Starry Night on the Plaza batik

I really like the way this batik method works with cityscapes! As always,  the results are unpredictable and paint moves freely on the rice paper,  but oh the rewards are many!  The striking thing about batik is how dramatic it can be!  In a few steps,  a simple scene can become magical.  The stars are knocked off the tip of a bristle brush dipped in hot wax at the very beginning!  I can't wait to teach these upcoming workshops!   Painting number 1538 in 1538 days :)

Plaza Nocturne in Batik

Switching gears today, I am working with the watercolor batik method.  Though I prefer the super thin rice paper, I am learning to really enjoy the heavier masa rice paper.  It has a slick side and a papery side, and I always use the papery side.  It accepts the ink and watercolor much better than the slick side.  Experimenting today, I  wrinkled my paper before painting as is often done with masa, but not normally with the batik until after waxing.  I liked it.  The creases that "broke" the sizing took on more paint than the rest, bumping up that batik effect when I later added the sienna paint to the creases and edges.  I've been sketching quite a bit of architecture lately, so I've chosen one of my favorite places - the Country Club Plaza for my composition.  This place is beautiful all times of the year, but especially when the streets are wet!   The coolest part of this technique is that no two paintings will ever be alike.  The way the watercolor reacts to the rice paper and hot wax is unpredictable, taking on a mind of it's own.  And what is more fun than a painting doing it's own thing?  This painting makes 1491 in 1491 days :)

Tallship Nocturne Batik

Hot wax, ink and watercolor on masa rice paper are my playthings du jour!!  Pushing into the contemporary and abstract, I choose a tallship in the night under the moon and stars!  First, I sketch out the scene with India ink.  Next, I paint my lightest values, letting the dry.  I then come in with a bristle brush and hot wax (I heat in a tiny crock pot), and paint these areas that I want to resist the next layers of color.  Then, I flood in my darks on the fragile masa rice paper, which I set on top of wax paper for full paint absorbency.  I am using my Daniel Smith translucent watercolors for this technique.  Once this dries, I wax the entire painting, allowing it to cool.  Now, this is the scary part.  I wad the painting up into a ball, crunching wax off randomly!  I then come back over this painting with a dark color, working the paint into all this creases I just created.  After this dries, I place the painting between layers of newspaper, and iron until all wax is removed.  I must keep switching out the paper to accomplish this.  The fun part is that this technique creates different results every time, so no two pieces will ever be the same!  This contemporary painting is the 1487th in 1487 days :)

Time for Tea

Time for Tea
Watercolor batik on masa, 8x6
purchase here

Every week, I serve a different special tea in these teacups to the girls in painting class.  Quite some time ago, I bought a whole roll of masa paper for the watercolor batik technique.  This paper is thicker than the previous one I had used - and I found it harder to work with.  I prefer the thinnest rice papers, because they so readily accept the paint, wax and second coat of paint.  The masa is more resistant, especially in the second flow of paint over wax.  I am finding ways to make these thicker papers work, it just takes a little practice.  Painting number 1027 in 1027 days.

Night Forest

Night Forest
Watercolor, hot wax on masa rice paper, 7.5x5.5

On this batik night landscape, when I got to the "wadding the waxed paper up in a ball step", I rolled that paper vertically instead of just any old way.  The result is batik creases that run up and down like the trees of the forest.  I first painted the light in the sky, adding some of that same color throughout before waxing.  I haven't done batiks for so long - it is fun to get back to them and explore them in different ways.  I will be SO busy in Door County - with little internet access - that I am trying to get ahead of the game.  Painting number  939 in 939 days.

Lazy Susan Batik

Lazy Susan Batik
Watercolor, hot wax on masa rice paper, 7.5x5.5
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On this batik, the watercolor had a hard time seeping into the cracks of the masa rice paper (from the wadding it into a ball stage).  So, once I had ironed as much wax off as I could get to transfer to the newspaper, I then took a dryish watercolor brush with just a bit of the brown on it - and skimmed the surface of those creases,  Those creases soaked up the brown, gaining more of that batik effect. This painting makes 932 in 932 days.

Pink Calla Batik

Pink Calla Batik
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa rice paper, 7.5x5.5
purchase here

A couple of years ago, my youngest daughter, youngest son and husband bought me two bunches of calla lilies to plant in the beds.  They are tropical, and should be dug out each winter. Well, I never did get around to that task - and for two years running, they have come back on their own - and bloomed beautifully!  I love it when that happens!  I've added a bit of hot wax splattering to the waxing stage on this one.  I like the loose effect - I will try a bit more on the next one!  This painting makes 931 in 931 days :)

Green Forest Batik

Green Forest Batik
Watercolor, hot wax on masa rice paper, 7.5x5.5
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This is totally an experiment!  Still using the hot wax as a resist - it was very challenging to negatively paint those trees in wax - which is clear!  I couldn't see where I put it, so what I have is pushing towards the abstract!  Next time, I will at least paint a few dominant trees in the foreground before waxing.  I started the underpainting by catching the light in the sky, and then worked forward from there. I like the crazy dimension and otherworldly feel in this one!  This is painting number 930 in 930 days.

Purple Coneflower Batik

Purple Coneflower Batik
Watercolor, hot wax on masa paper, 7.5x5.5
purchase here

This day has been totally out of my control.  An early morning phone call had me pulling supplies together to watch a grandchild with the stomach flu.  Taking all over to my daughter's, I worked when I could, with plenty of time for allowing layers to dry.  These coneflowers were painted first, then painted with hot wax as a resist.  Background colors were floated in, with a final coat of wax. After wrinkling up into a ball, brown was floated into the cracks, thus the batik effect.   Ironing between layers of paper finished off this 929th painting in as many days.

Gourds and Pumpkins

Gourds and Pumpkins
Watercolor batik on masa, 8x5
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Another day spent basking in the glory of the harvest!  I just love painting the rich colors of fall - and there is so much variety in the squash and gourds!  I have followed the same techniques as in the Harvest Basket, as I painted through the steps of these two at the same time.  When working on watercolor batiks, I almost always work on two, three or four at a time.  The main reason is that I like to start and finish with no down time.  In watercolor, I have to wait for the paint to dry between layers, so I simply move to the next painting instead of wasting my time just waiting.  I feel like I am unlocking the secrets of the masa paper with each painting I finish - the smallest little changes in method yield different results.  Experimenting really helps keep all things fresh - no chance if slipping into hum-drum when mixing it up daily!  Painting number 690 in as many days.

Tall Ship at Sunset

Tall Ship at Sunset
Watercolor batik on masa, 5x8
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Today I have discovered something new about this masa paper.  I started the same way, with a sketch in india ink, followed by painting the ship and sails in watercolor.  I next brushed hot wax on only these painted parts plus some highlights in the water.  Adding the remaining color to the sky and water, I brushed hot wax over the whole piece.  After carefully crumpling the painting into a ball, and brushing off any wax that crack off, I found the wax cracked and popped off better.  This masa paper has been resistant to the flow of paint until now, as if the wax was just not coming off well enough in the cracks.  The difference?  With our "arctic blast" moving in, it is colder in the house than before.  Thus, the wax reacts so much better!  The watercolor flowed into the cracks more efficiently and spread in a webbing type of motion with little effort.  I have had to work to get this effect before now.  Even at my parent's house in Ohio, I noticed how poorly the wax was behaving - in one instance, it hardly worked at all!  Well, they keep their house considerably warmer than mine ever is.  So, on those days when the temperature is up, I will try popping my painting into the fridge or freezer, to help that wax do it's work.  So rewarding to learn something valuable while painting!  Painting number 682 in 682 days.

Dad's Shed

Dad's Shed
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 8x5
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The stunning color of the fall foliage hit me as soon as I walked out the back door at my parent's house.  Early morning light illuminated the trees splendidly!  How I wished I could set up and paint on the spot, being hospital bound, this was not the time.  I sketched this while my mother slept and my dad "rested" in a rather uncomfortable chair.  Laying in the first layers of color discreetly (from the vinyl couch in the room) - I took this back home to wax and paint again.  What a therapeutic way to spend the long hours waiting by mom's bed.  Painting number 675 in as many days.

Autumn Gold

Autumn Gold
Watercolor batik on masa, 5x8
Elmore, Ohio - purchase here

As I walked out of my parents back door, this glorious golden tree was there to greet me!  The yellows are really popping up here in northern Ohio - and the autumn landscape is amazing!  I snapped pics all the way to the hospital this morning while the sun was shining brightly.  Once again, I am using the watercolor batik method.  I have not actually painted in the hospital before, but I knew that watercolors would be the safe and clean alternative.  Those who know me, know that I am a clean painter - and my work area was tiny so as not to be noticed!  I first sketched out my composition with an india ink pen while looking at my reference on my phone - all in my lap.  Laying my skinny watercolor palette between me and the end of the couch on a paper towel, I dipped my brush into a little pill cup for my water and then into the paint of choice.  So compact, it was the perfect set up for "hospital" painting!  Arriving home later, I was then able to wax, crinkle, and then paint again.  Ironing that wax off, I then topped off with a little more watercolor and was done!  Working at four at a time, I needed that extra time in between for drying. Those other two are now dry, so I had better move on to ironing them.  Painting number 673 in as many days :)

Autumn on the River Road

Autumn in the River Road
Watercolor batik on masa, 8x5
Elmore, Ohio - purchase here

As I walked out to get the mail at my parent's house, this beautiful scene lay before me.  Slipping the mail into the car and grabbing my phone, I stepped back into the street to get the photo for reference.  The golds were stunning in the backdrop of greens.  I have been wanting to work on street scenes - so this is my chance!  I am going to sketch and paint these every day while I am in Ohio - where I can get many different paintings from my parent's lawn!  I have sketched this one in india ink, painted in watercolor on masa, & brushed hot wax over the surface.  Crumbling up, this surface was more resistant to the wax coming off.  I don't know why, perhaps the wax was thinner than on my previous paintings.  As a result, the batik effect is lighter here.  The actual painting of the scene was fun!  I think I am going to like painting the street scenes!  Painting number 672 in 672 days :)

Portage River in Fall

Portage River in Fall
Watercolor batik on masa paper, 8x5
purchase here

The Portage River runs past my parent's house in Elmore, Ohio, and is a constant source of inspiration when I visit.  This morning, while the grass was still very wet with dew, I walked down the hill and to the water's edge just to get this vantage!  So worth it!  So many of the trees are showing off their yellow foliage - the reflections are stunning!  I first sketched this out with my Pitt india ink pen in sepia, and next filled in with watercolor.  Using the hot wax for some movement in the water, I have left this one rather loose and liquid.  I think I will try to paint several of the river while I'm here!  Painting number 670 in 670 days.

Golden Glow

Golden Glow
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa, 8x5
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I am in Ohio for my mom's knee replacement surgery.  As we drove to the hospital this morning, the early morning light was bathing the autumn landscape in gold!  Taking a few reference photos, I then sketched a few paintings out on rice paper while my mom rested between therapy sessions.  This painting is from their side yard - with the sun lighting the golden leaves and grass alike!  Later, while she and my dad were napping, I painted them with the small watercolor palette that I take with me when plein air painting.  I forgot my water container and used one of the pill cups for my water!  I was able to paint the first two layers on, and wax, paint, iron, and paint again when I got back to their house.  This was a good use of time - because I HAD to watch the World Series game with my hometown boys playing (the Royals!!) - and this kept my hands busy!  This is painting number 669 in as many days - and boy do I hope we win!!

Batik Autumn

Batik Autumn
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa, 8x5
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Trying to capture the autumn landscape with watercolor - which is new for me.  I have only been using the medium for three months now, and rarely in a landscape - I normally go to my oils.  After loosely sketching with my india ink pen, I fill in the local color with paints, then brush hot wax onto this.  For this one, I floated ink over the cooled and cracked wax instead of watercolor - and the ink spreads in a different way.  More blotchy, more unpredictable.  Not sure how I feel about this......I'll need to try a few more before I decide.  Painting number 665 in as many days.

Autumn in Batik

Autumn in Batik
Watercolor, ink, wax on masa rice paper, 8x5
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The leaves are really showing there color north of the river!  Another full day of painting in Parkville - and three more paintings finished.  I have just arrived home - and am too tired to worry about getting photos of my work without natural light.  So, I will have to get all six done in the morning be fore I head back out to paint.  On this painting, I am experimenting with the batik method on the landscape. This was a quick study, and the masa is more resistant to the watercolor applied after the wax than the thin rice paper.  I like the effect, but I will need to do a few of these to get comfortable with them.  This is painting number 656 in 656 days.

Poppies Batik

Poppies Batik
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa, 5x8
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What a day!  After my pilates class this morning, I headed straight for Parkville - and have been painting there ever since!  I couldn't get my panels stamped until 10:00, so I couldn't start as early as I would have otherwise.  I knocked out three paintings today - one in midday sun, another done at sunset - and the final was a nocturne which I couldn't start until it was completely dark since I had no idea of where the good lighting would be.  It was a gorgeous day to be out painting - in the 70's, and warm even at night.  I can work like a machine when I need to - and this event is over in two days - which means I need to!   It was my intention to post one of those tonight, but alas - I didn't get images and have actually left them in the trunk for the night.  I am too tired to fight the giant puppy to get them in safely!  He is very nosy and would likely lick paint right off the surface of them - which he has done before!  So, I am posting this poppy painting that I did a couple of days ago.  It is kind of crazy with it's dreamlike brushwork and the way the batik process worked (which is always a surprise because it is so unpredictable).  At first, I didn't like it at all - but it is now growing on me.  Well, this crazy painting is 655 in as many days and now I am ready to fall into bed :)

Teapot and Cups Batik

Teapot and Cups Batik
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa, 8x5
purchase here

I was asked to bring in some artwork for the walls of my favorite tea and herb shop today.  So, I set up a couple of teacups and my "Cinderella" teapot for an impromptu still life in the afternoon light.  The Royals game started at 3:07, so I watched my hometown team clinch the series with the Orioles while I painted!  We are World Series bound - and this painting will soon be headed to Life Thyme Botanicals.  This painting makes 654 in as many days and I'll be painting all day tomorrow in historic Parkville :)