Friday 21 January 2011

Pebbles and Stones


A little study of some stones I picked up on the beach.  I can't  resist  smooth coloured pebbles and stones, my bag gets really heavy after a day by the sea.  Most of them  go into the garden and they look lovely in piles or in plant pots.
This is watercolour and coloured pencil with artistic splatters to represent the sea and sand!
My new watercolour book arrived a couple of days ago, so I'm going to have some fun trying out some of the different techniques....which book?  You'll have to wait and see!

28 comments:

Alex said...

It's funny how I was just telling my co-worker the other how I view things and appreciate things the artistic way... because one can't appreciate something as well if he/she has not drawn or sketched it. And I was like "for instance...pebbles, people take them for granted, but artists don't... they can pick some pebbles and draw them and make them stand out in the crowd" and he understood me immediately.
Anyway...I was talking about pebbles and there you go...you drew pebbles, and what good looking pebbles these are too! Great job Cathy

nanke's stuff said...

I love little things like pebbles, too. This little pile is truly beautiful. The colors, the shadows -- the whole little study is lovely. nancy

Unknown said...

I'v often wondered if it would work to do watercolor splatters over a colored pencil background. How was it for you? Did you splatter by tapping the brush against another brush, or by scraping along the bristles? Love your rock tower! I love your clean, rich colors.

Sandy in Michigan said...

Your rocks look so shiny and smooth! Great job!

Shirley said...

Subject so simple - and composition and painting breath-takingly beautiful!! Your relections and shadows are my inspiration - why do I find it soooo difficult to make them look realistic. So I skip them.

seesue said...

Oh yeah, Lovin' this so much. Shadow perfection, girl!

Elza said...

Oh yes, very well done, and so decorative too.

Tahirih Goffic said...

I love your stones! What is it that is so attractive about a pile of stones, I wonder? The thrill of look at it is almost primal. Great work:)

Gillian Mowbray said...

I love those colours - you even have nicer pebbles than we do here. LOL

I see you've arranged for your own special Illustration Friday theme this week! x

Pat said...

Your stones are lovely!

alissaduke said...

beautiful colours and shadows on everyday objects. You have made them something special

Revelle Taillon said...

I love this painting. I also love picking up pebbles and rocks from the beach or anywhere I am. I have them all around my house and in my garden. I really should try drawing them sometime!

jill said...

The pebbles are lovely, years ago I drew some and really enjoyed it but had forgotten all about it, Thankfully I am off work this weekend. Did I mention I really like your paintings

Cathy Holtom said...

Gillian - I've just had a look....definately my week this week!

Minerva said...

Lovely pebbles! My favorite is the top one. I'd put them in my pots too :)

Ellen Burkett said...

These are just beautiful, Cathy! The light, shadow and colors are all terrific!

Lucia B. said...

Beautiful! You have rendered perfectly the smoothness of the pebbles, and I like so much the different intensity of the shadows!

Unknown said...

wow you nailed that shine! Great drawing.

Sara Light-Waller said...

Love them!

debra morris said...

Beautiful Cathy!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful use of watercolor...such rich color!

Anonymous said...

I love the pebbles ..... and also your rope in the previous post.

Laura said...

I follow Drawing Diva's blog and she put up a link to your blog. Your work is beautiful and I am now one of your followers too!
~Laura

Dan Kent said...

So unique and beautiful!

kazumiwannabe said...

I love stones, and these are so beautiful! Great composition!

magpie said...

exquisite.
i cannot resist the lure of smooth stones, whether real or painted.

Unknown said...

Wow, amazing work! I love piles of stones, especially when each has a different color like that! Great texture and shadows!

Anonymous said...

I love this, reminds me of a Zen statue! My youngest son can't seem to go on a hike without loading down his pockets and backpack with rocks. Makes me laugh every time unpacking at the end of a trip!