Yuba River-Rocky Rest

Painting #1 on Arches 140# rough 7 x 9 inches

Real Life got in the way for the past 10 days. My husband came home from a fire assignment and while he was on R & R we made a trip over the Sonoma Plein Air Festival. Very inspiring and I was biting the bit to get out to the river to paint.

It has been years since I painted this scene and the last time was several years ago with snow still on the ground though I had painted with pastels rather than my watercolors.

My scene with that special fall lighting

 

Painting #2 on Arches 140# 7 x 9 inches

 

Painting #3 on Fabriano 300# 11 x 14 inches

A close-up of my scene

 

I was hoping for more on this one but decided that I could always finish it up in the studio.

Painting #4 on Arches 140# 7 x 9 inches

I wasn’t able to crop this one properly, I cut off the bottom which as the water flowing around the rocks. I got impatient trying for the perfect photo! What was fun with this painting (#4) is that I decided to purposely make myself uncomfortable by using a different brush, a flat. I have been using my squirrel mop for months now and I wanted to challenge myself and use a brush that I haven’t used in a while. Also, I didn’t tape the paper onto a board, I painted it on the rocky beach with my legs at an awkward angle, scrawled about my water and paints. Anything to get myself to paint on the edge and stop being so careful.

To me it worked because it is my favorite one out of the bunch!

Learning Points:

• Keep painting even when you feel like you are painting blind!
• I found myself wanting to diss my painting while working, having a critic on your shoulder inhibits and diminishes your joy.
• Dare to use an unfamiliar brush or technique to get out on the edge of the rock of creativity, sometimes the view or experience is so much more exciting!
• Pare down what you see to simplicity, keeps the painting fresh looking and off the cuff.

Yuba Notes