Value Sketches, Watercolor Studies, Figure Painting by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

I saw this young lady blowing bubbles straight from her hand at a Renaissance Faire in Houston. The ambience of the faire was magical as it transported you back into time. Folks were decked out in their finest costumes and everything was decorated for Christmas. The colors, smells, sounds and sights were inspirational for me. 

"Fairy Bubbles" ©Leada Wood 2016

This is a color study of the Fairy in watercolor. Still trying to capture the light and magical feel of the scene.

I thought I would show you a little of what goes on while I am planning a figure painting. When you do small studies you don't have much time invested but it gives you an idea of where the painting could go. I really like the fourth color study the best and already have another one drawn on watercolor paper. It's difficult to capture the light and feeling of a place but that is one part of the challenge of painting that I love.

"Every possibility begins with the courage to imagine"



Happy Thanksgiving!



"Acorns" by Leada Wood©2016

"Acorns" is a tribute to autumn and the bountiful blessings that are bestowed on us daily. I am grateful I can create a feast for the eyes as well as for the soul. I wish you and yours a blessed and

joyful thanksgiving!

"Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk oh Lord in the Light of your countenance...for you are the Glory of their strength." Psalm 89:15&17

Value Sketches, Color Studies, Watercolor Graphite, by Leada Wood,Texas Artist

"Lilli" by Leada Wood ©2016

I recently attended a watercolor figure workshop with Peggi Habets. She is an amazing instructor and artist. Peggi says to achieve a likeness in a painting, the values have to be accurate and that is the tricky part. The values are perceived in relationship to the other values surrounding it. Very difficult to take a piece of white paper and sculpt it into a 3D representation of a person. We did thumbnails sketches, value studies and color studies before we ever started our subject. It was interesting and a little addictive.

The top painting was my first attempt, next is my value sketch, and color study. I still haven't captured my subject to my satisifaction but I can see growth along the way. After I got home I wanted to try something new. The bottom value sketch was done with watercolor graphite and was really a learning curve to sketch with a brush. One of the things I learned along the way is that I need to use watercolor paper instead of drawing paper. I think I will try the water soluble graphite on hot pressed paper next time.

The class stirred up memories of why I wanted to paint when I first began. I always loved Mary Cassatt, Norman Rockwell and John Singer Sargent's work. The way they captured a likeness of everyday life and recorded it. I know I have a long way to go but the fun is in the trying.