Aquarelles
During my two years of art-therapist training, I worked a lot with aquarelle technique. The reason behind this being that colours and water are both rather closely connected to emotions just as for example working with clay connects one to a stable reality. There is an exquisite airy lightness combined with a finality that I appreciate in the aquarelle. Apart from this, the surprise effect of drying may also be enjoyed.
Portraits and Nudes
Drawing or painting human faces and figures is something that I love to do but simultaneously it is the greatest challenge. First I just do A4 sketches to become familiar with the shapes, after I repeat this on a larger paper I will paint on. Here I already have some idea what I wish to put on. These preparations take time and I am anything but a heroine of patience.
My mind knows this time is not wasted yet my instincts simply want to get to the exciting bit - painting. The colour choice stems from my perception of the model’s mood and character. The plan is to work step by step from lighter towards darker surfaces, also to observe forms closely and translate this with precision. The reality is that I’m not too good in following any plan and not a single drawing or painting ever turned out as I imagined it. So I abandon both the initial plan and the expectations and simply paint.
It’s a journey always worth taking, regardless of the outcome.
Mini Aquarelle Snippets
When it comes to creating, the inspiration, time and place generally do not coincide in my case. However, if two of the three are present it is a go, I will get down to sketching/painting. The pictures here are mini-snippets of an „I-simply-enjoy-doing-this-right-now” mode, done on small left-over scraps of paper when I had piles of „reasonable” thigs to be completed.
Stealing time for creativity is always a sweet and mischievous victory.