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...

Monday, 15 August 2016

Watercolouring in...

Hello all, I've something slightly different to share with you today.  One of my favourite activities as a child (after reading) was colouring in, so I've been quietly amused by the adult colouring fad which seems to have swept the world lately.

I've always known how relaxing it was, and I was delighted to discover some colouring books printed on watercolour paper so that now, as an adult, I can practise using watercolour paints without having to worry about drawing (a bit too scary to share just yet!).


Travelling as I am this year, I'm having to think very carefully about what supplies to take along for the ride.  In my recent month-long jaunt around Europe - work and play - I had to really keep it down as I was changing country often, and the simplest thing seemed to me to be to take some watercolour paints, a Painterly Days watercolouring book by Kristy Rice, and my much-loved Pentel water brushes.






Here are just a few photos of my first encounters.

The outlines are in a pale grey tone, so they are very subtle.













Obviously I started in my blue-green comfort zone...

I'm not really particularly interested in the flowers, it turns out.












I'd just as happily stick to painting leaves all day long!

I do think the colouring helps with learning the brush sweeps required for shaping a leaf... I'll be braver about my own freehand leaves in future, I think.













I went for a fairly delicate peachy look for the blooms...

... with the occasional bit of bindweed in between.












Mostly, I was using a set of White Nights watercolour pans, but there are also some Ecoline inks involved in places.














The blue sky, for instance, is mainly Ecoline if I remember rightly.  I do like how the leaves look against the early summer sky.














In any case, it was tremendously soothing to do, and I do recommend the Painterly Days books for anyone wanting to play with watercolours but feeling unready with their drawing.

I'm still trying to decide whether to take a more substantial craft kit with me on the next trip, or whether I can bear to stick purely to the watercolours.   Packing is imminent.  Hmmm...








Thanks so much for stopping by.  There'll be a new creation along soon and then, depending on what I decide to take with me in terms of crafting kit, there may be a few more, or we may be back on the Encores... we'll see!  Happy crafting all!

Now this relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. Therefore it becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times.
Thomas Aquinas
UPDATE
To answer Yvonne's question below... you can get these books in the UK via Amazon (and maybe elsewhere too), but click to the other sellers, not the main Amazon price.  You'll find the cheapest ones despatched by Wordery.  Here's the link to the flower one, but there are different editions so make sure you find the one you prefer.

44 comments:

Helen said...

Love the colouring! Hope you decide to find room for a bigger craft kit on your next journey (although it is a great dilemma what to take and what to leave behind) - where are you off to next?

Amanda said...

Who can't love colouring in? I think it magically transports us all to our childhood and why not I say. Beautifully coloured Alison.
Love
Amanda x

chrissie said...

How wonderful to find one the colouring books with watercolour paper. I have some very beautiful colouring books but not for watercolours.

You have done wonderful painting on this Alison

Love Chrissie xxx

rachel said...

this is absolutely stunning Alison - really beautiful. Happy travels lovely lady xx

Meggymay said...

Beautiful colouring Alison, I have a couple of books but not watercolour. These ones don't seem to be available in the UK?
Yvonne xx

Chrissy said...

Beautiful water colouring Alison..love the soft colours..if I could control a paint brush I would have a go..I love the script too..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Lauren Hatwell said...

How beautiful! What a lovely idea and the results are really impressive. I'd say you're a natural. Lx

Evelyn Walter said...

Lovely painting, dear Alison! Yes, it is relaxing, indeed! Your results are very artful and I love your colorchoice.
Happy travel, wherever you go! <3
xxx Evelyn

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! I bet you are so relaxed too! I think I NEED one of these! Hugs, Chris

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Such a dreamy page and some lovely coloring, Alison. Always a pleasure to see your works.Hugs.

Mary Elizabeth said...

So lovely. I can see you happily painting leaves all day long :) It makes sense that coloring can give you a "sense of motion" when you want to get better at free hand drawing. What an intriguing notion. Definitely something I would like to try. I wish you well with your packing. I always want to take all of my crafting materials. Or I end up buying crafting materials wherever I am and end up hauling a bunch back with me. Safe travels! Mary Elizabeth

Anke said...

WOW WOW WOW Alison, I love your colouring, so beautiful.

Hugs
Anke

brenda said...

Certainly different for you Alison but very, very lovely. I have never been a colourist, but the last few weeks when crafting has been all but impossible with one arm pretty useless but have found colouring in rather enjoyable and perfect to combat my frustration.

B x

craftytrog said...

Lovely watercolour Alison, a great idea to take away with you! I always pack too many supplies, and then don't have time to use them!
Alison xx

Redanne said...

Beautiful colouring Alison, the leaves look amazing! I look forward to the next installment. Have a safe journey. Anne xx

hazel said...

This is so lovely Alison - beautiful colouring.
xxx Hazel.

Marci said...

Lovely, soft tones. Great idea for traveling.

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oooh you have superb watercolouring skills Alison, really beautifully done
Hugs
Donna xx

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous and such a great way to practice watercolour techniques and colouring xxx

Anne Rita Taylor said...

Good to know coloring books are on watercolor paper - thanks! - I'll have to try that!

Cocofolies said...

A super coloring approach dear Alison!!!
I love your way, your leaves and flowers are wonderful.
Well, this book looks really beautiful and interesting to practice and train our watercoloring effects (What a great idea to take only these craft materials with you!). I think i should buy this one so lovely.. However, I have two of similar drawing detailed books that I have bought to my twins, full of flowers and beautiful animals; but sadly, they don't use them! So maybe I should start with these ones, I'm going to check...
Hugs, Coco xx

Dorthe said...

Such a beautiful result, Alison. The lovely tones in your leaves, and flowers -----,and they all comes to life , and looks 3-dimensioned!!
Lovely !!!
Dorthe XOxo

Meggymay said...

Thanks Alison.
I will follow the links.
Yvonne xx

Pamellia said...

Incredible Alison! I just love the watercolour effect on flower images and you really created a beautiful page using wonderful colours! The final effect is stunning. hugs :)

experiments in paper said...

Lovely and soothing to look at - what a great way to practice! Will definitely be trying this out myself! xxx Lynn

Maureen Chandler said...

Your watercoloring is just beautiful - thanks so much & happy traveling!

Paper Profusion said...

A beautifully soothing result Alison! I have no 'painting' skills so I'm envious of this beauty! Nicola x

Corrie Herriman said...

Wow, so different but as beautiful as any of your other stuff !
Corrie x

maj. said...

The watercolours coloring is sooo lovely, Alison!!!!

Sue said...

This is really lovely Alison, great choice of colours and beautifully painted. Enjoy your travels xx

Deb said...

Beautiful delicate colours Alison and a great idea to have such a lovely book with you on your travels. Have fun! Deb xo

Rita said...

Wow Alison, how beautiful. If I thought I could paint like this I would certainly buy this book. Your chosen colours are gorgeous too. Stay Safe my friend. Hugs Rita xxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow, so beautiful, so realistic, with all those perfect shadows!!! You are really an all around artist, I really adore your Art!!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Diana Taylor said...

That is a fantastic idea - your watercolouring is so beautiful and delicate and that's a great way to practice. I shall be on the lookout for those style of books - thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeously delicate. Watercolour was always my most favoured medium when studying Art & Design but it isn't the most forgiving. This is a beautiful way to get comfortable.
So sorry I've missed out on so much of what is taking place at your blog, I miss my regular visits.
Wishes
Lynne

froebelsternchen said...

Wonderful ! A great thing to have watercolor paper in such a book !

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow what a fab book, love your page Alison. I too am exploring the magic of watercolours. I think how you have used them here is gorgeous, all those lovely tones. Hugs Debsxx

Etsuko said...

What a lovely pages, your watercolor paint is absolutely beautiful and I love the colours scheme. Thank you so much for kind comment and I am very pleased. xxx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

*sigh* This is so lovely. I just adore the look of watercolor, such movement, such subtle colors, blending, etc. I suck at doing it though and I know practice makes you better but I have no time to practice. I shall content myself to watch the rest of you from afar.

Julia Aston said...

Beautiful!

Julie Lee said...

Beautiful colouring, Alison, and what a good way to practise the art of water-colour. I love your colour choices. I hope your travels will be rewarding as well as hard work and that there will be plenty of time to 'unwind' with crafty projects! You never fail to inspire me, although I've been such a poor visitor of late! xx

Pawsitively Creative said...

Exactly right about knowing what to bring along on your adventure and such a tough decision to make. This watercolor Is gorgeous on so many levels and such a fun design. Awesome sauce! Hugz! ~Niki

Jackie PN said...

Lovely pages ,Alison! I too love the look of the leaves against the sky! xx

scrappymo! said...

So very pretty, Allison!