Feb/March '22

Goals for the 20 Day Watercolor Challenge:

1. I'd like to be able to find more value changes that I think will create depth and texture. I'm a beginner and tend to make things very saturated without much variation/contrast/depth/texture. (The lesson on not starting something out too saturated so there is somewhere to go I think will be a revelation from here on out).

2. I'd like to find more looseness in my painting.

3. I'd like to stay consistent and finish the challenge.

Day 1 Blind Painting - I tried some different brushes, noticed I stayed pretty saturated some of the timebut got some lighter bits in...just getting my sea legs up and running.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 1 - student project

Day 2 Value - Because value is something I tend to miss as a beginner, I decided to try this 3 times. I used 3 different brushes as I noticed my painting was getting too tight. I used a natural round size 4 for the gray, synthetic round 8 for the aqua, and the floppy Neptune that Robert likes for the last one size 4 and that brush is harder to control so created a looser result. I could have found a greater variety of values in the last 2 but found some looseness with the Neptune brush which is a win.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 2 - student project

Day 3 Color Sketch - Starting light with the color is starting to sink in. It's such a different way of working for me. I get so sucked in by the beauty of color and want it full force everywhere so this class is teaching me restraint...just what the painting doctor ordered.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 3 - student project

Day 4 Wet in Wet - I tried different brushes, large dagger, small dagger, Neptune, Chinese brush, really tried to stay loose. Loved working on 4 at the same time, kept me from overthinking and getting too precious.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 4 - student project

Day 5 High Key Value Study - This was way harder than I thought it would be. I chose a stapler which was deceptively hard to get the shape and stay light. Huzahhh, keep it going.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 5 - student project

Day 6 High Key Color Value Study - I got these glasses in Mexico because it they remind me of blue, relaxing water

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 6 - student project

Day 7 & Day 8 Low Key Value & Low Key Color Study - Remembering Robert saying that he's learned more from painting simple things than complicated things, I decided to simplify even more and went with a tea light candle. I felt like I was working with honey with a touch of milk....

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 7 - student project

Day 9 Refrigerator Challenge (Reduce to simple shapes) - Enjoyed this challenge. Like all bright colors!

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 8 - student project

Day 10 Connecting Values, join similar values, reduce details/complexity. Had to watch this video a couple of times, still deprogramming from being too literal.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 9 - student project

Day 11 Value Study - Use multiple layers, join values simplify subject. Was able to get looser on this one which is a big win. I think there could be more variety of values.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 10 - student project

Day 12 Color Study - Use value plan as guide, use color with right value, minimize details. I like the colors a lot and there are some great values as well.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 11 - student project

Day 13 Cool color study, substitute warm for cool - went with cooler colors, some looseness some tightness, I could leave more white space all around.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 12 - student project

Day 14 & 15 Chromatic & Tonal Challenge - I feel like I got the saturation but I don't like the color combo in the chromatic. Still finding my way with color. I like the looseness and colors of the tonal.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 13 - student project

Day 16 Negative Space Painting - I can see through this whole challenge that I need to work with washes. I stayed loose which is such a win, and there's some decent texture.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 14 - student project

Day 17 Upside Down Painting - Not too bad for a first upside down. Still need to work on the washes. Stayed loose enough.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 15 - student project

Final Challenge Upside Down, blind - I looked back over my goals and am so happy with this whole experience & final challenge. I definitely got looser, have way more awareness of value and finished it. Huzzah.

20 Day Watercolor Challenge - image 16 - student project

Vanessa Robertson

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