PORTRAIT

 On Stonehenge Aqua hot press 140# paper.  The paper helps “mold” the features in a portrait so I like it for that - and am getting used to the difference in it and the cold press paper I normally use.  

STONEHENGE AQUA HOT PRESS PAPER - DRIED BERRIES VERSION THREE

 Another version, this time on 12 x 16 inch Stonehenge Aqua hot press paper.  

DRIED BERRIES

 

Finished, but I think the shadow shapes are too dark (I admit, I took a phone call while I was in the middle of the shadow shapes and didn’t take as much care as I should have done).  So got a few splotches in what should have been a clean, solid shape down the middle.  Oh, well.  

Should I try again?  I probably would end up with something even better…but do I have the patience to start over on this one?  We’ll see.

PLANNING

 

I tried to paint this painting without planning - so started again with a sketch on tracing paper to work out in my mind where elements were placed.  Then, using the sketch as a guide (but not tracing onto watercolor paper), I sketched it all again (without the shadow shapes) onto a half sheet of Arches cold press watercolor paper.  

Started putting in the dried leaves and then the stems.  Added a light cobalt blue to the dried berries (which will be a dark blue-black when finished).  I will put in the shadow shapes when I’m happy with everything else.  

More planning on this is giving it a better chance of being a success.

DOES THIS SNOW MAKE ME LOOK FAT?

 

Another little fat Northern Cardinal.  They aren’t really fatter during the winter, but fluff themselves up to keep warm.  The males are redder during the winter - apparently, the females like their males with a bit of flash :)

ABSTRACTIONS - REACTIONS TO COLORS AND SHAPES

 A bit strong in shapes and color - another abstracted piece while listening to Angela Fehr’s Watercolor Bootcamp online course (just 2 days but full of good stuff, especially if you’re a new painter).  

I realized that I posted this in this position but I didn’t paint it this way.  I painted it in landscape view - like below.

Is it a good abstract if it works in any direction?

Or does it work better in the portrait view so it’s more like a tree trunk shape?

ABSTRACT PLAY

 An abstracted bit done while listening to Angela Fehr’s Watercolor Bootcamp day 2.  I never just put color down and play but she does recommend it and she is so loose, you want to try :) 

We are getting quite an ice and sleet and freezing rain storm in our area.  No snow yet but it’s coming.  Whew!  Sounds like it’s in a swatch throughout the US right now.