Tuesday, May 19

Fairy Tale Tea Cup Tree!


Here's my entry for this fortnight's Creative Tuesday's challenge...and it was indeed! I used a medium I've never tried before — gouache paint, outlining everything with an India ink paintbrush pen afterwards. Funny thing is, we thought we had bought watercolour gouache actually, which I've also never tried, but in fact it was acrylic guoache. It didn't even occur to me until after putting the painting away and scanning this piece for here. (Ha, no wonder my work in progress didn't pan out like the learning video we watched a week prior.) The discount box of paints must have been thrown in with the watercolour sets in the bargain bin. Lesson learned: I need to pay more attention!

Well, regardless, another medium experimented and overall, I'm happy with the results. That's a relief, really, as while painting it Sunday afternoon I almost gave up on it. However, Alex encouraged me to take a break and go back to it Monday afternoon, which is exactly what I did. The extra washes of colour and line art really helped.

Now, my only thought is, I wonder which cup Toadie will jump up to and reach for next? I like to think he does drink tea too, not pond water! :)
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27 comments

  1. Oh this one is so you Michael, well done on this fantasy tree! That acrylic gouache sounds interesting.

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    1. Thank you, Christine! Isn't it funny that I actually can;t stand mushrooms of any sort but I do lie to draw them! :)

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    2. This is awesome Michael lovely whimsical tree

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  2. LOVE this, all those cups! If they grew on trees just think no washing up!! Your imagination has done you proud Michael. I never knew there was watercolour gouache only acrylic, so can understand you not expecting the paint to do what you expected. Even so you cracked it and the illustration is just wonderful.

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    1. That's interesting about acrylic gouache, Linda. Is that what you use?

      thanks for your enthusiasm!

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  3. O Mr. Michael, our wonderful host, I love this tea cup magical tree and the toadie is perfect. I love the colors and the details! I think you underestimate your talent because the acrylic gouache looks super on this end. And I'm sure Mr. Toadie prefers to drink your magical tea. :-)

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    1. Thank you. I suppose English Tea is magical indeed. Good for the soul.

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  4. beautiful! I love this so much, a great theme!!!

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  5. I like your signature white dots on red mushroom, this is so wonderful - the winding tree branches with teacups, the colorful mushrooms, the purple plants - they are work so well together. I would like to sit at this treehouse just to relax, it really looks so peaceful. the colorful teacups is definitely something I know I would do.

    I envied you for trying new mediums as I rarely get out of my comfort zone. I think you and Alex are both so good with paint and acrylic and such. maybe I should take lessons?

    anyway, have a lovely day.

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    1. you know, not only the tea cups but the tree is also something you'd definitely do! I was thinking that as I did it! Thank you. Yes, have to laugh about the red mushrooms that many of us chose to draw. Go figure, expecially as noted, I don't even like mushrooms! Fun to draw and paint though!

      Yes, I do try to break out of my comfort zone and the computer now and then, and always with the drawing, as you do too, since I spend so much of my day, as many of us do, on my computer for work. I think there is def something to be said for that tactile rendering to stimulate the creativity.

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  6. Michael,
    The colours, lines and movement in this piece are outstanding. I get excited looking at it. I haven't tried acrylic but have used some gouache but usually stick to my watercolours.
    Can't wait to see the next challenge. I might have a few minutes to actually paint this time.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Gillian, thank you and nice meeting, you as it were. your art is superb. :)

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  8. Seriously, this is a brilliant piece. Absolutely brilliant.

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    1. No, seriously. This is book cover good stuff you've got.

      Have a great weekend. Tim and I are starting our 9 day staycation when he gets home tonight. 9 days, woohoo.

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  9. Mooks...this is absolutely brilliant. Yes, yes - somewhat partial being your smoots...but seriously! This is wonderful work, filled with life, beauty, adventure - it's FILLED with a child-like heart and I LOVE it! Should we tell your peeps that we considered "trading" pieces as we didn't like our own but loved each others? hahaha :D Well done!

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    1. I am planning that in fact. Lol. thank you! :)

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  10. It looks really colourful and vibrant. Very talented you are!

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  11. This is lovely and so colorful. How cool it would be to have trees that grow tea cups :) very imaginative.

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  12. Another fantastic piece of work! Tea and toads! Couldn't be any better. I always carry toads over the streets when I see them. Such fabulous animals!

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    1. Haha, I do the same thing with worms, believe it or not!

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  13. You are so talented, Michael, and the outlining you mention just makes everything so crisp amongst the vibrancy of colour. Beautiful.

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  14. This is so cool. Reminds me of a dream I've had a few times, of a yarn tree for me, but close.😁😁 You are a very talented artist. Stopping by via lissas blog, I'm Geraldine, you commented on my interview with her. Have a great day.

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