Rio Grande Winter

There are times in the winter months here in Albuquerque when the sky is turbulent and the river's characteristic reddish tint takes on these incredible lavender, red-violet and blue-violet tones. Mix that with the reflected dry green color of the olive trees lining the bank and you have this incredibly beautiful harmony of tones and colors. This little painting really pleases me. It's come closer than a lot of other tries to getting the subtleties. Plus, I like the sky.


Painted in gouache on 140 lb. watercolor paper, 2.5" x 3.5".

~Deborah

Green Shade

Shadows always enthrall me. I love the way they add drama to the ordinary scene and define the planes of the land. This was a sunny summer day in the north valley in Albuquerque. That shade felt so good! A great place to paint. (Although, just to be clear, this painting was done from a photo of the day, not on site.)

I snapped some process shots for you to see. I pencil in a quick sketch, then begin with the sky. Next I establish the sweep of the land and its shadow. Then I add the tree shapes very loosely. I add some tree edge details in the fourth step. 

I add some some trunks, as well as that dash of distant light that adds visual interest to the distance. In the sixth step I add some white clouds to the sky. Then I detail the grass in the foreground, and it's done! 

Painted in gouache on Bristol vellum, 2.5" x 3.5".

~Deborah

Sunny Spot

I love it when the sun picks out a bouquet amid the darker forest like this. It's as if for this one moment this view was specially highlighted just for me! Sometimes when I see something delightful and temporal like this, it's as if the Lord is nudging me, quietly pointing out that He made this and spotlighted it so the two of us could share the moment. 

I hope you enjoy sharing  it with me... 

Painted in gouache on Bristol vellum, 2.5" x 3.5".

~Deborah