Not all watercolors end well. However, these are the experiences I learn the most from.
Painting outside is an experience for the ages. It is the most demanding thing I have ever done. It requires a range of skills all at the same time, such as: drawing & painting knowledge, time management, and skill with moisture management as far as the paper is concerned. All of these acquired abilities can and will be altered on a dime.
Most of all, particularly at this time of year, you need to understand how quickly the natural light fades and what that means as far as your painting process. As the light fades your paper doesn't dry as quickly as it does earlier in the day. During this time period your subject matter will be transformed in ways you really have to develop an eye for.
This watercolor was painted last Friday afternoon at the Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. This is one of my favorite spots to paint as there is a range of subject matter to choose from and I get to spend some time out in nature with some truly organic sounds such as the flapping of a beavers tail and the noise of Canadian geese gliding low on the horizon.
It was a challenge moving around the painting as the shadows and low light transformed my subject matter. I think my colors are fairly true to my experience except that the paper dried in some areas quicker than others. Also, I lost the freshness of my brush strokes as my paint time evolved.
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