I have been so focused on my physical health (or lack of it) and all the stuff I'm having to do in order to get the tools I need to try to fix it that I haven't been making any art, which is essential to my mental health. One problem is that sitting still for long periods isn't good for either my lymphatic circulation or my general mobility, but also I just haven't felt inspired, intrigued, or motivated lately. But for some reason today I was determined to paint; maybe it was teaching a draw-and-paint workshop last Saturday that made me realize how out-of-practice I am. So I dragged out a fun reference photo I've been saving, and spritzed my watercolors.
This is a Victorian mug shot, and I liked it for a couple of reasons; she looks so disconcerted, like "What did I do to arrive at this place in my life?" and I kinda feel like that too, lately! Also, these old mug shots are in either black and white or sepia tones, so I can pick my own color combos without any regard to the reference photo. I can do that anyway, but this makes it easier. I think her clothing and hat were actually a rather dusty black, and her eyes were probably hazel, but hey, I'm the artist here!
This is drawn with a Uniball, and is all watercolor except for that poison green background, which is Daler Rowney ink, and the white highlights in her eyes and mouth, which are acrylic paint (because my Signo pens have all dried up and need replacing!) A bit of her is cut off, top and bottom, because of the height of my scanner.
"Victorian Mug"—watercolor on 140-lb. coldpress watercolor paper, 9x12 inches.
