Schau, was der Nikolaus gebracht hat! - Look what St. Nicholas brought..

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Look what St. Nicholas brought...

SIZE:  5,7 in. x 5,7 in. - 14,5 x 14,5 cm 

PAPER: SAUNDERS WATERFORD ROUGH 425 g/m²

COLORS:  DANIEL SMITH + WINSOR & NEWTON watercolors

white Ink and gold leaf

2023© ISABELLA KRAMER

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That was a painful experience. I tried painting on the back of the sheet, but the pigments didn't react as I expected, and even adding salt didn't produce any nice effects. I never would have thought that could happen on such expensive paper.

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seaside memories - 3, Salt Medows

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Seaside Memories 3 -

Salt Meadows

SIZE: 5,5  in. x 5,5 in. - 20 x 20 cm
PAPER: YASUTOMO STONEPAPER 150 g/m²

COLORS: ROCKWELL CANADA

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Trying out new colors is always a special pleasure. In this case, it was indescribably beautiful, as the colors are surprising in their granulation and color scheme.

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North Sea Winter

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North Sea Winter 

SIZE: 15,7 in. x 15,7 in. - 40 x 40 cm
PAPER: GUARDI ARTISTICO - TORCHON 300 g/m²
COLORS: SCHMINCKE DEEP SEA BLUE - DANIEL SMITH ROSE OF ULTRAMARINE - GOUACHE

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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 Painting landscapes with a very reduced palette is something I like a lot and while testing colors for a winter landscape I've discovered some lovely combinations and this is one of them. 

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The first gift of Christmas

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The first Gift of Christmas - 
Santa's Sleigh Bells

SIZE:  20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND CLAYBORD 3 mm primed with DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLOR GROUND GOLD

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors

2022 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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"He stood, holding the bell high above him, and called out, “The first gift of Christmas!”

  

  

Chris Van Allsburg, Author of "The Polar Express"

It was an experiment and I was really surprised at how well it worked. The golden primer is a gorgeous decision for Christmas paintings.

By the way, this is the 1.100th post on this blog, and I'm impressed by myself with this number. 

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Young Frida

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Young Frida

SIZE: 12 in. x 9 in. - 30,5 x 22,9 cm
PAPER: YASUTOMO STONEPAPER 150 g/m²
COLORS: DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLORS

2022 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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My first presentable try on Yasutomo mineral paper  and it's an awesome surface for experiments and training for more spontaneity and looseness. 

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Autumn Still Life - two

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Autumn Still Life - two

SIZE: 20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH + SENNELIER

2022 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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with this small one, I've had a new experience too, you can clean an aquabord maybe twice, but never three times, and put a completely new painting on it.

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Bouquet with purple Carnations

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bouquet with purple carnations 

SIZE: 12 in. x 18 in. - 30,5 x 45,5 cm

PAPER: CANSON MOULIN DU ROY COLD PRESSED 300g/m² 

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors 
MIXED MEDIA: Schmincke Aquaground, Gold Powder, dried Hydrangea leaves, Salt 

2020 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Harry met Sally

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HARRY MET SALLY

SIZE:  15 in. x 22 in. - 38 x 56 cm (half sheet)

PAPER: BOCKINGFORD ROUGH 300 g/m²

watercolor and ink 

2019 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Painting rooster and chicken is so lovely and relaxing. This piece is an experimental one, I've added  more and more background. (The image isn't the final version.) For this technique definitely less is more - okay I'll remember this for the next time time. 

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A new world

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 A NEW WORLD

SIZE: 5,9 in. x 5,9 in. - 15 x 15 cm

GROUND: Canvas 

2019 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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There's a new world opening for me, I've had my first contact with acrylic pouring and it was absolutely fascinating and wonderful.Okay, doing this is a little bit messy and you need a sure place, otherwise your studio looks like something has exploded inside. But I'll sure continue with this experience. It's so relaxing and inspiring in the same way and I've a lot unused canvas and acrylic colors - so I give it a go! 

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Winter Solstice

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WINTER SOLSTICE

SIZE: 4 in. x 7 in. - 10 x 18,5 cm

2018 © ISABELLA KRAMER

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. 

~Ruth Stout

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Only an experiment with wet-on-wet technique, two colors and little time during the holiday preparations. But there is something in this I like and hope you like it too.

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I'm so glad ...

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I'M SO GLAD I LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE ARE OCTOBERS

SIZE: 17,7 in. x 12 in. - 45 x 31 cm 

PAPER: BOCKINGFORD MOULD MADE HP WHITE 300 g/m²

2018 © ISABELLA KRAMER

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” 

– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

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This is an experimental work with strong colors in wet-on-wet-technique. Half the day I've worked in my garden and enjoyed the  wonderful fall colors in the late sunshine. Maybe some of this influences this work. 





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the wise owl

THE WISE OWL

SIZE: 19 x 28 cm

PAPER: BOCKINGFORD RKB FATPAD 425g/m² (200lb) Not

2017 © ISABELLA KRAMER

One more sketch for a larger version with rescued ink from damaged mushroom caps lying on the grass at our garden. If I'd discovered the lovely granulation I've decided to create a little owl, because the natural ink works so beautiful for the fluffy feathers of Barn Owls. 

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Natural experiments

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NATURAL EXPERIMENTS - Shaggy Mane Mushroom (Coprinus comatus) 

SIZE: 19 x 28 cm

PAPER: BOCKINGFORD RKB FATPAD 425g/m² (200lb) Not

2017 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Inspired by Jean Haines I’ve sketched mushrooms from my garden and all darks in this sketch are done with rescued ink from damaged mushroom caps lying in the grass. Great interaction with other pigments and a lovely granulation. I hope for less rain 🌧 and storm tomorrow - I need more ink 🖤🖋 

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Mother and Chick

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MOTHER AND CHICK

SIZE: 15 in. x 22 in. - 38 x 56 cm (half sheet)

PAPER: HAHNEMUEHLE LEONARDO ROUGH 600 g/m²
COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors + LIQUITEX INK

2017 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Stay by Mummy little one ,dont run to far stay close 
I worry i know you are so tiny ,we have a way to go so please dont run 
What did i say ,you have had a fall ,let me kiss you well ,no its ok ,your Daddy i wont tell 
You a tired now i know ,see the light now we are home you can run 
Ah, too tired i wonder why ,don't cry little one for we are home the day is done we are safe now sleep my son

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It "greens" so green

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Welcome May!! This is my favorite month of the year 💚 my special month with all its wonderful white and green in the awakening garden and nature around. So no wonder that the range of the monthly colors is full of lovely and amazing greens. Starting with some gorgeous loose warm up washes and the sweet lilies of the valley in my garden.

Hope you enjoy my new Color of the Month Challenge. 

xxx,

Isabella 

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Enlightened February

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Time for a new color scheme and so I've enlightened the grey in grey mood of February with a lot of yellows, glowing oranges and Spring fresh greens. Every month of 2017 I'll looking for colors in my palette that I haven't use long time and play with them. In most cases a new favorite color will probably emerge. My first warm-ups with this gorgeous glowing February palette are little dancing daisies. 

Hope you enjoy my new Color of the Month Challenge. 

xxx,

Isabella 

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sweet moments 3

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SWEET MOMENTS - 3 - LOOKING FOR FRIENDS

SIZE: 28 cm x 38 cm
PAPER: BOCKINGFORD RKB  FatPad NOT 425g/m² (200lb)

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors and Gouache

2017 © ISABELLA KRAMER 

playing with my blue background washes and suddenly a little penguin appears

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a Hampshire poem

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A HAMPSHIRE POEM 

SIZE: 15 in. x 5,5 in. - 38 x 14 cm

PAPER: SAUNDERS WATERFORD ROUGH 425 g/m²
COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors

2016 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Back from a famous watercolor workshop by Jean Haines in Hampshire.  

Heart and brain full of energy and ideas for new paintings and very thankful to have had this great opportunity. Jean Haines is not only an immensely talented, world famous and highly sought-after artist, warm-hearted, extremely humorous person, but also she is an extremely dedicated teacher. During this workshop was not just impetus, guidance and new ideas but passion and enthusiasm for our great shared love 

Watercolor Paintings 

I'm sure, we'll meet in future and look forward for see her again and paint together.

At every of the 4 workshop days I've met wonderful new people and have shared unique and beautiful moments. 

Happy and creative new month. And of course - may light and color be with you. 






yours, isabella 

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Le Château des Couleurs et Fantaisie

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LE CHATEAU DES COULEURS ET FANTAISIE   

SIZE: 22  X 15 inch - 56 x 38 cm

PAPER: BOCKINGFORD ROUGH 300g/m² (140lb)

2016 © ISABELLA KRAMER

AQUARELLE EN BRENNE CHALLENGE -  

Working on this version I started with a loose background wash and then adding a little bit salt into the wet pigments. after drying I paint the Château on the top and try to connect the building 
with the foreground. 

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Rough seashore

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deep in the fisherman's eyes ~

glimpses of home

©Brendon Kent

2015 © ISABELLA KRAMER

ROUGH SEASHORE

SIZE: 7,9 in. x 19,7 in. - 20 x 50 cm

PAPER: GUARDI ARTISTICO - TORCHON 300 g/m²

One more watercolor experience without drawing and brushes. 

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