Watercolor

I signed up for another 6 week course of watercolor classes at the Art Room on Tuesday evenings. This time we are painting 2 pictures of beeches, one with snow, the other with water, perhaps a lake. My Florida soul rebels, however the snowbirds are happy. The first week, we sketched, then masked all the trees. After painting in the backgrounds, we will remove the masking, leaving white trees to have their markings painted.

While we were in California, I missed the second week. Not a problem because I can make it up Thursday morning. On the other hand, a problem, because I couldn’t find my drawings when I went last night. We put our projects in numbered slots to keep all them sorted. Of course, I couldn’t remember my number. I looked at every slot allotted to our Tuesday night class. Nothing. I looked at every slot for the Thursday watercolor class. Nothing. One of the instructors looked. Nothing. All I can figure is that someone accidentally took mine and painted them, even though I’d put my name on the edge. There was one masked drawing (sounds like a bank robber) sitting on a shelf, unclaimed. Not mine, but I took it, then re-sketched and masked the other one. I was able to paint some of the background. And, when I put my boards in a slot, I added it to my class reminders on my phone.

All of this to say I’ve decided I need specific instruction to improve my painting. First up is to ask for more help during these classes. I am still using way too much water. My papers buckle, and my colors are weak. I have signed up for a $5/month Patreon subscription to follow Kirsten Van Leuven, a watercolor teacher on YouTube. It includes twice weekly videos, often with a painting to do; a project of 100 3”x3” paintings in 2025; and twice monthly live video classes. A bargain for me; dang lot of work for her.

Secondly, I’m making painting a priority, rather than an afterthought. It is cool enough to garden in the afternoon. Paint first; yard later.

Perhaps a couple of individual lessons. TBD.
4 Notecards From a Debbie Walker Design

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