Emilee Williams Art

Just a few quick sketches from some of my favorite photos:  Not thrilled with the yellow background on this one. I thought it would make the purple pop, but I liked the white background better. Some orange poppies from a photo. I really liked the translucency of the petals. I'll definitely be painting more of these...

I bought a new block of watercolor paper-- Canson, 90lbs. 9x12". I had never used this paper before. It was cheap and on sale for 50% off, so I figured "what the heck?" Turns out I don't love the paper. So, I am using it to try all the silly things I have been wanting to do, but just didn't want to waste a sheet of watercolor paper on-- that could get expensive-- those "I wonder what would happen if..." things, ya know? These are my "I wonder what would happen if...?" 's: I don't really like this one, at all. Something about it makes me a little nauseous when I look at it. I suppose I could always cut it up and use it for cards. I think I will do chevrons again, but next time, I'll do each chevron a single color... This was fun. It works better when you wait for each paint line to dry before adding the next (top right)-- go figure! I'd like to do this again, with a little different approach and use different shades of t...

I finally did a bigger painting and it feels really good after months of doing little, tiny ones.  This is the first painting I have ever done using masking tape instead of staples. I like it because it crates a white border around the painting. I only did a 1/4 inch border this time. I think I will make it wider next time because I really like the look. Here is the reference photo (found on pinterest, of course). I had to squish the drawing to get them all in: And here is the progression: Add caption Add caption Add caption (16x20) This paper was different than what I have been using. I couldn't get my darks to be as dark as I wanted them to be and the paint doesn't lift as well as I am used to. Overall though, I do like this paper. The paint sits on top of the paper longer so I have more time to spread it around. It also makes blending colors easier. The birds are darker than the reference photo; I should go back and lighten them. That will probably make ...

Getting ready for bed is my least favorite chore. So, tonight I put it off and painted instead. Just a few little doodles. Lines and dots, and a red poppy (at least that's what I'm calling it). I painted some poppies a few months ago and the more I look at them, the more I realize that I made it way more complicated than it needed to be. This poppy was fun and super simple. Just a few brush strokes. I like it. I'm definitely going to do another poppy painting. The lines and dots were inspired by a painting that I saw, but where else, on Pinterest! It's the only website I go to anymore...such a great source for inspiration.

I don't really have much to say about this one. I didn't really want to paint a bird of paradise because I feel like they are kind of cliche. What watercolor artist hasn't painted a bird of paradise? But I found this picture on Pinterest (of course, it's the only place I find photos to paint anymore) and I really liked the colors: (6x9)     The only thing I wish I had done differently in this one is make the background more vibrant. I've done lots of small paintings and I finally feel like I am getting the hang of things again. My opaque projector came this past week and think I am ready to start doing some larger paintings. I have so many ideas for paintings, I just need to decide which one to do first.

I have no idea what these are, but I like them. They remind me of the talking flowers in Alice in Wonderland. (6x9)  I definitely painted them more pink than the original picture. I blame my printer. I got the picture from Pinterest and I knew they were more purple but, in the picture I was painting them from, they were pink. Oh well.

I figured it was about time for me to send another letter to my brother, Thomas, who is serving a mission in Brazil. Since it is almost Valentine's day, I thought a valentine would be appropriate. Tom leaves the MTC in Sao Paulo for his mission in Belem on Valentine's day. In his last email, he said he was nervous about leaving the MTC and actually going out and talking to people about the church. In my letter, I told him not to be nervous because: "You're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!" (my favorite Dr. Seuss quote). I sure do miss him and I hope he can tell by my letters and paintings. In other news, I bought an opaque projector today. Drawing is just not my thing, as you can probably tell by my lopsided heart. I just get way too frustrated, especially trying to draw anything on a large scale. I'm sure it wouldn't be so frustrating if I just practiced...but I don't wanna! It will be s...