Witches Brew

This was a fun Halloween, spending time with the family!  After stopping by Mike's parent's house with Gus, Michaela, Kirby and Casper, we went trick or treating with the grandkids near Tyler's house. Gus is staying over tonight, sleeping in the "robot bed" and watching whatever he wants on the TV in there!  The painting is watercolor batik on rice paper, to celebrate the day! Painting number 4686 in 4686 days. 

Witches at the Cauldron

Happy Halloween to one and all!  Keeping with the theme of the day, witches at their cauldron are on my Halloween easel!  I've chosen rice paper for this watercolor batik, and have sketched my composition with India ink.  This ink has the staying power to remain visible after multiple layers of watercolor and hot wax. Though it will fade considerably before the finish, it is all I need. The watercolor mingles freely on this paper, and I must allow plenty of drying time between layers.  It's so fun to play in this medium - and always unpredictable.  Painting number 5175 in 5175 days. 

Witches Brew

Witches Brew
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 7.5x5.5
purchase here

Happy Halloween!  How's this for getting into the halloween spirit?  I have never done anything like this - well, not since I was a child, so why not branch out and have a little fun?  The watercolor batik technique is perfect for creating a vintage mood as these witches make their brew!  Unlike all the other batiks I've done, I painted the background first - getting the glow of the fiery sunset in.  I painted the sky with hot wax and then proceeded to drop color into the figures, cauldron, and land.  It was fun to let those paints just mingle together.  Did I mention that the only color I premix on the palette is orange?  This is painting number 671 in as many days :)