Country Moments

Just a neat, backlit tree. The dogs liked it, too.  

Abby, the black, and Shayna, the new kid.

Small stream running through the woods.

The sun was shining, and it was almost warm - quite a change from yesterday, when we were out slogging in the snow.

I think the iris is done.

I wanted to get a lot done outside today, as I'm working the next two days, and it was SUNNY! So Bruno and I played for a while; he is definitely becoming more "interesting" when ridden. I think I'll have to call my trainer in for some help. He is so tough on his right rein [manageable] and his left side [not so manageable]. I would not want to be on him somewhere, with a ditch on one side, and Himself totally disregarding my leg, and heading into the ditch!
I did some painting. The iris is done, and I will take it to work on Saturday to show Joscelyn.
Then Pat and I took the doggers out for a hoof in the nearby park. The newest addition, Shayna, is settling down as much as a young dog could be said to settle down. She comes when called. I taught her to "sit". And she is so loving and sweet-natured, Pat and her husband both love her. We ran into a neighbor while in the woods. He had three of the family dogs with him. John stopped to chat [he was jogging], and told us some stories about their dogs that made Shayna sound like an absolute angel in comparison. So all is good in this part of the countryside.
I almost forgot to mention - I am on "chick lib" duty for the next three days. My neighbor down the street called to ask if I could let her flock out in the morning. All I have to do is unlatch the door, and get out of the way of sixty birds in a big hurry to get out!! This should be interesting!!!
As ever, I love to hear from you, so please be welcome to leave your comments.

Hedgie's Nature Journal: Rhino horn myth

Hedgie's Nature Journal: Rhino horn myth

I felt this post was needed to be seen by more people.

Certainly NOT Shy about Color

 Blocked in all the petals with aureolin.

Painting the centers of the stands.

More work on the inside.

Painted the beards and added more delicate shadowing on petals on left.

I am here.
I think the petal colors are fairly finished. Now, I'll remove the masking and paint the water drops.

As always, your comments are MOST welcome!

This Is Why I LOVE Watercolor ... and Dressage, for that Matter ...

I was here last night.

I've been blocking in the shadows on the iris wet-in-wet, with quin. pink and cobalt blue.

I truly love the spontaneity and fluidity and grace of  a w/w application.
And a horse ridden well, in harmony with the rider, is equally beautiful - the elegance, grace and power ...

Back to the painting. If I can maintain this ease and looseness, I'm in heaven. I thought I would lift some of the background to create the appearance of leaves. And I will do some color swatches to get just the right color for the iris.
As ever and always, please be welcome to leave any comments!

OK ... I Am Blaming the Chinchillas for This One!

This was getting a bit wild-looking for me.
The chinchillas pooh-poohed it!

The leaves were looking wubbly, and in using the hair-dryer, I  forced some staining green onto what was to be a pale yellow petal.

So, guess what ... I started again! What a fool for punishment!!!
I've done graded washes of aureolin, quin. pink and quin. burnt orange.

More graded washes - quin. pink and cobalt blue, and a bit of indanthrone blue.

It looked too flat and tame, so I placed the painting upright, and drizzled pink and blue on it, wet/wet. 

I may have gone too far - it's a little too strong for what I imagine Jos would like, but I like it!
I've started on the petals, again w/w with thin applications of quin. pink and cobalt blue, and let them mix on the paper.I may not be able to do the iris as pale yellow. Perhaps a yellow with thin coppery drizzles [hmmm ... the word of the day] on the stands; those are what the upright petals are called.
And I am slowly getting on with Buddy, too.
I have also been delegated the dog trainer for Shayna, the latest member of our extended family. She is young, full of piss and vinegar, and too much of a handful for Pat [my landlady]. She was almost taken back to the shelter. She has a week's reprieve, during which time I will work on her attention and manners. Wish us luck!!!

As ever and always, please feel welcome to leave comments or questions - love them!

Yes ... I'm Curious, Too!!!

I left off here ...

I decided to go bold and purple.

I'm doing a lot of w/w washes, not using masking.

Now I am here. I think the next step will be to do some w/w with aureolin on the leaves, before moving into the greens.

I actually did a color swatch. The left is  quin. violet + aureolin + phthalo green. The right is quin. violet + aureolin + phthalo +  indanthrone blue.

I really don't quite know what the finished colors will look like - part of the intrigue of watercolor. The woman for whom I am painting this [ a very sweet dentist with whom I occasionally work] loves her blues, violets and greys. I'm hoping she doesn't find the yellow iris too jarring.

I Was Hoping to Be Able to Procrastinate on This ...

Masked water drops.
Shadows in green/grey and warmer brown/grey.

Starting to paint local color.

More local color.
This iris is such a fragile yellow. I was hoping to put off painting the background till later, but I think I must do it now to get an idea of the intensity of hue of the flower.
RATS!!!!

Reference photo. Isn't it gorgeous???