Before & After

I love seeing other people's before and after photos.  Room makeovers, weight loss, haircuts, a good closet organization redo- whatever it is, it always wows me (I'm a very visual person- surprise, surprise) so I thought I'd try sharing a few of my own before and afters today...
 

This is a painting I just recently finished, before and after I added the details.  On a simple painting like this, it's all in the details.

"Basketball" 4x6 watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2013

Here's Robert's office- before and after he moved his operation to our finished out attic, which we now loving refer to as "the upstairs." 

I'm lumping this room in as "Painted by Holly" because technically I painted the walls, the trim, the mobile, the hand-me-down desk and nightstand, one of the pictures on the wall, and a frame.  It was more painting than I do on most watercolors!   

This is cute little Ladybug, before and after her portrait.  I always work from photos for portraits.  I have the utmost respect for artists that work from live models.  I think it's way more challenging that way.  Right now, working from photos is challenging enough for me! 

"Ladybug" 7x5 watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2012

Finally, here's a watercolor before and after I've taken my Sharpie markers to it.  Drawing on the dried watercolor with Sharpies is always my favorite part.  To me, it gives just the right amount of punch to the painting and makes for a clean, finished look that I really like.

"Hernando" 11x14 watercolor on paper by Holly B. Johnson ©2012