High Sierra Topix

Thanks Mark. Funny you should mention that, because the sky is wet when I paint it. But the stream was dry because I wanted to get that horizontal character to it. When you paint on wet paper, you lose some of that definition...

But on the ground, you are absolutely right. I was really just testing colors there, seeing what I would like. I should do that on a separate paper, then put it on the painting once I have it right...and I did want to leave that one tiny slice quite white, where the light hits the ground in the lower right corner...

Not sure why you can see these sometimes, and not others. Sounds like other people can see them? They are posted on Google photos in an album that is open to sharing....so should be visible.

Balz, do not know why I cannot see your art anymore???

balzaccom wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:18 pm When you paint on wet paper, you lose some of that definition...

Anyway, about your "lose definition" statement...
The trick is to pay close attention to the wetness of the paper (wet on wet) before you add the watercolor. As the paper drys, (you can see when the shine has left the wet paper...never add color before this stage has changed) when almost dry...wait a few more seconds, then add the colors. The dryer the wet paper, the more definition...but the barely-still-wet paper will allow the colors to mix some, especially if tilted. The hard part is knowing when to add color, how much of each, where, how wet the brush, which way to tilt, whether to use a thirsty brush to dab off... (and a bunch of other variables too, all of which makes watercolor impossible to master) - that critical stage...takes some practice and luck.

End of today's lesson...mark

Always learning!

I was just showing your work to my budding artist daughter and she loves your style. She just spent the last 30 minutes pointing out the details of your composition that she loves, Including your general color pallet, but mostly that you do your line art over your water color which is opposite of what she does, so she was fascinated seeing the opposite of her process.

Any chance your daughter will post some of her work here, Jim?
Would love to see it.

I don't know Russ. I'd have to ask her. I have permission to share this. This was her final when she was working with charcoal.

Cool!

Nice Charcoal above....
As for me, another watercolor/pen and ink of Matthes Lake.

Another great painting, Mark. I really love your combination of watercolors and ink. Now I'm just going to have to plan a trip that goes by Matthes Lake - one of the few Cathedral Range lakes I have not yet visited.
-Phil

With Markskor in the hospital, I thought I would add a few of my latest...just to keep this thread alive. I hope that he sees it---and makes his usual constructive comments!

A evening in the Sierra...and a sunset in the desert