Studying Values

I tend to have a lot of middle values in my paintings. Something that I have been trying to work on is adding more contrast in values at my center of interest. I have taken a picture of my painting and edited it in Picasa. Looking at it in black and white will hopefully help me finish this painting up. What do I see???? Mostly middle values.... I need to add some dark values near the shoreline. I think I will leave the light values for the sailboat and the boathouse. The distant trees look a little dark, maybe if I lighten them a bit they will look more distant. Advice and comments are always welcome. :)

Adding the Water

I've started adding the water and reflections. I used a mixture of phthalo blue, dioxazine violet and sap green for the reflections of the trees in the water. A more intense mixture of the violet and ultramarine blue were added in the middle and I lifted out some whites in the water.

To show a contrast between the trees and buildings I decided to use a complementary color. I've added a dark red roof to the buildings and a red canopy to one of the boats.

Background and Middle Ground Trees

I've added some background tree using dioxazine purple and sap green. The middle ground trees are a combination of quinacridone gold and sap green. It's starting to take shape.

Happy New Year!!! A New Painting a Week.

Wow, where did 2011 go?

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've blogged. It has been a hectic year! Tearing down our old house, living with my sister for six months, building a new house.

Whew! It has been well worth it...a place for my art.

I've been thinking a lot about goals and resolutions... What to do??? Something I can accomplish. Something I enjoy. A goal that makes me grow as an artist. So with much thought and consideration.

I'm going to try a painting a week!!!

So.... here goes.....

Sailboats at Stockton Lake

Red Sailboat
I like how the red reflects in the water.

Red Sailboat 2
I like how this sailboat is in a cove and the trees behind it.

Blue Sailboat
I like the line of this sailboat,
and I can see some of the details of the boat.

Sketching and Planning
I'm going to do more planning and sketching before I paint.

Masking Fluid Tip: I always use an inexpensive brush when I apply masking fluid. (Yes, I have ruined many brushes, but this process makes a brush last longer.) Before I start using the masking fluid, I always use this process to make the brush last longer. First dip your brush in water, then in liquid hand soap, and finally in the masking fluid. Keep up this process until you are finished using the masking fluid. Before putting the brush aside clean off any remaining masking fluid and wash with soap and water.

I usually start with the sky and work down the painting. For the sky I used a wash of ultramarine blue and phthalo blue. I lifted out some clouds with a crumpled up kleenex.

Magnolia Blossom

Magnolia Blossom
5 x 7

It has snowed here all week. I'm ready for spring colors.

I'm participating in Laura Trevey's painting a day challenge.
I missed a few days, but hopefully I'm back on track.

Day 16 - Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves

Note Card

Not much time to paint today, just a little note card.

Laura Trevey is hosting A Painting a Day Challenge at her watercolor website.

Day 16 - Winter Barn

Winter Barn

5 x 7

Snow is forecasted again this week.
The birds have been eating like crazy today.

Laura Trevey is hosting A Painting a Day Challenge on her watercolor blog Watercolors by Laura Trevey.