Thursday, July 31, 2014

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.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

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.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

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.

Monday, July 28, 2014

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.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

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

Saturday, July 26, 2014

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. 

Friday, July 25, 2014

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

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

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.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

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.

Monday, July 21, 2014

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.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

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.


Saturday, July 19, 2014

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.

Friday, July 18, 2014

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?

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Maggie


Pet Friend Maggie 
watercolor 
7.9x7.9
$140
 
This is Maggie. The pet friend of the day

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

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.



Monday, July 14, 2014

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. 


Sunday, July 13, 2014

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.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Peony forms 14x20 inches


Peony forms 
watercolor 
14x20 inches 
I am trying to see the values in their purest value form shapes.