This is a watercolor I painted last week. I am gathering elements for a new art journal with the theme of Ancient Egypt. I will add this painting to the journal somehow.  It's about 5x7 on watercolor paper.

 

I found some maple leaves to paint in my watercolor art journal. 

Autumn colors are my favorite. Or should I say, "Autumn in my favorite color". 

happy painting.

little pleasures, hidden treasures

 

Little pleasures, hidden treasures #1

Watercolor on paper

3.5" x 2.5"

I am part of a painting group and currently we are painting ATC sized cards. The theme is 'little pleasures, hidden treasures."  As I live near the ocean and often walk the beach, I immediately thought of shells- they really are little pleasures and hidden treasures. This is my first one- I will do more. The idea is that at Christmas we will do a swap of our little cards for each other. How nice! 

Bethany Beach Nature Center plein air painting

 

Nature Center at Bethany Beach

7" x 10" watercolor in art journal

I went painting with my painting group this past week. We went to the Bethany Beach Nature Center. I have driven by it for years and have never been there. What a little treasure! It's a bird sanctuary in the middle of the town. There is a boardwalk that goes out over the tidal marshes. This view I painted is at the end of the boardwalk, looking North I believe. 

 Art journal painting. I have not been doing much painting lately. All about paper crafting at the moment. I know the painting will come around again. I tend to move around my loves of painting or crafting. 

That said, I am hosting my painting group this morning, so today I will be painting.

Procreate Drawing

 

I LOVE Procreate!! What an amazing and inexpensive way to draw digitally.  This was a freehand piece in Procreate. I found a reference photo on Pinterest and put it side by side by my Procreate screen and draw. I pretty much ALWAYS use a reference photo. The background is a wonderful brush called Bokeh that is included with the program.

Happy Painting!

A Whisper on Paper - Big Sky

Big Sky over Indian River Inlet

pastel on paper

I am always amazed at the BIG SKY in Delaware. I think it's because it is so flat here on the coast. The highest part of Bethany Beach are the overpasses and bridges.  

I created this using Pan Pastels on grey paper. I don't use pastels much and have been thinking of selling them- part of my de-stash for 2021. So I pulled them out to use, to see if I really want to sell them. Answer: No, I do not. I forget how lovely it is to use them. Creamy and delicate. Just a whisper on paper really. 

I sprayed with a clear coat acrylic sealer over top to seal as, like I said, very delicate. I did this small, 4" x 4".  

Happy Painting...

Gouache, my current love

 

acorn study in art journal

Left is gouache, right is traditional transparent watercolor. Lately, I am enjoying gouache. It reminds me of oil painting with out the hassle of oils. Painted in my art journal. 

What's everyone up to for 2021 with their art? I am in a weird place. Not feeling compelled to do much art at the moment. I was with kids for almost 3 weeks and did no art. Reading a lot since I got home.

I know the spark will return. It always does. I will be in the fallow for now. It's OK. I am familiar with this and it no longer scares me. I used to think this was  permanent place. But I have learned, over time, that it is not. It's a respite. So I will repose. 

Happy Painting in the meantime. 

France countryside

5.5" x 8"

ink and watercolor

 Pen and watercolor sketch in my sketchbook. From Dreamas' Flow class of which I am a member. For years I have kept an art journal. It is a visual history of my art journey. I love being able to look back at older works to remember and see my progress.  

I joined this class to keep me engaged in painting. Each month there is an oil painting class and a watercolor sketch class. And one or two 'extras', like artist interviews. I think it's a good deal for the money. 

Happy painting! 

watercolor sketch book

 From my sketch book. This is  a view of the boardwalk at the ocean near me. These are lanterns that run down a part of the boardwalk. I did a 1 point perspective drawing in pencil first and then inked and painted it. 

Watercolor and ink.   about 5 x 8.  

simple lines watercolor

 

I was going for a minimalist look here. Simple lines and colors. Not sure. 

Experimenting and learning...

finished

in process

my palette

I spent yesterday oil painting and so enjoyed it. It had been a long time. So glad to be painting again! I joined an online painting group to get me motivated.  Here is where I joined. 

 

Botanic Gardens at Peppers Creek

Painted in my art journal.  I had the pleasure of visiting the new Botanic Gardens at Peppers Creek in Dagsboro, DE- near my home. It was a lovely day. There are forests, meadows and dunes in the gardens- benches and paths.  It was peaceful and a real cup-filling sort of place.  

Procreate painting

I painted this in procreate this week. What an amazing program!  No fuss or mess. I was laying down watching TV, no less!  It's the reason I bought an iPad.

France

This is a painting/sketch from my France trip last year. My sister and I went for 2 weeks. One week was a watercolor art journaling workshop and the other week we were on our own.  This sketch is one of my favorite places in Provence. Its is in Vence, the old town. 

I tried to paint rust. I think the background overwhelmed the lock. Next time it's one or the other.
But I tried! I will repaint this. 

Digital painting on my ipad

This was fun to paint. I used Procreate on my iPad. First I did the chair using a ref photo from Pinterest. Then I added the stones, using 1-point perspective.  Then I added a texture for the back wall but it was too plain, so I added the faded letters. I was going for that old vintage painted ads that were once popular.   There is so much to explore with Procreate. A simple program with so much going on...exactly how I describe baseball, a simple game with so much going on!

happy painting.   I miss baseball. And eating out in restaurants, and having friends over, and walking the boardwalk and the beach. This too shall pass... 

pretty spring card

This is a combo of my painting and a few stamps. I love the result. The design I found on the Penny Black company blog. So pretty!  I first created this in my art journal and then decided to make a second one as a card.

I used Distress inks for the background. The rest is watercolor and stamping.

Happy painting!

Taking a break

My cup is empty and I need a break. So I will sign off for now and hope to see you in the near future.

Precreate digital oil painting

I love oil painting but I don't love the mess. Sooo....what to do....paint digitally in Procreate with oil brushes. It is not exactly like the real deal, but it scratches that itch I get to paint. 

Happy painting!