Painting Delayed, Doggie Sitting Here I come

painting #1 Remembered landscape

The painting above is from a memory of a scene that I have been painting over and over again. It is actually at the North Yuba river but you wouldn’t know it by the way I simplify and abstract the elements.

I will be taking a short hiatus from painting while I am doggie sitting my Granddog. We have many plans for hiking, playing, watching tv, catching up with my reading, making new doggie friends. I am thinking about taking my art supplies but it might be too much of a hassle to take my watercolor equipment. I might do some research and take art books to study, we’ll see.

painting #2 North Yuba at Hall’s Ranch

I am undecided about this one, it is difficult to make sense of the rapids in this photo but in reality it is far better. I think that there is conflict about the focal area. But I do like the mood, let’s end on a positive note, right?

#3 Remembered landscape wip (I think!)

Another one, I did these in quick succession, hoping to thrust me into some imaginary land, creative muse on the mark, get set go mood.

painting #4 Remembered landscape of Lake Frances

Oh I wished that I could marry up the photo to my actual painting, I am very hard critic with my paintings but this one is beaming bright in my heart!

painting #5 Remembered landscape wip

This one I have yet to make some sense of various areas. I lost distinction of the river, I’ll work with it to get it to come alive.

painting #5 Abstract wip

I have no idea what this will be, who knows? I am not worried, I might get a sky or a landscape or both by the time I am finished with it. I wanted to include it just because I wanted to stress a point that sometimes a painting can be one that evolves over time. I might let it sit for a while and work on it once I get back to my studio. Or, I might turn it over and paint on the other side.

Until next Saturday, Happy Painting!!

 

 

Happily Painting

Painting #1 remembered landscape

I didn’t realize that it has been almost a month since my last post! I have been painting up a storm and sometimes I forget or dread posting here because it takes more time than on Instagram.

The painting above was thrilling to paint because I let all restraint go and let loose. I love texture and flicking on some drops of water and watching the results was fabulous. I think that is why I adore watercolor. The opportunity to let the paint do its thing and I am a willing partner.

Painting #2 Humbug Creek

I gave up on this painting once it was dry. It was started as a saturated wet on wet but I didn’t like the weak look. I have to admit I get impatient and I like to “sculpt” my paintings while they are wet. Once it is dry I will go back in and adjust but I like to paint about 75-80% in the first round. I started an abstract on the other side and abandoned that one because of feeling picky.

I turned this one over and I realized that I liked it more than I thought originally and finished it. To me it looks like it could be in the swamps somewhere in the Southeast US.

Painting #3 Bullards Bar Reservoir – evening light

I love morning and evening light at Bullards, something magical with the area. I am fortunate that I live within 5-8 minutes of this area.

Painting #4 Bullards – remembered landscape

While our power was out, I sat in the front of the woodstove to paint this one. I used my memories to paint it and I am quite happy with it. I can go with more detail with the water but wanted to remain simplistic.

Painting #5 Imaginary Scene

This started out from referring to a photo of some trees at the North Yuba but it took on a different scene and I am alright with that. I do believe that I need to soften the horizon line, seems too sharp and “chunky”, an easy fix.

I have to tell you about those trees on the right. I am finding that I don’t like to depict something too realistic because frankly it bores me. I didn’t like the trees at the onset because of that fact, I simply took my sprayer and watched it pull the color away and I ended up with something I could build upon. Again, watercolor at its finest moment. The medium is meant to be spontaneous, finding serendipity in creativity.

Painting #6 abstract

Originally this started out as an imaginary scene but I didn’t care for it until I saw a shape that I spurred me on to start “building” my painting. Away I went and before long I ended up with this abstract. My photo gives some hard and dirty edges that are not in reality, bear that in mind.

Painting #7 Remembered landscape

My favorite scene of course! I had a difficult time getting my photo and painting to marry up but I am satisfied enough to include this. I am quite happy with this and I took a few days in assessing and painting it slowly.

I hope to post more often, a month is much too long. I am happy to report that I am feeling more and more confident and the scourge of my perfectionism is letting up. When I struggle with it, I walk away and work through it before returning to painting. Thank Goodness! Happy painting folks!

Go Paint Go!

Painting #1 Semi-abstract imagined landscape

I lost some blues in this which made this painting richer and the sky/sun is not as acid yellow, keep that in mind. I am rather happy using my computer lately for uploading photos and writing these posts.

This week has been pretty busy with painting, the above painting started out as intuitive though I had a directional left pull and I had to take a little time to resolve it. It might still have that pull but I do believe that the rays of light streaming down counteracts that.

Painting #2 semi-abstract imagined landscape

The purple lavender on the bottom is more of a grayed purple, keep that in mind. This one reminds me of a sand storm. I love granulating colors and it was perfect for this scene.

painting #3 semi-abstract imagined landscape

I was very pleased that I was able to get the photo to marry up with the actual painting, I lost some of the rich color when I posted it to Instagram. It reminds me of something out in space. I am really enjoying minimalism. I start with swiping on color, wet on wet use my sprayer, letting the colors mingle and blend. I turn it around and around and look for a scene. Most times it makes itself evident from the get go, I have been pretty lucky so far in that I find it so quickly. I only paint what I intuitively know what to do. If I don’t feel moved or am unsure of what to do next, I set it aside.

painting #4 Yuba river

I prefer to paint loosely and nowadays imaginary scenes but I do like to return to a more realistic scene to hone my skills. I had gone up to the North Yuba river about two weeks ago to plein air paint. This painting was from one of my photos. I use the photo as a jumping off point, I use artistic license, which is more fun.

Painting #5 North Yuba river

I was feeling a bit off the day I started this, I basically threw myself in a fury of painting hoping that I get out of my perfectionist funk. If anything, this is a creativity killer for me, being picky about how my paintings look.

Painting #6 semi-abstract imagined landscape

Woah, hold onto your socks! I love painting imaginary scenes but this one I am loving it but also scratching my head. I wanted to paint outside the box and really up my colors but boy, did I go wild!

Painting #7 semi-abstract imagined landscape

The sky/sun in this photo is not as acidic in reality and the blues are more of a Prussian blue which leans towards a blue/green. I wanted to go wild and minimalistic. More of an exercise, I think that Debi Riley’s last couple of posts inspired me.

Painting #8 imagined scene but inspired by Bullards Bar Resevoir

I wanted to add one more painting, sorry for the length of this post. The blues pop out more than they should, it was difficult to marry up the photo to the painting, the painting is very rich and deep with contrasting color.

Well, that’s in for now, keep painting happy!

 

More Fall Paintings

 

 

Painting #1 Imaginary landscape

I tried my best to match up the photo but at least the pixels aren’t messed up, too much, I think, yay! I think that I got the photo to marry up well with my painting except that the “sun” is way better than what it shows in the photo.

While my grandson entertained himself with drawing dinosaurs, I took the opportunity to get some painting done and this is what I came up with. No idea what I was going to paint other than the chosen colors. I love painting this way, no preconceived idea, and no expectation, just going with the flow of the paint and picking out an imaginary scene.

Painting #2 Lake Francis

This is an semi-abstract of a scene of Lake Francis that I have painted several times.

Painting #3 Imaginary scene

I started out the typical way and that is usually throwing on some colors and looking for a scene. This was painted saturated wet on wet. If you haven’t tried this technique I suggest that you give it a chance. It might seem different and out of control but that is the whole point, right? At least that is the way I like to paint with watercolor.

Be aware that while the paper is saturated, the whites are very easy to pick out but once the paper is dry, it is near to impossible to regain white without scraping the paper with a blade. As long as the paper is wet, wipe out to your hearts’ content.

Painting #4 Shenanigan Flat

This is a scene that I have painted the most so far in the past year. In fact I wonder if I have already posted this one but I am pretty sure I haven’t. I had a difficult time to get the light yellow to show up as light as it appears here, keep that in mind.

Painting #5 a river scene

Another painting that I had a difficult time getting the photo just right but you get the idea. This started out as a plein air and I finished it up in the studio. I am finding out that what worked for me in the past in regards to painting en plein air isn’t working for me any longer. I just can’t sit and paint, I need to stand, I do this at home and I often step away to take a “look see”. I am considering getting an easel but it has to be very light weight because my neck and back can’t take lugging in heavy equipment any longer.

So, while I painted this, I used a big flat rock as my table and I also painted wet on wet and very loose, just like I would at home. I am trying to carry my attitude and painting style to the field.

Paintings #6

These were painted on small square pieces of leftover paper and purely from my imagination/memory. I think that I had Lake Francis on my mind when I painted these.

Painting #7 Shenanigan Flat (of course!)

I wasn’t too sure if this was successful or not, I haven’t shared it on my Instagram just because of the uncertainty. I love the feeling of it but for some reason I don’t like at the photo of it, there is something lost in translation. No idea.

That is it for now. I have a few more paintings to share but until next time, count your blessings!

One last photo from my plein air painting trip the other day, enjoy!

Intuitive Paintings

Painting #1 of Bullards Bar Resevoir

I have been painting up a storm lately and enjoying every bit of it. The weather has changed drastically in the last few days, my husband had gone up to the Sierra Buttes and there was about 4 inches of snow! I hope to get up there soon to paint.

 

 

Painting #2 of the North Yuba river

Painted saturated wet on wet. If you haven’t tried this technique you have to give it a try, it is absolutely thrilling. There is approximately a two hour window of painting time without having to wait for any layers to dry. It takes a bit to get used to the mushy appearance as you work it but to me it is like sculpting rather than painting. Once it is dry, you go back in to punch up your darks.

Painting #3 imagined river landscape

What a joy to paint this, I had no idea how it would turn out and I loved that fact, I prefer working this way.

Painting #4

Again another intuitive painting, I loved playing with the light.

Painting #5 of Bullards Bar Resevoir

The glow in the middle section is not quite as bright in reality in this photo, keep that in mind. I loved painting this, imagine that!

Painting #6 a semi-abstract

This painting wasn’t turning out as I imagined so I decided to abstract it to play around with shapes and values, nothing lost in an exercise of this nature. I have three more paintings to share, until next time!

Painting and More Painting

painting #1

I have been painting and also getting ready for fall and winter. I have been feeling a desire to get out there to paint en plein air with the weather changes. The painting above is wild and colorful but I wanted to get out of my usual routine. I like to stretch myself to see what happens.

painting #2

Another painting testing my colors and being loose, not sure if it works but that is alright.

Painting #3

This one was painted entirely by intuition, my favorite way to paint. This is that same scene that I have painted over and over.

Painting #4

Another view of that ever elusive scene. I didn’t have an idea where this was going until it was happening, I went along for the ride, easier that way. I

Painting #5

This was based on a photo that I took of a reservoir near me. I wanted to go dramatic and here we are.

Painting #6

I wanted to paint serenity but wanted to have a little more interest in the water, I added a little more detail for dimension. I might give this another try it two.

Thank you for looking.

Latest Paintings

I have been researching how to get clearer photos with my Kindle Fire, hopefully I can get some satisfaction with my photos. This painting was pure heaven working on it.

This painting was a “fast and furious” session, maybe that explains that rock on the left. I might go back and soften up some edges. The falls could use more definition, we’ll see.

Oh my favorite scene! Again!

So I am completely undecided about this one. I love the atmospheric appearance but I am thinking it needs more. It was painted totally by intuition and in two layers basically swirling yellow and cobalt blue and indanthrone blue together with a touch of Ultramarine purple. I have no clue why I didn’t end up with green, that is a mystery.

Until next time!

Painting Happiness

I have truly enjoying my painting sessions lately. I will be posting from my Kindle Fire and if you want to see the clearer version, drop by and visit me on Instagram. 

Painting #1

The painting above is of Bullard’s Bar Reservoir at evening. I went very dark with it perhaps a bit too dark but I like it anyway.

Painting #2

This one I almost abandoned because I thought I had jumped  little ahead with the layering but I stayed with it to the very end. The trees on the right are a bit static and I will vary the height of one of more trees, an easy fix. This is a view of the Sierra Buttes from the other side.

Painting #3

I wanted to redo the Bullards evening painting a second time. I went a bit abstract with the sky. I used a sprayer to simulate light on the water.

Painting #4

This is on blue tinted Bockingford paper. I went wild and carefree with it, wet on wet and pushed the paper to its limit and boy did I have fun! I love this paper!

Painting #5

Eh so so for me, I lost the dimension and feeling of my rocks but wanted to include it. Not enough value range in the rocks.

Painting #6

On Fabriano hotpress. A pure joy to let the paint flow. I didn’t want a lot of detail I am again going for feeling. I am painting for me.

Painting 7

Last but not least. I almost abandoned this one because of a defect in the paper at the top section. There were two long scrapes and the paint settled right into them. It was a letdown and I was going to flip it over to paint on the other side when I decided at the last minute to crop the painting. It was a good decision because I ended up with a better composition anyway. The trees actually are a deeper green than my photo shows.

There you go, I am alive and well and painting up a storm! Until next time, happy trails!

Light on the Yuba

 

I have had an obsession with light ever since I can remember. I wanted to keep a minimal approach with these paintings, it is all about the light and feeling of the river. I painted this rather quickly because I had to run multiple fans in my art room. This is on Arches 300# a quarter sheet.

I also painted this one quickly because the paint was drying super fast. Again a minimal approach. Also from the same area on the river. This is on Fabriano Soft press, and I am in love! Until I get more Lanaquelle paper that is.

This painting was started last week and I fished it today. It was painted about 80% saturated wet on wet and I finished it up wet on dry. I used Saunders Waterford I think.

I have discovered that I can post from my tablet easier than from my computer, and it is fast!

**A word about photos. The paintings and 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.

North Yuba at Indian Outpost

 

On Schut Noblesse 140# cp quarter sheet

 

I started this painting yesterday and finished it today. I didn’t bother with photos showing my progression. This paper is fairly new to me, not sure if I care for it or not. I like a paper to push back at me, it seems too “mushy”, it doesn’t have a response that I like. Corrections are difficult and you have to be careful because very wet washes will congeal in some spots and try to lift up in places you don’t necessarily want it to. I don’t mind a paper that puts me on the edge of my seat but I like a little teamwork.

I’ll might soften up some edges of that bush that leans over the rocks.

colors used: Prussian Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Quin. Gold, Aureolin, Indigo

*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.