Oxford Skyline

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The stunning architectures of the city of Oxford have inspired many before me.  I was not surprised to find myself wanting to paint the iconic buildings of the city for a new bookmark.  Bookmarks are small, therefore great for playing with colours and techniques. This is my approach to painting a bookmark depicting the skyline of this dreamlike city.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I was not too fastidious with the sketch itself; I wanted to get started painting quickly.  The piece was going to be mostly monochromatic.  I started by making a value drawing in pencil.  The lightest buildings are the farthest out and the darkest ones are the closest to the viewer.  Once that was done, I started selecting my paints.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

For the sky I started with a warm yellow and then tested three blues against that on scrap paper.  Since I was painting a late afternoon as opposed to an early evening scene, I chose the warmest of the blue tones.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold is one of my favourites, if not my most favourite.  I knew from the very beginning that the buildings were going to be painted in this colour.  The closest and therefore darkest buildings got more layers of paint to make them darker than those in the middle or further away.  I had to let the each layer dry in between.  That, I don’t mind telling you, really tests my patience.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Once I was happy with all the background shades, I added a hint of red to the closest buildings to make them even warmer than the rest. I thought it would be nice to add a few suggestive details to the buildings as well.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Before this painting, I wrote down the paint combinations I used for certain paintings on little pieces of paper, but I could never find them afterwards.  I decided to keep a log book starting with this painting, noting down the paints for each one.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I painted the bookmark using watercolour.  I would also love to paint a larger and a bit more detailed version of this scene in oil one day.

 

 

Oxford Skyline Watercolour Painting Bookmark | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The bookmark is now residing in between the pages of my current book.  Happy Reading!

 

Cheers,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

 

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Wandering Camera Revival

 

 

A couple of years ago I decided to take one photo per day for 365 days to expand my photography skills.   At the same time, I also hosted a linky party called Wandering Camera and invited you to join me by linking up your monthly photos.  Project 365 ended, and so did Wandering Camera.  Since then I have travelled quite a bit and have taken a LOT of photos.  Sadly though, they have stayed locked up in the darkness of my digital storage.

 

 

 

 

I am getting back to photography and Wandering Camera is also making a return.

On the last Thursday of every month, I would love for you to join me by linking up your photos.  Posts with your project photos (sewing, painting, etc.) are most welcome as well.

You can add any number of links to your posts from the previous month, or write a new post to link up.  It was a lot of fun last time, and I can’t wait to see your posts again.  The first link-up with be in June.

I have already started wandering with my camera again.

 

 

 

 

Last week it was fairly cloudy outside, perfect weather for flower photography.  Despite my deadly allergies, I hazarded spending a little time outside in the garden, taking photos.

 

 

 

 

I don’t do much macro/close-up photography.  Every now and then I get the urge to play with that though, and flowers make great subjects.  So out I went, camera stand in the crook of one arm and camera dangling from the other.

 

 

 

 

Knowing how much I love iris and larkspur, Mary from Needled Mom, sent me a box of iris rhizomes and a packet of larkspur seeds from her garden.  Thank You so much, Mary!

 

 

 

 

Now they are blooming in our garden and swaying in the wind.

 

 

 

 

All those flower photos made me finish this drawing of thistle flowers based on photos I took in Scotland.  I started this drawing so long ago, now I can finally start painting it.

 

I love capturing the world with my camera.  Sometimes the world is right outside my door.  I hope you will join me once more on Wandering Camera.  Last time I found new pages and made new friends, looking forward to doing that again.

 

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

The first linky party will open on June 28th.  If you follow me via email you will get a reminder.  Here is a little badge for you to share on your page.  Please invite others to participate.

 

Let’s Play, 
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

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