Feeling small – Katie Jeanne Wood

These are all 4×6 inch watercolor portrait paintings on watercolor paper. I painted them with watercolor paint.

Below, I linked to a video I watched recently about an artist who rated student grade watercolor paint. I’m already running low on the new watercolors I bought recently, and need to buy more.

Not Broken

I don’t consider myself an artist who gets technical about paint colors – I’m actually the exact opposite. Reading in depth about color theory bores me to tears, and takes all the fun out of art for me. I just can’t make myself care. I’m more hands on..put some paint in front of me, and let me see what I can create with it in this moment.

Pleased To Meet You

I also don’t swatch new paint before using it, and then keep a chart nearby to refer to before choosing a color in my work. It takes too much thinking, planning and trying to control the narrative & outcome, imo. I know some of my favorite artists religiously use the color charts they make, and I’m happy it works for them. I prefer to work fast, loose, and be spontaneous in the moment. If I put down a color that’s too dark, I lighten it..if it’s too light, I darken it. Or, I figure out how to make it work as it is, and just go with whatever happens.

The girl below is a good example. My brush was too wet, which caused the paint to fan out and bleed more than I expected it to when I was painting her eyes. Instead of freaking out, blotting it, and beating myself over it, I decided to just leave it alone. I don’t believe there are ever mistakes in art..it just is what it is. The more I let a painting figure itself out, and relinquish my control over it, the happier I am with my work. Just because my brain thinks a painting should look a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s right. The painting usually knows far more than my brain does, and hey, it’s less work for me to go with the flow.

Feeling Small
SOLD

I think the blue around her eyes gives her character. If my brush had been drier, she probably would have turned out rather plain, but now she has a story to tell.

Is she crying? Tired? Upset? Did she get into a fight with her best friend on the playground, and she’s broken hearted? Or is that how she naturally looks? Millions of possibilities come to my mind, but it’s up to you to decide.

Living a Happy Life

There are more of these watercolor portrait paintings available in my shop. Shipping is free if you purchase directly through me.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

*****

What I’ve been watching:

Rating My Student Grade Watercolors (Best to Worst) –

I’m not surprised at the one that came in last on her list. I have tried that brand a couple of times for different items – didn’t like it at all. I also checked out the lightfastness quality of their acrylic paint, and found it’s quite poor, yet they’re charging artist quality prices for it. I’m not a fan, and won’t be wasting more money on their art supplies.

***

I’m posting new artwork every day here in my shop. Shipping is free within the USA, if you purchase art directly from me. I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy. You can get some great deals on my weekly eBay auctions and/or on some of my flash sales I have on Etsy.

As always, if you want to say hello or have any questions you can write me here. I love getting email, and hearing from you.

Other places to find me online.

***