This painting was a demonstration for one of my watercolor classes. I kept the background really cool and nondescript and used a large flat brush to apply the cerulean blue and cobalt violet background. I used a really small rigger brush to paint everything else. I used the rigger every way I could think of trying explain that the use of different tools creates more opportunities for unique solutions. This light is captured with the bright foreground and dark cast shadow. Try a different brush and make your paintings more expressive.
“first day of spring” 12×16 watercolor on 300lb arches
First day of spring
Low horizon’s dazzling light
Casts long winter shadows,
viridian greens
dark on lime colored grass
Big stocky robins
breasts painted red
do the two leg happy dance
followed immediately
by their shadows
As they peck, hop and pick
Staying just out of range
of my crazy pinball puppy
Bounding to the end of its’ long black leash
Like an atlas rocket
tied to a tether.
After weeks
of endless miserable weather,
today feels like what I believe is
Heaven
This watercolor is very luminous and beautiful. Thanks for the explanations and for sharing it, Steve. Respectfully Mercedes.
thank Mercedes, it is always nice to see your comments. Steve