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Elements redux - Water
#aquarelle #conceptual #coral #eel #element #fish #kelp #ocean #seal #water #watercolour
Published: 2018-12-31 10:56:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 4576; Favourites: 148; Downloads: 3
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Description
Completed December 2018
Available as: photoprint and small postcard.
Also available at society6.com/loulinarts
(Just in the nick of time, eh?)
I always felt I could do this series much better. (You find the old version here: www.deviantart.com/loulin/art/…) “Earth” and “Wind” were both based on the old paintings and "Fire" received a new look. There was always the debate whether I’d keep the old water design or move forward with a new design. True to nature I chose the more complicated path and went with a new design. I’m still fond of the old one but it didn’t quite match the other three.
My goodness… As if the November energy-bust wasn’t enough, both the line art and general painting killed me twice over. Plus, it took me some time to come up with something that matched and kept the overall standard from previous paintings. And also there were so many more fun things that could have symbolised Water but didn’t fit. I hope that those I did choose are doing a good job of it. (That sunfish is soooo much my favourite part in this particular painting)
This is the last element – hope you have enjoyed them all - even if the last one got a bit delayed.
Take care of our oceans and their inhabitants; we can’t ever replace them.
Tools: Watercolour, some masking fluids and a smidge of white acrylics
Size: Original = 30x40 cm / 12x16 in
Time: About 54 hours over 23 workdays (as always I’m not counting the time looking for good references, cleaning up, preparing, pauses or moments just waiting for paint to dry)
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Comments: 33
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Thank you very much. 
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Thank you very much. Glad you liked it.
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Thank you, enndeman.
And, oh yes, I will. 
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Thank you very much.
It was a surprise to say the least.
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Very nicely done!!
Congratulations on your much deserved DD!
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Thank you very much!
So happy you liked it.
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Thank you very much.
It was a bit of a surprise to see the DD-page yesterday, but allbeit a very good one. I was on cloud nine all day long.
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Thank you.
Makes me happy to hear that.
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Exquisitely beautiful work! Congratulations on a very well-deserved DD
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Thank you very much. I'm so glad you liked it.
(Also, thanks for 
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You are more than welcome
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What a beautiful piece of art
Thank you also for describing the process. I like it when a painting isn't rushed. You put a lot of research, time, thought and love into it. It is inspiring!
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Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked it and that I could inspire you.
Yes, I like writing something about the art, my thoughts and something about how it's done. Much more fun for both me and the viewers (or so I hope).
I think research is important for any bigger art project, to look up all the proper shapes, colours or anatomy or general references. I don't know how many pictures of coral and coral reefs I looked at for this particular painting.
When you're a hopeless detail freak like myself you want to get it right, not somewhat ok. And for that to happen you just let the hours pass no matter how many and no matter how tired you are. When it's done it's done - the drawing/painting will let you know. 
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Thank you very much.
So happy you liked it.
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Marvelously done! Thank you for sharing your work with us.
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Thank you, thank you...
Yes, I was very pleased with this one. It was admittedly a bit of a nightmare from time to time both drawing and painting it but all is forgotten now in the light of the outcome.
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This is absolutely gorgeous.
I must thank you for sharing this, because it has given me that "Oh, that is how I can do it!" that will allow me to properly paint the color version of one of my black and white reef pieces.
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Thanks a lot, glad you liked it.
Also glad I could inspire you. A slight word of warning though 'cause if you are a detail freak like myself, painting the reef is just as fiddly and time consuming as drawing it. Load up with lots of patience, you're probably gonna need it.
(Also.... almost forgot: thanks for
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As you have seen, with Park Bench, I am a bit of a detail freak. Lullaby is more detailed than Park Bench. These, both when originally drawn and when cleaned up in Photoshop, took forever; because in each case every dot in the stippling was placed one at a time, either with the .000 technical pen, or with my WACOM stylus.
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Am I late or what? Been very busy with my work, so busy in fact that I have had only minimum time to spend with my own drawings (and other projects). But still, that's not an excuse.
So the final redux piece is ready and boy does it contain a lot of details. Those corals must have taken truly some time to draw and color. And speking of colors I think that this water painting has perhaps the best coloring when it comes to these new versions of your elements. Somehow its very fitting and also lively and that "paleing" blue water from bottom to top is a spot on. The "feeling of water" and sea is very natural in this. Well done, well done indeed.
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Just a tiiiiny bit late. 
There were a few times during Water when I honestly thought "I don't want to do this anymore" - especially during the coral reef parts. My gods how fiddly - it really felt like I had painted myself into a corner for sure (pun intended). There was always the dilemma whether I'd paint it as how I see it on the multitude of reference photos - i.e. realistic, or to paint a somewhat simplified interpretation. I hope I reached a good compromise between them 'cause some of the smallest stuff can easily fit on my pinke finger nail. And there were so many fun things that I wanted to add to the painting, like sharks, mantas and whales, nudibranch and more different fishies but couldn't because of size or shape or general overall balance. (I had the exact same problem with Earth - I wanted to stuff in more different animals but couldn't) I probably will construct a reason for me to paint/draw either some time in the future. 
When all is said and done I feel so proud to have finished all four in time, even if it was a bit on the last second with Water. I have them in formation on my wall next to my desk so I can admire them every day.
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