Lone Tree At Dusk

I wanted to share with you how useful my weekly class critiques are. After analyzing this painting in class using the elements and principles of design, watercolorist Jerry Stitt always asks the question, "what would make this a better painting . . . if anything?  He put a piece of plexiglass over the painting and demonstrated what he thought would improve it. He drew in smaller trees to the right to push the eye towards the larger tree, which also creates a counter balance to the painting. I agreed it was an improvement and added the trees when I got home (see below). I think this subtle change makes quite a difference and creates more interest for the eye.

Tomales Bay

Tomales Bay is about an hour drive from our house. It is another largely unspoiled area with large parts belonging to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It's great that these areas are protected from developers. We have many unspoiled open spaces within driving distance. My paintings are usually all about the skies, but I also like to include local scenery. I used a limited palette of indigo, yellow ochre and burnt sienna on hot pressed paper. Took it to class yesterday and all Jerry said was "sign it."

Rodeo Lagoon

There are a number of lovely unspoiled beaches that belong to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Rodeo beach in Marin County is one of them. As you enter the beach you cross over the lagoon on a small foot bridge.The area is also a bird sanctuary where you can watch egrets, seagulls and ducks and many other birds feed on the rich sea life. Below is the photo I took of the lagoon on a misty day with no sun. I used artistic license with the colors in the marshy landscape. My colors were raw sienna, burnt sienna, indigo and French ultramarine on Fabriano cold pressed paper. I really like the way the colors came out on the Fabriano paper. I think I will buy more of this. I never get results like this on Arches cold pressed paper. That's why I always tend to use Arches hot pressed watercolor paper. On cold pressed the colors seem to soak into the paper and the end result after drying looks washed out. I need to experiment more with different watercolor papers.