Julie Kessler Fine Art
  • Home
  • Galleries
  • On Paper
  • Oil Paintings
    • Landscapes
    • Still Lifes
  • About
  • Available
  • Contact
  • Blog

Olé!

1/13/2021

0 Comments

 
If you've been following my ramblings for a while you may recall that I belong to a club called the NYC Urban Sketchers. It's the local branch of an international group of artists of all levels, from professionals to total beginners. We get together to sketch at various locations around town, making beautiful friendships and inspiring each other along the way.

In the "before" times (gee, seems so long ago!) the NYC Urban Sketchers gathered in person once or twice a week. Now we continue to meet regularly, except virtually, at a socially safe distance. There's a sketching prompt at each meeting, and by necessity most of us work from photos. However, my own personal preference is to work from observation. So I usually paint an interior scene, or set up a still life. And try to follow the prompt as best I can.

Recently, at our online holiday party, the prompt was to sketch a festive holiday cocktail. Hmmm. That was a tall order, since I seldom have anything resembling an alcoholic drink, let alone such a fancy one. But as it happens I had just unearthed a box from deep within the forgotten recesses of my closet, filled with six adorable shot glasses from the '50s. Each glass featured a pair of flamenco dancers, each in slightly different costumes and poses. And, as my friend with a poetic flair pointed out, they are all dancing together — yet separately. Each pair in their own little glass bubble. A metaphor for our times.
Picture
Olé!
For Details or to Purchase

I tried doing something a little different in this painting. I used hot press paper instead of my usual cold press. Hot press paper is a little less forgiving, and it's harder to go back and correct anything I may have messed up. This approach forces me to make bold, executive decisions with each brushstroke, and then just leave it alone. For better or worse. It may result in a few nicks and bruises, but overall the quality of the paint stays fresh and lively. Such a hard lesson for me to learn! My perfectionist nature shrinks back in horror at the very thought of letting something go if it's not quite right. But in watercolor, as in so many things, the perfect is the enemy of the good. Just gotta be brave, that's all.

I'd love to hear from you!
Click on the comment section below to add your questions and comments. ​

SUBSCRIBE
INSTAGRAM

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Julie Painting

    Julie Kessler

    I'm a representational painter enchanted by the unique qualities of watercolor. Sometimes oils, gouache, colored pencils and other media call to me too. I started this blog to share my work and ideas about making art. Sometimes I toss other things into the mix. Such as painters I love, and art books and exhibits that inspire me. Your comments are welcome. I'd love to hear from you! 


    Follow Here!
    Instagram
    Subscribe!

    Recent Posts

    Picture
    Central Park Trees
    Picture
    Central Park Grad
    Picture
    Singer 66 Red Eye

    Categories

    All
    Art History
    Books & Videos
    Boucher
    Central Park
    Cityscapes
    Color
    Colored Pencils
    Composition
    DIY
    Drawing
    Exhibits
    Friskit
    Gouache
    Hispanic Society
    Interiors
    Introduction
    Julie's Drawings
    Julie's Paintings
    Landscape Painting
    Manet
    Metropolitan Museum Of Art
    Oil Paintings
    Pen And Wash
    Portraits
    Sam Adoquei
    Sorolla
    Still Life
    Theo Fried
    Thomas Hart Benton
    Veronese
    Watercolor Pencils
    Watercolors


    www.juliekessler.com
 HOME   GALLERIES   ON PAPER   OIL PAINTINGS  AVAILABLE  ABOUT   CONTACT   BLOG
Follow:  Instagram  Subscribe
www.juliekessler.com  All images © Julie Kessler, all rights reserved