Kerrie Woodhouse's Blog, page 13

How to paint a rooster in watercolour... and instantly lift your mood!

Choosing your painting subject can really change your painting experience.

Want to feel calm and relaxed? Try painting a few skies…. Or perhaps a calm sea.

Want to smile and feel the energetic light hearted side of life? Paint a chicken!

   

If you are feeling a bit down, there is nothing like a bit of painting to lift your mood. It is hard not to smile when you are playing with the rainbow in your paintbox.

And it’s not just the tactile play or the colour thera...

Why paint? (Do you ever question the importance of painting, or is it just me?)

Do you ever ask yourself the question, 'why paint?'

When the idea of learning to paint first started to tug at me it was a thing that troubled me.

What purpose does painting serve?

Does painting matter?

Yes… I’m an overthinker… perhaps you can relate.

I can only conclude that painting really is important and the benefits of painting are many and varied. At first glance, painting is simply a relaxing hobby. But there is so much more - painting has both intellectual and spiritual benefits. It is...

Can you run out of inspiration for painting?

This is my 47th monthly series.

There are times when I wonder what on earth I will paint next. But that's the thing about creativity - you don’t run out. I’ll admit sometimes it flows easier than others. That’s ok, an ebb and flow is the natural way of things.

   

Quite often there have been times when I feel the end of a month approaching and with a gasp of horror, realise that I have to come up with something else. Funnily enough, I always do.

I firmly believe...

How to paint a portrait in watercolor

Painting faces is so much fun.

And so intimidating. Especially if you are new to it.

The human face is so important to us that it makes for a very meaningful subject - one that is very rewarding to paint. So let’s see what we can do about easing your path to portraiture.

Here are my top ten tips on how to paint a portrait in watercolour to get you started.

   1.Aim for human looking, not a perfect likeness

When we feel a bit daunted by trying something new, it usually means we have heaped a who...

Why do we paint portraits?

Why do we paint portraits?

It’s a question that has always fascinated me.

I mean it makes perfect sense in the pre camera days when the only way to capture a likeness of a loved one was to whip out the art supplies, but these days? Just take a photo, surely?

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Watercolour portraits no 4 Snuggly Scarf- (Watercolour sketchbook 5"x 8")

 

While the camera’s technology can create the perfect image, there is nothing that can replace the very human connection that is so evid...

Goldilocks and the 3 art supplies

Once upon a time there was an artist called Goldilocks. She hadn’t always been an artist so she felt very brave to be calling herself an artist now. And since she was an artist she needed art supplies. So she set off into the town to equip her new endeavour.

(Psst… if you are like Goldilocks and need a little help, here’s a free supplies class)

When she stepped into the art supply store it suddenly felt like everything just got a little brighter and a bit more sparkly. Gleaming fat tubes of pai...

How to escape your troubles

I love looking at hot air balloons. And I love painting them. They symbolise so much that calls to me. Space, quiet and freedom. And yes, perhaps escape. For that is what it seems to be from the ground. To be lifted from your daily grind into the spacious blue.

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Hot Air Balloon II no 10- (Watercolour sketchbook 9"x 12")

 

From way up there all things below, troubles included, seem so small. Much more manageable. That is what happens when you zoom out. You get a...

What do circles mean to your brain?

What is your favourite shape?

Mine is a circle. Apparently I’m not at all unique there. It seems that our human brains have grown to love the circle - preferring it to angular shapes. They think this is because straight lines and sharp points remind us of animal teeth, jagged rocks and dagger tips. Danger, you might say.

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Mandalas 2018 no 4- (Mixed media sketchbook, 10"x 10")

 

Curves on the other hand are associated with organic life forms, like apples or even a plu...

How to Savour your Way to Greater Happiness

I have been painting from photos that I took on a visit to the Rhododendron Gardens near me.

This photo habit seems to be something we all share these days. Part of the joy of always having a rather impressive camera with you wherever you go.

But what do we do with all those photos?

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Rhododendron Gardens no 10- (Watercolour on paper, 4.5"x 6")

 

Sometimes I wonder if we miss soaking in the beautiful sights directly because we are so busy viewing them through th...

Fascinating facts you didn't know about elephants

Did you know that elephants purr? Yes, a bit like a cat!

I learned so much investigating my painting subject for this month’s series. They are such magnificent creatures you can’t really help being curious, can you?

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Elephants no 1 - (Watercolour marker on paper, 5.8"x 8.3")

 

Aside from the iconic trumpet blast that we know, elephants not only purr but are thought to communicate with one another over long distances using a subsonic rumble. These messages travel f...