Landing

Landing
Watercolor, 2012
10" x 18"
Gift to Cameron MacLeod

My first bird in watercolor that isn't a Chickadee. This is a female house finch from a photo online. My goal was to capture the translucent wing feathers and the motion of the bird. I was drawn to the photo because of the wing tips caught in stop-motion.

The wing feathers are a light wash of Ultramarine Blue (Daniel Smith) and Burnt Umber (Windsor Newton). I let the pigment sit in the outline of the feather then drop water without paint into the middle and let it push the pigment to the outside line. This defines the feather and makes it translucent. I then embellished the feather with either a pure blue or dark brown pigment to create interesting highlights. The body is heavy pigment of Burnt Umber and just a little Ultramarine Blue.

**note - it is frowned upon to use another persons photo as reference without their permission. I sent the photographer a note asking for permission and never heard back. I went ahead with the painting promising myself that I would not "profit" off the work if it "turned out."  (that last sentence is hilarious). I chalk this egregious faux pas up to my education in watercolor.

Stream and Green Rocks

Stream and Green Rocks
Watercolor, 2012
10" x 18"
Sold at Auction - benefit for Urbiculture Community Farms

This was my second attempt at a small waterfall scene. The left side and the background of the painting are fictional, the right side was inspired by a photo.

The rocks were mixtures of Ultramarine Blue (Daniel Smith) and Burnt Umber (Windsor Newton) then a wash of Olive Green (Da Vinci) for the mossy effect. The still water was painted with a clear, very moist large brush and then barely touching and moving pigment, swirly to give a "flowing" feel. The little waterfalls are an attempt at the Tony Foster style (he is brilliant!).

I actually miss this painting... I know the woman who bought it and I hope to see it again someday soon. (I hate most my paintings so please forgive my self satisfaction.)

I thought I would write down some thoughts I have on my favorite watercolor artists: My first exposure to watercolors were at a very young age, my father, David Ruble, is an amazing artist specializing in watercolor landscapes. He was naturally gifted at a young age and worked his way into watercolors in his twenties. Through the years he produced many Colorado scenes, native american portraits, irises, and little wildflower and aspen designs. With his permission I'll post some of his paintings later.

As I matured I was naturally drawn to the British School of watercolor artists as well as the Americans Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent.  Their works are implanted in me and I tend to compare all watercolors to their classics.

Today I pay special attention to these artists:
Trevor Chamberlain - Mr. Chaberlain is an English plein air watercolor and oil painter who has mastered mood and technique to make the most beautiful paintings I've seen. He uses the unpredictable properties of watercolor and as few strokes as possible to create paintings that draw the eye and portray not just the subject, but the mood, weather, chill or warmth of the day.

Tony Foster - Mr. Foster is another plein air watercolor painter but also a true adventurer. He climbs Himalayan mountains, rafts raging rivers, and treks any number of miles to create his very special paintings. His style is not traditional but very original. I especially enjoy the way he treats his river scenes, such as the Colorado River watercolors as seen at the Denver Art Museum.

David Drummond - Mr. Drummond is an American watercolor artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He specializes in water scenes especially Lake Powell landscapes.  His paintings feel expansive but draw the observer close to the water at the same time. I took David's workshop in Denver in 2011 and felt there was hope for producing my own landscapes some day. My painting from his class:

Orpington Couple

Orpington Couple
Watercolor, 2011
10" x 18"
Sold at Auction - benefit for Sunnyside Music Festival
Framed by Metro Frame Works

I used several photos of Buff colored Orpington Chickens to create a fictionalized pose of this couple. My idea was to present them in a similar manner to American Gothic by Grant Wood.

I made several sketches of chicken portraits then traced them onto Arches 140lb Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper. I painted the chickens using mostly Burnt Sienna (Windsor Newton) and Yellow Ochre (Daniel Smith). The chicken wire was drawn in graphite then painted using Payne's Grey (Daniel Smith).

I had tried several chicken paintings for this benefit auction, all were horrible. I asked Metro Frame Works for one more weekend to work on a painting and they said they'd rush the framing for me... thank goodness because I started from scratch and created Orpington Couple on my first try.  I probably had some help from above.  I know the person that bought this painting and I truly appreciate their donation to the Sunnyside Music Festival which benefits local charities in North West Denver and for giving Orpington Couple a home.

still life of clay jug and oranges

untitled

Watercolor, 2011
10" x 18"
Gift to Dave Ruble

This still life was done during a class at the Art Students League of Denver in the watercolor class taught by Dennis Pendleton. I took my time making sure the drawing was correct then quickly washed in the colors. I like the looseness of the washes, the blooming, and the colors, all were happy circumstances by a beginner. 

My dad liked this one. I gave this to my friend Carrie who was brave enough to hang an early Chickadee painting I gave at a White Elephant Christmas exchange. (Thank you Carrie for your support!)