Watercolor Sketches

Lately I have been doing watercolor sketches for enjoyment or exploring the possibility of a new painting. Below are some of my latest sketches. I like them because they are more immediate. They are fresh and I don't worry so much how they will turn out. I feel they are more expressive. It frees me up to paint more. It is important for an artist to keep a sketchbook. Sketching in a sketchbook is like a pianist practicing. It makes you a better artist. The first is my latest sketch I did from a photo I saw on-line of another artist's model. The other artist is a fantastic oil painter from Australia. He was demonstrating how to do paint the model. I stopped the video and took a screen capture and did a watercolor version from that small image. If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing any of my work email me at: ken@kenharris.com

Below is a quick sketch I did in my sketchbook based on a photo I took at Regents Park in London last summer.

Next is a painting I did outside my office in Irvine just after it had rained. Click on any image to see a better view.

This sketch I did this morning. It is from a photo I took in Paris last summer. It is of a crosswalk on bridge over the Seine.

Below is another abstract sketch of another bridge just before you cross the Seine.

This I did the house below in Redondo Beach, CA.

Below is a watercolor sketch I did from a photo I took up in central California. It is an old farm house.

 Another sketch from a photo I took in Versaille last summer

The watercolor sketch below I did from a photo I took in St. Helena, California. I just basically translated the photo to watercolor.

The next sketch I did is from a photo but I rearranged the composition and added a few new elements. I made the road "S" curve more to draw your eye into the watercolor. I painted dry brush directional lines to further encourage the eye up the road. I plan to do more of these. I am learning that the job of the artist is to direct the viewers eye into the painting and to the center of interest.

These loose sketches kind of free me up inside. I just do them. I don't worry. I explore and I learn more. For an artist these sketches get you out of a rut. Sketching like this is like keeping a diary. Instead of letters on paper that are symbolic we have "spots of color" that represent thoughts and emotions.