white paint

I don't usually use white paint, but you can see that I did use some here on the branches of the tree.  You can also save your whites and paint around them, or use masking fluid that covers the white of the paper and you can rub it off after you are done painting.  The falling snow is also splattered white pigment done with a toothbrush.

Chickadees and Friends

Here is another card set that is available in limited quantity.  If you are interested send me an email.  Right now there is snow on the ground and I have my camera poised to capture those winter birdies for more paintings to come! 8 cards total, four designs, two cards each, $25.00 total including S/H.

New Website

My website has been undergoing a major overhaul...if you have a chance check it out and let me know what you think.  It is bright and colorful and seems to navigate well... Not having a workable website for the time I did was not much fun...you expect it to just keep churning in the background and never give you a problem!  HA!  Click the link to have a look.  www.abwatercolors.com

cardinal card sets

I thought I'd offer my boxed notecard sets again this year pre-holiday..If you are interested in this set of colorful cards...click on the buy it now button and I'll send you your very own set.  The total including S/H is $25.00 per set. Luckily we have another cardinal flitting around our feeder, so I can take new reference pictures...

contrast

This piece was created with just the brush and watercolors, no preliminary sketching with a pencil.  This adds to the stress...but makes you focus on the light and shadows.  We have been using a strong side light and cutting the overhead lights in the studio when we work from the model.  It makes for dramatic contrast.

going green

In my workshops we spend some time on a project titled "going green"..you complete a painting from a photograph or life of a green only still life by just using blues and yellows...in floral paintings sometimes the greens can be a bit acidic or unnatural looking...so it is good practice to mix them and not use greens straight out of the tubes without cutting them with another color a bit.

poses

I have been enjoying the smaller figure sessions I've been going to.  The group is a bit more casual, we chat and the poses are longer...so you can choose to either complete a painting in the time frame or work on several shorter sketches..I find I "get" the lighting, shape and lines better if I do several of the same pose.

unwrapping

This is another multi floral study.  They are so much fun to do.  The planning starts with which flowers or objects to paint and how to divide the paper.  Plus the crisp white lines you expose at the end when you pull off the tape is like unwrapping a present.