April's Joy

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April's Joy

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

The No. 12 of my monochromatic portrait series 

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“Joy is never tomorrow, it's always now.”

 – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

One monthly highlight is the painting challenge hosted by @eli_notario. This month, the inspiring reference photo was taken by Nicolas Kantor @nicolaskantor for @teenvogue Model @mindofkye Kyemah McEntyre

for more about this Monochrome Series

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in ourselves

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in ourselves 

- Page 15 in my 2025 Christmas Sketchbooks - 

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH watercolors + LISILINKA metallic watercolors

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” 

— William Shakespeare

May the new year bring new happiness, new goals, 

new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations to your life. 

Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness.

Sincerely yours,

Isabella 

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Lieb' Weihnachtsmann! - Dear Santa!

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Lieb' Weihnachtsmann!

Dear Santa!  

- Page 12  in my 2025 Christmas Sketchbooks - 

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH + SCHMINCKE SUPER GRANULATION watercolors + LISILINKA metallic watercolors

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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I wrote a letter to Santa and told him 
to bring you everything you wanted for Christmas, 
so hopefully he will answer and make all your dreams come true.

The glory and beauty of this wonderful season 
is something we all can share together. 
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 
and a prosperous New Year.

Cordially yours,

Isabella 

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The Treasure Box

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The Treasure Box 

- Page 8 in my 2025 Christmas Sketchbooks - 

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH + SCHMINCKE SUPER GRANULATION watercolors + LISILINKA metallic watercolors

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Ein Brief an den Weihnachtsmann - A Letter to Santa

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A Letter to Santa

- Page 7 in my 2025 Christmas Sketchbooks - 

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

COLORS: SCHMINCKE SUPER GRANULATION watercolors + LISILINKA metallic watercolors

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Schneekugelzauber - Snowglobe Magic

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Snowglobe Magic

- Page 6 in my 2025 Christmas Sketchbooks - 

SIZE: 14,8 x 21 cm

PAPER: CANSON® SAUNDERS WATERFORD® Art Book 300g/m² cold pressed

COLORS: SCHMINCKE SUPER GRANULATION watercolors + LISILINKA metallic watercolors

2025 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Hey, Santa Claus is coming early this year. He gave me this morning and brought a lot of magic to my atelier with this gorgeous shimmering watercolor palette by lisilinka.watercolors They are by far the shimmeriest watercolor paints I have ever experienced!

I'm thrilled by these amazing pigments!! Warmest thanks, Lisi, for the opal set as a generous gift 😍❤️🙏

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I'd like to be under the sea

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I'd like to be under the sea

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

PAPER: YASUTOMO STONEPAPER 150 g/m²

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLORS -

2025© ISABELLA KRAMER

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“I’d like to be under the sea in an
octopus’s garden in the shade.” 

— The Beatles

The calm and relaxing atmosphere of aquariums always fascinated me. Standing there and finding peace, watching this unique other world is something I never tire of. 

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In the soul

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in the Soul

SIZE: 20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

2024 © ISABELLA KRAMER

Happiness resides not in possessions,
and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.

 — Democritus

May the new year bring new happiness, new goals, 

new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations in your life. 

Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness.

Sincerely yours,

Isabella 

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one only

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one only

SIZE: 20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLORS 

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Ich wünsche Euch von Herzen ein Frohes Weihnachtsfest mit unvergesslich schönen, harmonischen und friedvollen Augenblicken und der Muße ebendiese genießen zu können und für das Neue Jahr einen glücklichen Wechsel und viel Positives und Lebenswertes in 2024.  

“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago."” 

 Tom Baker 


I want to thank you from my heart for your so kind interest in my work, 
for your supportive comments and your wonderful friendship during all these years blogging here. 

I wish you Merry Christmas for you and yours
and a fantastic, creative, healthy and peaceful 2024!!  

Cordially yours,

Isabella 

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Weihnachtskamin - Christmas Fireplace

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Weihnachtskamin - Christmas Fireplace

SIZE: 24 cm x 30 cm - 9,4 inch x 11,8 inch

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Altes Kaminstück

Draußen ziehen weiße Flocken

Durch die Nacht, der Sturm ist laut;

Hier im Stübchen ist es trocken,

Warm und einsam, stillvertraut.

Sinnend sitz ich auf dem Sessel,

An dem knisternden Kamin,

Kochend summt der Wasserkessel

Längst verklungne Melodien.

Und ein Kätzchen sitzt daneben,

Wärmt die Pfötchen an der Glut;

Und die Flammen schweben, weben,

Wundersam wird mir zumut'.

Dämmernd kommt heraufgestiegen

Manche längst vergeßne Zeit,

Wie mit bunten Maskenzügen

Und verblichner Herrlichkeit.

Schöne Fraun, mit kluger Miene,

Winken süßgeheimnisvoll,

Und dazwischen Harlekine

Springen, lachen, lustigtoll.

Ferne grüßen Marmorgötter,

Traumhaft neben ihnen stehn

Märchenblumen, deren Blätter

In dem Mondenlichte wehn.

Wackelnd kommt herbeigeschwommen

Manches alte Zauberschloß;

Hintendrein geritten kommen

Blanke Ritter, Knappentroß.

Und das alles zieht vorüber,

Schattenhastig übereilt –

Ach! da kocht der Kessel über,

Und das nasse Kätzchen heult.

  

  

Heinrich Heine, 1797 - 1856

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Easter Eggs

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Easter Eggs

SIZE: 20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH + SENNELIER

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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Not really easy to take a realistic photo of it. You have to look for it in real 🐰🐰🥚🥕🐰 I was in the mood for creating some Easter eggs!! Painted on Gesso bord and adding some real gold on the final version.

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Think upon

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_ Think Upon _ 

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” 

 -Brandon Sanderson

SIZE: 11,8 in. x 7,8 in. - 30x 20 cm

PAPER: HAHNEMUEHLE WATERCOLOR BOOK  MATT 250g/m²
COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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My contribution to @aligator_watercolor_community  challenge #68: to tell a story

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3 cubs

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3 cubs

SIZE: 20 cm x 20 cm - 5,5" x 5,5"

PAINTING GROUND: AMPERSAND AQUABORD 3 mm

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH WATERCOLORS 

2023 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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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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Sweet Memories - Ali Cavanaugh

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Sweet Memories - Ali Cavanaugh

SIZE: 14,5 in. x 18 in. - 35 x 45,5 cm

PAPER: ARCHES GRAIN TORCHON ROUGH 425 g/m²
COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors

2022 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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 My submission for  #54 PAINTING ALI Challenge at @aligator_watercolor_community.

I have chosen this portrait of Ali for the gorgeous golden light in the original photo, her sweet expression, the trendy haircut, and the private atmosphere. 

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Venetian Mask - II

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 Venetian Mask - II

SIZE: 15 in. x 15 in. - 38 x 38 cm

2021 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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One more Venetian Mask for our actual theme at Jean Haines's Online Artschool. www.watercolourinspiration.com. Oh yes, painting Carnival Masks is very, really very addictive! Being amongst this incredible festival was a lifelong dream and now I feel like I am there with all these beautiful costumes, colors, glitter, and gold around me.

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Il Ballo Del Doge

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 il Ballo del Doge

SIZE: 15 in. x 15 in. - 38 x 38 cm

2021 © ISABELLA KRAMER

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It's February and so it's Carnival time. I love our actual theme Jean Haines's Online Artschool  www.watercolourinspiration.com where we are painting Carnival masks. The Venetian masks are my favorites and painting them creates a wonderfully festive feeling at my studio, all these gorgeous colors and golden glitter around me. 

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Miracles start to happen

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Miracles start to happen

SIZE:  14,1 in. x 14,1 in. - 36 x 36 cm 

PAPER: HAHNEMUEHLE LEONARDO MOULD-MADE  ROUGH 600 g/m²

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors - SCHMINCKE HORADAM granulation watercolors

2021 © ISABELLA KRAMER 

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Miracles Start to Happen
When you Give as Much
Energy to Your Dreams
as You do to Your Fears 

- Buddha

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Yourself

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Yourself 

SIZE:  14,1 in. x 14,1 in. - 36 x 36 cm 

PAPER: HAHNEMUEHLE TURNER 300g/m² - 140 lbs

COLORS: DANIEL SMITH extra fine watercolors - SCHMINCKE HORADAM granulation watercolors

2021 © ISABELLA KRAMER 

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“You can search the whole tenfold universe and not find a single being more worthy of love and compassion than the one seated here—yourself."

- Gautama Buddha 

One more Buddha for my new series, paint portraits on loose background washes is absolutely addictive. Inspired by Jean Haines's Online Art School www.watercolorinspiration.com 

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