Watercolour Hawk #3

The only thing I don't like about watercolour, is the drying time. I use a lot of water when I use watercolours, so it takes forever to dry. Yes, I could use a hair dryer, but then it dries too fast and you don't get the right look, at least I think that.

Its the same reason I don't use oil paints. Besides not being able to use them because they set off allergies, (wear a mask, have a window near by when painting when younger people :p), they take too long to dry for me.

Not sure if I mentioned here, but the asthma nurse has said I have Occupational asthma, so can't actually use materials I use to use without wearing a mask or outside. (If it ever stops raining here :p). Told me its actually pretty common in artists, they just ignore it tho :p So don't ignore it lol

Pretty much stuck with acrylics, pencils, watercolours and etching plates. But need a window open or a mask when using the inks for the plates.

Comments

  1. Happy 2016 Jennifer,
    Sorry to learn about the asthma, but happy there are other media for you to use without causing medical issues.
    When I looked at the hawk immediately upon arriving at your blog today, I saw a goldfish! A second later I saw the title and the goldfish disappeared. Maybe I should book an appointment with a ophthalmologist or neurologist--Very Soon!
    Or maybe a psychologist would be a better choice. Anyway, it's a beautiful HAWK! :)
    Have a nice evening.
    Sincerely,
    Gary.

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    1. lol no, now I can see the fish :D but I don't have my glasses on so that might be why :p

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  2. From a confirmed watercolorist, your hawk is looking GOOD! And I stayed away from oils for the same reason - the smell. I use tons of water, too, but a hair-dryer, too. Maybe you could do a "taste test" - one with dryer, one without, to see if and how mush of a difference there is.

    Kathryn

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    1. thanks Kathryn :) I think I will start another one and use a hair dryer on it, but have so much to do, not sure when I would get to it :(

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  3. You have certainly worked out what is best for you. I think it is great you stuck with art. I have known many artists who gave it up due to allergies.
    Your hawk is off to a stunning start.

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    1. thanks Julie :) I couldn't give up art. Even if I lost use of my hands I would find a way to create something :)

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  4. I can't handle the solvents. So I don't use them. The alternatives can be expensive, so I rarely paint in oil. I love acrylics because you can make them look like oil or watercolor.

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    1. The amount of different mediums you can get to add to acrylics really makes it really easy to get the right look with them. I usually get John to spray anything if solvents are involved since he can wear a mask easier then I can.

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  5. Yours is the second post I have read today concerning health issues with art materials. The concerns with pastel and oils are why I am using watercolor almost exclusively now too. Plus it's so much fun! I really like the variety of textures you are getting with this. It's looking great! And yeah, I usually have more that one painting going at a time just to keep me busy while waiting through drying times. I use a lot of water too and if I fuss with it too much while wet I tend to muck it up. Having a second piece going helps to keep me out of trouble :-)

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    1. Pastels make me sneeze lol

      I wish I had of been a little more careful when younger when working. So when I see younger people doing stupid stuff I did, I cringe :p

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  6. Jennifer, thank you for your note about my aunt.
    Kathryn

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  7. I saw a fish, too, before I came over to have a closer look! Sorry about the asthma. We don't think about all the stuff in the air (and on our skins) when dealing with some of the mediums we use. Must always be careful and do what we can to stay healthy as we become older artists. I love watercolor and think nothing looks like it but it can take a long time to dry if it's humid and you use a lot of wet-in-wet technique. Perhaps have 2 going at the same time?

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    1. Maybe I should be painting fish lol

      Its pretty humid here right now, 4 days of solid rain and still raining :/

      yeah its only as we start getting older that we stop and think that something might be wrong with what we are doing and should look up any safety concerns lol :)

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  8. Watercolor is fun. Personally, I only use a lot of water when it comes to my sky or a large area of landscape. Otherwise, less water so that my paintings dry sooner than later. Regardless, your hawk is coming along great! :)

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