The prompt this week is door for #ScribblePicnic. I hadn’t picked up a paint brush and my watercolour for a long time. Not since I finished the last picture for I Remember – The Seasons. It was good to get back into it. I enjoyed the process again.
Now I should be ready to start on our next book in the series. I needed this boost.
Interestingly enough while my sister-in-law visited us in Arizona she showed us pictures of her travels to Europe. She is fascinated with doors and door knobs. She has sent me some of the pictures. This one is from Tier, Germany and she is sure it is a door to a church.
I noticed many doors in Germany were arched like this one.
Here is the original picture.
Here is my process. I started using wet on wet and this photo below was still wet when I took the picture.
Trying to be true to the photo I darkened the door – but I think I like the one above before I darkened it. Too bad – can’t get it back. But I might try lightening it if I can – highlights always help. What do you think?
This exercise reminds me of a door we entered in Rome. We climbed up the back steps – it looked as if it might be a church but there was nothing outstanding – very white, no adornments. We walked in – and my goodness – it was stunning. The ceilings were very high, painted and the colour in the room was beautiful.
So we never know what is behind a door. (tweet this)
And we can think about that with people. Do we really know who they are? Is their door open or shut? Sometimes when we say, “Hi, how are you doing?” do we mean it? Have you really taken the time lately to ask someone how they really are?
I do hope everyone has someone to open up to.
Can you let your door open to another person? (Tweet this)
I am willing to listen. You can email me anytime. Email Janis.
Today is #Scribble Picnic. Visit more creations at Dottyhill.
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I love doors and take pictures of them wherever I am in the world. I do like the lighter door but your sketch is lovely all the same.
You did a wonderful job, Janis. I LOVE the vibrant colors of the brick. You knocked this out of the ballpark. 🙂
Sorry to be visiting everyone so much later than I would normally!
This is a wonderful, Janis, and I agree that the 2nd to last piece works the best as one can see the doors better as they aren’t as readable on the photo either and thus the wonders of artistic license for affect and effectiveness! : I love what you’ve written here too. Thank you so much for adding this!
You ask great questions. For me, I mean it when I ask someone how they are and usually wait a brief second to make sure they feel free to open up more if they want. I am pretty intentional to make sure I hear what they are saying, I think. Speaking of doors like this, etc, I was thinking how most people at my work would have had NO idea I had jsut got a call my mother had died as I kept on interacting with others, as needed, and kept on going even so. Of course, I did tell people when the right time and actually left back home for work for the afternoon which I often do on that day anyway.
BTW, if you haven’t seen it yet, I did go ahead and add another post, explaining the spaceship door’s bumper stickers. 🙂
That turned out very well. You made that door your own… I love that.
Latane,
I wish I had stopped before I made it darker – then it would have been my own. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings,
Janis
I love old European doors. Yours turned out wonderful.
I so wanted to join you all for doors, but nothing came together for me. A busy week.
Thank you for visiting my colored tree painting.
Tammie,
Missed you in #ScribblePicnic. Thanks for dropping over and the compliments. I know about getting too much on my plate. Hopefully this week will allow you to join us again – potted plant I think.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis your door is beautiful!
Christine,
Thank you very much!!
Blessings,
Janis
this is lovely. I like the colors you used – very cheerful. I agreed, the lighter version where the door is a lighter hue looks better. have you try gluing on a paper cut it in the shape of the door (the same kind you’re using to paint this) and then repaint ? I haven’t try that method but it could work.
have a lovely day.
Lissa,
Thank you. That’s an interesting idea about using another piece of paper overlay. I think I will try scrubbing out first.
Blessings
Janis
Your brickwork is beautiful. I love arched doors and you’ve picked a good one to capture this week.
Lorraine,
I loved the pictures of doors that my sister-in-law took in Europe. It was hard to choose which one to attempt. Thanks for the compliments.
Blessings,
Janis
Lovely door sketch, Janis! I seem to have a thing for arched doorways of late. Nice work!
Serena,
I guess that’s you and me both. In my story of Mary and Martha I also drew an arched door. And I have done another painting with doors and balconies. I think it is hanging in my sister’s home.
Blessings,
Janis
That turned out great! I do agree that the lighter door looks better, but of course one wouldn’t know until doing the darker one. Those bricks–beautiful in the photo as well as in your painting!
“So we never know what is behind a door.” So true!
Thanks so much. Yes until I darkened it I didn’t realize I liked my interpretation better. But I think I can scrub out to lighten some highlights. And actually it is darker than the picture I posted. I used Photoshop to make it lighter. lol 🙂
What’s behind your next door?
Blessings
Janis
I love the soft watercolor of your bricks here, very pretty!
Andrea,
Can you tell I have been busy – just getting to comments now. Thanks for encouragement with the bricks.
Blessings,
Janis
Beautiful painting! You are so talented! Great food for thought! I’ll be looking for somewhere to open a door today! Blessings!
Liz,
Thank you so much for your encouragement in my artwork. And I will follow my own advice – to look where God is leading me today. Open eyes. Open doors.
Blessings to you,
Janis