Julie Kessler Fine Art
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Rose and Donuts

4/4/2018

8 Comments

 
Picture
Pink Rose in a Bud Vase, 5x7 in, Watercolor, Watercolor Pencil and White Gouache on Paper
If you follow my blog you may already know that during my art school days I studied the figure, still life and landscape using oil paints. But I like to challenge myself and learn new things. So lately I've been reading up on watercolor techniques and trying them out.

Many old school watercolor books I've found are written by purists who use transparent watercolors only, and look down their noses on any use of opaque media. I get why they love the fresh, luminous look of transparent paint. But coming from oil painting makes staying in the transparent zone easier said than done. I'm used to the option of painting light over dark. And you can't do that using transparent paint. Light colors just won't show up over dark.

Nevertheless I persist. I continue practicing transparent techniques to get better. But sometimes, after I've already tried and failed, it's time to save my work ... by any means necessary! And why not. It's kind of liberating, actually. Besides, after a recent trip to the Metropolitan Museum I couldn't help noticing that many of the modern and old masters made drawings and paintings in mixed media. Watercolor with charcoal, watercolor with pastel, watercolor with opaque white, watercolor with ... you get the idea. I'm by no means a watercolor historian so I'm not sure when the cool kids got so pure. But I'll look into it and get back to you. 
Picture
Pink Donuts, 5x7 in, Watercolor and White Gouache on Paper

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8 Comments
Joan Tavolott link
4/4/2018 03:09:04 pm

Both of these are lovely. I love seeing your watercolors and reading about your thought process. Switching from oils to watercolors is a complete reversal which you seem to have done well. I had a hard time going the other way from the watercolors to gouache because I was supposed to go from dark to light.

Reply
Julie Kessler
4/4/2018 03:15:11 pm

Thanks Joan. I guess a lot depends on what you're used to, right? Thanks for your comment, you're always so kind and encouraging!

Reply
Janette Rozene
4/5/2018 08:48:54 pm

Julie, Thanks for sharing your beautiful work and your thoughts. I too have found going from oils to watercolor requires a different way of thinking. A lot of the old masters did use white "body color", white gouache. If this is good enough for Sargent and Rembrandt, who am I to argue?! It seems like contemporary watercolor artists are more concerned with saving the white of the paper and not using opaque white on top. Too fussy for me. I say do anything that works and makes you happy. I loved the way the Degas monotype exhibition at MOMA showed him using pastel over prints, etc. mixing mediums. Interesting to read your thoughts on different processes. Keep up the beautiful work!

Reply
Julie Kessler
4/6/2018 09:43:18 am

Janette, thanks for your lovely comment. I saw the same Degas exhibit of mixed media prints that highlighted his experimental nature. So interesting! Seeing exhibits like that really grants us permission to use whatever works, don't you think?

Reply
Leslie Sim
4/6/2018 08:12:20 pm

Julie-beautiful compositions and luminous colors. Especially enjoy the donuts. It a fun subject matter. And I do love sweets!

Reply
Peggy Moran
1/30/2019 09:41:04 pm

I think the pink rose is my favorite of your paintings, although there are so many clamoring to be number one. So beautiful!

Reply
Julie
1/31/2019 01:09:00 pm

Peggy, thank you, that's so sweet!

Reply
Henri link
1/2/2021 02:16:19 pm

Lovely blog, thanks for taking the time to share this

Reply



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    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! 


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