Today I came across the post of the weekly photo challenge at The Daily Postand also if this is the theme for last Wednesday April 19 and tomorrow would be a new theme, I still want to participate to this one, with one of my latest photo and share the beauty of nature with you all.
From The Daily Post: The theme for this week is “Earth” celebrating the Earth Day and our planet. This week, share an image that means “earth” to you — whether it’s a panorama of a landscape that takes your breath away, a close-up revealing a detail in nature, or another scene that honors the outdoors, we welcome your takes on the theme!
The photo I am sharing today is a beautiful Southern California sunset filled with lovely yellow flowers. I took this photo some days ago during my daily evening hike. I love my walk at sunset time it give me the opportunity to take beautiful photos of sunsets and fierce colored skies. California is a wonderful place for sunset photography no matter where you are if on the hills or near the ocean. This photo was taken on the hills of a trail I love to go. The nature here is beautiful lately especially after all the rain we had a month ago, everything turned out beautifully green a joy for the eyes since here often the hills looks yellow brownish and dry.
I enjoyed my walk a lot lately with these beautiful kind of evenings, but this week is already getting too warm and everything is already changing color.
When I took this photo, I really wanted to capture all the elements that makes our earth beautiful, the orange fierce sunset sky, the clouds, the land and the flowers. I almost felt I was creating one of my paintings, I had a clear idea of how I wanted the photo to be. To get this angle for my shot I had to almost laying on the ground! Turned out exactly what I’ve envisioned! I hope that you enjoy this portrait of nature as symbol of our precious Earth as much as I do.
“Forest Goddess” a Step by Step watercolor painting FAQ and Tips.
Today post feature the release of my new painting titled “Forest Goddess”!
Who follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart had already seen some images of this painting posted as WIP “work in progress”. Today I am releasing the finished piece and posting all the photos here. This is a post different from my usual. And if you are a beginner artist or a creative you will find some good tips. From time to time I have been asked many interesting questions about my creative process while working on a watercolor painting. Today I will use this post to share my answers to some of these questions and write about the steps I take while creating my paintings. This isn’t a tutorial but I will guide you through my process and giving some good tips that works for me. I have just completed this painting “Forest Goddess” and while working I took several photos to show you the work in progress from the starting sketch to the end, which will help to illustrate my answers to the questions. For this post I have selected three interesting and helpful questions for now I will answer and give a tip to these ones, maybe in the future I will make a FAQ page.
1) Question: What does inspire you?
I get asked this question a lot, isn’t the first time that I answer that inspiration for me can come from anything, I can be looking outside the window, or reading, or while I am walking in nature or browsing on internet and more. Anything can inspire and it can happen anytime, anywhere I have just be ready to receive my inspiration and transform it in a tangible painting!
>Tip:A good thing I always do and this is my tip for you is to always carry a small notebook or sketchbook a pencil and a pen to take notes or for a quick sketch, take it with you especially when you’re on the go out of home or travelling, because when an inspiration or idea strikes your mind, it will go away very fast as it came, so it need to be captured on any sort of paper if you want to work on it later on! This is good to do, not just for artists, but also for writers or anyone that has a creative mind and makes creativity a part of their daily life.
Stage 1 Inspiration and pencil sketch –For this painting I was inspired looking at images of wildlife, trees and animals and I got in the mood to create an ethereal goddess inspired by the beautiful nature of the forest. Here below you can see my pencil sketch and how my inspiration of this beautiful imaginary Goddess begin to come alive. I made my sketch on watercolor paper because this is the medium I chose for this painting.
2) Question: Do you paint/draw from your imagination or from what you see around you? This is a good question! I actually draw or paint very often from my own imagination or from memories I have, I also love drawing from what I see around me. It depends of what I am drawing or creating. Sometimes I use reference photos if I am sketching something realistic or something that I never sketched before. To be precise on a realistic drawing I refer to images. But many times I paint straight with the watercolor on paper without even make a prior pencil sketch. I like to do that especially with flowers. I like to let the watercolor flow and create the shapes then guide of my brush. When I paint faces I prefer to make my pencil drawing first and then lay the watercolors. In “Forest Goddess” painting I made the drawing from my own imagination reference. I love to bring imaginary faces to life that’s how I made the pencil sketch that you see in the photo above. I haven’t used any reference photo for her face. Drawing faces without reference isn’t easy especially for beginners, you need to practice a lot and get familiar with face shapes, eyes, nose, lips, facial expressions, it takes time and practice to memorize and be able to create faces without photo references.
>Tip: Practice a lot observe everything in detail, challenge yourself to draw daily not just to train your imagination and memory but also your hand. At first keep drawing easy things, many times with photo references, then when you feel more confident, try drawing without photo reference and see how much your memory works from your imagination. I don’t want to discourage anyone but keep in mind that takes time, consistency and perseverance. Don’t stress about it enjoy the process it’s not a race, just love what you’re doing and you will see how far you go.
Stage 2 start painting with watercolor – At this point my painting is at the begin of stage two. After the pencil drawing I am starting with the watercolors on the face. I decided that I wanted to use a very delicate palette because I want this portrait to look ethereal and I limited myself to use just three or four colors the most. In my imagination I have seen her figure very delicate, light, airy, heavenly, and the dominant color was white that’s how she appeared in my mind. She is wearing a headpiece symbolizing the nature and it is a crown made of small roses and thin branches. She has beautiful long hair moved by a light breeze and is wearing a white celestial dress trimmed with gold. I painted this portrait leaving the background purposely white to give lightness showing the beautiful grain of the watercolor paper.
On this photo you can see that I started to paint her hair playing with the tones of gray creating light and darker shades to emphasize the hair movement. At this stage I have been pretty pleased with the lightness of the outcome and got struck on what to do next. I loved this barely use of watercolor in contrast with the pencil sketch and I have been debating if keep going on with my usual style adding the use of ink pens and line work. I loved already how it was just like this and I was afraid to ruin it with the definition added by the pen work. I had to think…I took a break of a couple of days to go back on later and see how I would feel about it.
3) Question: What do you do when you get stuck on a painting?
Every artist get stuck at times it’s normal and part of being an artist. When you get stuck means something and you need to listen when this happens. The first thing you need to do is leave everything and “STOP” walk away from your artwork put it away where you cannot see it. Take a deep breath and go to do something else, leave your studio, go out to have a walk, do something that distract yourself. Come back only when you’re ready to look at it again, it can be after one hour or days only come back when you feel ready to give it a serious look, contemplate in silence and observe, then ask yourself what is needed in your painting and you will get the answer, your painting will tell you just looking at it.
>Tip: When you get stuck take a break “Stop” everything for a while do something else. Come back later when you’re ready and listen what your painting is telling you. Never give up on a painting, if you’re not ready go back to it again later.
Stage 3 decisions and final touches: At this point I was at stage three I came back to my painting after being a part with it for several days! And I have decided to go on with the ink pen and doing some fine line work, I used Copic Multiliner pens with #0.1 and #0.03 tips this will leave the painting just more defined but still have a feeling of lightness. I also used touch of gold ink on the head-piece the thin branches of her crown are in gold ink and on the dress neckline there is a gold trim. I gave a touch of white ink just to give more contrast in her hair.
At this point my painting is finished! I am really pleased with the outcome and I hope that you like it too. Today I release the Limited Edition Art Prints for this new painting and it would be available for pre-order here on my Blog first.
One last question for this post….
4) Question: Why did you chose the medium of watercolors? During the past 20 years, I evolved in my passions, experiencing my artistic visions and taught myself other skills and art forms that I love to work with such as digital art and photography. Watercolor painting came to me naturally into my life. I never took a watercolor class. I also enjoy acrylics and mixed media, but my favorite medium when I paint is watercolors. I love the fluidity, transparency and elegance of this beautiful medium. Experimentation with different media and exploring new techniques is something that I always loved to do. I like to explore the horizons of my creativity and see where it takes me.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to tray new mediums and form of art, there is a lot out there to experiment and work with. Open your horizons to find your voice.
In this last photo you can see what art supplies I used to create my painting I will list them here in the “Details”!
Details about my watercolors: My watercolors usually are outlined with black and white ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #01 and 0.03 . White and Gold Gelly Roll (Japan) pens. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil a THINEX Vintage Pencil Carmine Red 425T. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
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You can see more of my Paintings visiting my GALLERYthere are several Galleries here on my Blog you find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.
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All my collections of watercolors paintings and illustrations are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints here on my Blog!
Some of them are also available on my Etsy Shop CarolinaRussoArt.
Please follow me on my Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart
#WorldWatercolorGroup
#CarolinaRussoArt
I hope that reading this post inspired, helped and motivated someone!
Keep creating!
today I am celebrating a special day for me, something that I would’ve imagined was ever possible! Two years ago I started this Blog in connection with the opening of my first Etsy shop for the launch of my Jewelry designs collections. Yes today is “YesterdayAfter two Years Blog Anniversary!” ❤ So much has happened during these two years lots of new experiences, lots of art, lots of amazing connections only possible because this Blog. So much appreciation and encouragement I have received from all of you that follow me and so much encouragement I have the opportunity to give to support, inspire and motivate others that crossed my path here, it is so beautiful! Having this Blog became part of daily life there is so much work behind it but I love every minute. This is my open window to the world, the opportunity to fly and share my art , my photography, my poetry and everything I am doing in all my creative ways.
Congratulations on getting 1,000 total follows on YesterdayAfter! Your current tally is 1,004.
Today post is about one of my latest commission work!
I loved to create this painting title “Dragons and Castles” it was very inspiring and it goes to another kind and talented Fantasy Author, she is part of our Community her Blog is A.S.Akkalon I am sure some of you came across her Blog already!
Life is always a surprise!
Awhile ago I made the painting “Katie The Writer” you that follow my Blog maybe remember that post! And because a kind comment left me then, I got to know better Alecia aka A.S.Akkalon sheleft me a very nice comment telling me how much she loved my painting for Katie and the story behind it!
I responded to her comment: “Thank you very much in a way I am sure you can relate with it! You’re a writer I could’have portrait you with castle and dragon 😉 Thank you for stopping by my Blog and I love your comment!” ❤
The comments are what did bring us closer together and the beautiful surprise of her decision to custom order to me this painting. A Fantasy Portrait representing her with her cat and what she love to write about it in her fantasy stories. So a Dragon and a Castle were a must to paint! As part of my creative process we started to exchange emails and talk about her own idea and my vision of the painting and here there is the beautiful and interesting outcome! Alecia purchased the Original Watercolor Painting and a digital image to use on her Blog. At this moment her painting is in the hands of the postal service, is in transit going overseas all the way to beautiful New Zealand! Today Alecia couldn’t wait to receive the “Original” and she used the digital image to share a post about it, you can read it here it is “A dragon, a castle and an audiobook”visit her Blog there are lots of good and fun reading!
Thank you Alecia so much for supporting my art with your commission and for the opportunity to create this painting for you and have my Art in another beautiful part of the world!
I hope that you all enjoyed reading this post and to know more about behind the scenes of my paintings!
* Artist Details about the Original Painting: My original watercolor painting is size 8×10 inches painted on acid free cold press 300gm archival watercolor paper.
and is outlined with black ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier. I used Pigma Micron pen Black ink #03 and a black ink Pilot Prera fountain pen with fine nib. The dragon scales and other parts are outlined with gold ink and white ink.
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* P.S. If you like my Art and would like to have a Custom Painting or Illustration from me, I am open to commission work if you have an idea
just Contact me and we can talk about it! 🙂
You can see more of my Paintings visiting my GALLERYthere are several Galleries you find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.
All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints
Hello friends sorry I haven’t post much lately, I have been busy with some painting commissions, fullfilling some orders and organizing my new Etsy Shop. Last week I went to visit the beautiful Ocean it was an great day! Maybe some of you that follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart already had the opportunity to see these and more of my latest photos. I love the ocean in Winter the colors, the dramatic sky is a wonderful combination. When I went there I took some nice photos there were a beautiful light check my Instagram for more. These days here in California is unusually raining a lot, which is very good for the earth everything around here is now way greener and beautiful! Usually the hills where I go hiking are dry and the vegetation camouflage with the dirt and rocks at this moment it is so green like rarely I have seen, so I went to take some photos there too I will post them here next time. For today enjoy this beautiful ocean’s sunset! And you can also see me in action trying to capture the moment! ❤
Until next time I wish you a great week I better go back to paint now! 😉 ❤
Today post is about the story behind one of my latest watercolor painting. A commission work with the title of “Katie The Writer”. I really love to share the story because is a connection that has happened within our Community here on the Blogosphere. It’s beautiful how Bloggers can help each other and open doors. Something really nice happened to me at the end of the year, actually it was December 26, 2016. That morning I went to check my Blog messages as usual and between the comments I found a message from one of my dear followers Cyranny from the Blog Cyranny’s Cove, she mentioned to me that she had come across a post of another Blogger and while reading it Cyranny could only think about me . In her comment she left the mentioned post link.
I felt that was beautiful and very kind of her thinking of me. I headed to the Blog post which title was “Calling Out to all Artists!” the Blog is “The Life Of A Writer” and belong to Katie M. Dean. I didn’t know Katie and her Blog before and it was a nice discovery. In her post Katie was calling out to Artists because she had found a cute image that could represent her as writer, but she had a problem with something that she wanted different, Katie wanted the girl into the illustration to wear pants. 🙂
This is the Image that started it all:
Katie’s found image that started it all!
Well I left a comment to Katie, offering my artistic help to recreate something for her since I couldn’t modify a Copyrighted image. Soon we got connected via email and agreed to create a new watercolor painting representing Katie.
A commission work is always interesting for an artist and require some work in other directions than only paint. Since I had to customize and personalize what I would be painting, which is something existing, the life of a person, Katie is an aspiring young writer and not just something coming out of my creativity. I wanted to find all the elements to make my custom and personalized painting as close as possible to represent Katie fully. Including all the things she love, she believes and that she like. I went to read her Blog posts, her profiles, her social media presence, since we don’t know each other much we are new Blog friends. Something she told me, something I found out. Katie is a Christian, she play the Flute, she love coffee, she love to Write and two of her favorite characters are Yoda from “Star Wars” and Grumpy from “Snow White”, all these meaningful elements are included in my painting . My aim to create was to make Katie feel happy and recognize herself in the painting, nonetheless creating an inspiring and motivating image for her to see everyday, reminding who she is and what she wants in her future. I am so happy that Katie love the painting and that she feels that it’s her! She wrote a Blog post about this too ❤ you can read it hereand discover her lovely Blog!
I want to thanks so much Cyranny, because of her caring spirit and thinking of me she was able to connect Katie and me behind the creation of this painting. A special thanks goes to Katie for trust and supporting my Art. Thank you!
I hope that you enjoyed reading this story and feel inspired to help one another!
Have a great weekend ❤
P.S.
If you like my art and like to have a Custom Painting or illustration from me,
just Contact me! 🙂
“What makes me happy is to give happiness and inspire people through my Art give feelings to the heart and deep to the soul!” ❤
Hello everyone,
Carolina Russo Art 
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