Day 137 Provence

Suddenly quite Tahred so will make this a short one. May be done. Maybe not. Lol. BUT a BIG improvement over the last time I did rooftops. Paint alongs with Vladislav Yesileyev. 300 # Fabriano rough Those were a disaster well comparatively speaking

The Eglise somewhere en Provence

Vlad did the value sketch. He knew this one was going to keep us busy.

The sketch. Talk about a pain. Following all those roof tops trying to be sure to get them all in.

First washes. Mine got a little runny because I used my kolinsky sable which holds much more water than the Escobar sables do.

One more time before we go.

Vlads always saying something funny that tickles me. This was one today. Scribbled on my color test scrap.

Margaret reading to watch Grantchester. Hope I stay awake that long. Feeling the zzz.

Day 136 Giverny

Pronouncing this one done. I added lines to the sidewalk and stone effect. A few whites with Gouache. More reds on the taillights for sparkle. More black lines. Adding details here and there to improve contrast.

Paint along with Vladislav Yesileyev1/4 sheet Fabriano rough press. Lucas wc paint which I think gives a cloudy effect.

Last time. Can you tell the difference???

I am told this looks just like Giverny. When we were in France we didn’t go because it was closed. Closes in Nov I think.

But we went to Auvers where Van Gogh painted his last 6 months and finally died. It still looks just like it did when he lived there.

Do you know if you had gone to Van Gogh funeral you could have taken home one of his paintings.

I painted this during a five hour long class with Vlad on drawing cars which I draw a lot and people ditto that. He always brings something new and fresh to the table that you have never thought of.

Margaret xoxoxo tucking into my Ina Garten Bianca pizza.

Day 133 Really Calling It Done

I worked on making the people walk in different directions. I think they look better now. Added a lot darks. A few more lamp posts. A flag. Darkened the church towers. Lots of darks. And a few highlights.

Paint alongs with Vladislav Yesileyev

Got this lovely treat Paris in The Rain by Vlad Yesilesev in the mail today. When I looked at it I realized I needed to go a lot darker with my blacks. And whiter w my whites so today I cheated and used masking fluid to reserve some whites.

Margaret Xoxoxox worn out from speed painting.

Day 132 Run Away to Fredericksburg Maryland

Vlad is back feeling better after his brief encounter with Covid. Thank goodness he’s better. Wear your masks people!!

Tomorrow we are painting the Royal Opera Cafe in Paris. Who doesn’t love Paris?!! You can sign up here.

At this point. I think I am done though I may work on the crosswalk some. No idea how I got it so wonky but I did. Also think the people looks like the walking dead all coming for us. Rofl

Otherwise love it. Finally discovered how to make trees have a lacy edge. Miracles do happen. You just need a VERY dry brush. And that might be my favorite sky I have ever done.

First wash. Kind of like the white cloud behind the church spires.

Heading down the road. I think this was wet when I took the pic. It dried a lot lighter.

Anyway it’s a wrap. Just needs a siggie.

Margaret whose allergies have been beserck. Xoxoxo kerchooo

Day 125 – works in progress?!!

Well maybe. Table Clutter. I thought this was done til I looked at the glass. Def needs something but on the whole I like the rest of it a lot. Before U worry I have IT, I don’t. Just allergic to myself in a good day. Kerchoo.

Namiki Fude pen watercolor pencils

I think Z looks oh so much better colored don’t you?! Watercolor pencils. That cad orange really has some zing to it.

Margaret sad because I just heard one of my fav watercolor teachers has Covid. Be careful wear a mask stay out of large crowds. Wash your hands. Stay off of beaches!!

Xoxoxox

Day 124 Zoe

she’s not made an appearance I my current sketchbook and it’s almost full so thought it was fine.

Lamy Ef. Might need to add some background on the left. What do u think.

No Vlad paint along today. I was all set. He’s sick. Hope he’s well by Tuesday. He lives in Florida – not a good place to be right now.

Creepy guy I drew a month or so ago. One of Danny Gregory’s mugshot sketches. Eeek.

Margaret ready for Grantchester. Xoxoxox

Day 121 Sweetwater Lilies

Day lilies abound in the western North Carolina mountains. I don’t think there is a more gorgeous spot than there.

Watercolor pencil in my stillman and birn Alpha.

Wildflowers everywhere.

A sweet cabin on a trout stream.

Wild lace cap hydrangeas line the riverbanks the road and the hiking trails.

Down the hill path is the largest waterfall on our property on the Thompson River.

Tall Falls

Margaret ready to do nothing xoxoxo

Day 120 The View from where

I sit. Lamy Ef and Namiki Fude. Trying out different effects that the Fude can do. Lots of smudging.

Meant to post yesterday but completely forgot while packing to go to the cabin. This is the story of the black snake. He’s in the Apple tree in the foreground. Slithered off the porch where I am all the way over to the tree in a half an hour or so.

Out my back window with pencil. One of those cheap pencils u can get in a box of 12 at staples.

Stillman and Birn Alpha. Xoxoxo

The view from where I sat and drew today. You can rent it on VRBO Sweetwater Flyfishing camp. Bytw my son and grandson pulled five trout out of the river in a half an hour today. One was a foot long rainbow. Yummm.

One of six waterfalls at Sweet Water. This is at the fishing and swimming pool. The rest are big ones.

Margaret xoxoxo

Day 118 Quayside in Croatia

with Vlad Yesilesev on a paint along today. Paint and paint brushes flying.

Maybe done. Think so. Quarter sheet 300# fabriano rough aka 11×14″ Dont we wish we could hop on a jet and go there??!

The photo

Sketch with first washes. Yellow ochre cobalt blue and alizarin

Sorry for the blurry pic. I tried to unblur but nope. Not working.

Lots of white gouache highlights. Masts and other dark lines done with the saber brush. I should have blotted it more. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.

All in all I like it.

Margaret Xoxoxox

Day 114 Excitement

My painting Gypsy is posted in the virtual exhibit from the Transparent Watercolor Show of America. No prize but some really famous watercolor painters didn’t get one either. Exciting just to be in it.

Some gorgeous paintings. You won’t see more beautiful watercolors anywhere. Sometimes I impress myself. I am in a show with John Salminen and Ted Nuttall. OMG!!

And Linda Baker the pourer from Charleston aka she only pours her watercolor painting. Messy messy but gorgeous. Dean Mitchell. I am in top company. All of these people get to teach at Cheap Joes. Hmmm. Brenda Swenson is another one.

Margaret who better go to sleep. She has to be up early. Xoxoxo

Here’s the link if you want to look.