Friday, February 12, 2010

Otherwise

I wasn't planning on doing the Monthly Sketch Project this month until I noticed that one of my photos was being used as a reference. So I chose to do the other photo reference, a lovely butterfly on a flower, as a colored pencil drawing. Well. That one isn't complete yet and with the deadline looming I decided to do my photo reference as a quick watercolor sketch, trying very hard to keep it loose and not over worked as I tend to do with watercolor. Here is the result, in my moleskine watercolor sketchbook.

The scene is of Grandfather Mountain in the distance from the carriage trail at Moses Cone Manor off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a lovely trail to hike with many beautiful vistas perfect for watercolor sketching. It is a funny thing around here about Grandfather Mountain. Did you ever see the movie, "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain"? A wonderful, lift-your-spirits film. And the setting has some similarities to our mountains here. In the movie, almost every interior scene has a picture of some sort of their "mountain". Whether it's in a shop, the pub, the church, or school, there is a picture of their mountain hanging on the wall, as the residents are very proud of their mountain. It's like that here with Grandfather Mountain. Most banks, gift shops, medical offices, and especially galleries, and any place else, have a picture of some sort of Grandfather Mountain on display. I think it is required of local artists to capture this mountain's image at least once for residency here. Please do go look at all of the entries this month for The Monthly Sketch Project. You won't be sorry as they are all fantastic.

So when I am not otherwise engaged with my art projects these days I am busy crocheting. I am fairly comfortable working on flat projects, scarves and afghans mostly. And always in one color only because I didn't have a clue how to change colors. But that is changing now. A while back I purchased Jennifer Edwards' "Everything But-the-Kitchen-Sink Bag" pattern because I have this thing for bags and her sample is gorgeous. And I have tons of left over yarn from all of my scarf and afghan projects. I figured if anyone could teach me how to make something three dimensional AND change colors it would be Jennifer. And she has! Here is the start of my bag project, multi-colored even. I am so excited! When my bag is completed I will post the finished product. In the meantime, check out Yarn Works by Jennifer. She will have you crocheting or knitting in no time. Besides, what else are we going to do until spring arrives?

15 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

I love your watercolor, Ann. I too have a tendency to overwork watercolors yet they remain my medium of choice for some reason. Colored pencils are fast moving up to give them a run for their money though. Thank you for the link to the yarn site. I am a knitter, albeit a slow and perfectionist one. Maybe the site will help me too!

Anonymous said...

Wow,this is beautiful. Those colors just jump out at you! Very, very nicely done.

nanke's stuff said...

Yes, indeed, the watercolor is lovely. Also, I'm impressed that you're going to make that wonderful bag! I'd love to see a picture of it when you've finished it. nancy

DALowe Artist said...

Very interesting post and your mountain watercolor sketch is just gorgeous - very loose and not the least bit overworked; I like you, tend to overwork watercolor.
I would love to learn to knit or crochet. I hope to take one of Jennifer's classes one of these days. She only lives about 50 miles from me.

Unknown said...

I went and looked at your reference photo. And while it is a beautiful scene, you have done so much to improve it and make it interesting! I love the outcome; the colors are wonderful!

kazumiwannabe said...

Dreamy painting! I love your colors, and this place must be so beautiful to see for real!

Anonymous said...

I love the way your watercolors flow together to give such a dreamy feel! I think you met your goal of not overworking. Well done!

Krista Meister said...

Beautiful, springlike colors, Ann! Lovely story about Grandfather mountain, and great to hear your crocheting skills are improving!

Martha said...

A lovely picture! Love your way with water colors.

Anonymous said...

Pretty cool blog you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more soon.

Best regards

Teresa said...

I know exactly what you mean about The Omnipresent Grandfather Mountain in the western part of our state. I've got photos of it too :-)

Good job on the sketch... you did keep the looseness... good for you!

Re: knitting... I'm headed over there now... even though I've got 4 or 5 knitting projects going at the moment.

Leslie Hawes said...

Love the information about Grandfather Mountain, adn all the local places having a picture of it somewhere.
Very pretty watercolor of the scene.

Ann said...

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of you stopping by and leaving such kind comments!

JRonson said...

this one is so beautiful, great tecnhic !! good job :o

Jennifer Edwards said...

Oh Ann, thank you so much for posting about your bag, my pattern site, etc! How sweet of you! And your bag looks like it's gonna be gorgeous!! Thanks again for sharing my pattern site with others.

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