30 in 30 - #6: Football Droplet

For all my Crimson Tide friends on Day 6, an interesting play on the watercolor water droplet.  :-)  

30 in 30 - #5: Orange Hot Cocoa

Day 5 and refreshing my color theory this week is blowing my mind!  

I was reminded by my current teacher and art mentor, Jill Saur, to mix complementary colors for shadows.  OH MY GOODNESS is this changing my painting approach!  Instead of reaching for a variety of colors to complete this painting, I used only red, yellow, and blue, with a little white*.  I wanted a vibrant background so I chose orange...red + yellow. What complements orange?  Purple...red + blue.  How did I make the brown for the hot fudge swirled in the whipped cream?  Orange + blue.  And since all of the colors are used throughout, they are harmonious.  

And yes, the actual hot cocoa was supremely tasty!  :-)

8 x 10 acrylics on stretched canvas

Buy this painting on Daily Paintworks

*Specific paints used: Cadmium Red Medium, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White.  Liquitex or Golden brands, Heavy Body Professional Acrylics. 

30 in 30 - #4: Watercolor Water Droplet

For Day 4, I enjoyed a neat demo by Barbara Fox on Daily Paintworks.  

This water droplet creation let me experiment by painting with water, adding paint, and letting it flow to create a dark to light effect...a color gradient.  I did not have masking fluid on hand, so I was extra careful with the white dot at the top of the droplet.  I recommend trying the water droplet in watercolor for yourself!  

30 in 30 - #3: Charlie Brown Poinsettia

My watercolors were working again for Day 3!  

Throughout the 30 days I'd like to paint from life as often as possible.  Our Christmas poinsettia was on the kitchen table today so it became my subject.  The pot is covered in a dark red foil wrapper with many folds, which turned out to be not so challenging to paint.  Since my intent during the 30 in 30 is to loosen up my painting style, I edited the number of leaves and petals--er, bracts--to simplify the image.  Wow did I edit!  I promise the actual poinsettia has WAY more foliage than my "Charlie Brown" poinsettia, LOL. Lesson learned...and that's what I'm here to do. :-)

6 x 10 watercolors on 140 lbs cold pressed paper

30 in 30 - #2: Dirty Dog I

Day 2 of the Challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta and I'm showing up strong!  

My subject is a toy pup from my kids' Dirty Dogs bath set.  It is super cute and the brown spots "wash off" like dirt when they get wet!  Highly recommended for fun during bathtime...check it out here.  There are two other dogs in the bath set so once all three paintings are complete they will be offered as a set so stay tuned!  :-)

I needed portability today so I used my Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Field Box.

The box fits in my purse and contains everything I need to paint: water bottle, brush, solid watercolor paints (called "pans"), and surfaces for mixing.  The lid holds water for rinsing the fine bristle brush.  I keep a few napkins or paper towels in a spare pocket in case I need to soak up any drips or smudges. 

I use the Arches Aquarelle Travel Album with 140 lbs cold pressed paper.  I bought it through Dick Blick Art but it seems they no longer carry the item.  Here is a supplier that carries it--I have not purchased through their site before. 

I enjoyed creating this piece today and look forward to using my portable paints many times during this challenge!  

6 x 10 watercolor on 140 lbs cold pressed paper

30 in 30 - #1: Follow Me

Welcome to Day 1 of the 30 in 30 Paint Challenge offered by Leslie Saeta!  

I have never done a painting challenge like this before.  Painting 30 pieces in 30 days seems daunting simply from a numbers perspective!  As I mentioned in previous blog posts, I want to loosen up my style and bring movement to my works.  By putting the pressure on to paint so many pieces I expect I will stop thinking so much about what I'm doing and just paint.  I got a taste of that feeling tonight with "Follow Me".  I arranged the pears on the table, chose colors, sketched quickly, loaded my brush and went for it.  I really like the result!  

I look forward to learning more through this challenge...some paintings I may love, some may be "meh", and some may be "learning opportunities" that will be hard to post. :-)  

So follow me and let's enjoy the adventure!

8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas

30 paintings in 30 days

I’m joining 240+ artists in taking the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge! I’m very excited to get to work on this challenge and I hope that you’ll support me along the way. Check out the challenge details by visiting artist Leslie Saeta’s blog by clicking here:

http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirty-paintings-in-thirty-days.html?m=1

Warm Thoughts for the New Year

On this New Year's Eve, the temperatures are chilly but our hearts can be warm!  I enjoy staying warm and toasty with a blanket and some hot cocoa.  Beachside is also a favorite warming spot--feeling the sand under my feet and between my toes is a favorites!

This painting is from a photo I took at the Outer Banks this past spring.  It was only 60-65F outside but the sun kept us warm.  I love the gnarly wood pickets and how the shadows twist out over the sand.  

Happy New Year to you and yours!  May we all create something beautiful in 2013!

12 x 16 acrylic on stretched canvas

Coneflowers Four

A dear friend shared several purple coneflower plants from her garden.  She moved away and we lost touch but I think of her and smile each time I see the blooms.  

8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas

Also available as a lovely framed print or greeting card

Pleasant Clouds

A small watercolor painting courtesy of a lovely sunny day.  My camera phone captured the inspiration image...I love the ability to snap the moment and paint later!

3" x 4.5" watercolor on 140lb cold-pressed paper, ready for frame

Black-eyed Susans on the Green

My three favorite rudbeckia friends are vibrant against a green gradient!  A tiny round tip brush provides the colorful accents. 

8 x 10 stretched canvas, acrylics

This image available as a lovely print or greeting card...check it out here!

Take a Dip in the Surf

This tiny beach scene was inspired by a recent watercolor class. I have worked lately to loosen up my painting and like my progress. Watercolor seems to be a good medium to practice letting go of control! It forces me to allow the blobs of color and water to flow as they will and use these flowing blobs as part of the creation process. Bottom line...I had fun with my little watercolor kit!