I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Sunday 5 March 2017

Fungus Foray





Hello all!  I'm glad you enjoyed touring the Tiny Greenhouses.

I'm back today with one of my watercolour experiments... and it's of something you might just find tucked away in the mulch behind the greenhouse.

Cestina is always complaining there aren't enough mushrooms to be found here at Words and Pictures (as a Czech by blood, she's an avid fungi forayer), so this appears with the aim of keeping her quiet for a while!

As you know, I'm still playing with the watercolours - learning how to use them and exploring different styles, and I'm not entirely sure about these.

Even though I'm in two minds about them, I wanted to share these mushrooms in time to play along with the Handpainted theme at Moo-Mania and More.












This is a much more precise effort than my loose Watery Florals or the Two Tree Doodles.














It was fun making the attempt, but I'm not sure I'm ever going to be botanically accurate, especially as I made this species up out of my head!















I almost wish I'd left it at the earlier "sketch" stage.















There's a fresher look to it (though it was a duller day when I took these photos).  They do say one of the great risks with watercolour is overworking a painting...














... and I think I may have fallen into that trap here, losing some of the lightness of touch.














Though I must confess I like some of the detailing on the mushroom caps in the "finished" version.













I'm pleased with the stalks too - using a flat brush on its side to create the shaping and dimension, and taking those strokes down to create the first outline of the earth in which they're embedded.














I kept the background very soft and loose.  I like that the imagination fills in the gaps and shapes of what might be there.















used the other end of one of the paintbrushes to add some grassy texture amongst the stalks.

And a touch of splatter always makes me happy, as you know.















I think some of the shading works quite well in creating dimension and shadow.










I hope you like this little foray into the world of imaginary fungi, another watercolour adventure.


Let me know what you make of it - it's always great to hear your feedback, and every comment is very much appreciated, especially when I'm daring to share these handpainted creations.  I hope you're all enjoying a restorative weekend, however you are spending it.

Každá houba je jedlá, některé však jen jednou.
Every mushroom is edible, but some only once.
Czech proverb

I'd like to share this at Moo-Mania and More where they are asking to see something Handpainted

42 comments:

Jane said...

Wonderful work Alison... I love both versions but that's no help is it. I am really enjoying your water colour adventures xxx

chrissie said...

I think this is amazing Alison. I was encouraged to actually have a go at water colours after seeing yours but it will be forever before I get to this standard. I am still laughing at the words today.. Thanks for that on this wet and windy evening

Love Chrissie xx

Helen said...

I think you're doing brilliantly - these are gorgeous.

Lauren Hatwell said...

May I say that your fungi are fab? I'm very much enjoying your foray into the world of watercolour. Lx

Dortesjs said...

wonderful art, i love your fungus ;O))

Fliss said...

Your mushrooms look amazing Alison and love your delicate use of sepia shades to paint them.
Fliss xx

Meggymay said...

These mushrooms look fantastic to me, wonderful colour shades, highlights and details.
Yvonne xx.

Michelle Webb said...

Alison, you're always such a huge inspiration for me. I've lost my mojo a bit lately, but since I popped over here, I'm fired up to go paint some mushrooms! I feel a journal page coming on. I love yours they are marvellous. Hope to see you soon. Take care, Michelle x It's been a while since I updated my blog, but I may just blog something this week. Thank you xx

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I've been fascinated by mushrooms ever since I was a teenager, so I love your watercolor painting. You've got some great washes going on too. Blessings!

Brenda Brown said...

I love your mini forest of mushroom trees, yes that's what they remind me of standing tall and proud together. They are beautiful with their earthy colours and magnificent shapes and your watercolouring skills are fabulous with a great balance of loose marks and clever details that bring your fungi to life. You go girl, more please. Xxx

froebelsternchen said...

I my mind your mushrooms turned out perfect!
Your watercolouring is beautiful! An absolute must for you to keep on with that medium! Amazing! And..you made me happy with linking up to Moo Mania & More!
Your participation is much appreciated!
Thank you ♥
I wish you a happy new week dear Alison!
oxo Susi

Hazel Agnew said...

For me the final pieces are more grounded. The green provides a lovely contrast to your earthy tones. I agree that spaces are good and our eyes see what we wish to. When I look at them, I feel like I am a Lilliputian, about to embark upon an adventure through the woods. Loving your experiments, I like to dabble too, when the mood takes me, but somehow, the paint tin greens, and nature's version never seem to collide. Perhaps I am too impatient and need to experiment more and make notes. You are inspiring me though! Love the quote by the way! Very dry! Xx 🍄 🍄

A Pink said...

Wonderful work! Alison . Love the detail on the shroom heads . Love the delicacy of tones that your wc painting is leaning too .
x

Marci said...

I think they are lovely.

Cestina said...

Brenda is right - a proud stand of mushrooms, rather than trees. Lovely. I'd say we have a pleasing cross between a Parasol and an Amanita. I wonder if they are edible - more than once?

Jsou to skutečně krasné houby!
Diky moc xxx

Evelyn Walter said...

Your mushrooms are really gorgeous, dear Alison! This more detailed painting looks really great! Love especially the hats of the mushrooms.
Have a nice week!
Evelyn xxx

craftytrog said...

They're wonderful Alison!

Dorthe said...

You are ,for me, an expert Alison, your mushrooms looks real enough to me, and I love the extra details you added, second time working on them. Love your easy hand on the background, with the rest of the rest of the forest, disappearing in the mist !!
xoxo

Neet said...

There's not "much room" (get it?) for improvement on these fungi as I think they are perfect. Love them - love the delicate colouring and the ethereal woodland in the background is the perfect foil for your fungi. The placing and the varying sizes of the fungi adds to the overall depth of your work.
I think they are beautiful and would make a lovely picture to hang on the wall.
Hugs, Neet xx

Chrissy said...

FABulous Alison..love your mushrooms with their tattered caps..brilliant painting.

luv CHRISSYxx

experiments in paper said...

Fantastic painting, Alison! I love your plays with watercolors..... inspiring me to have a go myself soon! I think this is my favorite thus far.... love both the sketch and finished piece. xxx Lynn

Lys said...

I love your fungi family, Alison! Beautiful delicate colours, and the "stains" on the caps look good to me: they add like another layer, a better dimension.

Julia Aston said...

I love your wonderful mushrooms Alison! The colors, shading and design all look wonderful to this untrained eye! Well done, and it seems you learned a lot from its execution! Julia xx

Julia said...

Wow! I have to say, your adventures into watercolours is working well for you. These fungi are lovely. There is something dreamy about them and they are perfect in the browns. x

Redanne said...

I think you are being too hard on yourself, they look amazing to me and as a first attempt they are brilliant. I love the colours! Anne xx

Etsuko said...

Wonderful painting and lovely mushrooms, I love how to use your flat brush. xx

Miss Iowa said...

Love your houbys! (I live in a town that was settled by a lot of Czechs and am part Czech myself. We have an annual Houby Days celebration in May).

Unknown said...

Hi Alison - it's been so long since I stopped by but I just HAD to tell you how INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL your mushroom species turned out!! My Daddy - even at 94 - loved hunting/cooking mushrooms! YUM!!! I am sure your species would taste great because they are DELICIOUSLY DELIGHTFUL! I love the green background because it makes me think of the fun it is to wander thru the woods hunting!! SUPER FUN to see your creativity!! Hope you are doing well. Hugs,j.

Rosie said...

Wow, Alison, I love your mushrooms. Beautiful painting !!!!

Thank you for joining us at MOO MANIA & MORE

sheila 77 said...

You have painted these mushrooms so exquisitely. The mushrooms look just as mushrooms look, the stalks look like stalks, but the painting of them is so delicate. I also love the green loose watercolour background, no detail but just perfect.
How amusing that you have created a new species, I wonder if it is edible.
Thanks for your visit to my blog, Alison, nice to meet you.

maj. said...

Love, love , love the work!!!!!

Annie said...

A fantastic watercolour and I love your cute mushrooms xx love the colours and background details x having been on. fungi Foray I totally love this creation and the importance of mushrooms in our Eco system xxx

Sending huge hugs
Annie xx

Jackie PN said...

Alison, i wonder if you know just how inspiring you are?
Your mushrooms look beautiful at every stage! And from your imagination-even better! Your hand at watercoloring sure has turned into a beautiful journey ,one I am so glad you have taken us along on. Remarkable work! ")
Jackie xo

Pamellia said...

Wow Alison, is there nothing you can't do...water colour painting, wow!! I just love mushrooms, it's one of my goals this summer as a new photographer, to search out some fun fungi to photograph! Your painting is brilliant, love this to bits! hugs :)

hazel said...

I love your mushroom painting, it's fabulous.
xxx Hazel.

Little Artbee said...

Your mushrooms look very good and your watercolor technique is perfect. I like your paintings very much.
Greetings
Sabine

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! Your watercolours are just amazing! These mushrooms are wonderful! Love the proverb!!! Chrisx

Astrid Maclean said...

Love it when you share you watercolour creations, tese look fabulous!

Cocofolies said...

Still struggling to find a bit of time for blogging (also for myself sadly) but today I just can no more resist admiring your last creative works and read you Alison!! :D
Your mushrooms are fabulous!!!!
Though they were already beautiful at start I agree with you, no regret to have I think regarding the final result.... Love love love :) xx

Rike said...

Beautiful watercolor! It is so cool, that these mushrooms came out of your mind! I like the green background too, although I think, the watercolor of the mushrooms without it is also much wonderful, but with the adding into the hats.
Rike x

sarascloset said...

Ooooh, very nice fungi, Alison! It seems you are a natural with the watercolors and what a fabulous imagination you have to whip these up out of your mind. A little whimsical, as every mushroom should be, I think. Just like all dogs should be boys and all cats, girls. The detailing on on the caps is what catches my eye! Love these little samples you are sharing with us! Inspiring! And thank you so much for the information on the crackle on your tiny bottle. I was wondering if it were DecoArt glaze. I laughed at your subliminal words about "turning in". I suppose having only a few hours of sleep would make you think of turning in! Ha! Ha! enjoy your weekend!

Anna-Karin said...

I am so glad you are doing watercolours Alison! I love it, and keep hoping I had more time to practice. Gorgeous mushrooms and colours!