Salmon Sky. 4 x 8 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

Started this after nine tonight. After painting most of the day. Just over five hours of work on five small pieces, and still not one I would call finished. But I suppose I am closer to getting ahead than if I hadn’t worked, right?

Thought about just posting the WIP’s. But then I really would not be ahead. Besides, we had a sweet sunset. And I had paper at the ready. This group of hills sits north-east of us. It is really separate peaks. Our site makes them look like a small, connected grouping.

There were no visible clouds in the sky. When the sun lowered enough, the entire sky became salmon, with hints of purple streaks.

4 x 4 WIP’s

I had three favorites at the start of the session. Two soon became least favorites. Always the way right? I worked one canvas at a time, and while it was drying, went on to the next. I used mostly palette knives, and I am happy for the practice. Later I used a large brush. I confess, I covered up the two disasters.

4 x 4 WIP #1

For #1 I had in mind a garden view. Abstracted. I soon realized that my trying to make it into something specific was not working. For #2, I just added colors, no intention. The white shapes made me think of leaves. The brush I used has long since been damaged. Glue or paint has dried in the bristles, creating a gap in the middle. The brush is great for spreading large amounts of paint. Won’t be tossing it anytime soon.

4 x 4 WIP #2

Pretty much decided #1 is a do over. I like the movement, and the colors in #2. But to me it is just a bunch of blobs. There is no story, or feeling, and no focal point. It is just not finished yet.

Happy daily creating to you! Thanks so much for visiting, hearing from you keeps me going!

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South Range, update. 4 x 8 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

After posting yesterday, I realized I needed to deepen the color of the 2nd ridge near the bottom. My thought was confirmed by Val in her comment. (Thanks Val!) And reinforced again when I looked at the painting in Photoshop. I desaturated (took out the color) the image, and sure enough. The values were all pretty much the same. I needed more contrast.

Here’s the before.

South Range. 4 x 8 in. watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2017 Sheila Delgado

I have better value contrast now. I also added deeper color to some of the ridgelines. Not sure if that addition was an improvement. But leaving it as is, calling it done.

I set up four small canvas. Ready and waiting. I procrastinated. Delayed. Cleaned the closet. Folded clothes. Researched abstract art. (More delay.) Didn’t start painting until after dark.

Funny how intimidating a tiny canvas can be. I started laying down color with a palette knife. I finished two, and still had paint on the palette so I continued. Now there are four starts, five including the green canvas from earlier in the week. Here is a look at two of them.