Direct watercolor #16 - People eating lunch at Liberty Station

I had to go to the San Diego Watercolor Society to pick up a painting from the gallery. My painting of a building in La Jolla was in the March show. I have not been able to pick it up since the Covid outbreak which caused the gallery to stay closed. It is still closed but we were allowed to pick up our work with social distancing procedures.

I wanted to hang around the area due to the nice weather and beautiful surroundings. One half of the Liberty Public Market shops were open and the people were wearing masks so I went in for a quick visit to buy some pastries. My new obsession.

Keep Going - Direct Watercolor #13 - Cartoon Journal

Maybe I get tired of doing the same thing after 2 weeks. I thought it was 2 days. The daily practice of direct painting everyday has been beneficial of course, so I will keep doing it for 17 more days.

Direct Watercolor #12 - Holbein Paint Tube

How did this watercolor painting turn out so small? It might have been the 4x4 inch paper I am using, even though I intended to fill the page with my subject. I also had to keep my painting away from the paint mess from the previous sheet. These splotches happen when I close the book before the paint is dry.

This direct watercolor sketch is a paint of a Holbein Tube watercolor paint. The color is Ultramarine Deep. It was painted without a preliminary drawing. I am taking part in the #30x30DirectWatercolor2020 challenge.

Direct Watercolor - Dixon Lake, Escondido CA

Finally an outing with Inland Painters and the courage to get out in public to paint with my friends. It was so hot that it seemed the only people enjoying the lake were the fishermen and fishing families. We went early and stayed in the shade. It was wonderful being outdoors enjoying the lake again.

Lake Dixon, Direct watercolor #10

Loves at Lake Dixon, Direct watercolor #9

Maureen and Pat plein air painting in oils.

Sue Ann plein air painting in oils.

Direct Watercolor - Salt Shaker

Day 8 I created a toned background, inspired by Julie Crouch or SF Sketchers, before I dropped in my direct watercolor.

Direct Watercolor - Apple

Day 7 I chose to paint an apple from life. I always forget to eat them before they go bad. 

Direct Watercolor - Succulent

I decided to draw from life again because it gives me more pleasure than drawing from photographs.

This is a little succulent from my patio. I thought a small painting would take less time, but it took just as long, waiting for certain areas to dry.

Direct Watercolor - Boy at Jousting Tournament

Day 4 of my direct watercolor practice was created from a photograph I took at the Jousting Tournament in Poway. This boy was sitting at one of the booths on the tournament grounds. I liked his costume and his posture as he sat, probably bored to death.

As usual with direct watercolor, my technique was to go from very light to very dark using glazing as I built up the image to define the subject. I did not draw the image with pencil first, using only watercolor and brush.

Direct Watercolor Day 3 - Bird Bath

This sketch painting was done from life while sitting in my kitchen patio. A bird will stop by occasionally to drink or bathe. I had trouble getting it to look round. Again, no line so I also had a hard time getting the cement bird shape.