Water Coloring

I've been concentrating on watercolor again this summer and I figured I'd best do an update. The good, the bad and the ugly. (Yes, I did show some of these before but I wanted to make a so-far, so-good collection here, so just blow by the ones that are familiar!)

Most of these are on regular watercolor paper (Arches) (as opposed to the two Strathmore 140# card stock) using (mostly) Windsor-Newton/Cotman watercolors, along with Prima Tropicals and a bit of Grumbacher.

I've found that when I put a mat around a painting it gives it better definition and looks more finished. Here is before...

...and after.

This is Jack, my friend Judy's dog. I know the mouth looks wonky but that's exactly how his mouth was in the photo.

See? Well, close. I think I see how I can touch that up a little and lighten up the upper "lip."

The buoys are from a photo from Martha's  Vineyard. I think it is a little busy. But I love the color.

And this is a Martha's Vineyard cottage from Oak Bluffs. Now, this is the beginning of it. And it's also the spot where it could have gone all wrong with the upper story and the gingerbread on the roof.

But I think I got it, all those tiny shingles -- at least more or less. I still have trouble converting the shadows in photos to the paint.

I thought I'd get started on some Christmas card designs. Here's one, a holiday wreath. (The snowman? Not so good!)

And here is Lizzie. The first photo, below, is before she was completed.

See what adding the catch-light in the eyes and whiskers can do? And a bit more depth of color.

A birthday card...

...and the toughest one.

I think I nailed him pretty well, although in real life, the skin tones are a little light, but I'm a bit dicey on trying to lay on another layer of color.  And his chin is a little bit too long. But getting there!

I leave you with a note of thanks...

...for checking out the progress!