Gray Cat using Daniel Smith's Moonglow.

[Joy]

I had been saving this photo reference to use with Daniel Smith’s Moonglow, which granulates in a beautiful way into the component colors. I did add a wee bit of the green and red of the base colors. I did not go dark enough in the beginning stages, and did not know what to do with the cat’s left side (viewer’s right), as it was leaning against a couch. So it looks rather “cut off”. Plus it is overworked and I used too much water. This is A4 size on Arches 140 CP. The ref photo is first. I really struggle with interpretation of a subject.

 

[Donna T]

You do beautiful work with watercolors, Joy. I like the touches of red and green a lot; evidence that an artist did this, not a camera. The cat looks so soft and to me, it does look like it’s leaning against something like a cushion.

 

[Jade]

I agree with Donna, Joy. I love the touches of colour and like the penguin you did recently, it gives it real "life". I also like the way the background colour compliments the cat too.

When you say you struggle with the interpretation of a subject, what does that mean to you? Because I think you've done that here.. you have interpreted it. It's not exactly the same as the photo and I feel like you've injected some "Joy" into it!