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OK, don't laugh at my first attempt with watercolors (yes, I'm that bored.) I promised Grandma that I would show her what I'm doing since she gave me some "how to" books when I was at home, but unfortunately my internet link is so jumpy that I couldn't attach a decent size picture to an email, even zipped up. Throwing it up on the website ended up being easiest. Click on the thumbnails to see larger image.

I don't think it looks too much like Askan (unless he's punched in the nose and starts wearing dentures.) Oh well. I didn't spend enough time on the drawing, and it just got worse as I added the layers of color. This type of watercolor is a trial in patience. It seems like you spend more time waiting for the paint to dry than actually putting it on. For the longest time I thought it was going to look like he had hepatitis. I tended to start too early with the next layer of paint, subsequently the colors ended up "muddy". I am pleased that I managed to keep the white areas of the painting white without using china white or rubber cement to block it out. But overall, it looks to me to be forced - the style rigid, which it how I felt as I was working on it.

The one I'm working on now is a small landscape of the view off our balcony. Making this drawing has been more difficult than Askan's portrait - I'm guessing because of 2D vs. 3D. I'm going to try to be "looser" with the colors this time. Maybe I should practice with some ink sketches to get the hang of it. I hardly use a pen or pencil any more for writing, so it's strange to pick one up for drawing.