Back To Blueberries

work-in-progress

I had a dentist appointment yesterday and didn't post anything as I was up and out in the morning.  However in the late afternoon/evening I began working on an older, unfinished painting.  I've a couple larger one hanging around the studio that I really would like to finish.  This is the first one that I think I can knock off in the next couple weeks.  It measures 22" x 30" and is on flat aquabord.

Have a good week.

The Hours

"Princeton Barn"
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Oh the hours I've spent on this little ditty.  I'm throwing my hands up in the air and calling "uncle."  I don't know what to think.  I'm happy with some parts, but disappointed with others.  It was a good learning experience but I'm just going to sit on it for a while . . . at least for the weekend. 

Perhaps I'll crop it into a square: 

"Princeton Barn" - cropped into an 8" x 8"

Or crop it even so that only my favorite part shows -- that tree on the side - ha! 

"Princeton Barn" - detail

Any thoughts?

The Drama Continues

"Princeton Barn" - work in progress
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Oh boy . . . so after hours of painstakingly working on branches and such I decided I was getting way to detailed and nitpicky and just washed the tops of the trees right off!

"Princeton Barn" - work in progress
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

So this is where I'm at.  The second image scanned a little lighter than the first one, which I messed around with in Photoshop at night - Yikes.  So the real colors and contrast are somewhere in between these two images.  However I think I like the drama in the first image.  Maybe I'll try recreate that in my painting.  What a wild ride this is turning out to be!

Have a lovely day.

Princeton Barn Progress

"Princeton Barn - work in progress
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Here are a couple more progress shots of my new painting.  I'm struggling with the level of detail vs. just shape.  I've even moved on from the shot below and have done more work.  This was a tough subject to mess with regarding some of what I'm trying to learn.  So I'm doing a little backtracking and painting how I normally would approach this.  Well, sort of.  

Let's just say this is a learning experience.  

"Princeton Barn" - work in progress
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Although I do love that little green tree on the right and the trees in the distance though.  More tomorrow.

New

"Princeton Barn" - work in progress
9" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I hope my American friends had a lovely long weekend.  I began a new painting.  This one measures 9" x 12" and is painted on aquabord. (of course)  I've been studying some oil paintings by a fewcontemporary masters and trying to glean how they do what they do in terms of value, shape, color and temperature - particularly with landscape and foliage - and applying what I learn to my paintings. (easier said than done!)  Obviously the media are completely different but the fundamentals are the same. Still, translating them into watercolor techniques is a challenge. But who doesn't like a challenge!?  :)

In addition I've been pouring over Andrew Wyeth's work as well.  I'm hoping to make significant improvements on my painting this year . . . we'll see how it goes.

In case you are interested, here are links to some of the work I've been viewing, it's just exceptional and inspiring:

T. Allen Lawson

Josh Clare

Clyde Aspevig

Have a great week!

Cardinal On Paper

work-in-progress
watercolor on paper

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, my Thursday morning students (I affectionately refer to them as "my Ladies") asked if we could do a project all together.  Most days everyone just works on their own paintings.  So we decided on a cardinal.  One of "my Ladies" was already working from a lovely photograph that she had taken and everyone was so impressed by her progress that they asked if they could all try.  So I started this little practice - left unfinished - so I could demonstrate more finish work as we moved along after the initial washes.  

Stay tuned for our progress . . . and have a great weekend!

A Missing Whitman For Sale

"A Missing Whitman"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

Click here to purchase:  $450

After a tiny bit of tweaking on Tuesday I'm satisfied that "A Missing Whitman" is done. It's painted on 7/8" cradled aquabord with a red edge (as shown below).  It's been treated with a UV Protective gloss finish and is ready to hang.

the red edge

Thanks so much for visiting.

The Reliables

"The Reliables"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

Click here to bid:  $100

I love painting in sepia tones and I love my brushes.  These are my "go-to's" . . . Silver Black Velvets from Dick Blick and a few inexpensive flat acrylics from Michael's.  I don't know what I'd do without my flats -- they are the best for lifting out pigment from aquabord - stiff enough but not too abrasive.  Just perfect!

Have a great day!

A Missing Whitman

"A Missing Whitman"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on 7/8" cradled aquabord)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  I'm pretty much done with this, although I just need to let it set for a bit so I can make sure.  I may have a little tweaking to do to the empty spot.  I think it looks a little wonky.  

Hope you and your valentine have a lovely day!

Cutie Pie

"Cutie Pie"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on 7/8" cradled aquabord)

Click here to bid: $275

My two Valentine 2017 paintings!  They are both 12" x 12" and have been painted on 7/8" cradled aquabord with pink edges.  The paintings come all ready to hang.  Hope you have a delightful day!

the pink edge

Thank you for stopping by!

Giggle Giggle, Wink Wink

"Giggle Giggle, Wink Wink"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid:  $275

This is the first of two Valentine paintings I've recently completed.  I think they go along with my food/pantry theme as well as hitting the mark for the holiday.  I hope you enjoy them both . . . stay tuned for "Cutie Pie."

cradled edge painted pink

Thanks for visiting!

Another Mill

Mill No. 2 - wip
6" x 6"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)

Here's the beginning of another small mill painting.  Have a happy day!

My Childhood Companion

"My Childhood Companion"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid:  $300

For years and years growing up, my mom would make me a poached egg on toast and cocoa every morning for breakfast before school.  My cocoa was made with milk and Hershey's syrup.  I'd drink it out of a light brown mug with an eagle on it.  Aaaahhhh . . . good times, good times.

So no wonder this one is called "My Childhood Companion."  I don't think I ever had a more loyal buddy back then.

Have a lovely day and thank you for popping by.

Valentine Paintings Progress

works in progress

Was that a CRAZY Superbowl game or what!?  I wasn't feeling so hot, but stayed up to watch and obviously was not disappointed.  We're Patriots fans here in this neck of the woods, so we were very happy with the outcome to put it mildly.  It really was an unbelievable game.

Despite the excitement and distractions of post-game coverage I still managed to get in a strong day's worth of painting today.  As you can see, I'm making decent progress on my Valentine paintings.  I think they're really cute for a little girl's room . . . or for a favorite Valentine of course.

Have a great Tuesday!

Mill No. 1

"

Mill No. 1"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on 7/8" cradled aquabord)

Click here to bid:  $90

I'm keeping this one short and sweet.  It's SuperBowl day, although by the time you read this it will be all over and we'll know who the winner is.  I hope I'm not disappointed.  :)

Have a great start to your week.

Sepia Mill No. 1

work-in-progress
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

So I've been messing with some photos I've shot of old mills.  A while ago I took a class in printmaking and did a small series of monochromatic linoleum prints of some mills. I've decided to work on my values and do some little sepia paintings of new mill images.  We'll see how it goes.

Have a lovely weekend!

Need A Special Valentine?

"Paper Heart No. 1"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $60

Do you need a special Valentine for your special Valentine?  This little painting is perfect.  Actually it's a lovely little painting to cheer up anyone or any space (if I do say so myself).  It's painted on paper and comes matted in a white mat that measures 10" x 10."  I've reduced the price from $75 to a starting bid of $60 and I will even wrap it in my new Valentine gift wrap for the winning bidder!  :)

The image below is how this painting could look when framed.  I think it's adorable.

(what this painting could look like when framed)

Thanks for popping by!

Anticipation . . . Sometimes You Just Need To Wait

"A Contemporary Classic"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on cradled aquabord)
starting bid:  $300

Click here to bid.

So I've been waiting and waiting with this painting, not sure what to do next.  I started working on it again last week . . . layering and layering more color until it just started to feel right.  I scanned it in the computer a few times, tweaked some things, played with the background a bit and I'm finally ready to call this one done!

Have a lovely day!