Tuesday, April 15, 2014


'coral' ~ watercolors, gouache, graphite, gesso, and oil pastel on book page - approx. 5" x 7"

i'm still painting with watercolors more or less effortlessly...   sometimes adding oil pastel and gouache - or watercolors right out of the tube, which is what all the green is around coral. 

after matisse ~ watercolors, gouache and charcoal pencil - 31/2" x 8"

the long paintings in this post are in this book, which is my new watercolor book.  i really like the size - and the paper.

pencil and watercolors in pocket 'handbook' 

i abandoned the moleskine daily planner and started a new 'daily book' in one of these...   it was too frustrating not to be able to use watercolors in the planner.  i'll rip out the pages i drew on (in the planner) when i'm done with this book, and stick them together.

watercolors and gouache - 3 1/2" x 5"

effortless girls...  although the one on the right looks more like an indignant mother!

pencil, colored pencil, & watercolors in pocket 'handbook'

after van gogh ~ watercolors, gouache, matte gel medim, & oil pastels on book page- approx. 5" x 7"

inspired by Lisa DiNunzio's van gogh paintings...  and of course looking really *nothing* like vincent's, but so much fun to try.

after balthus ~ watercolors and gouche - 3 1/2" x 8"

pencil and soft pastels in pocket 'handbook'

'sally and her husband watch the rapture in their back yard' ~ watercolors, ink, and gouache - 3 1/2" x 8"

watercolors, watersoluble graphite, matte gel medium, and oil pastels on book page - approx. 5" x 7"

this is a painting that i just started, and i've put it here to show how easy it is to start a face with a few simple ingredients...


a water soluble graphite pencil,  a cream caran d'ache oil pastel, and three colors of watercolor paint: raw sienna, paynes grey, and vermillion.   i did the same thing that i do in my 'how i paint faces' tutorial in the sidebar.  once you draw the face with the watersoluble pencil, smear it around for instant shading, and go from there.    it's been a while since i started a face like this, and it blows me away how easy it is.   it took me two or three minutes to do this, and it gives me a good start...


on a completely different subject, did you see the lunar eclipse last night?  whoa!   i'm still under the spell of the starry sky and deep orange moon!   i'm thinking about how i want to have a tripod ready for the next one in october.

i think i've posted the following quote before, but it's a good one, and perfect for where i am now...

* * *

"To keep your process flowing, to feel the enjoyment of creation, you first need to go where it is easy.  Easy means ripe.  Go where you are attracted, whether it be toward a detail or a large shape.  While you work on the part that is easy, other parts will mature in you, and they will be ready and waiting.  You move step by step, from the easiest to the easiest.  It is never tedious or tiring because there is no need to force anything.  Depth resides more in surrendering to spontaneity that in hardworking struggle.

~ 'Life, Paint and Passion', Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley

26 comments:

  1. As always, I am smitten by your faces. After Matisse holds a special attraction for me. (I always love to pick a favourite).

    Lucky you to see the moon last night. We were completely clouded in.

    That quote is fabulous. I need to copy it down. Such great advice, especially if you feel stuck.

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  2. That's a great quote! I haven't come across that one before but it feels so right, so gentle, just like your lovely sketches. :) I'm feeling inspired by this post, thankyou Lynne.
    Jess xx

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  3. i remember that quote and i translated easy to play which works for me... love all your work of course, but, after balthus is pretty cool... xoxo

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  4. Lovely faces…& inspirational sketches…. love your book….& blood moon photo too!

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    1. thank you, sally! i appreciate your taking the time to leave your words!

      xoxo

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  5. Thanks for sharing these inspirational paintings with us and it's so interesting to see the materials you use.

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    1. hi fuzzie fingers... as always, thank you for your supportive words!

      xoxo

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  6. Lynne, I've used watercolor and gouache for years as it is so much faster than oils. I am very impressed at your wild abandon in using different mediums together. You just jump right in. Very well done.

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  7. Absolutely love these! Thanks for all the info! You are inspiring me once again! I have been using watercolor on cloth and then heat set. I want to make a lot of patches and connect them or add them to some kind of cloth project! I have to order the watercolor book you mentioned above. Now back to reading more of your post!

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  8. Oh, Faint. (That should tell you how I feel.)

    As for the moon, it flooded my living room with light during a sudden power outage last night that lasted for an hour. xoxo

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  9. Love of all your new creations as always. I'm sitting back in awe and admiration at the magic you bring to each piece and fall in love with all of them. You've given the world a whole community of characters who wander the world, I'd love to know what each of them is up to from time to time, what they went on to do after you brought them to life. I was up watching the eclipse right along with you and had to wonder who else was watching...the show of red and orange was awesome and I loved that Mars was winking and holding it's own too..a reminder that we are all part of something much bigger.....

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  10. Sweet visiting here again after weeks of helping with the newest grandbabies (twin boys!) Your quote is from one of my all time favourite books. Happy Easter to you.

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  11. You just need to post more often. You inspire us all when you do. Coral has my heart, well Coral and that last sweet face...oh and your Van Gogh...those colors...and that expression.

    xo

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  12. hello lynne! waving to you from down south. love sally& her husband and the effortless girls so much. then again they're all gorgeous.
    that blood moon was something wasn't it!?

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  13. Lynne, How did I miss this post?! I love the quote! I love all your paintings, but that diary page for April 13Th spoke to my heart, the drawing and the words.
    I missed the red moon, as I have no TV, nor read the papers, I missed it, I will be alert for it in October!
    I have been wanting to thank you for all your wonderful comments on my blog, you always nail my feelings about a piece, it is as if we are of one mind. I love that when it happens. Much love. xoxo

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  14. Lynne, that really is a great quote, and it's new to me. I wish I could have seen the eclipse and blood moon, but it was verry cloudy here- in fact, it actually snowed that night! Hopefully it will be clear for the next one.

    All of your watercolor paintings are magical; I love the 3 effortless girls, who charmingly appear to be floating slightly above the ground! I did recognize that the painting of that woman was after Van Gogh, and I really like what you've done with her! The Balthus girl is charming as well. xxoo

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  15. Shakespeare has a line, Ripeness is all.

    That moon sure is beautiful.
    Blessings to u

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  16. Oh how I love seeing those faces you create -- truly each and everyone has a distinct personality. And seeing all your journal pages here is extra special!

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  17. You are and will remain my favorite artist, no doubt about it. I love your own faces, the little journals filled with tiny paintings of flowers and shells and balloons and all your scribbles.

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  18. It's been ages since I've popped in and had some coffee with you but today, while it rains outside and I sit at the window listening it is so nice to see what you've been up to and all your beautiful work.
    Loved that quote, I took that book of my bookshelf and placed it by my bed about 2 weeks ago but haven't had a chance to open it again yet. I think you may have given me the nudge ;) "Easy means ripe"- so much to ponder.
    Gxx

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  19. after 'whoever', there is always you in the result, call it your soul, your hand, your spirit, whatever you turn your hand too, always that touch of mystery, joy and wonder.
    the combination of drawings and your handwriting is so very beautiful together, perfect.

    yes the quote...'other parts will mature in you'... that's very well said, i experience that so often, i like that aspect very much, to feel a work grow in me and on the paper, how everything falls on its place, slowly, taking my time.

    lavinia is gorgeous.
    xx

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  20. Lynne your after Van Gogh is so remarkable, you have given her such intensity and attitude. All the ladies expressions are different and that makes them so interesting to look at. Thank you for the book lead;
    Missed the moon because of the marine layer crawling in, now its serenely clear at night, but no moon!
    xx
    julie

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  21. LOVE the little girl trapped under the glass, just how I have felt lately with our granddaughter being so sick.. We can see everything but can do little..

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  22. Where are you Lynne, miss you. Everything OK?

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  23. Just found your blog. Love your painting. Off to watch your painting faces tutorial!,,

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