I saw these clouds one evening and had to take a photo. I'm going to attempt to recreate them in watercolors, please wish me luck. I'm going to place them over the Everglades marsh. I will be piecing images together and I hope the final product is convincing.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

6 1/2" x 17 1/2", Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, watercolor

Made a breakthrough that probably appears to be simple, but it made all the difference in the structure of the image. It was the large 'X' in the foreground of the marsh. It was so simple, but it really changed the whole perspective/vanishing point of the painting. With that said the 'X' does need some work. I'm also trying very hard not to overwork the watercolors, it is easy to fall into that trap with this medium. Ideally, I'd like to get to the point where I know when just a stroke or two is enough to define what I'm looking at. I don't know if that is asking too much.

Green Cay

6 1/2" x 17 1/2", Green Cay, watercolor

Working on this piece. Green Cay is a marsh with a boardwalk near my house. It's a great place to watch birds and other wildlife. 

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Hand Study

 graphite on handmade paper, 8 1/2" x 11"

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Open Studio

 graphite on handmade paper, 8 1/2" x 11"

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Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

6 1/2" x 17 1/2", Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, watercolor

I started on this painting last week and can't seem to stop. I'm working from another photo I took of the Loxahatchee Refuge. I also ordered a book of Van Gogh's pen drawings and his gorgeous landscapes of pastoral scenes. I immediately thought of him when trying to create vanishing points in the large expanse of the marsh. His drawings show a lot of depth and perspective through line work. I glanced over his drawings this evening and he really was such a master of perspective. It's obvious in his architectural renderings and the structural component is there in his fields and gardens, he was so incredible - one of my favorites. I'm hoping to finish this in my watercolor group tomorrow and have fun with the ladies.

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Open Studio

graphite on handmade paper

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 20 minute pose

15 minute pose

10 minute pose

5 minute pose

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

6 1/2" x 17 1/2", Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, watercolor

I've always loved the Everglades; its swampy marshes and beautiful wildlife. Loxahatchee is part of the Everglades, which I've been wanting to visit since it is close to my home. I checked out the beautiful scenery last weekend and took a bunch of photograph's. This is just one of the sites I came across. So far I have put in a lot of hours on this piece and have enjoyed the whole process. I have extended the length of the painting to really emphasize the panoramic view, and I like the results. I found the refuge to be very peaceful so I'm trying to convey that with the watercolors. And, I love the vanishing point, it has a real nice effect. I still have to work on the clouds and touch up a few things here and there.

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Open Studio

 

These drawings are in graphite on a handmade paper, 8"x10"

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I just want you to know how much you have done for me, I hope you have benefited too. But, I just can't anymore.