African Goats in the Snow

 

I LOVE when these African goats come to visit - they are so paintable! It has been years since I've played in the pastels, and I'm a little rusty.  I sketched my scene first with a pastel pencil, then laid in the masses with my pan pastels.  I chose a red oxide sanded paper because I thought it would compliment my scene, but I feel like I was fighting it.  I found it hard to bring the lights out of that dark beginning.  Next time, I'll choose a lighter color and see if that helps my process.  My daughters were asking about learning pastels, so I thought I'd better get them all out and clean them up.  Now, I'm thinking of all the animal paintings I could use them for!  Painting number 5071 in 5071 days. 

Old Barn Batik

 

I love painting the gorgeous farms of the Midwest in watercolor batik!  I'm starting to see that autumn color now, and I can't resist capturing it today in watercolor batik. These large barns dot the landscape, and we lose them as they age. I am happy to paint them while they stand.  Painting number 5170 in 5170 days. 

Pumpkins Batik

Tis the season for watercolor batik pumpkins!!  I love the layers of this magical process!!  I begin with a thin piece of rice paper and I sketch my pumpkins with in India ink pen.  These lines will almost fade away entirely with all the layers.  If I want them to show, I need to use a heavier line. After the watercolor goes on, I add hot wax to any areas I want to resist further paint.  And so I proceed through as many layers as it takes before I wax it all, wad it into a ball, then lay flat to wash on more watercolor.  After ironing to remove the wax, I am left with the above painting, ready to frame and hang for the autumn season!  Painting number 5169 in 5169 days.