The Fall is the best inspiration for me to paint. I love watercolors and am preparing to take another class next week. The wonderfully warm colors of the leaves with light illuminating them, the crunch of the leaves, and the promise of sweaters draws me outside with my camera and boots. The crisp air is so refreshing, yet it is not long before I am cool enough to want to come in and inspired enough by the beauty to want to paint.
Pawing through my paints I check to see if I have enough yellows. Yellows are so necessary to capture the warmth and the light of Autumn. Also a good variety of reds and greens with some purple and blue and a good neutral or too and I have the basics for my painting.
Papers and brushes and the types of paints definitely make a strong difference in the outcome of the painting. It is good to take a class to learn the techniques as well as the facts about the equipment. My style tends to be somewhat loose at times, and I find that I am happier with my result if I stay that way. To keep my work and my process loose I enjoy working with the traditional Chinese brushes.
