I figured that I am trying to rest my eyes, I would skip painting on my detailed watercolor painting of the middle Yuba.
Something easy….hmmmm so it hit me! I enjoyed painting “color notes” on a past post Daring Watercolor #16. It was by accident and by trial because I figured why not use that moppish looking brush that I have had for several years? When I first used it I didn’t like all the water it holds, hmm…. perhaps this is why it is called a “mop”? Hello!
I had a squirrel hair mop frolicking good time! Wow, what a mouthful! I feel exclamatory today, sorry if it offends.
This are my first few color notes:

Then I decided to paint larger and decided to use this reference photo for another color note:


Oh I loved painting this one! Oh, don’t even get me started. I had to really rein in that internal fiddler that I have deep down. I have officially put that “fiddler” away and she is not allowed to come out to mess up my paintings no more (big talk!). I did a two tone color note. Hey, I am making up these terms as I go along. I did a “double decker” color note. Maybe that term fits better.
After the initial first note dried thoroughly I laid down my second note for the trees and what ever it takes to bring more to the scene but no more! Use the whites and negative space for part of the painting. Be creative.
I decided to start another one because I had so much fun on the first one:


What I have learned:
- Don’t take more than one brush stroke or two at the maximum. More than two turns into a fiddling session.
- Embrace yellow, it is so fun to see that bossy color push the other colors away. Learn to use that frivolous and often flamboyant little rascal. Now if you wondering what I mean, give it a try after your colors are down and you need a spot of yellow (colors are still well) and you’ll see how pushy this color is! Oh boy what fun though! My inner “bully” just got a rip out of that.
- With these color notes, I didn’t focus on detail, or how to, where or what…just color and light! I squinted out all the detail and focused on those elements. After all that is what our eyes and brains react to first, it is color and light and then detail and what it is that we are looking at.
- Don’t go back to fix something that I laid down, such as those long shadows. Sometimes we artists want to take back on a decision made or don’t like what we see. Often it takes a while to realize that it isn’t so bad or it actually works out in the latter part of the painting experience. Don’t touch it! I really wanted to so much…..NO….just say no! Why do we people such a hard time with the word “no”?
- Continuing on with the above point, I wanted to just say that trying to undo a decision while painting puts a stop in that creative process. The need to keep a rein on things is the opposite of the natural interplay between the left brain (need for order and control) and the right side of the brain (creative, go for it). I rather risk failure than to overly control a painting. Watercolor is the perfect medium for those “happy accidents”.
- For these sloppy, wet color notes, always use 140# or better yet 300# (on my list). I don’t believe in 90# being used for watercolor anyway, just had to re-emphasize the paper choices.
- These color notes is a good exercise to loosen up and to strip down a scene for an essence rather than the whole tamale. I think of it as closing your eyes and smelling….using only one sense and not all of your senses.
Time to rest my eyes, see you on Monday….
What beautiful song you’ve made with your color notes, Margaret! These are awesome! 😍I really love seeing the reference photos and your interpretations. They turned out great! I particularly love the yellow in that first path… definitely bossy and very cool!
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bossy yellow is right! thank you! I wondered about including my reference photos and decided to because it gives everyone a glimpse as to what I am working from. 🙂
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Also cool to see your choices in how you chose to abstract them. I’m learning a lot! For that one day when I finally go more abstract… hehe… keep it up!
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Oh you must! it is so liberating, I kid you not…..be sure to get a squirrel hair mop, you need one, it really helps to have an accomplice 😉 lol
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Love these Margaret! Again the directness and immediacy of them is great. I think this approach really plays to the strengths of watercolour – the white of the paper and the transparency of pigments. I think you’re most definitely onto something here Margaret! I’m very happy and excited for you!
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Thank you John, believe me I am the type of person that wants excessive detail and this is the opposite of what I normally would do….so it is so refreshing to throw off the detail. Who knows what happens from here but it is fun to discover how this will fit into my work in the future.
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I really hope you’re able to find a place for it Margaret as I think, frightening as it may be, it’s also a very liberating approach – even if it’s just another arrow in your quiver!
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exactly! I like that “another arrow in your quiver” 🙂
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Oh Margaret – your art is SINGING! Love these – love the freeness – abandonment – confidence! Go girl go!
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Thank you Jodi….I forgot to mention that your paintings of the beach and your palm trees inspired me! I meant to mention that before, I have had a lot going on lately but I wanted you to know that. 🙂
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Awh! Thanks Margaret! That made my day 🙂
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It’s easy to see that you’re having a good time with these. Hang on to that mop brush. You might want to dance with it some more. 🙂
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lol yep, I envision a lot of dancing, hopefully not late into the night, I need my rest. 🙂
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Yes, rest is good. Especially your eyes.
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I see joy, I see light, I see singing and confidence! Love your accomplice! I may drag my squirrel mop out and join you when I venture into larger work! Go, Margaret, GO! 😀
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You should and I can’t wait!
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😃
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Yes!!!! Embrace yellow!!!!!
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Yes! lol I am learning to love that vibrant little bully 🙂
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I use lots of that bully. Love it!
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I’m going down your list…yes! Lay it down and leave it!
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Oh that is a hard point to learn! Sometimes I feel like I want to tie my hand back behind my back, I would probably do a dance trying to get at it! yes, that bad….but I’m learning and it is well worth the holding back.
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One of the hardest things ever…seems like it would be easy. Nope.
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exactly! It has taken me YEARS and I am still learning this! lol
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I recently started playing with my big mop brush too and found how fun it was to be less controlled. I like the simplicity and looseness in your paintings here. I tend to overwork things a bit myself. 😉 I liked how you mentioned in your post for #16 to let your paints party together! I will have to remember to do this too! 😍🎨💕
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I am so happy that you have brought out your mop brush, I don’t think I was ready a year ago to loosen up with mine and to let those colors play. I am such a control freak, so it has been a big break through to really let go. 🙂
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I hope your eyes are feeling better, Margaret. I had a sick day today. Feeling a little better though, hoping I bounce out tomorrow. Thinking about you! 💛
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You are a darling! I had to make a run into town and even painted…hoping to post soon. My eyes are a little better, I am trying to come up with a plan to continue on but back off a bit to protect my eyes. Oh, darn….I hate hearing that you are sick! Hey, are you on facebook?
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I had to get off Facebook when I went gluten free in 2012. It was too much of a timesucker. I now have a similar problem with word press lol!
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HAHA! I know what you are talking about! I am on facebook but don’t hardly spend the time or effort like I used to because I also wanted to back off. Now I am on here! but this is far more worth it. I will be careful that it isn’t a time sucker.
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I agree this is far more worth it!! In real life I’m not v social at all and prefer to be alone or with my husband but on social media….why am I so easily hooked? No clue. 😀
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same here, I am not social except with my daughters and their families and even then I am ready for my “alone time”. Oh I haven’t forgotten my husband, he is quiet and a loner as well, so I have no idea! I talk here like I am a social bee!
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We’re kindred spirits! Sensitive, bookish artist types lol. The world needs more of us hehe. 💛🎨👯
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I agree!
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You are doing a great job with your watercolors – very inspiring. May i use some of your photos for practicing? I wish i could be there and paint, too. 🙂
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sure…..go ahead 🙂 just pretend that you are and see what you come up with. It would be fun to see it.
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You certainly are busy , I envy that trait . I like your vision with the trail scenes . I would love to try a sketch or two of those scenes if Okay , however that might be weeks from now !
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sure….sketch away! 😉
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