Watercolour investigations
There’s more than one way of thinking about a project. I’m still trying to feel my way to an understanding of Akhenaten’s face, and this is one way of doing so. The purple one in the middle is the most recent, and most clearly shows the strong shape of the face. So I might be making progress.
But the watercolours also give me a chance to show things that I’m not at all sure I want to attempt in embroidery. Of course, I’ve already done “Loading The Felucca”, which shows people, and the background of the second panel does too, but in all honesty, I think that difficult as they are, the watercolours were actually easier than the stitching!
The felucca, and the Hittite Amulet have both appeared in stitch already. I’d like to do more of the jewellery (I’ve got an assortment of goldwork supples to play with, after all!). I’m planning to do some more fresco fragments, and I’m sure another idea or two will occur to me soon!
I find myself reaching for my watercolours more often also. It now only helps reveal the shape but the mood also.
This is the first time for me to see your watercolours – and I am impressed. You are right there are more than one way of thinking about a project, although I would find it hard to interpret a watercolour in stitches. I think I’d rather do the opposite – illustrate a stitched item in a watercolour sketch.
I can see how this would benefit your ability to visualize your stitching path in several ways.
Wow, I love purple Akhenaten! He has personality.
Wow – how artistic! You are talented.
Three interesting portraits of Akhenaten. He is developing character under your brush, and I am sure that will translate back when it is time for the stitched version. The miscellaneous pictures are also engaging, and you make the colours do a lot of the work. I like the way you have arranged them, too, especially the ‘people doing things’ set.
I tend to reach for coloured pencils as a go-to, because am not as handy with a brush, but I too find that dealing with design elements on paper often makes stitching decisions very much easier.
And you paint too??!! Such a multi talented woman. Love these watercolours.
Such a wonderful collection of watercolors. I see what you mean about the purpose one, but I find myself liking the fellow on the right the best anyway. =) How wonderful to be able to interpret your thoughts in two media.