Magic in the Woods Watercolor Workshop with Melissa

Today was a beautiful day!!!! Sunny and warm! A GREAT day to paint! In my workshop today, everyone created their own world using individual colors, shapes, different marks and even wildlife! We used a photo reference as a jumping off point, paper as stencils and tracing paper for shapes. Some worked on handmade rough press paper for even more atmospheric qualities. Below are the paintings from this workshop.

First of the Roses

Sometimes it's cool to start a painting with a subject in mind but no definite plan. I knew I wanted to paint roses and use lots of pinks and greens when I began. The rest of the piece was developed intuitively as I looked at what was there and how I could add to it. The handmade paper is neat to paint on because of its texture which adds character to the washes. I photographed this piece so you can see all the deckle edges.

"First of the Roses" • Original watercolor on handmade paper • 9"x 12"

If interested in purchasing this piece click HERE.

A Perfect Place to Be

I have been really working on the perspective of color. How a color changes as it recedes into the distance really can add to a piece. I really like the color shapes in this piece as well as the color descriptions of the tree trunks.

"A Perfect Place to Be" • Original acrylic on 3/4" wrap around canvas, painting continues on sides, ready to hang • 8" x 8"

If interested in purchasing this piece click HERE.

Edge of the Field

What's at the edge of the field where the woods end and the fence begins and the sunlight peeks between the leaves? A place for animals to sleep? For birds to roost? A last bit of shade?

Using a lot of golds and greens and rich browns I tried to suggest a special place at the edge of the woods.

"Edge of the Field" • Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas, painting continues on sides, ready to hang • 18" x 24"

If interested in purchasing this piece click HERE.

Riverbank Thicket

This is a watercolor that does everything I wanted it to do. I've been painting a lot of trees lately and I really like the overgrown look to the tree on the left. I'm very happy with the yellows and greens. Green is a difficult color for me to paint with. It comes alive partly because of the warm to cool greens and because it's next to a little yellow and a little reddish purple brown. Some of the colors that I used are Daniel Smith mineral pigment which adds sparkle in some places as well as some nice granulation.

"Riverbank Thicket" • Original watercolor on 100% cotton paper • 11" x 15"

If interested in purchasing this piece click HERE.