Winter at Wolf Valley

Comment

Comment by Kathleen Neff on February 6, 2011 at 9:48pm

I really like Fabriano 140 lb, too. Extra White, Natural White depending on season.  Seems to me you've learned your glazing with very good success! Nice and even yet giving up some of the texture of the paper. It meets your composition very well.  Didn't think you wanted any unmanageable branches, huh...I must say the blizzard played into your hands very well!

Comment by Leslie Christopher Bookout on February 6, 2011 at 9:36pm

I been using Fabriano 140 lb. Extra White. The 'tint' comes from three layers of glazing that I've been trying to learn. Also had to lay off the coffee for this one.

It is a bit of a departure. I'm normally taken with an image, or idea and start sketching thumbnails, or looking for models/props to flesh out the idea right away. Sometimes however, like this one, the idea 'percolates' in my head for a long time, until the 'how' of it falls into place. I was lucky for this one, the impetus to do it coincided with a blizzard, so I didn't have to wait too long.

Comment by Kathleen Neff on February 6, 2011 at 9:26pm

Oh, and what papers do you usually use? What is this tinted one...I really like the effect.

Comment by Carol Komassa on February 6, 2011 at 9:25pm

Leslie, welcome to the Watercolorist group.  This is a really great watercolor, at first I thought it was a photo - great work, you are very talented!  I think I've got you beat, it's taken me 3 years to get the guts up to paint the Grand Canyon...it's still in progress....about another 3-4 weeks I think it might be done.

Comment by Kathleen Neff on February 6, 2011 at 9:24pm

I think after viewing your other work that this is a departure from what you may be used to doing. If this is what comes of contemplation...I believe you've whipped any obstacles you thought might have been there.

Comment by Leslie Christopher Bookout on February 6, 2011 at 8:55pm

Thanks! Believe it or not, it took me almost a year of contemplation to build up the guts to try this image.

Comment by Kathleen Neff on February 6, 2011 at 8:28pm

You've got my attention here, for sure!  Watercolor is nature's medium in my view.  You've captured the essence of winter beauty in every way.