The way to learn is to do.  I no longer mind sharing my mistakes--it's uphill from here!
   I had quinacrodone gold on hand and used that to paint the metal--too grainy and flat.  I've been asking around and received suggestions for layering various combinations of colors.  I'll also check books and the web for recommendations on painting metal.  I'll paint a page of tools again, soon!
   Also, I used the corner of a cheap brush for the resist (highlights), but the solution thickened and the highlight was too wide.  Someone told me to use a ruling pen--I'll give it a try!  I ran out and bought some inexpensive smaller brushes, and I'll try those, also.  I'll post after experimenting and will report on the results.

Happy painting!

I notice that I look at this work with new eyes when I get ready to post it.  I'd like to add a little more to this page.  I suppose more text, remembering this day and what was special about it.

Journal entry for Sept 4, 2011 - France

Interesting history for this church.






This abbey was spectacular, even in it's current state of disrepair!

Tennis Shoe

Done for drawing class--watercolor pencils.  This is done on drawing paper, so I won't hydrate.  This would be a good one to re-do with watercolor on heavier paper.

Catching up on journal pages from last September's France trip.  I added some pumpkins on a tabletop at the green market, where we stocked up on food that would be for that morning's breakfast and for several day's lunch (bread and framoge, mmm).  I like the quick upper sketch despite the perspective being a little off on one of the buildings along the beautiful marina.

My latest watercolor
topic -- pears--done in conjunction with Martha Lever's fun class.

 Loose pages destined for a journal.  The lettering is done in pencil.  I'll probably redo the top page using something more legible. I think the bottom page will be a draft. I like the background, but it needs  I'll contrast--I'm thinking something reddish and circular.  The lettering will be redone--better layout and not so sloppy
.

A couple things keeping us busy are the pets.  Suzy, the one with the puffy cheeks, was our backyard "rescue" in April 2011.  She's survived the coyotes, bobcats, falcons, hawks, etc. and is now on her second litter of babies this spring--VERY prolific and a very diligent mother.

  Here's a video of her gathering nesting materials: http://www.youtube.com/krisandden




Fuzzy, on the other hand, was a from a friend who got a hedgehog.  A week later, she looked in the cage and there were three!  She's not the friendliest pet--quite a contrast to Suzy.  She interesting, though and getting her to come out for a run gives D and I a project each night.

I haven't posted for awhile. I've been busy with creative endeavors, though, and have decided I'll start posting more regularly. To start, here's a picture of the birthday gift I received this year, from the very handy husband. It's so fantastic to now know exactly what paper I have, and where it is.

Learning to paint a leaf . . .

I first painted this leaf on November 27, the weekend after Thanksgiving. I had picked it up during my "daily" walk. I was NOT thrilled with my work. (Can you tell that's a skinny acorn next to it--equally unhappy result.)

Today, the day after Christmas, I decided to attempt it again. Since then, I read a post from TheArtGoddess yahoo group, suggesting using scratches to create the veins. I don't really know if that helped, as I sketched the veins first, but it certainly didn't hurt. I also attended a one-day sketching/watercolor workshop with Jane LaFazio in Encinitas and some of her influence is reflected in this entry. I have to note that neither of these sketches are done on water color paper. They're done in my journals meant for sketching, but the paper in both take watercolor well enough. Any problems are based on my skill level, which I think is improving!

BTW, I tried to register for a drawing class in the winter semester at Mount Sac Community College--no such luck. I didn't even make it to the waiting list! Now, I'm trying to add a class with our local Rowland Heights community program. I'm not holding my breath there, either. I'll keep trying, though, and I have LOTS of drawing and watercolor books that I need to use more. Wish me luck!