common redpoll

                             8x11

Pretty little bird.

Painted in SaltyWaterArt's class.

I'm not sure it's really done--I think I could soften some edges, but I'm going to leave it for now.

classwork

                               10x12

This week's lesson in Paul Talbot Greaves' class was values--a lesson I definitely need.

As usual, my darks are not dark enough; too much water. 

But I'm not unhappy with the painting overall.

practice

.                                                              11x15 sheet

Still playing around with colors--and brushes, and paper--for the Scotland trip, during which I really hope to paint daily.

This is Fabriano Artistico extra white. I really like the texture but I'm a little concerned that, especially when the paper is wet, the color lifts too easily.

I let the paper dry totally, then finished. I like this paper.

Friday still life

Simple arrangements of fruit are a still life staple and have a homely appeal.

I feel like I should paint a pear or an apple every day: the forms and colors appear straightforward ... But they aren't!

classwork

                             7x11

Painted in SaltyWaterArt's sand and sky class. 

This was a good lesson on wetness, and darkness. Both of which I can always use practice on.

classwork

                                                                      7x11

This is the first lesson in Shari Blaukopf's rugged rocks & sea class.

I have several of Shari's classes; they're pre-recorded and I can watch them anytime, which is really great.

This turned out better than I thought it would. I started out too fussy then eased into too careless when I was defining the rocks. 

sketchbook

Playing around.

classwork

                              10x10

This week's sand and sky class with SaltyWaterArt. I enjoy Ronna's: every week it's something new to try. Overworked this one, which is perhaps why I prefer the little color study below.

Started another 10x10 ...

classwork

                                11x11

Week 3 of a 5 week prerecorded class with Paul Talbot Greaves. His subjects I think are too complicated for me--I can never seem to pull them together. I'll be happy if I can learn how to paint convincing tree shadows!

Below: early attempts

Friday still life

                              6x6

Euphorbia and crabapple. When I looked at these sprigs. I thought I'd never be able to paint them, both so delicate ... But I just started. I'd like to try the euphorbia again, bigger!

Below is the sketch I did to warm up.

birds

A little bird sketching in my sketchbook ... A flicker in ink pen and watercolor and trying to paint sparrows in the style of Chinese brush painting, simply and quickly.

snowscene

Scrolling through the photos on my phone and came across this little scene. 

classwork

                             10x12

Shari Blaukopf has a recorded class on painting trees. Finally stopped putting off doing this one of live oaks! 

The subject seemed too complex to me, but Shari is really good at breaking such subjects down into doable shapes.

I have a number of good photos of live oaks that I can maybe now paint!

daffodils

Painted, in yellow and gray, these white-petaled daffodils in my sketchbook.

Last night, sitting on the sofa, I had a few colored pencils next to me, and added some stronger, and different, colors.

sketch

                                7x11

A sketch done in a pre-recorded class with a California painter Richard E Scott.

I like his teaching method--he's organized, enthusiastic, and really nice-- and I love his paintings!

This is my second class with him; look forward to more.

So, this is my first attempt; plan to do another bigger, better drawn ...

paintalong

                              10x10

Another paint along with Paul George on YouTube.

I'm pretty much just amazed I got this far ... Definitely want to do it again with more soft edges and more "flow" in the foreground, which looks too choppy to me.

He advocates l8fting--a technique I rarely think of. Did it clumsily here but it is a great technique.

Maintaining the right degree of wetness really mattered at every stage of this.