Cape Cod - Looking Back

Cape Cod in November

Atmosphere

What makes a good scene for a painting?  I like three elements here on this misty day scene.  First, the subtle tones and the way the trees almost disappear in the background produced by the foggy atmosphere stand out.  Then, the soft layering of the levels of ground, lay in three lazy horizontal shapes, relaxing the eye.  Lastly, the atmospheric quality is broken up by a nice detail in the single tree that leans slightly, coming forward, arranged to be viewed to the side so the eye can peer further through the fog and not be confined to a single element.  I would paint this with large soft flat and round brushes and perhaps a riggor brush for the detail in the limbs.  I would try to do it quick, so as not to lose the freshness of the misty feeling in the paint itself.  It would be best to paint this on somewhat wet paper to begin with.  Watercolor is a perfect medium for this type of scene.  

Watercolor Paintings on Etsy

Really enjoy handmade items.  They are personal, special items.  The creator has touched them and they often have come out of a labor of much care and feeling.  Etsy is a great sight to display handmade work on.  To see the watercolor paintings newly listed there, click here.  For my shop, click the button below.

Tutorials

Here are some references for tutorials on techniques:  

1. Watercolor Tutorials
2. Watercolor Wisdom (A Google Book)
3. Watercolor and Tissue Paper Shanti Marie
4. Ask Susie
5. Pouring Watercolor

Experimentation and contemplation are well-founded partners in the growth and development of skill and success.  In other words, enjoy the process; consider the process; learn from the process; try it again and expand on it until you develop a skill and the process develops you.

Fiery Winter

This painting was out of a desire of not wanting to be too mental when I painted, so this is just experimenting with feeling, mood and color.  Since the winter is coming and November is quite brown and grey, the fiery and warm colors on large plane of the ground make a vivid contrast in nature and temperature with the broken blue plane of the dark and wintery sky.  I think it works well to express that fire found on cold days that we desire to express.

Leaving Home

This was painted on tinted pastel paper, causing the edges to be softened and the watercolors an almost guache look.