Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

 

6 1/2" x 14 1/2", Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, watercolor

I started on this painting last week and can't seem to stop. It's another photo I took of the Loxahatchee Refuge that I'm working from. 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 expanses of marshes. 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 there.

Open Studio

graphite on handmade paper

 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.

Open Studio

 

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

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.  

St. Marks Lighthouse

7" x 14 1/2", St. Marks Lighthouse, watercolor on Magnani watercolor paper

I thought maybe I should take a cruise or several boat tours along the coast of Florida to see the lighthouses upfront. I would love to get a better sense of the structures and surrounding environments of these beautiful and majestic pieces of architecture. There's a lot of folklore around lighthouses that I have come across. They are described as lonely, isolating, dark places, exposed to the elements of severe weather causing strange sounds and ghostly mirages. But, they are also beacons that draw seamen home; their light shines bright after sundown and offers hope and guidance to those in search of safety, peace and maybe a sense of home. 

Loggerhead Key Lighthouse

7" x 14 1/2", Loggerhead Key Lighthouse, watercolor on Magnani watercolor paper - cold pressed

 

 

7" x 14 1/2", Loggerhead Key Lighthouse, watercolor on Magnani watercolor paper - cold pressed

Started this yesterday and still working. I'm thrilled with the quality of the paper and paints I bought. I love the panoramic look too, having more surface area to really focus on the environment. There are still several things that need to be done to finish up.

I finally received my Charvin watercolor set and I am 

ecstatic. I started a watercolor today and I am so pleased

with these pigments, they are so fabulous. I also, received 

a very nice block of Magnani watercolor paper from Italy - 8"x20".

I'm going for a panoramic affect with the landscapes and 

seascapes surrounding lighthouses. I had such a ball today

with all my new expensive materials, I couldn't stop looking

at the block of paper and paints over the weekend. I think

it was one of the highlights of my weekend, it must 

sound silly. It was a big investment that I would rather

spend money on than maybe something frivolous.

 

Open Studio

I went to an open studio where they had a live model,

it brought back memories of figure drawing classes in college

(those were the days). I think I did pretty good considering 

I haven't done this in probably twenty-five years. The 

proportions are off, but generally speaking it is a good start.

This drawing is in graphite on a handmade paper, 8"x10"

This was a 20 minute study.