Thursday 18 August 2022

Thursday Art Date With Rain

I'm not following Rain Frances' posted art prompt for today, because I promised her that I'd instead post this particular art piece once I painted it.

A couple of months ago, Rain created a video tutorial (click here) demonstrating how to paint lovely watercolour balloons. The tutorial employed a wax resist method (using a white Crayola crayon) for creating the highlights on the balloons. I was quite taken with her tutorial and wanted to try it myself!

Look how round, bright and cheery Rain's balloons are!


By contrast, mine look like sad, tired and depressed spermatozoa swimming off to certain doom (*heavy sigh*). But I can report that the wax resist method worked perfectly for the highlights! That is a valuable tip indeed for future projects -- thanks, Rain!


Oh well, I know that I need more practice, practice, PRACTICE! Onward and upward!

42 comments:

Boud said...

That crayon resist is a great idea, yes. Simple too. Always a good thing.

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Well, I like them.
Debra, I can barely follow any tutorials, so seeing that someone basically nailed one is enough for me.
I'm still laughing at your description, though! LOL

XOXO

baili said...

Yes Rain is an all rounder and her painting is cheery and delightful.
Your balloons do completely justice as "first try" I believe :)

You surely are a fast learner dear Debra!

Mistress Maddie said...

For a half second I did wonder why I was looking at swimmers. But your isn't all that bad either Debs!!!

Bob said...

I like yours, though once you said "spermatozoa swimming off to certain doom " that's all I can see now.

krayolakris said...

We paint what we see haha

Christine said...

Nice work Debra!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I took a watercolor class many years ago, and I remember the wax resist method which is pretty genius!
I think your balloons are very cheery!

Ur-spo said...

"all first drafts are sh-t" - Ernest Hemingway.
Indeed practice is needed to get things better, get things right.

Tundra Bunny said...

If they had each been a little rounder and not symmetrically clumped into 2s and 3s, they wouldn't look like sperm on their last legs, LOL! Good effort though.

Liz Hinds said...

Yours just look a little thinner!

Lady M said...

Spermatozoa - that made me giggle.

DVArtist said...

Every new try are lessons learned. It just looks like some air escaped. The highlights and and colors turned out beautifully. Have a nice day.

Gillena Cox said...

Oh your balloons are quite nice. You did oblong ones not round ones.
Happy you dropped by my blog.

Much💖love

Travel said...

I haven't painted in months

Mike said...

Yours are just fine. What makes them look different is your colors are a little darker. I say frame it and hang it.

Anonymous said...

Your version isn't Rain's version but it is fun nonetheless. Watercolour is unforgiving!
E

Rosemary said...

Rain is an artist - you have many strings to your bow. This was your very fist attempt - you are far too hard on yourself.

Marie Smith said...

I quite like your balloons too, Debra! Onward and upward indeed!

Bill Lisleman said...

depressed spermatozoa - what a creative thought

angela said...

Oh yes practice practice practice
Im learning to pain in acrylic and boy oh boy
It’s really pushing me out of my comfort zone
But any day we learn something new is a good day
Well done. They’re not as bad as you think. I love them

Carola Bartz said...

I had to laugh about your description about your balloons. At least your inner critic has a sense of humor - but still, s/he should just shut up! Your balloons are beautiful! The resist technique is a great idea.

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

Your balloons look wonderful to me!! Very nice work.

-Soma

Miss Val's Creations said...

You did a fantastic job Debra! How creative to use the wax crayon for the highlights.

Guillaume said...

I'm a terrible drawer.

My name is Erika. said...

I do like your balloons. As far as I can tell the only difference is that Rain's balloons are brighter colors. And yours do not look like spermatozoa. hugs-Erika

Joanne Noragon said...

They simply need a little additional heft in their bottoms and hips.

Richard said...

Those look great. What an interesting technique! That looks fun. I'm into beetles, dragonflies, insects, buttercups,poppies etc.
It would be fun to try to depict them using this skill.
Or if you are into the microcosmos, you could try to show some of the astonishing things to be found there.
Cool and nice.

stylefrontier said...

this looks lovely and fun! i haven't painted in a while maybe i should

Lovely said...

The wax resist is a cool hack. You did great.
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com

Pilar said...

I think you did a good job with the balloons!

Magaly Guerrero said...

Now I'm going to be thinking of colorful sperm. I hope you're happy with yourself. :-P

Tom said...

...may one of your balloons drift towards the heavens.

Bee Haven Bev said...

What a great idea you've given me... a crayon! So simple! LOL... sperm

Fundy Blue said...

Lol! You're so funny, Debra! I'd be delighted to paint balloons as good as yours!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Maybe if you brighten the picture in photoshop, you would see that your balloons (spermatozoa) are still full of life and don't really require more practice. I think you did well and I am guessing Rain would agree with me :)

Andrea @ From the Sol

yellowdoggranny said...

yours's look more like jelly beans which makes them the winner hands down...

Adam said...

If I did it they'd probably look like sad blown up condoms 😳😳😳

Kirk said...

Balloons eventually deflate. Rain and yours can be considered before-and-after.

carol l mckenna said...

Divine balloon creation ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

NatureFootstep said...

your balloons looks great you did well my friend. :)

Rommy said...

Your description had me cackling!