Back to the Rockies and Pikes Peak

"The mountains are calling & I must go

& I will work on while I can,

studying incessantly."

John Muir

                                   Watercolor on 270 gsm paper 11x8.5

The view from our friends back deck in Colorado Springs.  You can see Pikes Peak. . .peaking over the Rockies, cast in the late day shadows, a stark counterpoint to the snowy brilliance of the distant giant.  There is just something inexplicable about mountains, always calling.  To spend time even a brief moment in their presence is to be invigorated.

Tyrion Lannister

He drinks and he knows things.

                        Watercolor on extra weight 270 gsm mixed media paper

Happy Sunflower

I admit that I do not really know what I am doing in regards to using the techniques described by Jean Haines in her wonderful books.  Why sometimes things seem to work well and sometimes. . .not so much.  Such is watercolors.  However, I do know that it is fun to simply try.  

I have posted lots of sad flowers, including a very sad sunflower before. This, this is a happy sunflower!!

                                             Watercolor on 140 lbs block 9x12

Hyacinths. . .really

These are hyacinths. . .really.  More flowers (trying) to use the Jean Haines philosophy.  Kinda a one step forward, two steps back.  Not quite abstract enough and yet not quite true to life. I like it, not sure I "like, like it".  But I don't hate it.  So there is that.  

                               Watercolor on 140 lbs paper 12x16


This is a Big painting (at least for me) at 12 x 16 inches.  Have not done anything this large in a long while.

Jon Snow

Whatcha gonna do Jon Snow?

               Pen & ink and watercolor on extra weight 270 gsm mixed media paper

Captain America

Avengers Endgame has come and gone, with the final fate of Captain America in Marvel Universe now known.  No spoilers here.  Was thinking about doing something related after seeing the movie.  And was asked to do a Cap picture.  So, decided to try something in watercolor and ink.  This is based on a Jack Kirby panel.  The results. . .not bad. 

                                          Watercolor & ink 9x12 on 140 lbs block

Daffodils

April showers bring May flowers indeed.  As a result of all that rain, our daffodils were looking particularly beautiful and inspiring this year.  With this inspiration in mind, I took a bunch of reference photos to paint later.  Below is my first effort.

Starting to feel more comfortable (and loose) with the lessons from Jean Haines' books.  Not there yet, but definitely more better. :)

                                  watercolor on 140 lbs block 9x12