Balls Berries Branches

8.5x5.5 watercolor using Rosa Gallery paints made in Ukraine plus ink using Micron 01 pen. This Christmas tree still life of balls, berries, and branches was done over the past weekend as part of another WetCanvas drawing event. It is painted in Master's Touch sketchbook 80 lb paper and was great fun. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2024

Aspens in Snow ~ Demo WC Palette Knife

15x11 watercolor demonstration for Big Spring Art Association today using a palette knife only.  This is on Canson 140 lb cold press paper/Daniel Smith paints:  Quinacridones burnt orange/gold, ultramarine blue, indigo, sepia, transparent pyrrol orange, raw umber, and Mission Gold burnt sienna.  In this imaginary tree scene, one can feel the first snow and see several remaining autumn leaves clinging to branches.  I painted this upside down.  A similar scene was also done with a palette knife featuring birches in 2012.  Negative painting can be seen in the background on other trees.
COPYRIGHT 2019 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.

Baby Birds

4x5.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) done today on a Watercolor Artist magazine subscription card.  I liked the turquoise blue border and the cover image of a tree seemed perfect for these five baby birds.  I've extended the tree down then crossed branches and twigs over to outside edges.  These babies don't have their eyes open yet but are clamoring loudly for something to eat! Mama bird is not around; she took off when she saw me approach with camera in hand, afraid I'd disturb her nest.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Bluebird Branches

9.75x5 inches colored pencil on 140 lb watercolor paper, watersoluble colored pencils, Inktense pencils to draw, then water added along with watercolor.  When dry, I coated the entire paper except for the birds, with white gouache.  The colors of spring in muted pastels frame the birds as they sing.