learn to watercolor.

Have concentrated my efforts on looking at a watercolor instruction book filled with loose watercolor scenes and trying to paint their examples. Was hard at first but it is loosening up my paintings and I’m happy. Will concentrate on going page by page for the next 2 weeks. Everything else is put on hold while I concentrate on improving my painting. I am enjoying myself once I have decided how to approach painting. I will concentrate on one watercolor book and practice what I am reading.

Went out water coloring to the same area I visited yesterday. Sketched and water colored the same scene. I had fun. Found that I am not as anxious applying paint to paper. Although he results are obviously far from perfect, I realize that I am a rank beginner. Have to draw and water color at least every other day. My next class will probably be in 2 weeks. That will give me time to work with that tree/rock scene several times and then compare my results.

Went out with a water color teacher to a local park. We spent 2 1/2 hrs going over the points of drawing and water color studying a beautiful oak tree and a lot of nearby boulders. The teacher made me totally comfortable and sketched and water colored to show me how to simplify a complicated scene and also add a variety of colors to one area. No plain gray rocks or brown tree bark were depicted. The colors were varigated and exciting as boulders and bark show many colors and tones,. We also discussed composition, value, light and balance. Her style was wonderfully loose and open yet there was not doubt that we were depicting a tree, boulders and grass. Completed a sketch and a water color. My head is still spinning thinking about all of the things she taught me. I also had a relaxing time. The 2 1/2 hrs went by fast. Am packing my day pack and a lunch and going out tomorrow to an open space with my water colors. Tomorrow’s piece may or may not turn out great but the teacher has given me solid information and confidence. What is surprising is that although her art is seen in galleries, her private rate was very reasonable. My assignment is to execute several water color studies and put them aside to review during our follow up class. I was fortunate to have discovered a congenial teacher who has awesome art skills and also enjoys working with beginners. I am happy to have posted my goal on this Forum. It made me set goals to follow my interest. I need to stay focused and water color on regular basis. I also need to carry my sketch pad with me everywhere I go.

I have wanted to learn how to water color for years. I love to hike but was preparing for total knee replacement surgery. I sat down and thought what might happen if the surgery turned out not to be successful. One of the answers I came up with was to still drive to parks or trailheads and sketch or water color the beauty around me. I might not be able to hike but I’d still be enjoying the outdoors. Began collecting water color supplies then and there. The knee replacement surgery went well and I happily was able to return to hiking. My water color thoughts took a back burner to work and other activities. After recently retiring, I looked through storage boxes and discovered my watercolor supplies. Then and there I’d decided that I still wanted to carry my sketching and water color supplies on hikes and try my hand at landscapes. The supplies were going to be used and not repacked for another day. In order to mentor me and not have me take a step back, I e-mailed a local water color artist and she seems interested to mentoring me and working me through the basic skills I need. She is also a hiker and loves landscapes. I will follow up on our e-mails and work out details such as days/hours/fees. Although others have learned on their own, I feel a teacher will assist me as I work through the initial ruts of learning a new skill.