HOME | DD
KarinZeller — Box of shells I
Published: 2007-07-10 02:03:56 +0000 UTC; Views: 9152; Favourites: 274; Downloads: 93
Redirect to original
Description
Watercolor 45 X 39 cmOne of my first challenges since joining Deviantart. I posted the photo I took of a box of shells, and invited others to create something in their preferred medium, using the photo as refrerence. The results were interesting, fun and amazing.
I found this painting quite challenging, since I don't really like to work in realism all that much, butafter many hours of working on it, and many weeks of procrastinating in between, this painting is finally finished.
Thanks goes to my friends on DeviantArt, who gave me some helpful feedback, and encouragement. Particularly my friend Pat, who is an inspiration with her wonderful watercolours, and whom I've adopted as teacher and advisor. Here's her painting of the shells. [link]
Related content
Comments: 120
Lovely! I have been drawing shells a lot recently, but will try the watercolour as well. Thanks.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you! I've had a look at your lovely drawings. You have inspired me with your lovely cross hatched drawings.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
this is beautiful! I saw it come by on your profile, then searched your gallery till I found it to take a closer look. I love this one!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, Lou - in - Canada! 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow, great job! I think watercolor is the hardest medium to work in. It looks Fab!.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, my friend! Yes, watercolour is very challenging, but it is also fun to play with.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Your Welcome!
Ive tried watercolor and it always turns out bad. lol
Have a great day!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Funny you should say it's surreal, as it is very realistic, and painted from a photo I took of the shells I have in my studio. They are very real, as a matter of fact.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The thing is, typical still lives FEEl dead - and yours doesn't, thus the feeling of surreality. I think it has to do with the very nature of shells, being fossils with live sea-music charmed within them - and your painting captures it beautifully. However realistic, it's a soulful still life
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you for explaining what you meant. I think it always shows when we paint something we love, rather than just going through the motions. Thanks for the kind words.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you for letting me know!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This is beautiful! I just came home from Anna Marie Island on the Gulf side of Florida and I brought home many of these very shells!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hi Patricia, thanks for your great comment and compliment. I had a look at your webpage, and must return again. You have some lovely stuff to look at. I'll have to return when I have more time to browse.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Your so welcome! This painting makes me so happy and brings a smile to my face!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you very much! I appreciate this special honour!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're very welcome - I actually pinched it from someone else's journal - and I just now remembered to go check out some of the rest of your gallery 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you very much for the kind words. I do appreciate it very much.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're very welcome my dear!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, that is one of the nicest compliments, but probably untrue. If my art is up to standard, it's probably from years of study, practice, persistence and plenty of support and encouragement from loved ones, and kind people like yourself.
Thank you for your kindness.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hi Alice, so true what you say. There is so much good art out there, that it's no wonder most artists, even those who are accomplished find it hard to believe their work is good, unless it sells. Most artists, at least at first, have to sell their work very cheap, or not at all. Were it not for passion and encouragement, many would give up.
Anyway, I appreciate that you take the time. I appreciate the kind words.
PS. Sorry, I'm going to be rather busy for the next 10 days. Maybe then things will settle down slightly. Cheers,
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Fabulous!
I'm glad I've discovered yoooooooo!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the many kind comments. So glad you discovered me, too. I think we can be friends. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
If you like watercolors you must visit ~Tigermyuou gallery. He's wonderful too!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is so beautifully painted - you are very talented!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Karin, I absolutely love this, the loose transitions of colour and the clean lines are so beautiful! I am myself taking a new step up to more loose lines like these, I am just too tight with my work
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks, Judy! I did labour over this, but was happy with the result. Mind you if I were to do it again, it would probably be more loose and free. Probably use a more creative approach, with lots of colour. I would have more fun with it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I hear you! I am working on being more loose and free, but I think it will take me a while to let go! You already have that gift! I love the shells as they are. It would also be fun to see what you would do with them with a different approach
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I really enjoyed in a looser style. It's very quick and natural. I think I might try a bunch of exercises, painting various subjects in the style of my flyer. ( quick pencil sketch, with a quick wash, and finishing off with pen and ink)
Usually doing many small exercises and working quickly (and practicing this every day) is probably the best way to loosen up your style.
Putting a time limit on each exercise, as you would with life drawing, will also be good. For instance you could do 5 one minute sketches, then 3 X 2 min sketch, then 2 x 5 minute sketch/ wash, then a 20 minute drawing, wash with ink. Apparently that forces you to focus, and disengage the left side of the brain, and worm more with both sides of the brain.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>