Watercolors by Celia Blanco

Shades of Lavender watercolor on paper 24 x 32 cm I am working from the same lavender photo of my last post. This time I stepped back in order to add more lavender in my composition. I took a different approach to my painting process and tried to draw less before, going right into the painting. I also kept my palette to a minimum of colors. I like to let my imagination wander a bit, not adhering strictly to the photo. Thank you for visiting!

Bumblebee watercolor on Fabriano Artistico cold press 18 x 12.5 cm This is a larger than life bee painted from a photograph I took last summer. They visit my lavender pots regularly. It has become unusual to see this type of bee because it is, sadly, in decline. I mixed the black body using Viridian Green, Alizarin Crimson Red and French Ultramarine Blue. I  prefer to not use black from a tube. I like this method because it enables the creation of more interesting shifts of color.  (my work in progress)

 Preserving It Fresh watercolor on Arches paper 17 cm x 17 cm NFS   I started this still life painting from freshly bought flowers I purchased during the summer. Even if I had to put the painting aside for a while, I was finally able to finish it last week from some photos I had taken. It is one of four paintings I am working on for a series which I will be presenting as a gift. The painting went through a series of scrubbing off and paint reapplying. I normally don't prefer to use masking fluid but found it necessary to preserve the various areas of color and build up the hues. I was always worried I would end up tearing the paper when rubbing but it handles it well ...I sweated bullets, as can be imagined, in the process. (below, various stages of my work in progress)

GERBERA FLOWER STUDY watercolor on paper 15cm x 15cm I picked up a few gerbera flowers recently, it cheers me up to see their bright colors. A couple didn't last, presently I am left with two. I added a pear, I was then given squash from a relative's garden, now I have the makings of a very warm, autumn still life. I drew out my composition, decided to add some masking fluid. While waiting for the masking fluid to dry I painted a quick study of the flowers. I want to keep it for reference, because I have a feeling it won't be much longer before I will need to throw them away as well. The yellows almost seem to fuse together, a fun mix of warm and cold yellows. I'm just happy to get my brushes wet again. It feels like it's been a while...where did November go? ... work in progress ... I hope everyone is having a nice day, thank you for the visit!  

African Violets 3.5 x 5 inches watercolor on Fabriano CP paper   I have been working on studying my African Violet plant. It has been cheering up the grey and dreary winter days we have been experiencing. I worked on two little studies to play with colors. One I painted with my own color mixes, the other with colors right from the tube. It was a fun exercise. I drew my composition from life and from my previous sketch. I've added masking fluid to save some white areas. I only need to add the paint... I can hardly wait! Thank you for stopping by!

Geranium Light   watercolor on Cartiera Magnani paper 35 x 49 cm./ 13.5 x 19 inches Available I started this painting back in September and decided to lay it aside soon afterwards. Honestly, I felt daunted by painting in a larger format, which I used to do often before but had finally put aside ( 20 years ago, yikes!). I pulled it out and decided to finally face the music. I love the beautiful light pattern created by the rising sun shining from behind the flower. I was worried whether placing the flower in the middle would work or not, a few thumbnail sketches to work out my ideas first solved the problem. It was challenging to work on the larger size , working on unfamiliar paper added much stress. I bought loose sheets back in September, by Cartiera Magnani, that I used for this project. In the end, it was fun. I just needed to get into a different mind-set. thumbnail sketches always help I hope everyone is enjoying the coming of Spring!

day 29   Heart Wings watercolor on FABRIANO Artistico paper 12,5 x 18cm/ 5" x 7"   day 30   Trumpet Flower   watercolor on FABRIANO Artistico paper 12,5 x 18cm/ 5" x 7" MY COLLAGE OF THE PAINTINGS COMPLETED: 3 DRAWINGS, 25 WATERCOLORS, 2 TOSSED "Angel wing begonias" and "trumpet flowers" are my final paintings for the month. I worked on them together. "Heart wings" I started with the flowers and worked the background later. "Trumpet flowers" was the opposite. I'm always trying to see what works best. In the end, I'm discovering that it varies from painting to painting and there are no set of rules but just a lot of practice and more practice! Funny how I started the challenge thinking it might be easier the second time around. I found it harder this time even if I had prepared my ideas, photos etc. I work on my artwork everyday, in some way, even if for only five minutes. I don

Sunflowers watercolor on cold pressed Daler Rowney paper 10" x 10" / 25 x 25 cm.   I always wanted to paint sunflowers, it's funny how we put certain things off... Well, these sunflowers were growing as high as a house, screaming to be noticed. I wish everyone a great weekend, thank you for stopping by!

"Princess Dandelion" watercolor on paper 10".5 x 14".5 in./ 27 x 36 cm. The Dandelion Vase © Jennifer L. Holte This vase may be quite tiny, but its importance is monumental and grand! For the love that went into each picked 'flower,' was carefully chosen by your child's small hand. How important these pesky 'flowers' become' and how great they will make your day, when your child comes running across your lawn' 'I picked these just for you,' they'll say! No other flower can show your child's love, than that of the dandelion in bloom! For sometimes in the thicket of weeds, God's love is revealed to you! So each time you use this vase, remember how great the reason! For nothing can compare to the love of a child, when the dandelions are in season! Source: The Dandelion Vase, Children Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-dandelion-vase#ixzz2St

"Purple Tulips" 10".5 x 14"/ 27 x 36 cm I began this painting back in March and was hoping to have it finished by Easter ... well I'm a little late. I worked on it and in trying to imitate the purples in the photo it was just coming out terrible! I am even too embarassed to show you what level of horrible I achieved. I didn't want to give up so I wiped it out and started over. I'm happy with it enough now, I've discovered how difficult it is to work with the color purple. There's a lesson in every painting! Gratitude goes to Deb Brookshier Photography for allowing me to use her image: fresh tulips would have never lasted this long. Have a great weekend everyone and thank you for visiting my blog!