In the Mist

Sometimes it takes a long time to figure out how to paint a picture. This photo has been in my collection of images for a long time, but wasn’t really sure how to start. But this week, two new-to-me watercolor books arrived packed full of great images, ideas and new techniques . . . and I’m inspired to PAINT! Armed with a new understanding of values, patterns and color, it felt like the right time to paint these two silhouetted figures paddling a canoe.

This week’s 2^nd painting, In the Mist, 9” x 13” on 300 lb. watercolor, captures the elusive morning light beginning to burn through a foggy river valley.

Yooper (UP, Michigan) Light

It’s been a few weeks of incredible learning attending workshops facilitated by Artist Paul Oman.  The class meets from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursdays at the artZ Gallery in Amery, WI. This past week, we focused on the 2-Against-1 Approach – it sounds complicated and it feels complicated, but I’m beginning to understand that this is a key to really moving your painting to the next level. Paul's using the book “Painting Light and Shadow in Watercolor” by Skip Lawrence as a resource – it’s a beautiful book (and now part of my watercolor library!) and it emphasizes again that really the only way to improve your abilities is to . . . just keep painting!

This week’s painting was my attempt to incorporate the concept of Middle and Dark values against Light values. Octonagon Light, 9” x 9” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, focuses on developing color while preserving the light. 

January Snow!

For the month of January, this one hasn’t been half bad! Oh yes, we’ve had snow and cold, but we haven’t had the terrible winds and I've decided, that makes all the difference. We’ve had several “snow-globe” storms with snow falling down in big flakes – and the result is fabulous sledding conditions! Over a couple of days at New Years, our grandchildren found a wonderful sledding hill in the woods behind our house. The Dad went down the first time – with Paul standing guard to make sure no trees were in the way – and then the kids were off! Despite the cold temperatures, they played on the hill for several hours each day.

This week’s painting, Snow Day, 9” x 13” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures three of them taking a break and enjoying the afternoon sunshine on the sledding hill.

Buttermilk Hill

I’ve been taking a series of classes from Artist Paul Oman, and it is such an excellent experience. Paul is a great teacher and the amount of information gained in each session is amazing! He is focusing on the three main aspects of painting – values, pattern and color as applied to specifics of painting. Last week, we worked on values and the importance of taking the time to do a “values sketch” – when the values are correct it makes all the difference in the finished painting. Today’s class was on composition with a refresher on perspective and painting figures with accurate proportions. WHEW! It’s a lot for this older-than-average brain to assimilate, but as I work on these principles, I’m hoping it will really improve my overall painting.  

This week’s painting, Buttermilk Hill, 8” x 13” on 300 lb. watercolor paper,  was a wonderful exercise in working to get the values right and capturing the light on a rustic barn.

The Boglands

A few weeks ago, I posted a painting titled "Greener Pastures" that featured this flock of sheep moving to higher ground. I felt it needed work, so I went back to the easel and repainted the picture. This time, I had such a good time playing with color! The peat bogs of Ireland are special places. Located in isolated and remote sections of the country, they often contain sacred spaces and offer a glimpse in the ancient times of the Celtic people. And the peat bogs are endangered. Each time a peat bog is drained, the peat dies. In an effort to preserve these essential grounds, new protections are in place and the Irish government has designated 15,000 acres of peat bog in the northern section of Donegal Co. as a national preserve. It’s a land teeming with wildlife including wild goats and of course, free-grazing sheep!

This week’s painting, Bogland Sheep, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures the glowing colors of a peat bog in the evening light.

Light in the Woods

Of all the trees in the woods, one of my favorites is the Birch. Its distinctive light bark makes it easy to spot – especially here in the Northwoods - whether surrounded by the darker green foliage of summer or as a contrast to the dark evergreen color of Pine trees in winter. With the loss of several trees around our house last summer, we waited for the fall nursery sales and then brought four clump birches home. I’m thinking good thoughts and hoping they survive the winter and then anticipating such a lovely sight as they grow and thrive in our yard.

This week’s painting reflects my ongoing affection for this special tree. Light in the Woods is an 11” x 15” watercolor painting on 300 lb. watercolor paper. To view more of my artwork, check out the Gallery on my website at www.wildriverarts.com. All of my paintings are double-matted and framed with AR/UV glass. If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing or commissioning a painting, send an email to dstullkinsley@gmail.com.