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MEDIUM: Watercolor on Aquabord™ with Scratching
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SIZE: 18" x 24"
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STATUS: In a Private Collection
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PRINTS: Giclee prints available (contact Judy)
"After completing my small watercolor on Aquabord™ of "The Real Santa," I was anxious to try a larger portrait on the same surface. A search through my reference photos lead me to one I had taken of my great niece Emma on a visit to her family in Georgia. I loved the highlights in her fine blond hair, the side lighting, the spontaneous pose, the intense stare, the lovely textures of her sundress, and the wood texture of the playhouse she was climbing into. This was the largest size Aquabord I had worked on to date, and it seemed ideal for my chosen subject. On a very personal level, my painting would also document a sparkling autumn day shared happily with special members of my family."
Watercolor on Aquabord provides some challenges as well as advantages as compared with watercolor on paper. One of my major struggles on this painting was creating the softness of a child's skin, while still getting highlights, shadows, and dimension. In the background I used dark hues on the right of the figure which would contrast with the scratched fine lightest hair while creating lighter background colors on the left where her hair would be painted in darker shades. Emma's cute little fingers were fun to paint, especially with the one tucked between the boards. I love details, and this painting provided plenty!"
