Fearless Friday, Less is More

Today I’m sharing a fun technique,

an impressionistic approach to your subject, with watercolor

This pink door photograph was my model

As you can see below,

I simplified the scene,

drawing only part of the door, one lamp,

and merely suggesting the flower pots and door details

I began with a simple pencil sketch of the door and lamp

Then I began to add color with different strengths

of Daniel Smith Quinicridone Pink watercolor

Small abstract shapes,

made with tiny strokes and dabs of the paint brush

to indicate the flowers in the wreath

and the pots on either side

Varying the hues of the pink adds interest,

if everything is the same color depth

the painting will lack focal points to draw the eye

I used several different greens,

again varying the intensity,

to fill out the wreath and pots

The lamp was painted with a few strokes of Quinacridone Gold

To finish,

I used a black fine liner pen to add defining lines

and added shadows with various Payne’s Gray hues

I hope you’ll try painting with this “less is more” concept in mind,

Give it a try and Be Fearless!

I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:

  Sundays on Silverado  Love Your Creativity  Over the Moon

Between Naps on the Porch,  Celebrate Your Story,

All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home

 Tasty Tuesday   Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday 

 Full Plate Thursday  Centerpiece Wednesday  Creatively Crafty

Thursday Favorite Things    Friday with Friends

Comments
26 Responses to “Fearless Friday, Less is More”
  1. Mary says:

    Impressionism is what I love the most about watercolor Jenna. Love your adaptation and pretty details! ♥

  2. Jenna, I love this watercolor. Doors always fascinate me and I often photograph them. Happy Friday!

  3. This is so beautiful! I want spring!

  4. This is great. I need to get better at doing this pre-editing. I focus so much on the details that sometimes I think my stuff gets bogged down with unnecessary features. I love how this makes everything stand out so well.

  5. thefrenchhutch says:

    I love doors Jenna and did a blog post on them. I am always photographing them. I love this impressionistic approach to your watercolor, it’s very lovely. Very interesting watching you create and it leaves me with a happy feeling. Happy Friday sweet friend……….

  6. Sarah Anderson says:

    Jenna, its so interesting and fun for me to see the process! Like Emily, doors intrigue me, and I too have a file of doors I’ve photographed when traveling or just walking our neighborhood. In fact, I have post in draft, Valentine Doors. I need to get it posted. Love your painting!

  7. You are constantly growing and changing – a sign of a creative mind, for sure. I find it more difficult to paint/draw “less.” I get bogged down with tiny details and it ends up being frustrated and jumbled. Good lesson.

  8. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says:

    Jenna, this may be one of my favorites! It is so pretty and feminine, and I love the colors you chose. Enjoy your weekend!

  9. lghiggins says:

    I have a “thing” for doors anyway, but your interpretation is just so beautiful. Indeed, with this work, less is more!

  10. Cyndi Raines says:

    Well done. Makes me think how spring is around the corner, (hope, hope!) Hehe.

  11. pattyanneart says:

    Beautiful Jenna!! Love this style. ❤️❤️ Totally agree, less is more. I’ve been trying to work on just that.

  12. Pattie says:

    This is lovely. I keep saying that I’ll try this, but I never do. I do have a small watercolor pallet, and tried it once, with absolute disaster!

    • Thank you Pattie…have you tried watercolor pencils? You can color with them and them blend them out with water and a paint brush. This gives you more control than painting strictly with watercolor. I think watercolor is the hardest medium to paint with, you never know what’s going to happen 😂

  13. Nancy says:

    Oh how beautiful! Spring is coming! And that door!
    Happy week to you my friend!

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