Old Miner’s Shack

On March 24, 2017March 24, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn art, gold mining, Northern California, Sierra Co. California, watercolor13 Comments

While I worked on several paintings alternately today, I wanted to exercise my artistic muscles with a loose rendering of this miner’s shack. This is referenced from a photo that I took of an old miner’s camp called Carson Camp in Sierra Co. My husband and I took a trip to the high country last summer to scout out the area, he wanted to show me where he worked as a miner in a hard rock gold mine. Close by is the Ruby Mine where he worked back in the 1980’s. It was amazing to have him show me around and to explain the various buildings and equipment. My photo here is close enough to my painting though the Burnt Sienna used didn’t seem to stand out as it should.

I am thinking of perhaps either crisping this up a tad or starting another one. I wasn’t concerned with details as I was going for feeling. I had to catch myself when I wanted to render too much. I would like to abstract the building a bit more and to know what to showcase and leave the rendering to that area.

*A word about photos. The photos on my blog are mine, taken by me and copying them would be stealing from me. If you find a photo that you would like to copy or use, I request that you ask me for permission and I expect you to give me full credit for my own photo. Thank you so very much.

Sierra Buttes and Company

On March 23, 2017March 23, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn art, California North Valley, creativity, Landscape painting, Northern California, Sierra Buttes, watercolor18 Comments

painting #1 on Saunders 200# 11 x 14 inches

I have been working on a painting that I started about three years ago that requires a more detailed approach. As I like to do while painting on one painting is to start another one. The Sierra Buttes is one of my favorite subjects, so I decided to paint it again, why not? Here is my last post Making Do During a Snowstorm

I used Burnt Sienna and Fr. Ultramarine Blue on the mountain, I feel that it gives just the correct warmth and coolness. I chose not to go into much detail with the trees because the Sierra Buttes is the star, don’t you think?

I started out loosely with lots of water and getting the feeling and gist of the mountain rather than accuracy. To me that is more important.

painting #2 on Saunders 200# 11 x 14 inches

painting #3 on Arches 140# 11 x 14 inches

Both of these paintings are from my visit to the Bear Valley here in Northern California.

painting #4 on Arches 300# 11 x 14 inches

I enjoyed painting this one but feel that I would like to paint this over and work more on bringing depth and doing a better job in the foreground.

The Weary Paints On!

On March 18, 2017April 30, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn abstract, art, California North Valley, Landscape painting, Northern California, watercolor, waterfalls, Yuba River18 Comments

painting #1 wip on Arches 140# 11 x 14 inches

I have been struggling with an intense cold but I still manage to paint. No holding back now! This abstract is one that I keep visible while I work on other paintings. I keep painting on it in increments but only adding what I feel it needs and no more. In a way it is an artistic muscle builder.

painting #2 on Arches 140# cp 11 x 14 inches

I am not sure if I like this one, and yet when I am working on it, I love it. The critic in me wants to jump all over it. This is based on my trip over to remote Bear Valley in Glenn Co.

painting #3 on Canson Heritage cp 140# 11 x 14 inches

I practiced my wet on wet on this paper hoping to go very impressionistic. I pulled out shapes as I saw them. I over-worked the left side and basically lost my focal point. No matter, there are more paintings waiting and more lessons to be learned.

painting #4 on Canson Heritage cp 140# 11 x 14 inches

I again decided to paint wet on wet and I really love how you can work on a painting for over 2 hours non-stop. My photo made that area behind the sun-lit trees too blue, it is actually a grayed down purple/blue and green color. There is a point that you know that you have to wait for it to dry before proceeding to add your calligraphy marks or to correct. This paper is perfect for this technique and it dries extremely flat which I really like.

North Valley to the Mountains

On March 16, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn art, California North Valley, Landscape painting, nature, Northern California, Photography, Sierra Co. California, watercolor, Yuba River28 Comments

painting #1 on Fabriano soft press 300# 11 x 14 inches

I have painted this a few times before Busy with Landscapes and this one I like the best: Glory Be! I have been going through a general dislike of my paintings but I know that I go through this cycle every month or so and it will pass, thank goodness!

painting #2 on Arches 140# rough 11 x 14 inches

This painting was from a reference photo that I took from my adventure with my brother to go see Bear Valley in Glenn County in the north valley here in Northern California. This place was amazing because of all the rain we received, the land breathed with moisture. I have never seen green as I did on that trip. Most of the roads were dirt or gravel and ranches were everywhere.

I saw something that I have never seen before and my brother had to point it out to me. Along the fence were two coyotes who had been shot and strung up, apparently this is suppose to be a deterrent to other coyotes. My husband told me that he remembers seeing this as a youngster on the school bus passing a ranch in Nevada County.

painting #3 on Arches 140# rough 11 x 14 inches

Last but not least, a view of the North Yuba river in Sierra County. Now onto other paintings and hopefully I’ll get into a better frame of mind with the next paintings.

River and Marshland Here We Come!

On March 9, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn art, California North Valley, Landscape painting, watercolor, Yuba River34 Comments

wip painting #1 on Lanaquarelle 140# 11 x 14 inches

I had to return to the river and have some fun with my favorite subject for now. I needed to really “feel” it and this is always what makes me feel like I have come home.

painting #2 photo reference was Maria Jansson beautiful photo on Canson Heritage 140# 15 x 18 inches

I had a wonderful experience of translating Maria Jansson’s beautiful photo Maria’s photo but when I tried to depict the icy berry brambles then I started to fret but why try to depict a photo of such quality to the exact replica? Silly me! I do need to bring out the cattails more but other than that, I think I’ll call it finished. I could bring out more of the foreground but the star is the pond/marsh and the background.

Canson L’Aquarelle Héritage watercolor paper is new to me and I have to admit it I was a little leery because I HATE Canson, even their pastel paper. After viewing a youtube video describing the paper, I decided to give it a try and guess what? I love the paper and will buy more of it in the future.

painting #3 on Soft Press Fabriano 11 x 14 inches

I think that I love this and yet at the same time feel that it needs more and yet, I am wanting to take a painting to the edge of just done, not over-done. I want to depict as minimal as I can and I will leave it alone for now.

Trees and Light Oh My

On March 5, 2017 By Margaret Parker BrownIn art, Northern California, plein air, watercolor47 Comments

I have been working on multiple paintings lately and nothing to show right now so I thought I would post a few from January (and from two years ago) that never made it to my blog. The above painting was one that I enjoyed working on. I decided to go back to fix the tree on the left, the edges were too sharp and it didn’t look right. I straightened the tree and I eliminated that yellow foliage. I will be working more and more on forest scenes in the next several months to learn more of a soft, impressionistic look. Soft and hard edges in watercolor can be difficult to master and I am going to master it, by golly!

Again, hard edges where there should be soft here and there. I lost the definition of the path but over all I really like the light and feeling.

I really like the light in the far back trees but failed on several aspects, sharp edges on trees, the closest tree and path needs tons of work (or not), my color choices for the rocks was undecided. The sky is too white, not enough definition. These paintings are steps to getting more experience under my belt.

I might go back and have another go at this scene but try for more impressionistic rather than trying to follow the photo exactly. Lately I have been venturing down this direction but yesterday I decided to follow the photo.

The above painting was from about two years ago. I like the overall softness, light and especially the handling of the trees.

The above painting is how impressionistic I am aiming towards. Perhaps more simplistic than what I have in mind. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it but my daughter snatched it up before I really started to appreciate it. Now I want it back!

I have been having a hankering to get back into portraits and figures but in watercolor. I am going to have a busy year without a doubt! Happy Painting folks!

Yuba Gold

Month: March 2017