Flaky Painting

Since I started sketching this week, I thought I would go a step further and do some water colour painting too.  I used my rich and creamy Kuretake paints which are unlike any other water colour paint I have known with such vibrant colours.  For my inspiration I chose photos of flowers from a gardening magazine.   As I wanted a quick result I really rushed what I was doing and slapped on the background paint without much thought and care.  Annoyed and disappointed with myself I thought about how I could make my rushed work look acceptable.  I decided on covering the whole painting with sea salt flakes to absorb the water and create an interesting effect.  I used a spray bottle to add more water to see what would happen.  At this stage I had written off the painting anyway.

I left it overnight to dry out and brushed the salt off this morning.  Well, I brushed off most of the salt but some of it was stuck fast!  So, using my wax pastels I went over the flowers trying to add some detail back into the washed out effect colouring over crunchy salt flakes as I did so.  I am not really happy with how this turned out but I will chop up the painting and stick it on the front of a journal to learn from my mistake.  I don't know why I hurry the things that I do.  I guess that I am always wanting to try out the next thing.  I think I need to start an art journal with the words' patience is a virtue' and use that as my guiding mantra as I fill the pages!

I hope everyone is having/had a great weekend!

Seven Day Journal Page Challenge

I've been taking part in the 7 background pages in 7 days workshop over at Jennibellie's Studio. 
Today is my sixth day.  The pages have been built up in the following way;

day 1 - stick down paper
day 2 - add paint (I used acrylic)
day 3 - add marker pens
day 4 - use stencils
day 5 - add collage items (I used reproduction Victorian  scraps)
day 6 - use rubber stamps
day 7 - still to be decided but I will probably use water colour pencils.

This challenge has taken me right away from my comfort zone using materials that I am not totally confident with. By day 2, I was dismayed at how the pages looked and by day 4 wanted to throw the whole lot away!  After I used the collage items it seemed to bring things back into balance for me again.  I have no idea what the plan for these background pages is as yet.  I am glad that I continued with the challenge and am quite pleased with my first proper attempt with mixed media.