January Water Media Challenge 2025

[PaintBoss]

Happy New Year everyone!
Well the busyness of the holiday season has now ended. I hope you all had a good time.
I also hope you will welcome in the new year with me in the January Water Media challenge!
All levels welcome. First time trying any water mediums? Do not be shy! We all started the very same way.Just start and play around, and see where it leads you!
I have chosen subjects that can challenge all levels. I hope one or more photos inspires you to pop out your art supplies and give it a go. Please use any of these photos from my albums.
Pls post all your work here in this thread during the month.
Pls post what water mediums you used and any other comments you would like to share.
Let’s also be supportive of each other!
It is better to try than not try at all. You may just surprise yourself! I love when that happens.
Please post your works anytime this month.
I do hope we see you here.
Special invite to lurkers of any level. Absolute beginners too. Come have fun with us.


* Instead of doing wintry stuff I thought about trips people take this time of year. Of warm climates. Some photos are from Jamaica, but some photos are also from places here in the summertime. I also added a few other subjects for anyone who wanted something a little different. Hope you find something that catches your interest.

 

[Joy]

Thanks for the wonderful selection! It's a good idea to have a departure from the usual, predictable seasonal offerings.

 

[PaintBoss]

Thanks Joy! I hope to see some of your beautiful work this month if you have the time! Did your house renovations all get finished up?

 

[txomsy]

Thank you so very much, these make for a good variety of techniques and tools, and interesting value and color studies, while leaving freedom for inspiration.

Wish you (and everyone else) a Happy New Year.

 

[PaintBoss]

Thank you I really like the lighting on the plants in the Jamaican landscapes which are from the same general spot at different times. I thought it might be of interest for some to try.
Have fun!

 

[txomsy]

Indeed! I already started.

Here are a few previous ~5' throw-away sketches I've made of some as preparation, using ESSRI (Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies Registrar's Ink) in a Montblanc Noblesse fountain pen on a Flying Tiger small B7 (passport size), cream colored paper, notebook.

Next I have to figure out how do I want to go about any. Should I just paint? Do a pencil or ink outline first? Watercolor? Watercolor pencils/sticks? Mixed media? Decisions, decisions, decisions... and worse (and most difficult) of all, now I need to find some spare time to give them due attention.

Thanks for hosting. I'll get back in touch if and when I can complete any (this is going to be a busy month too).

 

[PaintBoss]

Wow, you’re off to a great start! I’m impressed with how fast you got those sketches down.
All those options sound good. Maybe you should pick a different option for each picture? It would be interesting to see the contrast. But it’s up to you. Look forward to seeing what you decide.

 

[Vivien]

Christine - Thank you for this Challenge for January, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.

My new Year's resolution is to do more painting/drawing this year

Indeed! I already started.

Here are a few previous ~5' throw-away sketches I've made of some as preparation, using ESSRI (Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies Registrar's Ink) in a Montblanc Noblesse fountain pen on a Flying Tiger small B7 (passport size), cream colored paper, notebook.

Next I have to figure out how do I want to go about any. Should I just paint? Do a pencil or ink outline first? Watercolor? Watercolor pencils/sticks? Mixed media? Decisions, decisions, decisions... and worse (and most difficult) of all, now I need to find some spare time to give them due attention.

Thanks for hosting. I'll get back in touch if and when I can complete any (this is going to be a busy month too).

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Great sketching on all of them! Will be interested to see what art mediums you use.

 

[PaintBoss]

Hi Vivien!
Well that sounds like a good resolution. I hope you’ll feel inspired to try one of these photos as a start to that challenge for yourself.

 

[Sanlynn]

PB, thanks for hosting.
Wonderful ink sketches and a great idea, txomsy!
Here is my attempt at the Hibiscus flower. I found the intense pink a bit much so I subdued it a little. This is gouache with a bit of watercolour pen in my Canson Black Drawing book, 5x5 1/2”.

 

[PaintBoss]

Very nice Sanlynn, you captured it! The flower pops with that contrasting background. I like how you handled the background as well. I like the flow of the flower- you got us feeling of the shape of that luscious flower too.

 

[Jo Castillo]

Christine, thanks for the photos.
Txomsy, I love your sketches waiting to see what you do.
Sanlynn, beautiful, beautiful.
Life is in the way, probably won't get anything done. Love looking......

 

[PaintBoss]

Thanks for checking in and looking around Jo.
I’ve been fighting health problems just trying to even get set up to paint. And today I tried and holy cow. Lol I’m not even going to post by painting. I’m gonna look at it as a warm-up because right now my painting looks like Medusa! Lol

 

[PaintBoss]

Well, I tried a second small painting, and I inadvertently ruined it with a rookie mistake. I thought the paper was dry when I was trying to rub off the masking. I probably was impatient, but I honestly thought it was dry. Anyways, that wrecked the paper. So I’m having a little bit of bad luck here. Also, my health has just been horrible for doing any art. Between pain and the effects of meds (not for pain) it’s really affecting my ability to paint/ think. We’ll see if I can get anything done. It may not happen this month- just a head’s up.
But I hope others are out there working away.

 

[Sanlynn]

PB, so sorrY your paintings aren’t working out. Hope you get some relief from your suffering as well. Take care!

 

[PaintBoss]

Thank you so much.