Watercolors by Celia Blanco

A Yellow Feathered Visitor 23 x 30 cm watercolor on paper I painted this from a photo reference provided by my talented friend Cristina Mihailescu (see her beautiful works here ) .  I believe this bird is a Lesser Goldfinch . This will be my last post before Christmas. I wish you a blessed holiday season. 

 View of Rome from the Pincian Hill watercolor on paper 23 x 30.5 My friend, Michelle Endersby,  asked if I would enjoy doing a sketch of a rose in Rome for her monthly newsletter. Michelle's work has the most beautiful art inspired by roses and nature (click here to view her work). She shares her knowledge about roses, rose gardens, most importantly her current artworks. She has an amazing collection of roses from her personal garden, homeland of Australia and travels. (you can view them on her  Instagram page)   Rome has many beautiful gardens. My thoughts went back to a rose I remembered seeing in the Pincian Gardens. I always hoped to have the opportunity to go back to paint this image. I was lucky enough when I made it back up there to find roses to sketch, it happened to be just as the sun was setting.  The light became golden, sharpening the colors of the already beautiful subject for me. my sketch done on site ----------------------------------------

Blue Water 18 x 12.5 watercolor on paper This is the last plein air painting I did while in Greece. I really hope to go back soon! It is nice to look back to the color of the water, it brings good feelings.

Fresh Pick 26cm x 18cm watercolor on paper I started this painting this summer, left it unfinished until recently. The lady wearing the striped dress caught my eye while out shopping. Her outfit with the horizontal lines is remarkable amidst the chaos of the market.

Rocky Wave 17 × 11cm watercolor on paper available This was started on location in Greece and finished at home. I thought the rock formations would make an interesting subject. It almost looks like an abstract design.

Peaceful Isolation   17 × 11cm watercolor on FABRIANO ARTISTICO cold press paper available I painted this on location while on the Greek island of Ios. I was mesmerized by the jewel color of the ocean and the beautiful color shifts it created. One of my favorite spots had this dinghy left at anchor, I was immediately attracted by the similarities between the colors of the dinghy and the surrounding water.  This is the first sketch in my sketchbook. The sun dried everything on contact, which took some getting use to.  I discovered that it was better if I filled my palette wells with water and worked smaller. This is the second sketch. The little red dot you see in the water is my husband snorkeling.  He wears a red swim cap to make it easy for me to find him. This is as far as I got on location. I didn't bring my finer brushes. I left the fine details for when I got home. Thank you for your visit!

Watermelon sketch The last days of September mark the end of summer in Rome. The longer days of summer, full of always unbearable heat, allow to do things I normally don't have time for.  I took a moment to flip through my sketchbooks, I would like to share some of my impressions.  A chance to explore new places in my town.  Observing the clouds from my window.   Planted something green and watched it grow. Spent quality time with whom I love. Visited new places.