Single Cherry

"Single Cherry" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

This simple little study was done in an effort to test out a new paper. The painting surface is Wallis. If you're a pastelist, you are familiar with that name for sure. I purchased a few pads of Wallis paper several months ago and never even tried it. After feeling it (it's very sandy and gritty), I thought there was no way I could achieve any kind of detail on it, but I was wrong. This paper is really a dream to paint on. I'm going to begin another painting on it today (something with a little more detail) and we'll see how it goes. :)

Summer Cherries in Watercolor

"Summer Cherries in Watercolor" 5 by 7, on Hot Press

I know what you're thinking, "That painting looks familiar!" I first painted "Summer Cherries" in soft pastel. I had such a wonderful time doing that painting, that I thought I would give it a try with watercolor. Now you must know that I have never done anything like this in watercolor before (I've also never painted on hot press watercolor paper before). All my watercolor paintings have been loose, abstract and painted intuitively. I've never painted anything even close to realism in watercolor before, so I was sure that this wouldn't turn out. But I don't think it's too bad! I admit I got a little carried away with the background (which is supposed to be a wooden board, or deck), but I'm pretty pleased with how the cherries turned out! Even though the background is a little distracting, I don't think it ruins the piece. I don't know what it is, but I really enjoy painting cherries!

I hope you all have a great evening!