Stepping Out

"Snowy Egret"

6x6 WC

SOLD

I painted this little watercolor on a 6x6 block that I just couldn't resist buying. The paper is very smooth and slick with sizing but I like how I can move the paint around on it. The washes stay wet and the paper doesn't buckle.

A  birdwatcher friend was highly amused when I told him how I reminded myself that this bird is a snowy egret. Snowy egrets have yellow feet and to make that association was to think 'don't eat yellow snow'.  I know, but it worked ;)

Last Sunday I had the most fabulous day out visiting friends and artists at the annual North River Arts Festival. Despite the gloom and doom weather forecast both days ended up sunny and beautiful.

These photos of the Puppet Parade say it all!

The NRAS bathing beauty and her cabana

can you see who's inside?

It took me a while but I figured out 

who was underneath this outfit ;)

It was 'Honorable Mention" winner Sally Dean 

with her fantastic mosaic "Amelia"

Island Getaway

Little Gasparilla Getaway

6x6 watercolor

Watercolor throwback to our trip to Little Gasparilla Island in March. 

This little cottage is literally ON the beach!

Adding Color to a Three Step Value Study

Cottages at Twilight

5x6" oil 

This is the final version of the three step value exercise 

and also my 'Nocturne" painting for Girls Just Wanna Paint. 

I included the grayscale version as well. 

If you're having trouble with values and who doesn't, try this. 

Three Step Value Study and A Feature

 Step One: two values

I painted this twilight scene from my neighborhood using a burnt umber value study. The first step is just the lightest and darkest values. In the second step I wipe out the middle values leaving the lightest and darkest and in step three I added color but you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see the finish. That was not an intentional tease but there is so much glare on the photo that I just can't post it ;)

Also, check out Barbara Stroud's eclectic art, food and style blog. Barbara lives in Charleston, South Carolina, is widely traveled and is a big art lover who has featured some wonderful painters on her blog. I was truly proud to be featured two years ago today! Go there to see a link to that post and wonderful shots of Charleston which is a city I can't wait to visit! 

Step Two: three values