Painting Water

  This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Sunset over Birch Bay, WA

7x10"

 

When painting water, remember that the water reflects the sky.

 

Using Gradated Washes to Paint Skies

     This entry was originally posted on Friday, April 6, 2012 

Cattle Point Sunrise

7x10"

 Layering (also called glazing) your gradated washes make a fabulous sky.

Start with your lightest color first (usually yellow).

Then layer other colors on top of that color.

Allow each color to dry before layering the next color.

 

In Cattle Point Sunrise, I first did a gradated wash of yellow from the lower third portion of the painting and gradated it out to the top. Next I added my red just above the yellow, allowing it to gradate out the top.

Last, I added my blue at the top and washed it out toward the bottom.

November Sunset

November Sunset

10x22"

    I am currently writing this from Moses Lake, Washington.  I have this wonderful opportunity to be able to explore and paint the Columbia Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas, which is just outside of Moses Lake. The sunsets here are stunning and adds color to an otherwise bleak landscape. By the looks of it, you would never know that there is so much wildlife in the area. It is mostly miles and miles of sagebrush. However, there are also thousands of birds and apparently there is a Sandhill Crane festival in the spring. Something to look forward to. 

    I use to paint on a daily basis and got out of the habit recently with all the changes that have been happening and with my focus being on my online course. To warm up my painting muscles, I decided to do a quick study of one of the area's stunning sunsets. While watching and photographing the sky, I noticed a few mule deer sneaking past me and got some in the shot. Couldn't resist adding her to the painting.