Just Playing Around

Along with oil painting practice, I’ve been practicing a bit with watercolors, too, using that helpful “What? Me worry?” attitude and simply having fun. I don’t think of it so much as practicing as I do playing. 

Here’s a recent watercolor that I enjoyed doing. It’s reminiscent of the old barn down at the farm where my sisters and I spent our summers. Oh, how much time we spent just playing around at that old barn.

I started with a multi-color wash which is now barely visible. I wasn’t thinking about how much lighter watercolors appear once they dry. I will keep that in mind the next time I play with my paints.

I like:

• Overall, I like most of this simple watercolor. I like the look of the somewhat weathered wood on the barn. I like the simple shapes of the trees. I like the shadows I was able to create on the barn door and on the building.

What do I need to work on?

• My faded-out first wash. Next time I will definitely do better.

So here is my second contribution to World Watercolor Month. I plan to do at least one more watercolor painting before the end of July. It may be a bit wild and wacky, but that’s part of the fun. Be watching!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The biggest room in the world is room for improvement.