I'm currently reading Cathy Johnson's book First Steps: Watercolor Painting (North Light Books, 1995). She shares her step-by-step approach for beginners to simplifying a landscape. I tend to get lost in details, wanting to include every knobby tree trunk and bowing weed stalk in a scene. I am happiest when I can fall into the tiniest features of some bit of nature -- an acorn or autumn leaf, for instance.
But with an entire landscape, I am learning to see & paint the larger forms first. What a relief not to expect myself to trace every bramble and bough in the landscape, but just to capture the spirit of the moment.
Saturday morning, I sat down with my paints at the kitchen counter and looked out the sliding glass door to the image above. The morning mists made the distant trees look hazy, and I focused mainly on Grandmother Sugar Maple -- the bushy looking tree on the left.
In years past, Grandmother Sugar Maple has provided us with gallons of sap to boil down into delicious, golden maple syrup. I have a special reverence for her, which deepened my painting experience.
Each painting is a learning opportunity. A chance to connect with nature. A chance to slow down. A chance to express ourselves.
I hope you will keep painting -- it leads to delightful discoveries!
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