Watercolor: Autumn in the Field

After all the puttering, swatching, color mixing and playing around, I finally slipped back into painting with a scene that I see nearly every morning. 

Not every painting is successful, but every painting teaches me something.

I'm happy with this painting.  I focused on the parts of the backlit scene that really attracted my eye -- the glowing foliage against the dark trunks, the foreground milkweed plants like lanterns against the shadowed bushes, and the crimson berries and leaves announcing the turn of the season to fall. 

Do you take regular walks around your neighborhood?  Why not look for scenes that appeal to your artist's eye and take a picture, make a drawing or paint the scene.  I hope you find some beauty to inspire you today!

Happy Creating!

Armchair Travels with a Brush

A recent Google search (unrelated to finding photos to create from) brought up an image of this gorgeous Greek villa that swept me away.  

I sketched the scene with my Lamy fountain pen and waterproof black ink on Arches cold press watercolor paper, then added Winsor & Newton watercolors loosely. 

Have you recently been dreaming of a fantasy vacation?  Why not paint or draw your imagined getaway?  You can visit your own personal paradise every time to look at your artwork.

Happy Creating! 

Art Date: Light and Shadows in the Woods

Do you ever take yourself out for art dates?  I have made a habit of it lately.

Even if the art date is right in your neighborhood, making a weekly habit of creating helps you build your skills each week.

I created this watercolor one morning, after a scouting walk helped me select the spot.  

When you find your location, you might want to take a few photos to capture the scene before the light shifts.  Then make a sketch lightly in pencil, mix your colors, and start painting.  

I started painting the bright green areas, then built up the darker areas, using only 3 colors: ultramarine blue, Winsor lemon, and burnt umber. The bold contrasts caught my eye and inspired me.

As you take your next walk, look at familiar scenes and say to yourself: "I like ______ part of the scene (the green Japanese maple leaves against the neighbor's red house, the shadows under that oak tree, the exact shade of blue of those hydrangea blossoms).  You'll learn what catches your artist's eye, and get ideas for future drawings or paintings.

Happy Creating!