Happy Holidays

Wishing you all a meaningful and happy Christmas. 

And  may your New Year be filled with lots of joy and happiness. 

Take care.

Pushkin's Cottage

Alexander Pushkin is a Russian poet that was exiled in Chisinau, Moldova. Last summer, while on holiday in that country, we visited the museum that was named after him. In the museum is the cottage where he lived. It was from one of the photos I made that I based the above painting.

A front yard rose in our neighborhood

Watercolor, 21x29.7 cm

This rose flower is not yet fully opened but it's petals are already beginning to wilt, with dark brownish color on their edges. Probably because it is one of the last blooms of the season, and the weather is becoming unpleasant. Saw this flower during one of our walking exercises around our neighborhood along Hulsmaatstraat street.

A plate of fruits

 A week ago I didn't know what to paint. Then I thought of our available fruits in the kitchen and then set them up on our breakfast plate. And here is the painting version of that set up.

Abstract rose

I was travelling for half a month in Bucharest, Romania; Chisinau, Moldova; and Kiev, Ukraine. This is one of the reasons why I have no post for a while and not visiting any blog. Another thing is that I was lazy after arriving back from that trip, probably because I was tired. Anyway, I posted this undated rose sketch because I have yet to start a new painting.  

The roses in my mind last week

This is a small piece (6 x 4 inches) which I painted loosely during my painting exercises last week. Painting loosely means I paint directly on paper without pencil sketch or drawing. I enjoy this painting process very much because my hand is not restricted by any drawing lines.

Loose watercolor roses

These past days I have little time to paint. However I managed to do painting exercises in which I produced some loose small paintings, just like these roses.

Two ripe peaches

Before, we usually avoid buying peaches even if there are plenty of them in the supermarket. The reason was that we do not know when they are ready to be eaten. One time we tried, the taste was not good.  However, recently we found out that we need to wait until the fruit is ripe. That is when the peel of the fruit can be easily removed from its flesh.
This painting is in watercolor. I think I should further darken the shadow at the base of the fruits.

'Puntpaprika'

In Dutch, this long red pepper is called Puntpaprika. It is described as having a sweet taste and contains Vitamin C just like an orange. It can be eaten raw or can be prepared just like a usual bell pepper. This painting is done in watercolor.

Back to my watercolor

Single rose in watercolor

Magenta shade rose

I used watercolors in this magenta shade rose. 

Painting small

8x10 cm single rose, painted using acrylic on watercolor paper.

Painting small is quite fun and it's quick to see the result.

Newly-opened rose

At this time of the year, rose plants in my neighborhood are always full with flowers. That is why I always make sure that I have my smartphone when I walk around. Two days ago, I saw a newly opened rose flower in front of the house along the way to our health center. From the photo I took, I painted the small sketch above (3 by 4 inches, acrylic).

Gadwall duck (Mareca strepera)

I found from my search in the internet that this bird is a Gadwall duck. In Latin name it is Mareca strepera. This painting is in acrylic on watercolor paper; the size is about 7.5 by 11 inches. Reference photo: By Jacob van der Weele from 'Huis aan Huis' newspaper.

Adenium flower

I have some photographs of flowering Adenium plants which I took during my recent travel to Asia. That's where I got the idea for this small painting.

Sketch of a flowering geranium plant

This is a sketch of a flowering  France geranium plant that I planted in a pot. 

We don't have many plants in our terrace now but I always try to have geraniums 

whenever they are available. 

Back to acrylic paints

Rose study: acrylic on watercolor paper.

Sketch of roses with branches

 Today's weather is bright and sunny. I love it. 

This after a cold temperature a week ago. 

So to celebrate it I posted this red orange rose sketch.

rosecard 2

As I said in my previous post, I have been making handmade cards. 

This one is sold and was sent yesterday as a birthday card.

Painted this last Monday. 

Hope your day is as bright as this card.

A card-size sketch of roses

I am back from my long trip. Hope you are all well and enjoying your arts.

I sketched these roses on a card-size (4.5 x 6 ") watercolor paper. Sketching in between 

what I did during my trip was really pleasurable and lightened my tiresome day. 

I'm glad I brought with me my travel box size cotman watercolor paints.  

A Jug

This jug was part of a number of set ups I saw at Rijksmuseum Twente (10 July 2018) intended for its visitors to try their painting skills. I did not try but took photos of some of the set ups including this jug.
This painting was already framed when I took the image above, so you can notice the reflections of the glass.
I will be travelling again for a long duration, so I might not be posting for some time. I wish you all a productive and enjoyable painting time.

Happy New Year!

Further, I wish you all a blessed, meaningful and glorious New Year.

Thank you blogger friends.