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.  

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. 

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Loggerhead Key Lighthouse

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

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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.

Cape Florida Lighthouse (red brick showing)

5 1/2" x 7", Cape Florida Lighthouse, watercolor

New York Central Art Supply - hot pressed

(I'm not too keen on these greens I've been using - they 

look like acid green or even worse, algae. I've decided to invest 

in a Charvin watercolor set, the greens are a better quality, 

as well as their other colors and products. I used Charvin 

oils when I was working with abstracts and absolutely 

loved their pigments; very, very high quality line). 

Cape Florida Lighthouse

 

5 1/2" x 7", Cape Florida Lighthouse, watercolor

New York central art supply watercolor block - hot pressed

I painted this among friends and really had a nice time. Now

that I'm doing watercolors on a very small scale I'm able to go

almost anywhere to paint. 

I'm perfecting the iron work and figuring out what works 

and what doesn't. I've discovered frisket liquid that I am 

having a ball with and, in general, just enjoying the medium. 

I've also, discovered historical places in Florida that I was 

not familiar with.

I like the greens in this piece. They are very pleasing, olive,

moss, a bit of hunter green and one of my favorites; chartreuse.

Loggerhead Key Lighthouse

5 1/2" x 7", loggerhead key lighthouse, watercolor

(Ok, I finished this up this morning and I personally 

think it looks great. I am getting the hang of the 

watercolors and perfecting the lighthouse structures. It does 

look better in person. Unfortunately I'm not set up properly 

in the studio to get a real accurate photo. Not sure which 

lighthouse I will paint next so it will be a surprise).

 

5 1/2 x 7, loggerhead key lighthouse, watercolor

(I'm in the middle of this piece. This area is part of

the dry tortugas national park. I've decided I'm going 

to paint the top half the original black. Over the years the

paint chipped away and became worn so that the 

red brick started to show through and create this reddish 

brown color, which I kind of like. But, it has been

painted black, again, so I'm going to touch it up tomorrow

with black).

Boca Chita Lighthouse

 

5 1/2" x 7", Boca Chita Lighthouse, watercolor

I made a few touch ups especially around the iron work on

top of the lighthouse. I think it works.

Boca Chita Lighthouse

5 1/2 x 7, Boca Chita Lighthouse, watercolor

New York Central watercolor paper - hot pressed

(The iron work on the top of the lighthouse has

been a real challenge. I might experiment a bit 

with the micron pens for more accuracy & leverage.

You'll have to pardon my photography skills, 

this painting looks a lot better in person, & that

is the case with all the other watercolors I've done).