Monday 26 April 2010

The Beach

The Beach


I chose this painting today because it is the only picture I have of a watercolour I have done. It is not the only watercolour I have painted, I did in fact do two similar versions of this painting and I have done one or two small landscapes. But this is the only one I have a picture of. I have no pictures of any others because I have given them all away. This one and the one like are now in the possession of a magistrate and a clerk of the court.


I used to serve as a judge in the court. This was a job I did over and above all the other things I was involved in, in life. While a teacher I was allowed by the education authorities to take days off to do my court duties. When I finished teaching it became almost a full time job. I gave it up only recently to give myself time to paint.

While still involved in the court I tried one or two watercolours. One of these was bought by a fellow magistrate the other I gave as a gift to somebody when they were given promotion. Another of my watercolours was sold for a charity. The one or two others I cannot remember where they are or who has them. Whoever happened to be around and the time if they liked them were given them.

Now after looking at some of the work of my friends and fellow bloggers I was thinking of giving watercolour another try. I put this on today to ask you what you think should I or should I not? It is kind of like Katherine asking should she join or not?

Now before you answer my question please read my first blog. This way you will know what I am looking for.

This blog is linked to my other blog where I use this artwork:-  Do You Have A Minute
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14 comments:

  1. Ruby26 April 2010 at 09:49

    Ralph, only you know if you should try watercolours again.

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  2. Rachel26 April 2010 at 10:16

    Lieber Ralph

    fantastisch ... es gefällt Weckt Erinnerungen und ...

    Herzlich, Rachel

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  3. martinealison26 April 2010 at 10:34

    Ralph hi, je trouve votre aquarelle captivante. J'aime ses couleurs, son thème...
    Pourquoi ne pas vous remettre à travailler l'aquarelle en alternance avec l'huile ?
    Je pense que parfois cela permet de faire des pauses.
    En ce qui me concerne, je ne fais que rarement de l'aquarelle et du pastel. Mais pour me donner un coup de fouet, j'arrête l'huile et m'autorise autre chose, même le travail de la terre et la sculpture sur pierre.
    Amitiés.

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  4. RUDHI Rüscher26 April 2010 at 10:36

    This feather of 'Nemesis' said, hold on to 'wash' with colors further, Ralph; and honoured man indeed! (Maybe my english sounds a little funny, but I mean what I say;-)

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  5. Autumn Leaves26 April 2010 at 12:12

    Well, Ralph, I personally love watercolors and I think this is a great job with them. Who cares what anyone thinks? If you are drawn (hah! pun not intended!) to working with them, by all means give them a go. You only get better with practice right? I love the texture you've brought to the sand here and the only disconcerting part of the painting for me is the feather...or is that a fish skeleton? LOL

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  6. Kim Rempel26 April 2010 at 13:09

    Definitely. Let those pigments flow...

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  7. Trudy R. Gomez26 April 2010 at 13:56

    Ralph, for someone with limited watercolor use, this shows a lot of potential. The feather is the weakest aspect to me, but I'm no expert. When I was in school a teacher tore my first watercolor painting in half with instruction not to use it again. I picked it back up at 42 and continue to work it today. Some are successes - all are fun!

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  8. Barbra Joan26 April 2010 at 15:06

    Go For It Ralph, and I mean it!!! I want to see more, For me watercolor is it. I have worked in oils, acrylics, pastel, and everything in between. All the years of painting I had this watercolor obsession, (just wanting to do it) My attempts would always be dissapointing but I kept at it. and after 20 years of practicing, I consider it still practicing. More and more I let the water do its thing. It's working for me a bit. Good luck with it.

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  9. Linda Popple26 April 2010 at 15:51

    Listen to your heart! I think you really want to paint in watercolor. Give it a go!!

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  10. Bonnie Heather26 April 2010 at 19:19

    Hi Ralph, I like your water colour. I think it's great that you have a talent for doing it. Water colours are so much easier to cart around for plein air painting. I think of them as my travel paints.

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  11. Anne C M Campbell26 April 2010 at 19:20

    Ralph - this is a good work. It is evocative. I 'sense' there is a narrative behind it - i.e. something has just 'happened'. Who knows? but it works!! Water colour is fast, transportable and even if you don't complete paintings, it is excellent for planning compositions etc.

    On your other blog you talk about constructive criticism. I was once told by a good teacher (and they are rare) that if a pupil is only told of their strong attributes and skills, they develop these considerably and their negatives just drop away automatically. Do you think that's true?

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  12. jsicignano2.blogspot.com27 April 2010 at 00:19

    Ralph,

    Do it, paint in watercolor. You are truly gifted. It isn't just about what our fellow artist say, even though comments are appreciated. It's about painting and sharing. We are all in the same boat. Constructive criticism never hurts , it's the rude comments. I for one will be looking forward to more of your watercolor paintings. All the best to you.

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  13. jsicignano2.blogspot.com27 April 2010 at 00:20

    Ralph, I just wrote a long comment saying how much I like your watercolor. It didn't go through. I'll try again.

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  14. Kay27 April 2010 at 04:23

    watercolor is a fun but frustrating medium but worthy of your time and thoughtfulness!

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