Tried out how the new pigments behave

Picked up watercolor this year and decided to paint our Christmascards myself.

First set done, no repeat every card two more times for a total of 48 cards

I've been doing ink and wash tutorials by Ellen Crimi Trent to try and just loosen up and let go, and I have to say it's working! I've always been better at drawing than painting, so mixing the 2 (even in just a rough sketchy way) has given me a bit of mental freedom to play with the paints.

I miss you

Half sheet Arches 140#cp

IMO: kali is the personification of the violently protective part of a mother. The way she tramples on shiva (who is supposed to be pure consciousness) shows how rage can take over the consciousness.

With or without skulls and bones, mother kali is beautiful both philosophically and visually. To be called beautiful is an understatement, because the laws of aesthetics don't apply to mothers, they're beyond beauty.

Ignoring the imperfections I'm super proud of this.

This piece took me months! Also because I only attend to it when I have the time, and my on the spot decision making as I paint. I didn’t have a colour thumbnail… I think it’s really because even if I did, I am unsure how I could replicate it back. I believe once an artist is more sure of their craft, colour sketches for watercolour is a huge plus!

While I really wanted depths of foliage, I just don’t know how to execute even though I have references! I decided to just go with my instincts and allow the work to just unfold to me. I took the work step by step and trust myself to know i will somehow know “what’s next”, and it did.

I am sure as I do more of these art I will be more fluent in it. For now, this is the best I can do and I am proud of my persistence and my craftsmanship!

I'm fairly new to watercolour painting, background is mainly in pencil and acrylic. I seem to manage okay with vingettes and close objects, but i am finding it challenging to paint larger scenes that feel engaging in the same way. Two examples included for reference. Perhaps the problem is just composition? The landscape is painted from life and the walrus from a photograph.