July pet friend winner

Kenzie 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130

This is a puppy picture of Kenzie. She is five months old here.
I would love to name a dog Kenzie because then she would be Kenzie Mackenzie.

After Dana's advice

After Dana's advice 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130

Dana Richard's  wrote and said to wet the paper first and put in some washes and then build from there. I am usually stubborn but this time I listened and I think she was right. 

What I have learned so far: 

When Dana talks....listen.

Simplifying the wave

Simplifying the wave 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130

I simplified the forms in the wave. 

What I have learned so far: 

Value in those mid-tones proved elusive.

The simple and the not so simple

Simple cloud forms 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130

Waves 

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$140 

These two paintings couldn't more different. One is simple forms and the other a swirling caldron of color . My goal today is to somehow  "marry " the two in  a  wave painting. I hope I can find those simple forms.

The wave

The wave 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140

I did a couple of waves today.This one turned out the best. There are so many colors in a breaking wave.

Go for a Ride?

Go for a Ride? 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130 

I saw this photograph and could immediately see the painting it would make. Simple shapes and colors fit together nicely

Backgrounds are where it is at

 Dark to light 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140 

What I have learned so far: 

You must paint full out and not stop when it feels O.K. Push beyond that all the way to the edge of loosing all color but not value ...never value .

Sophie

Sophie 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130
Today the pet friend of the day is Sophie.
Thanks for playing the pet friend game with me. 

Four steps to paint a pet friend

Sister watercolor 7.9x7.9 

$130 

This is the final step

Step three 

finding the lightest lights and leaving with a light wash. Make final adjustments 

Step two finding the variety of mid-tones. Using test dabs to check for value relationships  established  step one. 

Step one establishing the darkest elements

Consider all backgrounds on notice

Back grounds are on notice 

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$140 

My new goal is to make my backgrounds less colorful and to let the blossom of the flower take center stage. I have many options for how to do this . This is my first attempt. I have a feeling I should make the background darker.

Artist Marney Ward gave me this advice. Now I need to see if I can execute it.

A day to loaf

Mighty dog 

7.9x7.9 

watercolor 

$140 

I woke up with a bad cold. I haven't been sick in a long time. So today I will curl up and take the day off. What ever that means? 

What I have learned so far : 

I haven't learned this yet but I plan on working on the backgrounds in my flower paintings to make them more neutral so that the attention is on the flowers.

A simple Rose

A simple rose 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$130 

I wanted to see how few strokes I could use to paint a mid-toned rose. 

I forgot to count how many it was.

3 steps to The Golden Hour painting

The Golden Hour 

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$140

Rob Ryan took this picture of evening light in his yard this week. I wanted to see if I could get that "golden hour glow". 

This is step three. I made some minor adjustments. 

Step two ...putting the darker patterns of values using test dabs to make sure I have the values correct in relation to step 1.

Step one...putting in the pattern of mid-tones.

Zinnia

\Zinnia 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$ 130

This is a zinnia. It is like a mini sun.  Time to look at the variety of  flower forms  available right now in the garden.

14 by 20 pink peony 2

Pink Peony 14by 20 inches 

watercolor 

Yesterday I was too timid. I am determined to swing for the fences. If I do not I end up with "blah". Nothing is more discouraging than a "blah". 

What I have learned so far: 

Be patient with yourself you can only push so far at one time . Slow down, think, relax.

14x20 pink peony red center

Pink Peony  red center 14x20 inches 

watercolor 

14x20 inches
$275

This is a large size ...when framed it looks great over a couch. That is why I call it "the over the couch size).

Rosie and Pippen both sold today. Don't they make a nice pair?

Maggie

Pet Friend Maggie 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9
$140
 

This is Maggie. The pet friend of the day

Three steps to paint a beach

The beach 2 

watercolor 

7.9x7.9 

$140

SOLD

Step 3 Final adjustments and light washes. 

Step 2. Finding the pattern of mid-value shapes 

Step 1. Finding the darkest value shape and establishing a pattern structure.

Three steps to paint Koda

sold

Koda 

watercolor 

7x11 inches 

$130 

Koda is the pet friend of the day 

Step 3...background and final light washes 

Step two..putting in the mid-tones. Nothing can be darker from now on than what was applied in step 1. 

Step one...mass the darkest darks and find the underlying NOTAN pattern. 

White peony 14x20 inches

White peony 14x20 inches

watercolor 

I wanted to paint a large white peony to see if I could make the forms . I think it turned out pretty good. 

Today is a challenge day. First I have a lesson to give to a new student and then I may tackle the challenge of the week.

Peony forms 14x20 inches

Peony forms 

watercolor 

14x20 inches 

I am trying to see the values in their purest value form shapes.