October FREEBIE: September Sundown

I've become more and more intrigued with using watercolor techniques for the sky, just letting the paint do what it does when wet. I used a wet-in-wet layer first, let it dry and then added slightly more opaque paint over that to create the successive cloud banks. I used more opaque gouache (less water, more paint) for the mountains and foreground. I like the way this has worked, plus I love the colors in this one. It's on Arches 300 lb. cold press.

Normally these are for sale, but this one is free.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, including your name, before Friday, October 10, at midnight (Mountain Standard Time), and I will randomly choose one to receive this little painting over the weekend, and post the results on Monday, October 11. I would love to send it to you as a perfectly free little gift. From my ♥ to yours!


Why? Is it because:

Beggars can't be choosers?

Actions speak louder than words? 

All that glitters isn't gold?

Charity begins at home?

Christmas comes but once a year?

Love conquers all? 

The best things in life are free?

You can't take it with you?

Life is too short?

Every picture tells a story? 

Good things come to those who wait?

The best things in life are free?

Maybe some of those aphorisms are true but THE truth is that "it is more blessed to give than receive." I have that on the best Authority. (Acts 20:35)

Prickly Snow & a new project

This fun painting is on Arches 300 lb. cold press, and was painted from a photo I took years ago when I lived in the mountains. We saw prickly pears in snow regularly up at 7,000 feet in the Sandias. It always amused me, since you don't think of cactus and snow together. I like the contrasts of prickly and smooth, too.

I've also started on a project that might interest you. I decided to make a book of these little gouache miniatures, in order to have a good portion of the collection in one place. I'm using Blurb, and it's not finished yet, but once it is I might offer a few copies here if anyone is interested. It's a softback book, and the number of pages is yet to be finalized, which will determine the price. I'll have to finalize things and get a copy to see if it looks as good as I hope, and then I'll let you know... I'm including three step-by-step photo demos there, and the article (in part) that was in Watercolor Artist in February. I hope it might be a nice little book. Time will tell!

Floating in Summer

As a farewell to summer I thought I'd post this impressive cloud I spotted over the Sandias one day. I'm not ready for sweaters and hot tea and long socks yet, which is good since the temperature is in the 90s F right now. The monsoons are past and it's chillier in the mornings, but the temps soar in mid-afternoon. The painting is on Bristol vellum. Hope you like it!

$50.00

Simple Sunset

I love painting sunsets, even if they are considered trite! In high school an art teacher drummed this into us. In fact he wouldn't let any of his students paint or draw horses, cars or sunsets. I have to say that it took me nearly 40 years to break free of his prejudices. I'm over it now! In fact, the challenge is to paint sunsets that aren't trite. For instance, I make sure the ball of the sun is NOT located in the center of the composition. Ever. Most photograph are taken this way, but I always turn so the sun is off-center, as I did here. I hope you have a feeling that the hot core is on the far right. I also add some medium colors to indicate shapes in the ground plane, rather than let the ground be a black void. Cameras average the light and turn what's in shadow to inky black, but when I'm standing outside at sunset I can see all the colors and shapes in the reflected light.

This one is on 300 lb. Arches cold press watercolor paper, which is a wonderfully responsive surface for such a subject. You can see I used some wet in wet techniques, as well as a bit of dry brush in the foreground.  Hope you like it!

$50.00

Huachuca Mountains

This is on Arches 300-lb. cold press, and was done from a photograph by Lenore (MRSBB) at WetCanvas. I don't think it captures Arizona all that well, but I like the palette. I feel as if the wind is blowing in from that front over the distant mountain.

I haven't had much time to paint lately, but should have short season again soon. I'm looking forward to it!

$50.00

Wivenhoe Dam

This is a painting done using a photograph from my friend Annie in Australia ('doppler' at WetCanvas). I'm amazed at how often Australia and New Mexico seem similar, although I think I 'New Mexicanized' this a bit!

It's on Bristol Vellum. I'm particularly pleased with the reflection in the water.

$50.00

Greens

The resource photo for this painting was posted on WetCanvas by geof. I loved the lyrical greens in it, so different from anything I see daily. It's on Arches 300 lb. cold press. I find it so refreshing to look at. 

$50.00