Taking a brief break from Trade Show talk and showing off my new Floral Haiku watercolor collection.
Dennis’ lovely logo
Working on changing my style
Months ago I wanted to change my style, not a lot, but enough to please me. I wanted to paint with my arm and shoulder more and less with my wrists.To generally loosen up the feel and look of my watercolors.
Considerable painting time went into playing and practicing to combine looks I liked and come up with a new look of my own.
Sumi e brushes
types of Sumi-e brushes
At this time I discovered long forgotten Sumi e brushes in my very large collection of brushes. I watched some videos on Sumi brush painting and learned how to use the brush. You have to hold it differently and usually have one color on the body of the brush and another darker on the tip. The brushes come to very fine points and are great for calligraphic lines and swirls. It takes a lot of practice to master the correct way to hold the brush and I haven’t quite gotten there yet, but I’ll keep trying.
Sumi e painting
Renoir my favorite impressionist painter
trendy floral designs in fashion
Inspirations
As usual I did a lot of googling and looking at art styles, poetry, and fashionable florals on fabric that I liked.
A lot of joy and excitement went into these paintings. Also a lot of frustration and sweat when I didn’t succeed. The rejects mounted. I’m tearing them into pieces and want to try using them for some watercolor collage designs.
Peony andPoppies Collage
“Breezy”was the first painting completed.
Airy
Then came “Airy”
Hydrangea and Hollyhocks, Soft
By painting number three, “Soft” my hand was picking up the new rhythm of my painting. Sometimes painting feels like playing music. The touch, movement and intensity or softness has to be just right and it all needs to flow. I guess that is “getting into the flow.” It’s a wonderful place to be!
Sunflower and Mum,Fresh
And finally there came “Fresh”
Me in my painting hat
I guess it wouldn’t be far fetched to say I’m happy.
Andrea Brooks Studio 