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.

mixed media

Hope everyone is okay after Sandy the superstorm came through...Here in Northern Vermont the wind and rain were not as bad as I had expected...This portrait has some mixed media in the form of watersoluble pencils and regular colored pencils applied over the watercolor.

divided effort

This was another demo I did in California during the workshop.  I came up with this idea during a residency where I divided the page in different formats.  It forces you to come up with unique sizes for your "mini" paintings plus I also encourage everyone to work from image to image...allowing washes to dry and to try your hand at unique pigment combos etc..It feels less daunting than tackling a "complete" half sheet painting (15"x22").

Poppies

A vision of spring/early summer...boy I can't believe we are nearing the end of October!  Halloween is around the corner with all its candy and costumes!  Time to paint some pumpkins if the squirrels don't get to them first.  This poppy painting was a demo at a workshop and needs some more finishing touches.

Clean not neutral

Another demo from my three day workshop...Violets and Yellows plays beautifully off each other..being opposite on the color wheel and all...but they also can neutralize each other and dull out a painting quickly.  Waiting for one or the other to dry is a must for clean washes..

Workshop recap

I just returned from teaching a 3 day floral workshop in California with 19 painters in attendance..We had a great time and jam-packed in a lot of painting.  Everyone worked super hard...above is one of my demos of a lovely cosmos bouquet one of the ladies provided from her own garden.  Thanks all!

Decisions

This is my latest rooster painting...this was a fun format.  Tall and skinny.  This piece measures 22"x7".  Before you even start painting you have choices to make..which paper, weight, surface, size and shape...then brushes to use, pigments to choose from..maybe even which pencil you want to draw with..mechanical, #2 office or the vast array of other H's and B's...choices choices..

snail mail

I thought I'd post two more examples of my card sets in the wake of Hallmark closing one of it's plants...emailed invites and announcements are taking over from handwritten cards and notes..I still love to write cards and letters to friends and family the old fashioned way...by hand (not typed) and sent with a stamp :)

Page 13

I just received my copies of the Artistic Touch 5...and my painting "Blonde Ambition" is on page 13!  A great compilation of various artists, subjects and techniques.  I am very excited to be a part of this publication.

Birches

It doesn't look like this yet...but in a couple months..brrrr.  Sending a thank you to all who comment on my blog or send me emails..I can't respond to all individually, but wanted to acknowledge you all here..Thanks!  Birches are a challenge on the Daily Painters Challenge website this week..I should really jump into the mix there.  Such a fun and varied group of painters.  Check out the link.

figuring it out

I went to two figure sessions this past week..one was small and in a private studio and the other was the regular class with 18 plus in attendance!  Very different outcomes from both days...I also just found out that my painting was juried through the second stage of the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition!  See previous post...Yippee...