Dominance and Simplicity

Dominance and Simplicity

The above watercolor is very simple, yet I like it. Why? The main reason I think this design works is that there is a clear dominance of shape, size, color, and value. There is no question but that the boat shapes are the main actors in this piece and the largest one...
The Mountain in the Morning

The Mountain in the Morning

Pulling out a photo from a few weeks ago when skies were clear, I determined to paint Rainier again. The mountain can look so different depending on the lighting effects, and this time the rising sun cast shadows on the west side. Using a 2-inch flat brush I washed in...
The Lost Edge

The Lost Edge

A couple weeks ago I was in the San Juan Islands where there are many places like the headland in this painting. What made this spot a little special for me was the light shining through the trees, essentially blurring the edges and drawing the eye. But achieving this...
Underdone

Underdone

This morning I pulled up a photo of boats at anchor in the San Juan Islands, put on a music CD, and prepared to paint. Using a large flat brush, I quickly brushed in a dark background around the shapes, then pulled down reflections. Next came the horizontal lines,...
A Sense of Peace

A Sense of Peace

After a visit to the San Juan Islands, I began painting from my sketches. Feeling refreshed, I started a watercolor depicting the view across the bay, trying to express the feeling I had experienced during the trip. Then, after completing “Northwest...