HPSelf Mixed Media #original #art #acrylicpainting #watercolorpainting #finch #birds artist Mary-Anne Reed pic.twitter.com/66F9Gvypc2 Jul 2, 2017, 6:11 PM

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Modern Original Human Figure Watercolor-Acrylic Print - Original and 3 prints SOLD by artist Mary-Anne Reed #art #original - 7 more prints available.

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Red Poppies Original Watercolor by Mary-Anne Reed

Red Poppies commemorating World War I in England. Original 9 x 12 watercolor by Artist Mary-Anne Reed

The Fruit of the Spirit Painiting

NEW ARTWORK

Just finished a new piece, "The Fruit of the Spirit" which is from Galatians which says, "The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, FAITHFULNESS, SELF-CONTROL." For me, these are the qualities I long to see developed further in myself. Needless to say, I've a ways to go.

However, I wanted to not only inspire myself but others in their spiritual endeavors.

To create this piece, I envisioned a bowl of fruit but had to create a lavish one. The fruit overflows. Also, lots of great colors. I especially like the teal bowl that holds the fruit. To get the spiritual feel, I painted a background of colorful clouds but with light colors, to get that heavenly glow. Then I scanned in my artwork and added the type. Because this is a small painting -- it's an ACEO (Art Collectors Editions and Originals) and only 3-1/2" x 2-1/2". ACEO's are very popular on Ebay -- I had the computer do the type for me.

Hope you like it and find it an inspirational piece of art.

 You can find this painting for sale on my Ebay store:

 

How Artists Develop Paintings

Developing a Painting

Every artist has their own way of developing their paintings. Some use reference photos while others combine different aspects of several photos. Some draw from their own imagination. Others painting right at the source -- Plein Aire.

While I enjoy Plein Aire painting, my usual way of deciding what to paint is to go through a series of my own photos or clippings from magazines. When a photo hits me a certain way, such as "Wow" then I feel compelled to paint what's there.

However, unlike some who adhere closely to the reference photo, I do not. I don't like to show the reference photo because I want my painting to stand on its own. Sometimes it looks similar to the photo and sometimes it looks not too like the photo. Either way, I believe the painting has its own life and should not be a copy of photo. (Not to forget portrait painters, who sometimes have the real model but often take a series of photos to work from. These artists may choose to make their work very similar to a photo, but not always.)

After I choose a photo or a couple to combine together, I then make a value analysis of all the shades in the photo. To do that I use Photoshop to turn it into a black and white. That way I can burn into my brain what's dark, what's middle and what's light. Values are very important in rendering a good painting. So I keep that in mind when I'm moving forward.

After that I do a drawing on a blank piece of paper then use graphite to transfer it to watercolor paper. However, sometimes I just draw it directly onto the watercolor paper in an impromptu fashion. 

Then I do color testing to figure out how to arrive at the colors I want plus to add even more color and expression or what I call splashes of color.

 Sometimes the painting doesn't turn out the way I would like and I have to figure out why and then do another one. Such is the painting below called "Sunflower in the Morning Mist." The first painting did not turn out but the second one did to my liking.

You can find this painting for sale on my Ebay store:

Watercolor "Sunflowers in the Morning Mist" by artist Mary-Anne Reed

 

New Art Blog - First Post

Why A Watercolor Artist?

Every artist at some point must decide what medium they will choose to move forward with their art career. Before choosing watercolor, I tried many different mediums but always found myself coming back to watercolor because I loved the vibrant colors and interesting effects watercolor could create.

If you want control over your artwork, Oil painting is a good bet. However, I like the spontaneity and serendipity and perhaps even risky outcome of watercolor. You're never completely sure what you will get and I find that exciting. Because it's risky, I find myself taking risk (though some risks have not panned out the way I would like -- but it is all a learning experience).

However, one day I am planning on giving oil painting a try. If so, I will blog about it here.

Wishing you a good day!

Mary-Anne Reed
Artist

P,S. Check out my Ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Shop-Art4U