Autumn's End

8.5x5.5 mixed media in sketchbook for mixed media done about a week ago using white wax crayon resist along with watercolor. No reference was used in this imaginary autumn/winter landscape. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

Autumn Leaves and Berries

6x6 watercolor on Masters Touch 80 lb sketchbook paper done recently, a mix of fall leaves in full color along with dark blue berries. This was my last page in the sketchbook that was started in April of this year. Lots of sketching and painting! COPYRIGHT 2023 Kay Smith

Leaves Turning

4x8 watercolor on Italia 140 lb cold press paper done over last weekend using White Nights paints. In this nature close up of leaves already turning yellow and golden one can imagine autumn or fall is just around the corner. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Owl and Yellow Leaves

9.5x7 watercolor and colored pencils in Ecosystem sketchbook done last weekend for another weekend drawing event online.  Participants have 2 hours to select an image and paint it.  I cropped an owl photo including only some branches and autumn leaves for a 35-40 minute endeavor.
COPYRIGHT 2019 Kay Smith

Pocket Park

9.5x7 watercolor and ink on Ecosystem sketchbook painted yesterday after last Tuesday's plein air event downtown Big Spring.  Sketched in ink using Micron 01 pen, this lamp post and tree scene indicate the crisp autumn air showering the town's sidewalks with fallen leaves and debris.  Late afternoon shadows are streaking diagonally across the very old brick building behind in the background.  Someone had planted cotton seeds in the raised flowerbeds along with squash, I guess for that country touch!
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kay Smith         Email:   1971ks@att.net to purchase via PayPal.        Cost:   $115

Winding Road

9x6.5 pastel using Conte brand on paper done recently of a winding country road flanked by trees.  A small wooden frame building sits mid upper right.  Autumn leaves line both sides of the roadway.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Poisoned Apples

11x8.5 mixed media on Strathmore art journal done today, total 2 hours for a WetCanvas 2 hour timed event.  I was ready to eat a poisoned apple after this. First I sketched a crop of an umbrella scene and then another one. Total disaster. Turned the page vertically and with Staedtler Lumocolor pen drew a witch over all of it.   Another photo ref was a mannequin lying on her side, so included it behind main figure.  A harvest moon watches over the witches and bewitched from the background, surrounded in a surreal fog. Only thing missing is a frog with fangs...Happy Halloween everyone!
Image 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.

November Country Road

11x15 watercolor scene of a muddy country road in November.  Fall leaves have been disappearing just as the warm days have; recent rains add to the ambience of autumn with just a hint of colder weather to come.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Basket of Gourds - palette knife watercolor

11x15 watercolor still life on Italia 140 lb cold press paper, completed this afternoon using palette knife only.  No pencil drawing nor brush used and I worked from a black and white reference.  I began upper left by spritzing fine mist water onto dry paper then laying in pure fresh color with the knife tip for autumn leaves and the woven basket.  Assorted colorful gourds rounded out the composition, and lastly, I made calligraphic marks with edge, side, and tip of the knife.

Gorgeous Gourds

10x14 fall harvest pumpkins and gourds in an old bucket, a still life I set up a few years ago.  Look closely and you can see where negative painting was done in the background.  Love the colors of autumn!