Erskine College...

Recently, I received an order for a painting of the Erskine Building on the college campus in Due West, South Carolina.  I was not familiar with the college at the time, but I am now.  It is such a beautiful campus. A very historic, small campus with lovely trees and buildings.  I've posted just a quick video of my painting process.  Enjoy!

The Process...A video of a home I recently painted in watercolor!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

My cousin, David, and his wife Linda are celebrating their anniversary...50 years together!  They are the perfect couple and I'm wishing them 50 more happy years!  Recently their daughter, Anna, ordered a watercolor for them.  I was honored to paint their lovely home. So today I'm honoring them again by posting the painting process of their house.  Much love to you both, David and Linda!!!

                                                                                               

First, a detailed sketch using all the picture views supplied by the client to create the perfect setting.

I then transferred the sketch to the watercolor paper and prepared it for the washes by taping the edges to gator board.

Using a lot of water, I began with the first layer of the surrounding trees, grass and driveway.

I added a happy blue sky and details in the trees

I mixed several colors to create the multi-colored brick effect of their home.

I started the detailing around the windows first, then added the grey tones and shadows to the roof

Continued to add bricks on all faces of the house, the shadows in the yard and the shrubs around the house

Adding more multi tones to the bricks

Adding more bricks and flowers in the front urns

Added the bricks to the front steps and then... the fun part!  I carefully added the family dogs Albert and Izzy!

I began the details on the front door, the porch roof and the rails down the steps

Checking the painting to be sure it is complete...

And it is!!!!! I hope you enjoy it, Linda and David!!!! Love and sweet wishes to you both!


Thank you all for visiting my blog.  I will be posting similar painting projects on Wednesdays. To follow me from your cell phone, view web version and follow my blog by email.

A Brick House!

Just a brief demo of my creation of a brick house commission...
Start to Finish.

I drew the outline of the house and surroundings.

I began the painting with a wash of the sky, grass, trees, and driveway...

the things that would frame the house.

I began to add details to the house, such as the shadows, landscaping, roof and windows.

Now adding the bricks, driveway stones, shutters, window pane reflections
 and a few other details.

After adding the requested pink blossoms to the tree, the painting was almost complete, 

but I needed to add the porch railings and small details. 

I did that using a black Micron Pen 03.  Porch railings and light fixture are now completed.

The completed painting!  Now ready for packing and shipping!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Watercolor Home Portrait ~ A Gift

Recently, I painted this sweet home in New York. It was a gift request for their Mom. This is a type of order I receive often. People want a painting of the home they grew up in. Many times, the parents are now moving away or downsizing. I always love to oblige that request!!!

Final Painting.....

This is the photograph I was sent.  

Below, I will walk you through the progression of the painting process.

After lightly drawing the house and surrounding area, I applied one light glaze to 

the trees and sky that frame the house.

 I laid a light wash to define the color of the house and continued adding the surroundings, 

around and in front of the house.

 Added the roof color, the large foreground tree, and continued adding foliage 

and color to the landscaping.

Added driveway, sidewalk, window boxes and more color and flowers.

Beginning the details, such as shutters and window panes.

 Glazed several washes for the grass, more details in the trees and landscaping 

and added suggestion of shadows.

Finished the front door and continued to darken and add layers in the 

dominate areas to complete the painting!

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for stopping by today!

Carole

See more of my Home Portraits in my Etsy Shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/carolepoolegallery

Saving the Whites!

Saving whites is one of the most unique aspects of watercolor painting.  You REALLY have to plan ahead!  Last week I painted a large magnolia blossom. Since the white areas in this painting are VERY large and completely dominate it, I felt it was a good candidate to introduce how to save whites.

I took many photos of a perfect magnolia blossom and used my favorite one to create my painting.  Using a drawing pencil, I sketched in the outline of the flower with as little detailing as possible.

The first painting step was to indicate value. Using a full brush, I added clear water to the areas of the petals that were the darkest in the photograph. It needs to be really wet, 

then take a minute or two for it to soak into the paper.  

You will notice the sheen leaving...that means it's time to drop in some darks.

I use the word "dark" very loosely here!  The paint should be very pale. Don't over do it yet. This will take several layers and is time consuming.  Start out with very little color in your brush. But, at the same time, remember that this will dry much lighter.

Continue to add the shaded areas on and around the petals.  And...most important...leave plenty of white. We're saving whites, remember.  Don't cover the entire petal with shading.  You want your whites to be the focal point of the painting. Refer to your photo often.  Nature is very good at this.

I continued to add shaded areas to my petals to shape and mold them.  The colors used were 

fr. ultramarine blue, cerulean blue,  burnt sienna and hooker's green med.

Using a heavier wash and the same colors listed above, I began to fill in the background.  This gave my petals more definition. Still not worrying about the details. 

From here, just continue using the same steps over and over. Creating layer after layer, waiting for each layer to dry. Don't rush it and enjoy the process. Details on the center stamens of the blossom and the tree branches were added with burnt sienna, aliz. crimson and burnt umber.

I continued adding darks to the background and details to the blossom. 

The final painting!

Marvelous Magnolias!

Recent watercolor painting by Carole Poole Gallery...."Magnolia Blossom".

Regal, stately, beautiful...the Magnolia.

How does it grow so tall? It spreads it's branches and stretches as far as possible, making more room for the exquisite blossoms. They spread out in a perfectly planned arrangement across the deep, dark leaves. Magnolia flowers are cherished and revered. Just one lone blossom makes a lovely bouquet. The full blooms are anywhere from 3-12 inches in diameter. Truly majestic.

Because magnolia trees can grow to be so large, we have planted the "Little Gem" variety in our yard.  They produce the same beautiful blooms that are about 8 inches diameter, but the actual tree is more compact and takes up much less space. Very easy to grow and so popular in the south.

We've planted the Little Gems at our home in Atlanta and at our farm in Alabama.  Very easy to plant and care for.  And.....great for taking pictures.  All the blossoms are low enough for me to reach!!!

So, yep, I'm recommending the Little Gem.  For beauty, for easy care, for long blooming season, for good picture opportunities, and great paintings!!!

Watercolor painting by Carole Poole Gallery..."Magnolia".

Hope you love Magnolias as much as I do. Give them some thought the next time you paint. Saving whites in watercolor can be challenging. And guess what? Next week, I will demo how to do it.  Easy and fun...I think you'll love it.


So, see ya next Wednesday to save some whites! Until then, "Happy Painting"!

Carole