Day 5, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

These tiny 2 x 2’s are fun to paint. A nice change. I think my favorite size hovers around 8 x 8 inches. Or 10 x 10. This weekend I will be continuing work on the bear. And I have started two other canvas pieces. One is 4 x 4, and the other is 12 x 12 I think.

The skyscape below was inspired by a real sunset. When I stepped away to get my phone, the light changed, and I missed getting the shot. The clouds were all shades of pink and orange, The sky was blue and lavender grey. Storm clouds moving through.

Day 6, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 7, WWM, Ranunculus, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 8, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 9, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

I first learned about the color Green Gold from Angela Fehr. She is one of the artist ambassadors for World Watercolor Month. Laurie Mueller uses it often in her work also. Or maybe it is her own blend, but it has the same jaw-dropping effect. Diluted, it is almost blindingly neon. But you can get a deeper, rich hue as well. It’s a favorite in my palette.

I am sharing two revisions with you. The scans came out too dark, and I was not happy with the “black” band at the bottom. I was behind, so I went ahead and posted them. In reality, The indigo was softer, and blended to a rich, dark green. The color bled into the wet areas above, and there are some soft “finger” like details. But I needed to blend the dark with the rest of the foreground.

I added a few more blades of grass, and I think they work much better now. What do you think? The revised scans are true to life, not as vivid as the first scans. The setting wasn’t right. I like them better now. To me, I think the green gold stands out more. The oranges are not overpowering. Do you like the first version better?

Day 1, WWM, Revised, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 1, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Day 1, WWM, Revised, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 4, WWM, Revised, Sunny Delights, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Day 4, WWM, Sunny Delights, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado. — Day 4, WWM, Revised, Sunny Delights, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Stay firmly in your path and dare.
Be wild two hours a day!
Paul Gauguin

When art critics get together they talk about
Form and Structure and Meaning.
When artists get together
they talk about where you can buy cheap turpentine.
Pablo Picasso

Day 3, WWM, 2 x 2 inch watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

July is World Watercolor Month, founded by Doodlewash. I participated a few years ago, and thought it would be fun to join in again. Prompts are provided. This round, instead of objects, the prompts are moods, and descriptive suggestions.

The painting above was inspired by a gorgeous, gloomy twilight. The photo below does not do it justice. The colors and light were incredible.

My belated beginning is due to a day in Phoenix. An appointment, and then some window shopping. And shopping shopping. A trip to the city is never complete without visiting favorite shops or restaurants that we do not have here in town. As usual, a day filled with activity (and driving to boot) meant a day, or more of “recovery”. Rest, and low energy.

On my way down, I saw smoke over the Bradshaw Mountains. Just southwest of the Sunset Point Rest Stop on I-17.

Fire on Bradshaw, mid morning.7-1-21, SMDelgado.

Leaving Phoenix at days end, there was smoke over the city, from several fires.

Thirty minutes later I reached the Bradshaw area.The fire was still going, and I could easily see flames against the dark of the hills. It did not seem to have grown much. Thank goodness. Fire travels more quickly uphill.

Fire over Bradshaw, dusk. 7-1-21, SMDelgado.

Fire over Bradshaw, dusk. Close up. 7-1-21, SMDelgado.

This video shows how much has burned since Thursday. WOW!

Later today I will paint days 5 and 6. I will not post on the blog each day, but you can follow me on Instagram for daily updates. Here are days 1, 2, & 4.