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Inspired Serenity

Inspired Serenity
watercolor on paper
9".5 x 9".5/ 25 x 25 cm.


Water lilies give a sense of serenity sitting on the water … of course you can't think of them and not think of Monet. I thought of him often while I painted this. I used a photo I took as reference of a water lily from a visit to a botanical garden. I love the play of light on the water, the contrast between the leaves and pale yellow flower.

I had a bad cold last week and didn't feel like painting. When I don't have time to devote to painting, I love to draw “one line contour” drawings. It is a great way to learn to focus on observing a subject without getting caught up with a lot of rendering. They turn out rather funny but in a charming sort of way. I used some student grade Canson sheets and then added watercolor...well I couldn't keep away completely.





I wish everyone a wonderful weekend!
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Comments

  1. hmuxo6 December 2013 at 14:05

    "Inspired Serenity" is absolutely beautiful, Celia. Wonderful colors in this painting...and I love your drawings... I hope you're feeling better!!!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 11:52

      I'm much better, thank you for the good wishes and sweet comment Hilda!

      Delete
  2. Catharina Engberg6 December 2013 at 15:22

    I love water lillies and your painting is lovely. You are right. The pale yellow is beautyful! Great cards as well! I am having a cold now at the moment. Not much strength to do any thing.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 11:55

      Take care of yourself Catharina, I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

      Delete
  3. Debbie Nolan6 December 2013 at 15:27

    Your painting of the water lily is so lovely Celia and I certainly enjoyed seeing your whimsical contour drawings. Hope you have a beautiful week-end...cold and snow and sleet are in the forecast for us! Will get us in the mood for the season :)!!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:01

      Thanks for stopping by Debbie, nothing prettier than a white Christmas!

      Delete
  4. art by Michael Perchard6 December 2013 at 15:29

    Sorry about your cold Celia! Hope you are better soon!
    Love, love "inspired Serenity!" You use and choice of color are amazing! There is always a gleam and a sparkle in your work! "Aha!" and 'Wow!" Bravo to you!
    Take care.
    Michael

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:10

      Thank you Michael, your enthusiasm lifts my spirits! :-)

      Delete
  5. Joan Tavolott6 December 2013 at 22:30

    The waterlily is gorgeous!!! I love them and was enchanted when I went to Monet's Garden when we were in France (but I was enchanted by the whole garden). Great palette on this. The greens you used really made the flower stand out. Your contour drawings look like fun. Nice that you were able to do something creative while you didn't feel well.

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    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:12

      I'm very jealous Joan, it's my dream to visit Monet's garden and I was so close too! Thank you for your sweet comment!

      Delete
  6. Lorraine Brown6 December 2013 at 22:44

    A beautiful painting Celia! your drawings remind me that I don't practice like this and should. Nothing keeps you away from your love!

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    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:13

      I probably don't do enough, one always feels that way at least. Thank you Lorraine, for your nice comment!

      Delete
  7. Jane7 December 2013 at 09:43

    I really like your small drawings, very spontaneous and fresh , and the water lili is gorgeous with a warm color and so vivid ! Hope you are feel fine now. Have a nice weekend. xx

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    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:58

      I'm happy you like my drawings, wasn't sure if they were worth showing. I appreciate your support Jane!! :-)

      Delete
  8. Judy7 December 2013 at 09:56

    The waterlily is beautiful, Celia, and I love your sketches! Hope you are feeling better now.

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  9. Laura7 December 2013 at 12:04

    You know I love your water lily already from FB. Popped in to look at your drawings. Gorgeous everyone of them. Beautiful control of colour and line even in those. Thanks for the tip on contour drawing. Enjoy a healthy weekend. xx

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 13:00

      Thank you Laura, I appreciate your feedback and support!!

      Delete
  10. Debi Hinshaw7 December 2013 at 14:57

    Wonderful water lily painting and sketches Celia!!
    I love the clean cheerful colors in your work.....You inspire me to break out my little water color set and art pens do more sketching and drawing!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:31

      Your watercolors would be beautiful Debi! Thank you for your kindness!

      Delete
  11. Wendy Barrett8 December 2013 at 04:36

    Hi Celia, just catching up on your blog! I love this water lily painting! I particularly love the richness and depth you have got into the centre of the lily. A lovely composition overall.
    I also love your contour line drawings - they are really lovely too. I hope you feel better soon.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:29

      Thank you for your sweet comment and good wishes Wendy! Its nice to have you back, I enjoyed seeing your travel photos!

      Delete
  12. Tito9 December 2013 at 11:11

    Ciao Celia, mi dispiace molto l'influenza che ti ha colpito, spero che adesso ti sia rimessa bene. Complimenti per i tuoi ultimi lavori, la ninfea è splendida! Abbraccio.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 December 2013 at 12:28

      Caro Tito, ti ringrazio. Sono tornata in forma, almeno lo spero ...
      Apprezzo sempre la tua gentilezza e cortesia.

      Delete
  13. Unknown9 December 2013 at 13:57

    That's such a good idea to do the contour drawings from time to time. You're right, they have a wonderful charm to them, and they make a beautiful collection when I see them together like this! Your Serenity painting is wonderful, Celia. The arrangment of the three main colors is very pleasing to the eye, and the flow of shapes and the way you did the light and shadows is really appealing. I love this one!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco10 December 2013 at 09:01

      I can only imagine your contour drawings Katherine! Thank you for your encouragement and your kind words!

      Delete
  14. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com9 December 2013 at 16:16

    I agree with Kathleen above. Your gorgeous colors glow and delight me

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sea Dean - Paint a Masterpiece11 December 2013 at 17:54

    Hi, lovely paintings,

    I noticed that you signed up for Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge. Congrats. I'm one of the challenge artists too. Isn't it exciting she's giving us another chance?

    If you want to limber up for it, I'm currently running a less stressful ART PARTY over at my blog. You can post any painting that fits the theme, any day till December 24th. Each daily link is open for posting for 24 hours and then it is open for voting on each new painting. If you don't want to post you can just enjoy voting.

    Sign up with instructions is here http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/2013/11/gifts-and-decorations-art-party-begins.html

    Once you register you can post your work any day here http://http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com

    I do hope you join us ☺

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  16. Watermarycolors13 December 2013 at 17:05

    Amazing colors Celia! I love it!

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  17. Helen H Trachy15 December 2013 at 04:33

    Hi Celia! Hope you're feeling better! Your waterpainting looks like you had fun doing it, I like the greens and the blues side by side ,so the flower stands out beautifully. Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete

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