My newest painting. I got some new paints and they are Kisshou Gansai Japanese watercolor paints, which are a little different from other country versions. Interesting article if you're interested: What is Gansai? 

 

Anyways, I had to test my new watercolors out, of course, so here is what I come up with. I titled it "Alone" Painting, drawing, coloring and many other forms of expression are healthy ways to get out your feelings. I guess you could look at the title and painting and interpret how it relates to you. To me, it has a meaning that even if you are surrounded by bright colors (or good friends/people), you can personally be covered in darkness (sadness/depression) and feel all alone. The "Alone while in a crowd" feeling. Also, I just really like galaxies and silhouettes.

 

I also used black and white gouache to get the darkest color and the white of the stars.

 

 

Here are my paints, if you're curious. Pen for size reference.

 

 

 

 

Number 12 is white, so you can't see it in the photo. Number 23 is grey, so also hard to see here.

My set was missing number 70 and instead I got number 52 (which wasn't supposed to be in the set.) 70 looks like a pearlescent gold shade. I want it, but I won't be petty. Haha

This book is for people with more artistic skill than myself, or art historians who want in-depth technical information on the general state of water-coloring in history or the techniques of specific famous artists.

Although this book wasn't useful to me, I thought Stephenson did a great job. He first explains very clearly the history of water-coloring, the materials involved at different points, and some points of technique and chemistry. He then demonstrates how to paint in the styles of various artists (Hunt, Turner, Cezanne, etc) with lists of materials, step-by-step explanations, and photos of each project at various stages. He includes helpful information on how the colors may change as they dry and how long to wait between steps.



Here is an intermediate painting of a pheasant, showing how the background colors (almost black when first applied) lighten as they dry. In the end the pheasant is brightly colored, but I liked it best at this minimalistic stage.

I want to reiterate that in the style of bit -- Stephenson isn't copying extant works of art, nor does he suggest that you should copy the exact projects he presents. This isn't a paint-by-numbers book with charts showing how to copy the under-drawing with a ruler. The book is probably best for artists with some creativity and a reasonable degree of technical skill.