12/6/2007 11:46:07 AM
Attempts at watercolor have always frustrated me in the past. I hated the way the paper buckled and the values changed so drastically. After viewing some stunning watercolors by Sargent and Homer I felt the tug to try the medium once more. This time I decided I would treat the medium the same way I treat my oils and pastels. I would work on an upright easel and I would start the painting by how I felt was easiest, either starting with and area of identical values but temperature changes or extreme value differences. I took a workshop with a lovely local artist and had to begin with the very basics and the main thing I learned is that it is all about the paper. If the paper is heavy enough it can take a great amount of abuse. Because of the patper surface I have been able to control the values and the color how I want with some nice surprises. Watercolor gives a luminosity to the shadows that are difficult to get in oil and pastel. I have a lot to learn but I believe tackleing this new medium will only benifit me.
This white on white study is my second attempt at watercolor
Yeah, I did it! A friend and I found a practical way to plein air paint in the cold of winter. There is a grain elevator close by that has a parking lot across the street from it. We each parked our cars as to not block the others view and happily painted away for two and a half hours. I worked from the drivers seat with my pochade box balanced on my knees and the cup holders and placed my pastels on the console between the seats. I dressed for the cold but sometimes my toes and fingers would need to be revived, so I would run the engine briefly. This is my first plien air landscape in pastels and my first winter excursion. My friend and I debated whether it was still "plein air" if we weren't directly battling the elements. I suppose that could be up for discussion. This method allowed me to paint for 2 hours on a very cold and gray day. Standing at the easel outside I don't think I would have lasted 30 minutes. The search is on now for more great scenes from the windsheild. 
