Black River Cottage

Change is inevitable and it's headed toward my little shop. The shop will be replaced with a more modern facility. This will of course take some time but over the next few months I will be making plans, transitioning, selling items at a discount. This will take a lot of work and I'm thankful I have time to make the transition without rushing. I'm not sure what path awaits me but I am open to it. I may transition to an online shop only or move to another location. I'm just no

Getting started with watercolors can be intimidating. Adding to the pressure is the idea that watercolor is too complex and difficult. Honestly, it can be just that! However, don’t let that keep you from starting. Don’t let obstacles rob you of making that first attempt. Beginners are a bit tough on themselves. So don’t be. Everything worth doing takes time. Don’t take watercolors so seriously. Not every painting has to be a work of art. Try some exercises and play with your

I love to create layers in watercolor. This helps create depth and detail you can’t get with a quick wash. This layering process is called glazing. Glazing is a basic technique where you paint, let it dry completely, then paint over the top of the previous color.  Because watercolor paint is transparent, it allows the underlying colors that were previously painted to show through. The combination of two layers of paint produces a new color and creates a darker tone. You are m

Watercolor is not the easiest medium to learn as it is a moving force. Trying to control what it does is a learning experience and only comes with practice and experience. One thing that can help move this along a little more quickly is using the right paper. Watercolor is a finicky medium and anything you can do to appease it is a welcome thing! Working on 140lb cold press paper is the standard for most watercolorist. However, there are many different brands with a wide rang

The thing about success is that it, at times, requires others. I've always wanted to have my own little shop, sell my artwork, and teach my craft. I am working on THE DREAM. Unfortunately, my success depends on others. I need shoppers, art enthusiasts, and students. I've been teaching watercolor for almost nine years. Since covid, the student numbers have dropped drastically. These days people rely less on one-on-one interactions with people and more on social media and the i

Water establishes the consistency of your watercolor paint. Watercolor paint consistency is so important because each consistency performs differently on your wet paper. Thick Consistency like heavy cream is watercolor with little water. Medium Consistency is like half and half and is a little more fluid. Skim milk consistency is when your paint is in a puddle. There is less pigment in the pigment-to-water ratio. This is great for your initial wash. Thin paint blooms and spre

From my last post, you can see I've come a long way from my first painting. Watercolor painting is a great hobby, and it has been a favorite of mine for the past 35 years. Being self-taught, I’ve faced many learning challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is setting side time to paint. Practice is the best teacher. Unless you practice the techniques, you will never master them. Wet On dry is a simple technique to master. It’s great for painting details, creates sharp and def

This is my first watercolor ever! So there is hope for everyone! LOL For a beginner, watercolor can be quite daunting. It can be confusing and difficult to master. Watercolor is like a moving target. You need to learn control. Once you have that process mastered, it will become much easier. In future posts I will review some fundamentals of watercolor. I hope this will be useful to you and create confidence in your skills. When I started painting in watercolors I ran into con

Speaking of water...Water establishes the consistency of your watercolor paint. Watercolor paint consistency is so important because each consistency performs differently on your wet paper.  Thick Consistency like heavy cream is watercolor with little water. Medium Consistency is like half and half and is a little more fluid. Skim milk consistency is when your paint is in a puddle. There is less pigment in the pigment-to-water ratio. This is great for your initial wash. Thin

Watercolor is a challenging medium. It takes time and patience to master. So don't be too hard on yourself. Take your time and put in the practice. Learn to master water control first. The water controls the thickness of the paint, where the paint goes and how it moves. Water can create beautiful effects. Sometimes it's better to let the paint and water dance together without your interference. Start simple. Use only a few colors and practice painting. Draw several squares o

Beneath a moon carved out from the dark, the graveyard awakens with a mischievous rustle. A tombstone stands like a sentinel. The sky is...