In July, I posted “Tiger” a quick sketch I did in anticipation of doing a painting for my 7 year old grandson. This wasn’t my idea mind you. I had the cutest request: “PopPop, can you paint me a tiger?!” “Of course,” I said, “I can do this for you!” (“Can I?,” I wondered).
“Tiger” Watercolor on paper mounted to aluminum panel (10” X 12”).
I had never painted a tiger and wasn’t familiar enough with the animal to draw one from my head. Another big gulp came when I began to think watercolors could be the perfect medium. For a non-watercolor artist (me), this medium is commonly thought of as being particularly difficult and unforgiving.
Watercolor in process
The clincher was, on a recent trip to Jackson Hole (one of the top markets for western art), I kept seeing the most beautiful watercolor paintings in every gallery we visited. Something was obviously leading me in this direction. So, I did it.
Initial steps of watercolor painting — pencil drawing and blocking in watercolor and wax resist.
Anyone who is familiar with my art, can tell you I’m constantly moving in different directions — so much so, it would be hard to tell that my portfolio of work was actually all done by the same person. I therefore have a lot of experience dealing with initial trepidations when embarking in a new direction. Fear becomes my big obstacle.
First attempt on thin strip. Watercolor on paper mounted to aluminum panel. Promising, I felt!!
From what I’ve discovered, the way to confront my fear is to move towards it — to just do it, as Nike says. These images are in reverse chronological order, “doing it.”
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