I turned to shades and contrast

Story and artwork by Elaine Ethier

Born in 1954 in Montreal with a bilateral ptosis of my eyes. Couldn't do much until Dr. Katz operated my lids at 6. Started school later than others, my vision was blurry and contrats were armful. Life was very challenging, so were schoolmates. I grew up in a nun's system. No make up no fashion. Then high-school years, I learned how to make up my eyes to look somewhat like Marlene Dietrich, my brows were very high and curved. Young ladies with boyfriends turned away from me' the girl with bedroom eyes … My first palette were my eyes.

I had so much fun Later on, as a novice buyer, I drew faces, bodys wrapped in chic fashion, then went to technical drawings for footwear fashion, the hells, their shapes, curves,hights, the shoe, it's lasts, and ornements, stitching and patterns. Same for hand bags The first drawing courses I took were in the 90's for horticultural studies and landscapes, always the ruler, the linear and stratus on the white page, technical only.

Freehand came later on in the Town of Hudson where I submitted photography to a jury of visual arts. The association welcomed my proposal and I became a member, going to every painting workshop, taking classes with renowned watercolour teachers. I've always been drawn to all forms of art, wondering how artists could transfer lovely colours, textures, warmth, light and shade. Sculptures, how the shapes transmit shades. I refer to Light as the most mix of colours, moody whites and all ranges have troubled my sight so I turned to shades and contrast.

---

Discover how to paint in watercolor the right way

---

Do you want to Win the Watercolor Academy Video Course?