January 2024 Paintings & Coloring Book
I had a busy and fun month with watercolors and alcohol markers.
This month I worked on sample pages for my coloring book and then played with my new Kuretake Art Nouveau watercolor palette. The Gansai Tambi watercolors are so vibrant and opaque. I can use them almost like gouache or water them down in translucent washes. In Sailboat Sunset, I used a yellow wash for the underpainting then painted some of the clouds with a thicker paint consistency. The ocean was a done with a series of washes. In Astronaut Bun, the space was created with a wet on wet technique and love how it turned out. Glowing Valley Galaxy is mixed media piece with watercolors and pen. This was inspired by a photo that I saw on the web. I loved the glowing plants in the foreground and wanted to recreate it in my style. And in A Visitor to Appalachia, I wanted to do a Godzilla inspired painting after watching Monarch, Legacy of Monsters. (An excellent show, y’all should watch it.)
During this month, I also worked on my coloring book project. I set it up in inDesign and then decided to color some sample pages for the artwork that I didn’t have paintings or photos for. So, I photocopied the pieces that needed samples. For these, I practiced with my alcohol markers. The markers that I used are the Copic, Tombow ABT, and Artist’s Loft ones. I’m actually l really enjoying them [now]. When I first started using these markers, it was not a good experience. But after watching some tutorials, other artists process videos, and practicing, my technique improved and love how the samples turned out. My Snow Leopard Ace of Wands was the first piece that I understood how to create the blending (even if it was an accident). My favorite coloring book samples are the High Line and Marin & Golden Gate. The colors are so vibrant and the shading was spot on. I hope to be completed with my coloring book project by the end of the February.
Thanks! Gemma
Just a reminder that I have a Patreon. I have two levels: Coffee tier $5 per month for digital art lovers, and Latte tier $10 per month for digital downloads and 2 prints. Check out my Patreon at www.Patreon.com/GemmaGeluzDesigns.com.
Here’s my link to my Etsy shop: www.gemmageluz.etsy.com
Thanks, y’all!
