Carol Ann Conners Art Journal

Thanks to Aspect Framing Studio and Art Gallery Winter Sunrise (2017) now has a frame – Wenge wood veneer.

Original Post from 2017

Watercolor on Canvas 9″x 12″

Artist Loft Heavy Duty Canvas

Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground

Quinacridone Rose

Quinacridone Red

Rose of Ultramarine

Rodonite Genuine

Quinacridone Gold

Goethite (Brown Ochre)

Cobalt Blue

Royal Blue

Moonglow

This was an another experimental project inspired by my Repurposing Perfectly Good Cosmetic Boxes Project.

The first step was gathering the materials.

After shaking and stirring the Watercolor Ground, I used a small disposable brush and a small roller to apply it to the canvas.

This was a bit messy. There was lint on the roller, so I used lots of paper towels to wipe off the lint.

After the Watercolor Ground was applied, it dried and cured for 72 hours.

Applying the watercolor paint began by first blocking in the colors.

Unlike painting on Cotton where the paper absorbs the paint, the watercolor paint can be moved around and even lifted from the surface of the prepped canvas. The painting was constantly changing. To get the rich colors, many applications of paint were applied then wiped off to get the effects and intensity.

Eventually, I was satisfied with the results. I sprayed one coat of Shellac on the project and allowed it to dry. I painted a black band of paint along the outside of the frame followed by gold paint for trim.

When dry, I applied two more coats of Shellac.

Cedar Waxwing and Morning Glories

7” x 10”

Watercolor, Copic Multiliner on Lanaquarelle

It has been a few months since I have completed a painting. For a model I used a ceramic Cedar Waxwing that my father had given to my mother many years ago. I also grew morning glories in the garden.

I have always lived by the sea. From splashing in the waves of the Atlantic to listening to the songs of the Pacific breezes, I am so grateful for these many blessings.

I love to paint and draw the beautiful pastoral scenery that surrounds our home in Loleta, California. I enjoy painting the flowers grown from seed in our gardens. Painting allows me to slow down. Painting keeps me from working too hard in the yard.  I love color. I love to study the way light and shadow change throughout the day.  I love painting with acrylic paint, and I especially love the spontaneity of watercolor painting.

I love how good it feels to create a painting. A subject inspired by nature is planted in my imagination. I think about choices of what materials I will use and how I will express myself in the painting What will my palette be?  Will I choose watercolor or acrylic paint?  What will my surface be? Each painting that I create is a journey.

Camellias 2024

Watercolor on Lanaquarelle

Matting and Framing by Aspect Framing Studio and Art Gallery, San Francisco, California.

A Spray of Roses and a Scarf 2016

Watercolor on Lanaquarelle

Framing by Aspect Framing and Art Gallery in San Francisco

This Sweet William flowers was grown from seed and is now blooming in the garden. It has been added to my watercolor flower journal.

Spring Rhododendron

9” x 12”

Daniel Smith Watercolors on The Langton Prestige cotton paper

Sap Green

Green Apatite Genuine

Forrest Green

Cascade Green

Yellow Ocre

Goethite Brown Ochre

Jane’s Grey

Buff Titanium

Ultramarine Blue

Moonglow

Quinacridone Rose

Hansa Yellow Light

It is too windy outside to garden today. It is a good day to paint.

And while the paint dried between layers, I made a paint swatch of Paul Wang’s Color Play Lab Set made by Daniel Smith.

I have a monthly subscription for art supplies and tutorial with Sketchbox. This month’s supplies were the following:

Custom Zig CLEAN COLOR Real Brush Set in Sea Green, Billiard Green, Sand, and Summer Sun

Sketchbox Signature Oval Wash Brush 1/4”

Prismacolor Col-Erase sketching pencil pink

Ecoline Duotip water soluble markers in Deep Ochre & Indigo

Jacguard Watercolor Medium – Pearl White

Magnani Incisioni Bianco hot press paper

I liked the smoothness of the paper. I loved the effects of adding water to the painting after sketching with the brush pens. There is an element of surprise. I like the ability to layer without damaging the paper. I would like to try this paper in a larger size. I am curious on how the color holds up over time.