Matt's watercolors (1 Viewer)

colleenc · Mar 14, 2010

Thanks Matt, I've tried several brands with Kolinsky sable, and none of them hold a point right, so after your post I believe I'll go back to Series 7 as I used a long long time ago when I tried watercolor before.....thanks for the post it's a great help.

mattybohan · Mar 14, 2010

In case it saves anyone a little time/cash, I tried Utrecht's and Dick Blick's sable brushes and found both to be "sub-optimal"

colleenc · Mar 14, 2010

don't buy the Jack Richeson kolinsky's either.....

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Brushes-and-Palette-Knives/Creative-Mark-2-For-1-Brush-Sale/Rhapsody-2-For-1-Brush-Sale.htm

I just ordered some Creative Mark kolinsky "guaranteed not to split" Which is my complaint with the Richeson....they are 2 for 1 this weekend, (#4 is 2 for $17.50 and #2 is $7.50 for 2 .....plus shipping)

I ordered one Series 7 WN #4 to compare which is also on Super Sale at $11.50 ea I'll post the results when I paint with them. If the creative mark works it does cost less, if it doesn't I'm returning it

Woody · Mar 15, 2010

Lovely, intricate work Matt, it's quite reminiscent of the way I used to work when I was doing detailed painting in watercolour. Fascinating to see the technique and the obvious control you have, big brush or otherwise!

Mike

solitaryVSong · Mar 15, 2010

Enjoyed the WIP Matt. This is a style I could never work in since I just don't have the patience or skill. But it was very interesting to see how you tackle such a complex project.

Jackie Garner · Mar 23, 2010

Delighted to find someone else who believes in using big, high quality brushes. Can't get on with those tiny ones that run out of paint mid-stroke! Keep trying to persuade my students to buy one really good brush instead of lots of cheap ones that collectively end up more expensive.

I also like W&N Series 7, but have discovered Isabey Series 6228 too. Harder to track down but well worth the search. Art shop owner told me the Da Vinci ones were best, but I couldn't get on with those.

mattybohan · Mar 25, 2010

Jackie, I agree completely. I'll check out the Isabey 6228!

mattybohan · Mar 25, 2010

Although this is an older painting I thought it would be worth sharing as a Step-by-Step since it had some unusual surfaces to paint.

The client wanted five male hummingbirds at the feeder. Perhaps not the most realistic scenario for these aggressive and territorial birds, but why not? We settled on Blue-throated, Costa's, Violet-crowned, Black-chinned, and Rufus Hummingbirds. It is an 18 x 24 inch transparent watercolor on Lana 140 lb HP Paper.

WIP can be seen here....http://blog.bohanart.com/2010/03/coke-bottle-hummingbird-feeder/

timwootton · Mar 25, 2010

Fascinating use of digital media - another great WIP Matt, excellent.

mattybohan · Mar 25, 2010

Thanks Tim, I usually don't do much with the computer for the watercolors. At the end of the day I want a change from drawing on the screen. In this case I needed some good reference for that feeder, so I had to get creative.

I always scan finished work in, especially if it is going to a new home. I've been trying to be better about scanning things in while working on them. Occasionally I'll experiment in Photoshop on the scans done part way through if I'm not sure where to go, but not often.

colleenc · Mar 25, 2010

real virtuoso painting on that feeder, and what an amazing use of the computer, looks like it would take a lot of knowledge of complicated programs to do it...I've never seen a feeder like this....

Really awesome patience...even the writing on the bottle, jeeze..

nickderry · Mar 25, 2010

great to see the build up to this

mattybohan · Apr 1, 2010

Colleen,

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't want to learn Lightwave 3D just to make a hummingbird feeder! I use it all the time for the "serious" paying work, so it was faster to do that you might think.

mattybohan · Apr 1, 2010

Ok, its not a bird this time, but I thought folks might be interesting in something with fur for a change! The chipmunks are out of hibernation in mid-michigan so I thought its a good time to show a watercolor and an WIP to match...

Eastern Chipmunk
Transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb HP paper
10 x 14 inches

nickderry · Apr 1, 2010

handsome chap he is too. I want to call him Alvin.

colleenc · Apr 2, 2010

inventive perspective! not the usual, and a great capture

Woody · Apr 2, 2010

Now what's not to love about a chippitymunk?

Great stuff.

Mike

mattybohan · Apr 12, 2010

The brown-headed cowbirds returned to Michigan and are taking over the feeders. Its hard to be enamored of these nest parasites, but they are attractive in their own way. I try to look on the bright side. if the cowbirds are here, the warblers are on the way soon.

colleenc · Apr 12, 2010

every texture perfectly described

mattybohan · Apr 14, 2010

Another non-bird... but at least it has wings. This is a male ruby meadowhawk, a common Michigan dragonfly.

Ruby Meadowhawk
5 x 7 inches
Transparent Watercolor on Lana 140lb HP

Detail image is approx 1.75 x 2.75 inches

A step-by-step through the creation of the painting can be seen here... WIP

Matt's watercolors (1 Viewer)

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