I’m trying something new and this is the first - a short snippet of my painting process.  This is my first attempt at doing a video, editing and posting.  Bear with me… next time I hope for a better quality video.

Anyway… as you can see I’ve continued to apply layer upon layer of color (watercolor washes) always referring to my color study as a guide in my color mixing process.

While some artists are confident enough to apply dark, splashy washes with only one or two applications of paint, I tend more toward the “building process.”  Building by applying one wash of color over the next (drying each layer thoroughly) until I get the desired dark value.

The beauty in creating art is that there’s no right or wrong way to get where you want to be.  It’s all a matter of personal preference and style.  I suppose that’s what I like best about art - in math 2 + 2 is always 4, but when I’m painting the answers are what I want them to be!

Once I have my foliage and such as dark as I desire I will then remove the masking fluid by erasing or rubbing it.  I find using an eraser is cleaner as the oils from your skin can leave a residue on the paper that is hard to remove.  Once those whites (your unpainted protected areas) are exposed then it’s time to paint those lilacs and make them bloom (as seen in this video)!

Something important to remember is that while our brain knows these lilacs are made up of hundreds of small blossoms in each bunch we need only focus on painting a “shape” that says “bunch of lilacs.”  I have found keeping that in mind - paint a shape that says what we want to say - is freeing and keeps me from getting caught in fussy little details when a shape and color is all you need to say what needs saying.

What I wanted to say with this painting is, “Wow I just saw this beautiful, old country home with mature lilac bushes in full bloom.  So vibrant and beautiful!   Here look . . . see what I mean?”   That’s my message.  Can you smell them?  Can you feel them tickle the end of your nose as you take in their sweet aroma?  That’s my message.  Sharing what I see and how I see it through my painting.