common redpoll

                             8x11

Pretty little bird.

Painted in SaltyWaterArt's class.

I'm not sure it's really done--I think I could soften some edges, but I'm going to leave it for now.

classwork

                               10x12

This week's lesson in Paul Talbot Greaves' class was values--a lesson I definitely need.

As usual, my darks are not dark enough; too much water. 

But I'm not unhappy with the painting overall.

practice

.                                                              11x15 sheet

Still playing around with colors--and brushes, and paper--for the Scotland trip, during which I really hope to paint daily.

This is Fabriano Artistico extra white. I really like the texture but I'm a little concerned that, especially when the paper is wet, the color lifts too easily.

I let the paper dry totally, then finished. I like this paper.

Friday still life

Simple arrangements of fruit are a still life staple and have a homely appeal.

I feel like I should paint a pear or an apple every day: the forms and colors appear straightforward ... But they aren't!

classwork

                             7x11

Painted in SaltyWaterArt's sand and sky class. 

This was a good lesson on wetness, and darkness. Both of which I can always use practice on.

classwork

                                                                      7x11

This is the first lesson in Shari Blaukopf's rugged rocks & sea class.

I have several of Shari's classes; they're pre-recorded and I can watch them anytime, which is really great.

This turned out better than I thought it would. I started out too fussy then eased into too careless when I was defining the rocks. 

sketchbook

Playing around.

classwork

                              10x10

This week's sand and sky class with SaltyWaterArt. I enjoy Ronna's: every week it's something new to try. Overworked this one, which is perhaps why I prefer the little color study below.

Started another 10x10 ...

classwork

                                11x11

Week 3 of a 5 week prerecorded class with Paul Talbot Greaves. His subjects I think are too complicated for me--I can never seem to pull them together. I'll be happy if I can learn how to paint convincing tree shadows!

Below: early attempts

Friday still life

                              6x6

Euphorbia and crabapple. When I looked at these sprigs. I thought I'd never be able to paint them, both so delicate ... But I just started. I'd like to try the euphorbia again, bigger!

Below is the sketch I did to warm up.

birds

A little bird sketching in my sketchbook ... A flicker in ink pen and watercolor and trying to paint sparrows in the style of Chinese brush painting, simply and quickly.

snowscene

Scrolling through the photos on my phone and came across this little scene. 

classwork

                             10x12

Shari Blaukopf has a recorded class on painting trees. Finally stopped putting off doing this one of live oaks! 

The subject seemed too complex to me, but Shari is really good at breaking such subjects down into doable shapes.

I have a number of good photos of live oaks that I can maybe now paint!

daffodils

Painted, in yellow and gray, these white-petaled daffodils in my sketchbook.

Last night, sitting on the sofa, I had a few colored pencils next to me, and added some stronger, and different, colors.

sketch

                                7x11

A sketch done in a pre-recorded class with a California painter Richard E Scott.

I like his teaching method--he's organized, enthusiastic, and really nice-- and I love his paintings!

This is my second class with him; look forward to more.

So, this is my first attempt; plan to do another bigger, better drawn ...

paintalong

                              10x10

Another paint along with Paul George on YouTube.

I'm pretty much just amazed I got this far ... Definitely want to do it again with more soft edges and more "flow" in the foreground, which looks too choppy to me.

He advocates l8fting--a technique I rarely think of. Did it clumsily here but it is a great technique.

Maintaining the right degree of wetness really mattered at every stage of this.

clouds

a little cloud practice

preparing

My friend Robin and I are hoping to do a lot of plein air painting when we go to Scotland next month.

To prepare I'm planning to paint along with more Paul George videos on YouTube, and to work through lessons I've purchased from Paul Talbot Greaves and Shari Blaukopf.

The painting above I made painting along with Shari's Winter Woods and Stream class.

Shari's a great painter and teacher, and her pre-recorded classes are well-thought-out, very instructive, and a good price. Kaboom!

A couple of years ago I was signed up for an in person class with Shari in Fort Myers, FL, but a hurricane came and devastated the area, which is still building back!

I hope I'll get another opportunity to paint with Shari live!

sketch & colors

                               6x8

A tight little waterfall study for a class with SaltyWaterArt. 

Class was canceled so I began looking into what colors to put in my travel palette for Scotland.

I am very undecided on the reds-- they're all so beautiful! Pyrrol scarlet and quinacridone red/coral especially!

Think I must have quinacridone pink.

I have been looking for a cool green and Hooker's, which I haven't had on my palette in a long time, is it.

Also got two new greens, DS green apatite and Schmincke shire green: both granulate and separate into their component colors--which i love...but there may not be room.

Yellow has become a crisis. Since I began painting I have relied on two yellows: aureolin, which I now find out is fugitive, and new gamboge, which is now a mixture rather than a single pigment (not ideal, but I'll probably stick with it). I never felt a need to deviate from those two. 

Everyone seems to be using hansa now, but I'm not keen on it. Will probably go for the weaker, but soft Winsor yellow and the intense Maineri Blu transparent yellow.

And I must have quinacridone gold, Mars yellow (a to me slightly brighter ocher), and maybe Naples or Turner's yellow.

I welcome your thoughts on colors!

Lately I feel displeased with my cobalt, which is Winsor & Newton; it looks a little grayish to me. Which brand's cobalt blue do you like?

unfinished

                            8x10

.                          10x12

Started two paintings today. Can't seem to push through to finish. May revisit tomorrow.

sketch

                            10x10

Another attempt to paint along with a Paul George YouTube video.

The sky could really use more darks but when I get a color I like, it's hard to go back in and potentially ruin it!

I'd refine the rocks but the paint is super wet. instead I'll do another.

Found 3 pans of watercolor in a drawer: one was uponed, it's called Paris blue. The others were a warm yellow and a warm red. Dabbed each on a piece of paper: what lovely mixes.