Elmwood Skyline Landscape

watercolor on paper

4x6

Once again I am painting on a gesso ground using watercolors. I learned this effect at a past workshop I took.  The paint seems to sit suspended on the surface instead of the usual soaking quality of the paint.  This makes it much easier to lift of color to retain lost whites.  

 

 I live in the rural countryside of Illinois and travel by this view weekly.   The grain elevator is much larger on the skyline but I reduced it in half.  Grain elevators in small town throughout Illinois farm country are a common fixture.  This upgraded structure has helped to improve the quality of air in the town.  The past elevator dryer would spew red flakes of corn hunks into the air during harvest time.  It lay swirling on the ground much like sand moves onto the roads in Daytona Beach. 

 

 I am sure it has increased the life expectancy of this small community.  To purchase this daily painting follow the link here to my website at www.yvonneham.com. 

Self Portrait

                                                       Self Portrait with a Flower Top

 I recently traveled to the Portrait Museum in Washington DC during the Portrait Society of American Convention back in April of this year (2016).  I usually don't buy anything in a gift shop but this time I found a little book with 100 self portraits.   It is a great book to just open and thumb the many ways artist decide to tackle a self portrait. 

Looking at oneself and sharing a glimpse of your soul.  Well, your soul or belief in who you are anyway and what might make you tic.   Can you see that in a painting?   Maybe not but, while I paint as an artist I am thinking of myself.   I am asking these questions of what makes me who I am. 

Artist sometimes dress up in costumes and paint themselves or paint themselves painting a painting of themselves looking into a mirror like the famous Norman Rockwell self portrait.   I hope as I paint some of the self portraits within the coming weeks you can see a little of the mother, wife, crazy friend, emotional sister and loving person I think I am.   Anyway her is my second self portrait of me!  It is only 4x6 inches. 

To purchase visit my website at www.yvonneham.com 

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days- Day 30 Self Portrait

Self Portrait   watercolor on paper   6x9

Well, I am at the end of this challenge.   I decided to do a self portrait.   I have never done the full thirty day challenge nor have I done a self portrait so I thought it fitting to end with a self portrait.   I did a variety of mediums but mostly watercolor.  I hadn't painted with my watercolors for about six months so it was good to wet my brush again.   I will use these paintings as reference for years to come.   I have come away with many new techniques I will keep using.  

I hope you enjoyed the journal with me.   Thanks for following along.

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days- Day 29 Steampunk Starfish

Steampunk Starfish 1    watercolor on paper   5x5   

purchase this  painting for $48 by contacting Yvonne at yvonneham@yahoo.com.

I love the colors in this painting.   The teal blue and purple accent each other in this painting.  I painted the purple thick and let it puddle in the middle.  Then I laid metal gears on top.   I pressed the gears down with my fingers and held them until almost dry.  After they were completely dry I lifted them off.   I like the textured background you get from sprayed paint and masking fluid.   I know this technique will always be a part of my watercolors. 

Thanks for following along with my Steampunk series.

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days- Day 28 Steampunk Fish 3

Steampunk A Fishes Life    watercolor on paper    size 6x5

I liked adding a setting to the fishes home with coral.   I never know how I will finish up a painting.  These little studies help to discover how to push the limits of the painting process.  I looked at some photos to discover what to put at the bottom of the painting.  It always seems so beautiful and bright in the ocean.   Please go to my website and look at all the paintings in this series.

There are only two more days left in this challenge.  I am glad I stuck with it.   Thirty watercolors done one each day was a challenge.  Thanks for following along.   Please don't forget these painting are for sale on my website. 

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days- Day 27 Steampunk Fish 2

Steampunk Fish 2   watercolor on paper    size 4x5

This is a colorful guy with spikes and a crazy eye.   I used the pattern from the frisket fluid to design this little fish.  

I kept the dark patterns of orange and brown for the sea floor.   I added a variety of greens to make the kelp.   I really enjoy the abstract quality.   The gears were painted on and accented with highlights of dark color.  

I hope you like it.    Thanks for following this challenge.  

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days- Day 26 Steampunk Fish 1

Steampunk Fish 1   watercolor on paper    4x5   purchase this painting

 

Poured Rubber Cement

Painted dabs of color over the rubber cement. 

The Steampunk Fish 1 was one of four paintings done on the above poured paper.   They all turned out so differently.  I had know idea what I was going to paint until the paint dried and I removed the rubber cement.   I thought they would look similar do to the beginning colors used.  It didn't turn out that way in the end. 

Stay tuned for the next four days.  I will show you just how different each painting turned out. 

I had fun creating this painting.   I hope you enjoyed it.