The paper ruins the painting Ho hum

Ho hum, old paper. I decided to put a pale wash over the coral, and lo! the bottom and side of the paper has lost its' sizing. I guess this happened when my studio flooded. I'll use the new paper I bought now.

This picture is still wet, I'll see how it looks dry, and then maybe continue. It's over painted already, tho'. I'm going to google sizzing, I seem to remember alum and unflavored Jello...

Once I'd spent three days on a pencil under-drawing for a watercolor, and was quite pleased. I put some mask on a few parts, then started to paint. The paper was old, two years, and sucked up the paint like a sponge! Every brush stroke soaked in instantly. Dismay! Then I tried to peel off the mask, and it'd soaked in also, and the picture was ruined. Boooo

"If at first you fricasee, fry fry a hen!" Ho hum!

Barred Hamlet Hovering by a Grooved Brain Coral

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Here's a detail of a new watercolor just to have something new to look at! I am tediously putting in the beginnings of the Grooved Brain Coral with watercolor pencil. Next, I'll scribble with a paintbrush.

I've made this blog my home page, very annoying! I want to see something new every time I log on!

Something new!

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A computer can do amazing things! I scribbled in the fish, as the glaring white hole in the middle of the painting was a bit distracting. And here, I can see where the lightest bits I have planned will be right, and that I need some darker darks in a few places...

Another Queen Angel...

Started a larger painting today, 24X30. Here it is with the projected photo on top of it, then the mess that's the painting so far! Just working on the background.

I became sad because so much of the coral is dead. I guess I'll just have to accept that I am a coral reef historian.

I will go on a dive specifically to take photos of living coral to fit into the places in this painting, and the previous two, where there should be living corals. And perhaps some little fishies to apply, also.

Still learning how to do this blog. whew!
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Still Painting!

This is so wonderful for me, as a great weight has been lifted, the weight of block.

A second Queen angel in progress. It's not easy for me to work only wet, I cannot get the sharp detail the fish require, so I'll post progress.

I find myself getting pickier and pickier as a painting goes along, especially when working on the eyes and face. This fellow will take a day just for his scales. Or her scales, whichever. Some fish, you can tell the man from the woman, but many you cannot.

Welcome

I was always sure there was a special subject for me. Finally, on my second scubadive, I felt like I'd come out of the dark, and into a beautifully lit, amazing home, the Coral Reef.

The hurdles are great, to go to a white canvass and paint something that resembles the amazing creatures and fantastic scenery that the Sea hides within blue water.