I never went to art school (although I wish I had!), I did take art classes and was even shipped to a special one in third grade because I could replicate most children book illustrations without a hitch. I do remember dreading these classes because the teacher had the worse stale coffee and Oreo breath ever and I thought I would die if he leaned over me. I was also made fun of by my classmates because I suppose the other kids (who’s only claim to fame was dodge ball royalty) thought I was some freak, (which was true), I was a tad odd. I really didn’t have the confidence to shrug my tiny shoulders at them or tell my teacher to pop a mint. I just decided to do very poorly in my art classes, until one day I wasn’t invited back. Thus was the beginning and the end of my illustrious art career.
Much later in my life, when I was running a bi-coastal fashion PR firm and thinking I was all that and a bag of chips, I hired a couple of art school grads to intern for me, I was mesmerized by their creativity and introduced to so many crafty things that my head swam with enormous possibility. One of the girls told me to try watercolor, but I scoffed (as I was prone to do). Then one of my clients pushed me to become a graphic designer, try new art supplies and when she moved back to NYC she bequeathed me a veritable library of art + design how-to books from her tenure at Parson’s which I have since soaked up nightly. Granted, I have no idea what I am doing but I can tell you the process of doing it, like any new skill I am interested in is very satisfying, (the clean up? Not so fun). I urge you to find a creative outlet that you have been interested in and just try it out, you wouldn’t expect a baby to be able to walk the first time it tried now would you? Give yourself some wiggle room for improvement and see where your creativity takes you.
::RESOURCES::
Not all these sites are beautiful, but if you can go beyond the first impression and delve a little deeper, you will find they offer lot’s of great information and perhaps that little nugget that you wished you learned long ago:
P.S. If you aren’t interested in watercolor, just do a web search for the technique you are looking for.
P.P.S. If you don’t know what your technique is called take an image to the art store they can usually tell you what type of medium is used in a source image.
Between this post and another blog I’ve been reading, I’ve been somewhat persuaded to look into working with watercolours more. I had a similar experience to you – I run my own graphic design studio and a few years ago I had a graduate work for me who actually went to design school and she was just teeming with different ways to produce creative concepts – one of them being watercolours.
Anyway, is that your work above because I think it’s just beautiful!
Ronnie xo
What an awesome post! As one that did go to art school, I can tell you that the most important ingredient to making art is passion. Follow your bliss, don’t be too critical, and have patience.
On another note, I never really played with watercolor until a few years back. I love the medium. I can’t wait to check out your resources because I have more more more to learn!
PS: The blog is really a daily read for me. I just love it!
Dear Pink Ronnie:
You are too kind, thank you for the kind words on my project. I urge you to try, there is a lot of wiggle room with watercolor to just sort of ‘be’, it’s not about perfection but a loose, flowy vibe (oh gosh, I sound so new age,lol). If you are still friendly with your intern I would suggest asking for a lesson and go from there:)
Dear Modern Girl:
I am so envious! I wish I had done so, there is plenty of time to be pragmatic, my client actually went to business school first(for her parents) and when she graduated enrolled in art school. I love that. I also love that now I cna learn from others, thank you internet! AND thank you for your note and visit!
xx,
Miss B.
I take photos because I cannot draw. It’s something I really wish I could do! Twiggy looks amazing :)
Nice! I just bought a water colouring set last week (maybe summer is particularly good for water colours) and have made a card for a friend. Granted, the paper got all bubbly and i really should learn how to draw, but like you, i’m really enjoying the process. Mine was more a dwarfish baby step, compared to what you’ve posted here, haha.
I will definitely check out the resources.
omg! your piece is too beautiful! i love the things that one is able to do with watercolour. i dabbled with one of my pieces in highscool using it, and it became my favourite piece, but sadly, it was somehow thrown away.
i’ve been wanting to do that style of watercolour, and attempted a couple of times but sadly failed. haven’t had the chance to try again.
i will go ahead and check out the links you recommended.
anyways, am in love with your art. here’s to hoping you make a print of it;)
xx
j
Dear Kate:
Everyone can learn, if I could, than I am most confident anyone can. I checked out form the library some books in the kids section by a man named Ames and it changed everything for me. As well as a book called ‘So you think you can’t draw’ I will try to add the link this post’. I think any creative endeavor is good for a person, I love photography as well (and cooking, writing, etc. lol). Thank you for the compliment!
Dear Miss Laura:
I had a lot of bubbly paper at first as well, I realized a little goes a long way with the water. Using the right watercolor paper helps as well, if you go to the art store show them the type of style you want to create they can point you to the right supplies (and tell them you are on a budget they are artists, they get budgets;). Have fun!
Dear Justine:
I am sorry your art was thrown away, that is always heartbreaking. I am having that same problem trying to re-create this as a series. I suppose that is why they have schools to teach things like consistency, eek! I say just keep playing, maybe you will stumble on another image you love more. Twiggy happened after about 82 failed attempts and then when I gave up and decided to play, she became more of what I had realized, if only I can continue with another icon, lol.
Thank you all for stopping by!
xx,
Miss B.
thanks for this post! i took a watercolour class a few years ago and always mean to pick up the brush again. i may not be too great at it, but it is a fun creative outlet. thanks for the inspiration!
This is really beautiful. I love the color palette at the pops of black!
This has really inspired me – when I was much younger I loved painting with watercolours, but now my career in web design has meant my watercolours haven’t been touched in years! No excuses though right? I think experimenting with all different media can help in the creative process – and makes for a super fun past time! Thanks for this.
Hi, I know you posted this quite some time ago.. Haha but I found a link to this post on Pinterest and I am in love! I’m an art student myself and I was just wondering what kind of technique you used in your Twiggy piece?
Hi Jill, I sent you a lengthy email!
Hi, did you do this watercolour artwork? I love it! If you did, how did you come up with the idea? Did you have any inspiration or was it a spare of the moement kind of thing? I am a Studio Arts student and was wondering what aesthetics you perhaps were achieveing as I love the overall image!
Hi Lis, I did do this. I didn’t have a plan as I am new to watercolor so I was just experimenting and just sort of playing to see where this would take me, I did do this in layers and just kept it loose and allowed the paint to guide me.