Two Giraffes - Day 30!

12x9 gouache and ink on old accounting ledger paper done today, the last day of one painting/day for this month.  These two funky fellows were sketched with Staedtler Lumocolor Permanent pen, and are the courtesy of Joel on WetCanvas.  He hosted the current weekend drawing event.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.  She plans to host another challenge in January 2016.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Herring Gull - Day 29 of 30 day challenge

9x12 watercolor and acrylic on Canson 140 lb cold press paper which is today's work, day 29.  I used a backing sheet I place behind other watermedia works in progress to protect overruns, that results in lots of random marks.  Next I drew in pencil a herring seagull then painted him in watercolor in a realistic manner.  Also I did Bice Blue and ultramarine blue thin washes over the entire background and yellow ochre + Coastal Fog for the sand he is standing upon.  These large birds are the most widespread pink-legged gull in North America, the herring is common in the east and mainly a winter visitor in the west.  Its pink legs stay that color throughout its life.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Petting Zoo Sheep - Day 28 of 30 day challenge

5.5x8 gouache and ink on Strathmore Visual Journal for mixed media done today, day number 28 of the 30 day Leslie Saeta challenge.
Last Wednesday after work I went to our annual Howard County Fair to judge the art/photography exhibits.  Next to the fairbarn was a petting zoo full of llamas, a cow, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, miniature donkeys, etc., so I got lots of great photos of the animals.  They had all just been bathed, showered, or cleaned.  This one caught my eye with its black face and ears and was sketched with Lamy Safari pen and grey Noodler's ink.  Its black collar was cute so I've left it mostly local color.  The zoo animals even have their own cute website HERE for Great American Petting Zoo.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Yellow Cactus Bloom - Day 27 of 30 Day Challenge

5x5 watercolor on 140 lb Canson cold press paper painted today for day #27.  This close up of a prickly pear yellow cactus flower along with more blooms on the pear shaped pods is already SOLD.  Known as nopales, the thin nutritious pads are edible.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

California Cow - (demo) Midland TX Worshop/Day 26 of 30 Challenge

24x18 acrylics on canvas that was today's lesson for my Palette Club workshop in Midland, TX.  We used palette knives to apply thick applications of paint, lifting paint, scraping back, then overall enhancing colors.  My photo was of a black and white Holstein that is now red and white.  I've done two other variations of it.  Look closely in its right ear (our left), and in lower right where I've stamped California in red orange using an old strawberry plastic basket cut up for stencils.

Here are some of the painters hard at work:  L to R Dee Kemp, Somita Fekete, Alicia from Houston, Mary Tucci, and Nancy Henderson.


Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Poppy Perfection - (demo) Midland Palette Club Acrylics Workshop

22x15 acrylics on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper, a demo painted today in Midland, Texas for Palette Club members.  The lesson was on studying acrylic applications used as watermedia; it is almost impossible to tell the difference.  I used both acrylic inks and paints, putting in dark areas first.  Some negative work can be seen in background poppy pods.  Tomorrow's demonstration will be on using acrylics on canvas like oils.  Today is also Day 25 of 30 day annual challenge as noted below.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Ravens on Gourds - Day 24 of 30 Day Challenge

7x9.5 watercolor and ink line painted today, an imaginary fall scene with ravens or crows on gourds with pumpkins, fallen leaves, an old chopped tree trunk and metal trash can, on Ecosystem sketchbook.  I used Lamy Safari pen with grey Noodler's ink.


Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Seagull Profile - Day 23 of 30 Day Challenge

4.25x7 watercolor and ink on a magazine insert card from Birds & Blooms.  I sketched the simple profile with Micron 01 pen then put in color; opaque white gouache used in some areas to block out the barcode.  Only 1 week left of the month challenge!

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Lotus Pods - Day 22 of 30 Day Challenge

8.5x6 watercolor and ink done today on ColorSketch pale yellow tinted paper.  Pen used was Micron 01.  I combined a couple of my photos to create this composition of a dried seed pod with two younger ones.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Sora Bird in Birdbath - Day 21

8.5x11 watercolor and ink on paper (Staedtler Lumocolor pen on Crescent sketchbook) painted today.  My friend Carole took several sora shots in her yard; looks as if they fed it some bread, too.  This photo is featured in WetCanvas current weekend drawing event in the All Media Art Events forum.

This makes number 21 in the 30 day challenge from California artist mentioned below.

Since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Crisp Fall Leaves - Day 20 of 30 Day Challenge

8.5x5.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) on Masters sketchbook paper for day #20.  This small twig held a large and a small oak leaf just turning colors and about to fall from their stems.  With last night's rain of a half inch, the wind knocked lots of these interesting specimens to the ground.  Colors are enhanced for the composition.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Blue Vase and Seashells - Day 19

8x5.5 watercolor and ink on Strathmore Visual Journal for watercolor done today, a simple still life set up with vivid blues, yellows, and soft beige seashells by the window.  The yellow pompom flowers from Hobby Lobby are more of a greenish hue than this shows.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Star Attraction - Day 18

5.5x8 ink on Strathmore Visual Journal for mixed media paper done today, #18 of daily works.  This white cat has a dark grey on the top of her head and Star belongs to my friend Barbara.  I used Tombow black brush pen and water only, so no predrawing for this value painting.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Donkey Dance

15x11 watercolor and India ink on 140 lb watercolor paper done today.  Yesterday I did a pencil sketch and then painted him today. He will be featured in the animal/wildlife forum on WetCanvas on Sunday.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Wild Weed Sunflowers - Day 16 of Thirty Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

9.5x7 watercolor on Ecosystem paper in sketchbook, a salute again to the wild sunflower looking weeds that grow so tall and are everywhere.  I used Micron 01 pen to draw them from an old photograph I took from the vacant lot before we built our house.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Jonesboro TX House - Day 15

9x12 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper by Daler Rowney.  This house portrait will be a surprise gift and hopefully the recipient will like it and that it will bring back fond memories.  This commission is SOLD.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Cuban Window - Day 14 of Thirty Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

12x9 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper done today.  I took a detail from the reference on this past weekend drawing event with WetCanvas.com; an old house in Cuba with many windows.  It did not have clay pots of geraniums.

 Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Art - mixed media Day 13

15x7 mixed media acrylics on wc paper 140 lb cold press, a wild abstraction in which I lettered ART for a fun piece.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

White Fat Rooster

6x4 watercolor and ink on paper, a barnyard farm scene that is now SOLD.

Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Beijing - Day 11 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

8.5x5.5 watercolor and ink on paper which is today's work.  Once I saw this old Chinese door hardware with its ornate Eastern influence I knew it needed to be sketched.  Pigma Micron 01 pen used on Masters Touch sketchbook.
Also since 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Bluejay sketch

8.5x5.5 watercolor and ink on paper.  Using a Staedtler 0.3 pigment liner I quickly sketched one of our backyard birds over multicolored wash background rather than coloring in the bird in the usual way.

Also since last Tuesday 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Longhorn Lope

7.5x5 watercolor and ink (Staedtler Lumocolor pen) on Moleskine for watercolor sketchbook paper.  In May I found longhorns in a Snyder, TX pasture and this one was kicking up his heels in a fast lope.  I always enjoy painting the University of Texas mascot.

Also since last Tuesday 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Sora Bird - for Day 9 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

9x12 watercolor and ink line on paper of a sora bird.  I drew him with Lamy Safari pen/Noodler's grey ink first then added color. Also since last Tuesday 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.  Photo courtesy of my friend Carole Berry who photographed this bird in her birdbath.  I eliminated that and just put him in a watery area with a few grasses and twigs.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Plenty of Poppies - Day 8 of 30 Paintings in 30 days Challenge

12x9 watercolor done today, brush only, on Canson 140 lb cold press paper.  No reference was used, mostly negative painting.  First I sprayed water onto the paper then quickly brushed on light warm washes of reds and oranges.  Immediately I put down two crumpled sheets of Saran Wrap then covered with a heavy book and let dry.  Then I began "seeing" poppy shapes, buds, blooms, stems and leaves. 
Also since last Tuesday 9-1-15, I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Mixed Bouquet

11x15 watercolor on 140 lb Saunders cold press paper, a mixed bouquet of fresh flowers on abstract background.  I did small narrow ribbon of colors around to give the floral a contemporary touch.  This work is SOLD.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Fat Little Sparrow on Yupo

11x15 watercolor on Yupo done this week using a small figurine for a model.  Yupo is a synthetic paper that originated in Japan that was named Kimdura and was for printmaking.  Artists discovered its unique properies over a decade ago and it is fun to paint.Also since Tuesday I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30 paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE.  So this one is the 5th painting in a row.  I paint daily anyway so the ability to do one per day is not difficult.
#30paintingsin30days
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Tall Sunflower Weeds

12x6 watercolor and ink line on Strathmore 140 lb wc paper done today.  I used Staedtler 0.3 pigment liner pen to draw these roadside sunflower weeds I photographed on our last trip to New Mexico.  For now the background will remain the white of the paper but I might go back into it and paint it later.  Also since Tuesday I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's #30 paintingsin30days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Floyd's Cats

6x8.5 watercolor on ColorSketch sketchbook paper, an oatmeal fiber paper blend I've not used before.  This was done yesterday and these two boys photo courtesy Floyd on WetCanvas.  Floyd says these two cats are his neighbor's and they would come listen to his guitar playing on the front porch.  So I painted them for September's challenge in the Watermedia forum.  Also since Tuesday I've posted daily works on Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge she hosts annually on her blog Slices of Life you can see HERE
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Pumpkins and Gourds

11x8.5 watercolor and ink on Strathmore for mixed media paper from sketchbook.  I used a Micron 01 ink pen for this fall still life scene that was done a few days ago.  It was enjoyable to paint pumpkins in their vivid oranges, light yellow golds, and greens; the gourd was fun with all the colors in its stripes.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Fall is Coming

12x9 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper, brush only, no pencil drawing.  This was done last week over an underpainting, just a few random placed imaginary trees waiting for fall.  In 22 days we will have the fall equinox.
Image COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.