with the outcome).

Here is last nights effort;

1.   Mick Jagger

2.   Leonard Cohen (in his younger years)

Enjoy....

Oh its going to be a long road

I'm begoinning to like watercolors.. I especially like how I can set at the dining table and paint and not be a leper in the third bedroom... and no more complaints about the smell.

But its a journey.. its not as easy as it looks.  I bought a tutorial DVD from John  Lovett and started some of the exercises... He makes it look so easy (I suppose that has something to do with being at it for 30 odd years).

His exercises start off pretty simple and get harder, introducing new techniques as he goes.  Its a pretty good tutorial.  The first was to learn basic technique.  Its was of a tap.. yes a tap.  Here is my attempt at a tap.

Compare it to John's original....

I guess I just have to keep trying... I don't have 30 years so I better get crackin hey!