The colors are so far off on this one that I'm not sure if I'd know what it is if I weren't painting it, but I'm sure you can guess! Apparently, I'll be doing some calibrating between my new computer and scanner - yuck! Icky colors! Even adjusting the colors didn't seem to help much. (These are only the first washes - it will look better soon!) On the other hand, I am so pleased to say that I actually made it back into the studio today! About 45 minutes worth, which you see above. If you've read the blog very long you know that when I don't paint, I tend to get out of sorts and odd things start to happen.

Between crashing computers, new computers, trips to Paris, and a few other minor details, I haven't been painting and boy, can I tell it! Yes, I'm out of sorts, but I'm waaaaaaaay rusty too! I've been doing a lot of sketching while on location in Europe, but for me, there's quite a difference in the mindsets between sketching and studio painting. For one thing, my sketching is generally more free, capturing an essence of a place and no concerns about every detail. Studio work tends to be more exact, with close attention paid to nuance of color variations, details, and temperature.

But I gotta say - if feels so good to have a brush in my hands and to be back in the saddle. Too long gone. This painting is being done with watercolors on Ampersand's Aquabord and is approximately 6" square.

My experiences with Ampersand's® Aquabord are limited to two pieces so far so any or all of these observations could change in a few weeks. For what it's worth:

Over the weekend I was able to finish up this small watercolor, Summer Jewel! It is painted on Ampersand's Aquabord® and is my first painting on this support. (UPDATE: The size is 4" x 4" and this is an original watercolor!) I have to say, I rather like the Aquabord and I'm going to be doing some more work on it to see what this stuff can handle. (If you're interested, check tomorrow's post where I'll offer my observations on this product.)

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It would seem that Teresa, over at Blueberries, Art and Life, thinks the ugly duckling needs a new title because she doesn't think it's ugly anymore. Hmmm, okay, but what do I call it? (As it's still kind of ugly, I think). And if you're wondering why this little 4 inch square painting is taking so long, it's because it's my "play" piece while I'm working on the competition painting.

Well, it's beginning to look like a flower. Finally. We all have preferences as to what we like to paint with (tools, brushes) and on (surfaces) as well as what type of media (acrylic, oils, wc) we prefer. Sometimes it is simply what we learn first that becomes our favorite. Other times we search and search and then fall head long in love with a particular media or tool. Regardless of how it comes about, shaking those preferences can be difficult. It takes challenging ourselves to try a new surface or medium AND giving it a chance to succeed before walking away and saying, "Nope. Doesn't work for me!"

Here is my little "ugly duckling" flower on Ampersand's Aquaboard, formerly called Clayboard. This is a rework from where it was last post. It still has a very long way to go! One thing I've noticed with Aquaboard is the painting gets ugly in a hurry. There's no middle ground. When I wet the surface with water, it turns to a light putty color. Then I add my color and I wait for it to dry to see if the color is too little/too dark or the correct hue. A bit disconcerting, but nothing that can't be overcome.