July is World Watercolor Month. I was inspired by that celebration two years ago and, after gathering a bunch of supplies, I finally put brush to paper and made my first little watercolor paintings. They were not very good, but the experience was a lot of fun and I documented it in a posting called Jumping into Watercolor. I produced a few more small paintings during the summer of 2018, but somehow my interest waned.
I spent three weeks last November in Paris and brought along some art materials. Paris reignited my desire to play with watercolor and I was inspired enough to produce some more little paintings that you can see in the posting Playing with watercolor in Paris. My skill level had improved marginally and I eventually painted a few more times before I left Paris.
Alas, I did not continue with watercolors, although I kept buying supplies and watching lots of YouTube videos. A few days ago, I downloaded the list of daily prompts for World Watercolor Month and decided I would try to paint something on as many days as I could this July. I chose to paint in a relatively small watercolor journal that is 5.5 x 8 inches (14 X 20 cm) so I would not feel intimidated by a big sheet of blank paper.
So here are my paintings for the first four days of July in reverse order. The prompt for 4 July was “Quiet” and as I though about it, my mind transported me back to an early morning last November when I watched the sun rise slowly over the Seine River.
The prompt for 3 July was “Playful” and I chose to reprise a painting style and subject that I had used once before. I used a style based on Chinese ink painting (sumi-e) that emphasizes using a minimum number of strokes to capture the essence of the subject, in this cases some frogs and dragonflies.
The prompt for 2 July was “Texture” and I decided to try to paint a wart-covered toad that I had photographed earlier this year. The prompt for 1 July was “Rejoice” and I painted a chubby little bird that was singing.
It is both rewarding and humbling to post these paintings. I feel like a little kid who is excited about producing something with his own hands and this posting serves as a virtual refrigerator door on which I can display my art. Of course I realize that my current skill level is pretty low, but was one video that I watched recently emphasized, “there is no shame in being a beginner.”
I am confident that if I can carve out some time each day to paint this month, I am sure to improve. Most importantly, I am having fun. I was chatting recently with a friend who is an accomplished watercolor artist. She confessed it is a little tougher for her to have fun, because she is a perfectionist. As our skill levels increase in any area, I think there is a danger that we may lose our initial sense of joy and wonder. I consciously try to remain on guard against that danger when it comes to my photography.
If you want to learn more about World Watercolor Month, click on this link or go directly to doodlewash.com. In addition to raising awareness and interest about watercolor painting, World Watercolor Month raises support for The Dreaming Zebra Foundation, a charity providing support so that children and young adults are given an equal opportunity to explore and develop their creativity in the arts.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! Especially liked the one with dragonflies!
Thanks, Reed. It is the only one in which I was not constrained by realism. I don’t know if you saw the previous painting I did in the same style–it was a lot better than this dragonfly one, which I did in a bit too much of a hurry. https://michaelqpowell.com/2018/08/19/watercolor-dragonfly-and-frog/
These are great, Mike. I really like that you are experimenting with different styles and techniques. I can definitely see improvement. That little toad is charming but my favourite is Quiet. I look forward to seeing what you create next.
Thanks, Laura. “Quiet” is really the only one so far that I attempted to be a real painting. I actually did some little warm-ups painting lines and shapes before I started that painting. I need to work a lot on my brush control and water control, so practice, practice, practice is what I need.
Loved all your paintings. Thank you for your great post – always an enjoyable read. Blessings 😊🐞
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, Suzette.
My pleasure😊
…..we ‘rejoice’ right alongside you, Mike
Thanks for your encouragement. It is a little intimidating to know that “real’ watercolorists are viewing my efforts. I still feel like a school kid who is one step removed from finger painting. 🙂
…..so now you know how I’d feel if posting examples of my photography, and having the likes of you viewing it, lol.
That said, your paintings show great promise because you already have a style. My feeling is that you should steer away from trying to replicate a photograph–ie representational realism–and rather go with your inner feeling of what something means to you, in a painterly way. Van Gogh didn’t try to reproduce nature, but rather brought to the canvas in paint the way he FELT about nature. Children’s paintings are so valuable not because of their visual accuracy, but because they are so full of expressive feeling. It is very hard for experienced painters to recapture that essence, that spontaneity–and you have it.
Wow, I never really thought about painting in that way. So far I have been sort of trying to replicate some of the subjects in my photos with paint and that’s tough to do, given the details that I try to capture with my camera. I probably had the most fun with the Chinese style one in which realism was not a goal. Let me see if I can internalize your advice. So far I am also trying to use mostly big brushes, so I don’t get too wrapped up in details.
….you have the chops, I think. I just hope you let yourself enjoy the process and forget about all those other interfering voices about what it is ‘supposed to look like’! Lovely.
Good work, Mike. I’m glad you’re continuing with painting. I really like the bridge scene.
Thanks, Dan. Paris inspires me. 🙂
These paintings are great, but I cheat … I simply add a watercolor filter to my photos!
I wouldn’t say that it is cheating, David, but it is a different and easier way to get a similar effect. I sometimes deliberately take photos that will be “artsy” even without filters and there are so many things I can do to tweak an image after the fact in Photoshop. There is something really intimidating about a blank sheet of paper that I never feel when I go about taking photos. This is especially the case when I am using watercolors. The transparency of watercolor means that I can’t cover up my mistakes, kind of like sketching with ink versus with pencil.
I love your virtual refrigerator door! I tried sketching years ago and actually kept my work! Have not been back to that in years. Very proud of you for pursuing this.I, too, would have to say that quiet is my favorite, though I do remember the photo of the warty toad! Walking by the Seine and again in your watercolor I was struck by how it is possible to reach quiet in the midst of such an ancient and populous place.I do not think I could not paint your favorite topic of dragonflies with few or many strokes!
Thank, Molly, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments. Doing any kind of art, I think, works best when we are able to cast aside our inhibitions, our fear of making mistakes and allow ourselves to creatively express something uniquely individual. In the same vein, I tend to think of quietness as more than just the absence of external noise–it is a feeling of calmness, serenity, and inner peace that does not depend on the external environment. Theoretically, at least, I could feel inwardly quiet in a busy place in the same way that I could feel lonely in a place with a lot of people present.
ISA 35 (I think) “In returning and rest I am saved, in quietness and trust is my strength.”
Amen!
I actually saw a scene much like your second painting today! I always found artwork very relaxing.
Frogs trying to catch dragonflies? I watched a YouTube video today that showed a frog leaping high to snag a dragonfly. Years ago I was into doing needlework and I found that to be relaxing. I’m not quite comfortable enough with painting to feel fully relaxed, but I think that I am moving in that direction. 🙂
I didn’t see frogs catching dragonflies but I saw a lot of dragonflies flying around frogs.
I used to do a lot of pen and ink drawings and that was very relaxing for me.
Wonderful, Mike! So glad you’re joining in on the fun. Happy Painting! 😊💚
Thanks, Patty Anne. It’s nice to get encouragement from a real artist. I am thinking that one of these days I may try a some ink sketching over my watercolor, something that you do so masterfully. I just finished today’s painting, so thus far in July I have managed to paint a little something every day. 🙂
That’s really great. I think you’ll really enjoy adding ink sketching too. 😊
Tomorrow’s prompt is “flow” and I don’t feel too inspired about that yet. Maybe I’ll expand it to “flower.” 🙂
You are a talented photographer and a natural watercolorist too! How wonderful that you have picked up those paint brushes again! An excellent start, as you have produced four lovely pieces of art for the Doodlewash World Watercolor Month. If pressed to choose a favorite, I would have to go with “Playful”. I really like the minimal free style that captures the adorable little frogs and dragonflies. I hope that you will not be offended when I tell you that this is how Benjamin now paints on a 5 in. x 7 in. watercolor pad…though neither of us knew that this is an actual style called “sumi-e”. I shall have to do some research on that! Please do keep sharing your watercolors. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Nice! I’m glad you’ve taken up your brush again, Mike. Creative endeavours are so good for the soul. 🙂
I completely agree, Eliza, that creative efforts are good for the soul. I think this month will be good if I can make painting an almost daily habit, even if it is only something simple, instead of doing it only when I feel some kind of special inspiration. That’s why I am mostly painting in a watercolor sketchbook, which psychologically helps remind me that these are not intended to be finished paintings to hang on the wall.
Great, I’m glad you’ve posted them here! I think they’re really fun. I’d have loved to join you in painting every day but with Nigel’s dental distraction, short days of winter, and me wanting to do that ‘yellow’ post, I couldn’t manage the time. We’re in Dunedin today, N saw the dentist, and we’ll leave tmw so things aren’t coming together for me painting-wise. Luckily for me, I get lots of enjoyment seeing what you’re up to with watercolour 🙂
Thanks, Liz. Dental pain is among the worst possible types of pain imaginable. My sympathies are definitely with Nigel. No worries about not being able to paint. As you’ve seen, I am posting the little paintings on Twitter, which helps to get them into the World Watercolor Month gallery automatically, but wanted to share them here too. As you can probably tell, I am having fun playing around with the paints and hope to be able to continue to do so throughout July (and maybe even beyond that).
Yes I found the gallery soon after you tweeted your first painting and noted how quickly it had gone up. Then when I did my painting I checked again and it was on display very quickly. It’s nice to be able to browse other people’s art and easy to filter to just twitter and then go bock to see what else the same people are tweeting. Real neat system!
One of the real goals of the whole World Watercolor Month is to get folks excited about watercolour, and having that kind of cross-platform gallery really helps with inspiration. 🙂
I love what you’ve done with the dragonflies, Mike; they look like experienced Oriental abstracts. I think you should pursue that line further–for sure!
Thanks, Gary. I am definitely attracted to that style. If I were really brave, I’d try it with ink on rice paper, but for now I’ll stick with watercolors, even if I borrow from the Oriental sumi-e style.
Namaste, Mr. Mike! It’s me Benjamin! Gem saved this for me and told me that I paint like sumi-e. You are very good at painting with watercolors. I like to paint with watercolor pens the most cause it’s not so hard and messy as the regular kind. I’m not so good as you but I have fun. I love your dragonflies and frogs the best. I never tried to do a frog but now I will. I paint dragonflies and bumblebees lots of times. They are easy now. Bye!
I also love the idea of the virtual refrigerator door. I am inspired by your courage in posting your paintings and agree with the quote about there being “no shame in being a beginner”. I’ve been working on some Bach Suites on the piano and I find that knowing anyone is actually paying attention and listening causes me to make more than the usual number of mistakes. Sometimes I break down completely and have to begin over again. So the other day, I did a Facebook Live and played the Prelude to Suite No. 1. I was VERY NERVOUS. And yes, I made mistakes. People were listening, and more listened afterward when I posted the video for about 15 minutes. Then I took it down, but I think it may be a good way to get used to playing for an audience.
My favorite is the toad, I think. But I enjoyed all four paintings. Post more!
Thanks, Nina. Doing anything “live” is definitely full of potential stress. It helps me to realize that the audience is full of supportive people, people who are encouraged by the mere fact that we are putting ourselves out there. Fear keeps a lot of people from even trying, fear of being judged or fear of making mistakes. With my photography, I can select my “good” images to show, but with my paintings, I’m showing almost all of them, no matter how bad I may think they are. I’ll do another installment as I continue on this July challenge, trying to paint something every day.
[…] Sunday I posted photos of my first four little paintings in a posting called “More fun with watercolor.” The response to that posting was so overwhelmingly positive and encouraging that I feel […]
These are wonderful!!!
Thanks, Jodi. I decided that this is the perfect month to sort of just go for it, given that it is World Watercolor Month, so I am having lots of fun trying different things and seeing what happens. 🙂
[…] the first two installments of my painting efforts this month, check out my previous postings ‘More fun with watercolor‘ and ‘World Watercolor Month 2020—part 2.’ This third installment highlights my […]
A most enjoyable and inspiring post, Mike. We adults can sometimes get too bogged down in seriousness, whether its perfection or something else. But oh what a loss of spirit that can bring. Your spirit in dancing around marshes photographing dragonflies on the wing shows through in your happy outdoor paintings, and what a joy it is to see. I’m adding on a link to one of my good WordPress friends who teaches watercolor, she lives in London but travels a lot giving classes.. With Covid this summer she is teaching virtually and doing so this week. She also has great videos about how to feel free and comfortable with watercoloring, I hope you have a chance to visit her, she’s truly a master painter and fluid teacher. Janet Weight Reed: https://jcrhumming.wordpress.com/
[…] the first three installments of my painting efforts this month, check out my previous postings ‘More fun with watercolor‘, ‘World Watercolor Month 2020—part 2 ,’ and ‘World Watercolor Month […]
[…] the first four installments of my painting efforts this month, check out my previous postings ‘More fun with watercolor‘, ‘World Watercolor Month 2020—part 2 ,’ ‘World Watercolor Month 2020—part 3,’ and […]