Watercolor Painting
by
Barbara Rosenzweig
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website, Handmade Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Fall into Fall, and Pink Saturday
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Jumping Dolphins - Florida Vacation Memories
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website, Handmade Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Fall into Fall, and Pink Saturday
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Praying Mantis - Super Garden "Pet"
I know that many of you don’t consider the
Praying Mantis as a pet, but I just love these creatures in my garden! ...and I don't even have to feed or walk them! When I
find their hardened tan foamy nests, I am all smiles! I know that there will be
less damage to my flowers. These insects are ravenous eaters and do a lot to
help get rid of harmful insects.
These are my photos of a
praying mantis egg case (ootheca)
with young just emerging. I was exceptionally lucky to be in the garden at just
the right time to capture this moment! There had been a lot more mantises
clinging to the case before I found it. Unfortunately, I hadn’t initially seen
them when I was pruning this bush and got so excited when I did that I let go of
the branch, causing most of the tiny creatures to be flung across the garden!
I love to watch these
voracious eaters on my plants preying on annoying insects throughout the season.
It’s neat to see them getting bigger by molting (splitting open their outside
skeleton – exoskeleton – and emerging a size larger).
They have a different life
cycle than most insects in that they have three stages: egg, nymph, adult. After
the adults mate, the female lays a foamy egg-filled case that hardens.
Eventually, tiny adult-looking insects emerge and molt many times, getting
larger and larger throughout their lives until they reach adulthood. You may
have read about the mating behavior of the adult female who sometimes eats her
mate just after, or even during mating. Perhaps not knowing what is in store for
him, the male is not deterred from this often fatal process!
IBIS BEACH BIRD - Watercolor Painting
by Barbara Rosenzweig
One of the blessings of being at a Florida beach is getting to see the elegantly stunning American White Ibis. Feathers blowing in the wind, salmon-colored legs and beak reflecting in the shallow surf, and eyes searching for the next meal in the blazing Florida sun make this painting spectacular! Whether decorating your home or given as a gift, it will be beautiful in any setting.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
CONE SEASHELL - New Watercolor Painting
Who would think that a deadly sea snail would live in a beautiful shell like this! I can't get over the beauty and variety of Nature and can't stop painting it, too!
I've been collecting shells since I was a little girl. Actually, come to think of it, I'm still a little girl, especially since I've lost three inches over the past few years! Those early experiences never left me. I went on collecting seashells and became a science teacher focusing on biology and a watercolor artist, which both are expressions of joy in the natural world.
Do you collect seashells? You just never know where it will lead you and enrich your life!
I've been collecting shells since I was a little girl. Actually, come to think of it, I'm still a little girl, especially since I've lost three inches over the past few years! Those early experiences never left me. I went on collecting seashells and became a science teacher focusing on biology and a watercolor artist, which both are expressions of joy in the natural world.
Do you collect seashells? You just never know where it will lead you and enrich your life!
by Barbara Rosenzweig
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
BEACH DAD & DAUGHTER - New Watercolor Painting
I love the beach! Ever since I was a little girl, I've enjoyed walking on the warm sand, discovering wonderful seashells - especially the tiny ones - and creating sand sculptures with my family.
I tried to capture those special, quiet moments between a father and daughter on a sunlit beach in my new watercolor painting, "Beach Father and Daughter."
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website
Tell Me Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Fall into Fall, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
I tried to capture those special, quiet moments between a father and daughter on a sunlit beach in my new watercolor painting, "Beach Father and Daughter."
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website
Tell Me Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Fall into Fall, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Can't Stop! New Painting - "Basketball Player 2"
I just can't stop! Many times, I get inspiration and suggestions from my art customers. Here is the latest in my series of unique sports figures, a female basketball player. These action paintings are experimental explorations into color and form. Not created by any other artist, these colorful paintings that make great gifts for that special sports enthusiast in your life!
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop,
Watercolors By Barbara Website, Handmade Tuesdays, Tell Me Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Fall into Fall, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
Thursday, November 8, 2012
HOOKED ON SPORTS FIGURES! New Paintings
I just couldn't help myself! I started with a figure of a man on a bench. Instead of painting it like I usually do in a realistic manner, I experimented with letting each color blend into the other. I cleaned my brush before I added a new color to keep the colors pure until they mingled at the touching point. (https://www.etsy.com/listing/104975785/man-on-a-park-bench-barbara-rosenzweig)
Next I painted a man walking with a briefcase (https://www.etsy.com/listing/105164211/man-walking-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print), using the same technique. I got so excited that I decided to use the same process with sports figures. Finally, I had the idea to allow my clients to personalize art prints of my original watercolor paintings for custom names on birthday and holiday gifts.
Below are all of the paintings in this series. Please let me know what you think about this latest effort.
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Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop,
Watercolors By Barbara Website, Handmade
Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
Thursday, November 1, 2012
NEW PAINTING "Garden Tools with Sun Hat"
I love the creative process of gardening. Both my mother and grandmother were gardeners who inspired me. The tools in this painting are theirs and I love the beauty of the rust. This art print of my original watercolor would make a marvelous addition to your sun room or the perfect gift for the gardener in your life!
I thought that you would like to see how I create my watercolor paintings. After starting with a photograph of the still life on my kitchen table that captures the light at that moment, I begin to paint. The green ribbon on my hat blended too much with the greens in the background, so I changed it to red. Decision time begins when I have to plan what type of surface I want my leather gardening glove, rusty gardening tools, and straw sun hat to rest on. At first, I have to admit that I was timid. I wanted it to be a wooden bench, but was not real adventuresome about the colors of the wood. Finally, as you can see in the finished painting at the top, I threw away all inhibitions!
Not quite done. Check the top finished photo to see the refinements.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
BEACH GIRL WITH POLKA DOTS - New Painting
I just don't know what it is. Walking the beach, I love seeing children
playing. I don’t know if it’s because it brings back wonderful, warm memories of my own
childhood or those happy days with my kids.
I hope that you enjoy my newest painting.
I hope that you enjoy my newest painting.
Fine Art Print of Original Watercolor Painting
by Barbara Rosenzweig
Sunday, October 7, 2012
WHITE WATER LILY - New Watercolor Painting
When I think of fabulous flowers, the water lily instantly comes to mind! I've taken hundreds of photos of them over the years, but this is the first time that I have attempted to paint one. I guess that before this time I felt that I needed more experience to try it.
There are a lot of challenges here. Besides figuring out how to paint essentially white petals, giving them a sense of depth and interest, I had to understand how to paint a reflection in water. Even though I liked how the reflection petals looked in the middle painting, there was no sense of movement in the water. To give this sensation, I pulled the color from the water across the flower reflection. Also, I wanted to "push back" the lily pad behind the flower and make the blossom "pop." To create this effect, I darkened and added blues and browns for interest and depth. I hope that I achieved these goals in the final painting.
Below are a few of the stages in the creation of this painting.
There are a lot of challenges here. Besides figuring out how to paint essentially white petals, giving them a sense of depth and interest, I had to understand how to paint a reflection in water. Even though I liked how the reflection petals looked in the middle painting, there was no sense of movement in the water. To give this sensation, I pulled the color from the water across the flower reflection. Also, I wanted to "push back" the lily pad behind the flower and make the blossom "pop." To create this effect, I darkened and added blues and browns for interest and depth. I hope that I achieved these goals in the final painting.
Below are a few of the stages in the creation of this painting.
by Barbara Rosenzweig
I hope that you enjoy this new watercolor painting and can see why I made the changes I did. 'Love to hear your comments!
Friday, September 21, 2012
COUNTRY VILLAGE - New Watercolor Painting
Years ago, I traveled with my young family to the Cotswolds in England. It was an enchanting place with picturesque, narrow winding lanes of half-timbered homes featuring bright red geraniums and red rose bushes. I finally got around to giving it a try with my watercolors. It looked really hard to paint - and it was! It was probably the most challenging painting that I've ever done.
Below are photos that show its progress. I hope that you will enjoy seeing the process!
Below are photos that show its progress. I hope that you will enjoy seeing the process!
Country Village
by Barbara Rosenzweig
I just couldn't help myself and had to work on my painting again! The top left part of this painting really bothered me. I realized that I had to adjust the angle of the bricks and the shape of the shadow on the top left window. NOW IT IS FINISHED!
by Barbara Rosenzweig
Linked to Watercolors
by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors
By Barbara Website, Tell Me Tuesday, Handmade
Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Revision - LITTLE BOY BLUE IN THE CORNFIELD WATERCOLOR
I don't usually do this, but I've "updated" my Little Boy Blue in the Cornfield painting. I've been looking at it for a number of months and a few things just kept bothering me. I decided to rework his left arm, making is fall more to his side, darken the shadows on the back of his clothing, shoes and arms, and give the cornstalks a bit more interest for a hint of depth. It also bothered me that the string from his hat went under his lip and not his chin. This was because the little boy I "captured" kept putting it there, so that's how I initially painted it. I was able to move it to where I felt it belonged. He can't change it now!
Do you think that any of these changes improved this painting?
Do you think that any of these changes improved this painting?
Before the Changes
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
YOU ASKED FOR IT! Women in Sports Watercolor Paintings
After hearing from quite a few of you with your recommendations, I started a new series of women in in sports paintings, using the same technique I did with my "Men at Work and Play" series.
The "Runner Woman" and "Golf Woman" are a continuation of an experimental exploration into color and form. I hope that you enjoy them. I've renamed the entire series "At Work and Play."
https://www.etsy.com/listing/106988570/tennis-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105327033/baseball-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104975785/man-on-a-park-bench-barbara-rosenzweig
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105172837/golf-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105164211/man-walking-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
The "Runner Woman" and "Golf Woman" are a continuation of an experimental exploration into color and form. I hope that you enjoy them. I've renamed the entire series "At Work and Play."
You can Mix and Match your choice of "Runner Woman," "Golf Woman," "Tennis Man," "Baseball Man," "Man on a Bench," "Golf Man," and "Man Walking with Briefcase" into a wonderful grouping for your home or office!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105327033/baseball-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104975785/man-on-a-park-bench-barbara-rosenzweig
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105172837/golf-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105164211/man-walking-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop,
Watercolors By Barbara Website, Tell Me Tuesday, Handmade Tuesdays, Alphabe-Thursday,
Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday
Thursday, August 16, 2012
New Watercolor Painting - TENNIS MAN
This Tennis Player watercolor painting is part of my new series of uniquely colorful prints of Men at Work and Play. Each one that I created came with its own challenges.
In the bottom painting, you can see that I was almost finished when I realized that it just didn't have the "punch" of the others. There was too much white, too much outlining. I had to do something that gave more weight to the figure, more force in his swing.
OK, what do you think? Should I continue the series and maybe do another series with women? I'd love to hear your ideas!
To see the others in the series, check out the links below. The "Baseball Man," "Man on a Bench," "Golf Man," and "Man Walking with Briefcase" can be orgainzed in a wonderful grouping for your home or office!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105327033/baseball-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104975785/man-on-a-park-bench-barbara-rosenzweig
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105172837/golf-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105164211/man-walking-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
In the bottom painting, you can see that I was almost finished when I realized that it just didn't have the "punch" of the others. There was too much white, too much outlining. I had to do something that gave more weight to the figure, more force in his swing.
I decided to take some photos of my husband, in the same position as the tennis player in my painting. It was fun (not for him) watching him try to balance without falling backwards! I did this to see where to put the folds in his shirt and shorts. Here's the final painting.
Almost Finished
OK, what do you think? Should I continue the series and maybe do another series with women? I'd love to hear your ideas!
To see the others in the series, check out the links below. The "Baseball Man," "Man on a Bench," "Golf Man," and "Man Walking with Briefcase" can be orgainzed in a wonderful grouping for your home or office!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105327033/baseball-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104975785/man-on-a-park-bench-barbara-rosenzweig
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105172837/golf-man-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
https://www.etsy.com/listing/105164211/man-walking-barbara-rosenzweig-art-print
Saturday, August 11, 2012
New Watercolor Painting - OPEN WINDOW
What better way to remember a wonderful vacation than a peaceful view of the fabulous Mediterranean Sea and mountains! With this painting you can continue to enjoy memories of this stunningly peaceful view, even after the vacation is over! I hope that you will enjoy this bit of fantasy!
by Barbara Rosenzweig
Sunday, August 5, 2012
New Watercolor Painting - EXOTIC ALLAMANDA FLOWER
Here's my new painting, the exotic, tropical Allamanda Jamaican Sunset. This wonderful exotic flower grows in Australia, Florida, and the tropics. Known as Yellow Bell, Golden Trumpet or Buttercup, it belongs to the dogbane family. No matter what name it has, I loved painting it! This makes a great gift or is wonderful for you to enjoy in your own home!
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop,Watercolors By Barbara Website, Alphabe-Thursday, Potpourri Friday, Pink Saturday.
Friday, July 27, 2012
NEW "MAN" SERIES OF FLOWING WATERCOLORS
I thought that I'd explore a different path with my watercolors. I love its fluid quality and wanted to do something specifically about men and their daily lives. Here are the results.
What do you think? I'd love your comments!
What do you think? I'd love your comments!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
SEAHORSE WATERCOLOR - New Painting
I just had to create the Seahorse as a companion piece to my Chambered Nautilus. This sea creature is absolutely fabulous! I adore the fact that the male gives birth to the babies, shooting them out with violent contractions from his little pouch. Don't you just love that!
What do you think? Please share your ideas for another creature to add to this collection!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
NEW TECHNOLOGY - Video for the Blog
Sorry to be away for so long! I'm continuing to paint, but also trying to learn how to create videos for this blog and my website. I'd love to feature watercolor tutorials and paintings in progress. Isn't it about time that I came into the modern age!
Here's my first attempt at an introduction to my paintings. Crude beginning, but I have to start somewhere! Just click on the arrow at the bottom left of the video.
Yes, you are right. I do have to replace this soon, filming when the sun is not in my eyes and my hair is styled better!
Suggestions? Please let me know if it "works" on your computer.
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website, Pink Saturday
Here's my first attempt at an introduction to my paintings. Crude beginning, but I have to start somewhere! Just click on the arrow at the bottom left of the video.
Yes, you are right. I do have to replace this soon, filming when the sun is not in my eyes and my hair is styled better!
Suggestions? Please let me know if it "works" on your computer.
Linked to Watercolors by Barbara Etsy Shop, Watercolors By Barbara Website, Pink Saturday
Friday, May 25, 2012
NEW PAINTING - SUNSET WITH RAYS
Original Watercolor by Barbara Rosenzweig
A brilliant yellow-gold sunset is an awsome sight, especially when its rays shine through colorful clouds! This is paradise - relaxing, calm, full of peace! I hope that you will enjoy this bit of peaceful bliss!
Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
New Painting WHITE CALLA LILY WATERCOLOR
This stunning white calla lily "called to me" at my local produce center. Its fabulous creamy color, great shape, and unusual texture was hard to resist. I had a great time painting it with its subtle gradations of white, cream, and yellow. Adding the tropical leaf helps set off this gorgeous blossom! Enjoy!
by Barbara Rosenzweig
Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig
Thursday, May 10, 2012
NEW - LEAF STUDY WATERCOLOR PAINTING
I love the tree leaves in the spring with their wonderful fresh colors, textures, and shapes! I tried to capture them in this small Leaf Study, featuring Japanese Maple, Dogwood and Birch leaves. I hope that you will enjoy this little gem!
Watercolor by Barbara Rosenzweig
Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
UGLY LEAVES! WHAT TO DO?
What to do with ugly, dying leaves? It seems that gardeners never tire of creating ways to hide unsightly, yellowing daffodil and tulip leaves!
Once the flower blooms and the petals fall off, if you are crazy like me, you can cut the flower stalks so that the "fruit" won't have a chance to form. That way, the energy that it would take to form the seeds will instead go into the bulb for the next year.
As for the leaves, when they are still green but start to flop over, it is okay to cut off the top half of the leaves, allowing the remaining part of the leaves to continue photosynthesizing, sending food to the bulb (a storage stem). They will stay upright for a while longer. When the leaves turn yellow, you can cut them to the base of the plant. Some people braid them (sorry to say that I once did that), twist them and tuck them under themselves, and/or bend and push them under surrounding plants. All are fine to do and you just have to decide how much labor you are willing to put in.
If you live in the Philadelphia, PA area, don't forget to stop by the Tamanend Art Show, Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out my flower paintings, Bucks County covered bridges, and beach scenes. There will be lots of other artists displaying their work, too. All art will be for sale. Refreshments will be served.
For details http://uppermoreland.patch.com/events/tamanend-park-art-show-93ba8424
Happy Gardening!
Once the flower blooms and the petals fall off, if you are crazy like me, you can cut the flower stalks so that the "fruit" won't have a chance to form. That way, the energy that it would take to form the seeds will instead go into the bulb for the next year.
As for the leaves, when they are still green but start to flop over, it is okay to cut off the top half of the leaves, allowing the remaining part of the leaves to continue photosynthesizing, sending food to the bulb (a storage stem). They will stay upright for a while longer. When the leaves turn yellow, you can cut them to the base of the plant. Some people braid them (sorry to say that I once did that), twist them and tuck them under themselves, and/or bend and push them under surrounding plants. All are fine to do and you just have to decide how much labor you are willing to put in.
If you live in the Philadelphia, PA area, don't forget to stop by the Tamanend Art Show, Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out my flower paintings, Bucks County covered bridges, and beach scenes. There will be lots of other artists displaying their work, too. All art will be for sale. Refreshments will be served.
For details http://uppermoreland.patch.com/events/tamanend-park-art-show-93ba8424
Happy Gardening!
Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig
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