Author Archives: Sheila

Day 9 – The Hills Are Alive

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The Hills Are Alive. 6 x 8 Watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

The Hills Are Alive. 6 x 8 Watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

First try of what I am sure will be many. Fairly happy with this, I like the sky. But I have an even number of divisions on each mountain. And matching to boot (four and four). I am sure that breaks a rule or two.

I am happy that I managed to stay light handed, and did not overwork. Think it could use a bit more visual interest. I was going to add a stand of trees at the base, but worried I would get the perspective wrong, so I left it alone. Next time.

I painted from life, not plein air, looking through my window. A mistake because the clouds changed the light every time I looked up. A reminder of why I admire plein air artists.

I worked for a bit reorganizing my work space. I will share photos when It is done. My last “studio” was in the corner of the room I had everything within reach, but most of it was semi-hidden from view. My desk is in front of the window here, and I don’t want to block the view or the light. It will take some time.

Take a look at day 9 on Leslie Seata’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!
My Pinterest board for the event is bursting, over 400 favorites so far!

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Day 8

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Smiling at God. 6 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

Smiling at God. 6 x 8 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

At the Chapel of the Cross in Sedona, there is a patch of small flowers with a sign that reads, “Please don’t pick us, we are smiling at God…”

Such a nice thought. My friend got such a kick out of it, she took a photo, and mentioned it several times on our drive home. She is a crafter, and I have a feeling I will see a sign like that pop up in her yard soon.

Chapel Cactus Do-over. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

Chapel Cactus Do-over. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

 

I made several attempts to improve my cactus piece. But I think I just need to move on, and start fresh. I just can’t get the foreground to look decent. I washed off the area, started that over. But it is not an improvement.

I added some darker areas, but the values still look pretty much the same.

Cactus-final-desat

 

 

 

 

Here is the original.

Chapel Cactus. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

Chapel Cactus. 5 x 5 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

 

Chapel Cactus values

 

 

I had fun, and I am looking forward to painting more succulents!

 

Take a look at day 8 on Leslie Seata’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!
My Pinterest board for the event is bursting with flowers, and skies,
and campers, and cats…

 

 

 

Day 7 of 30 paintings In 30 Days

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Here comes the rain again. 6 x 8 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

Here comes the rain again. 6 x 8 watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado

Watercolor, gouache, Le Pen, and watercolor pencils. I also used a stamp to add texture. I wasn’t sure about posting this. A little too sappy with heart-shaped flowers. But hey, why not. I painted two more pieces, and I wasn’t sure about those either. Maybe one of them will look better to me tomorrow. Back to number one with fresh eyes, and now I can see the redeeming qualities.

Rain is due overnight and into the next couple of days. Gave me the idea for the title.

Week one is done! Went by much too fast.  Could feel that way because I have two gifts I need to finish, my brother’s wedding photos to edit, and I decided to enter a surface design competition at the last minute.

Happy creating to you all!

 

Take a look at day 7 on Leslie Seata’s 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!
My Pinterest board for the event is close to 300 amazing pieces of art!