I did a simple hike in Washington Valley Park and for the first time brought tube paints along with my Pocket Palette (dried paints). It was crazy windy by the East Branch Reservoir where I set up but the sun was warm. With the wind whipping by, I had to work fast. The result was this groovy, abstract painting. I love the juicy washes in the sky and the evergreen trees using the tube paint. I can see why many Urban Sketchers bring tubes along with them on site.
Watercolor on 140 lbs watercolor board 9x12
Here is the actual photo. It was so windy that the clouds were constantly changing and moving by, altering the shadows they threw on the trees and water below. While I painted, several college-aged kids hop across the little rock bridge in the foreground that was partially submerged. None fell in.
Slowly, Spring is starting to return. The weather is trying to get warmer. More and more birds are showing up at our feeder. We see robins, cardinals, finches, chickadees, bluejays and a few others I have not yet identified. And they make great subject matter.
This painting is a departure from all the landscapes I have done recently. It is always good to try something new. Plus, it allowed me to do more drawing before the watercolors, which was fun.
The name of this Triad is called Reflections (Blue Apatite Genuine, Deep Sap Green and Transparent Brown Oxide) and it is an apt name. What lovely granulating washes the blue apatite made for the distant mounts and the deep sap green is so lush I did use my favorite, verditer blue for the sky and water.
I like the haphazard washes and energy in the water and mountains. I also like how the sky and granulated blue mountains gives it a feel of a rainy day, which are perfect days for reflections.
Watercolor on 140 lbs watercolor block 9x12
And the title also follows the great tradition of similar titles and concepts.
