Here with a teaser post of a work-in-progress. A watercolor painting of a local forest in mid-winter before the snows fell. Feels a lot like fall, but the bright low winter sun creates some very stark shadows
The painting starts as a line-drawing, transferred onto a hot-press watercolor block. If there were a singular subject, I would probably do an underpainting, but this landscape involves a multitude of plant characters and colorful shadows. I set in blocking my rough colors and protecting the brightest white. I try not to rely on gauche to put the lights back into a piece.
I’m starting at either end of the value spectrum and working my way towards the middle; laying down super dark areas quickly and leaving large light areas untouched. When the major elements are in place, I can start on the details and turning a form from right-to-left because I’m left-handed.
It feels really good to finish this painting that I started early last year but put down over the warmer months. Last week I posted more progress photos for this piece here. Watercolor on hot-press paper, the scene is of a local game reserve in January where I often to…
We got a small tease of spring before plunging back into below-freezing highs, prompting me to paint another wish for warmer weather. This tiny watercolor was supposed to be less of a burden to finish in it's diminutive format; a relaxing way to pass time with my hands I won't…
I am thrilled to finally be able to share this painting with you. I finished it some time ago but just presented it to the client this weekend. Commissioned by the Army Mountain Warfare school in Jericho, VT, this large watercolor painting combines the school's mascot (a Ram's head) with…
