The Babysitter

"The Babysitter", 14.5x10.5", Watercolor
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This watercolor painting is of my 18-year-old granddaughter Hayley sharing time with my five-year-old grandson Palmer. My intent was to capture her tenderness and emotion which always shows through to her younger cousins. She literally has a baby in her arms, or a child in her lap at every family gathering. It's not surprising, she is studying to be a NICU nurse. 

I used a recent snap shot for my reference. The lightest values—reflected onto the faces and clothing—came directly from the iPad screen Palmer was playing with in his lap. I had to be careful to get those lightest highlights in immediately and hang on to them. 

Here was my step-by-step process. See photos below:

 1. I started with a light pencil drawing to capture the pose and gestures of the figures, and work out the composition.

 2. Working all over the page, I began blocking in the major shapes with light washes of watercolor.

3. Then, I started adding thin transparent washes of color over the existing layers to build up all of the areas especially in the darkest areas.

4. I continue adding more and more layers until all the values were correct and I was happy with the results.  

Once the paper was completely dry, I erased most of the pencil lines. I really like my underdrawing to be slightly visible. I think it makes the painting more interesting and helps define and gather forms and shapes. 

This is the largest watercolor I have worked on in a long time, and was pleased with the outcome.

Thanks for visiting today. 
nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America

1. Initial pencil drawing 

2. Blocking in

3. Begin layering 

4. Final layers added

SOLD - Silly Sister Secrets

"Silly Sister Secrets" 6x6" oil on gessobord

NOT FOR SALE

"There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom."
— Robert Henri

I'd sure love to know what was being shared by these two little sisters, all smiles and giggles? They sit huddled side by side perhaps hiding together during a game of Hide 'n Seek?


Life is never still. I believe art is a living thing, that hints rather than delineates. In my paintings, my greatest motivation is the desire to convey not just visual facts, but rather to lure viewers in to hear the melody I am singing in pure and simple form. Like music, I want my paintings to lead the viewer deeper, to share the breath of spirit dwelling within; it's a presence which can be felt even if the viewer is unaware of it on a conscious level. 

I have so much more to learn by listening/seeing with heart. I will continue down this road, rejoicing for every moment I have to try again and again. Who knows, maybe one day one of my pieces will transport someone to experience this world of seeing. For me that would mean true success. 

In one of my favorite books, The Art Spirit, Roberts Henri describes art saying, "Art is, after all only a trace—like a footprint—which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness."

This piece is a commissioned painting, sorry it's not for sale, but I wanted to share.

Thanks for stopping by to play today. 
 nancy

To see more of my art or to contact me: 
Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Graphic Design Studio