First blooms
Posted: April 18, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized 20 CommentsWhile I was in California the first crocuses popped out of the ground and bloomed. When the sun came out today, I ran out there with my easel and a few tubes of gouache (which I haven’t used in ages) to capture their beauty. I should have been raking last year’s oak leaves instead but I couldn’t resist the little purple flowers, and of course that raking can wait until later.
I was trying out a brand new pad of Hahnemuhle Toned Watercolor Paper, which I suspect I will use more for gouache than for watercolour. It has a beautiful beige colour and a slightly textured surface, and when I’m working with gouache it’s always nice to start with a toned surface so the the whites really stand out.
I think brown and purple is my new favorite color combination. Beautifully captured, Shari.
Thanks so much Lois!
Stunning
Thanks so much Charles.
Ah gouache welcomes you back :). Lovely choice for the crocuses (croci?) Shari.
It felt great to get the gouache out again. I’ve missed it…
i love this color combo
Thanks Beth!
Absolutely beautiful! So vibrant on the toned paper!
Thanks Gretta. Yes, the toned paper is so nice!
I’m fascinated at how you captured the leaf detritus in the background- that is always beyond my skill set! Oh, and new thinking is to not clear out the old leaves until nighttime temperatures are 50 degrees Fahrenheit consistently- little critters, including those that turn into buttery, need that cover!
That’s good to know, about the leaves. I usually don’t pick them up too early because I try to protect the perennials, but I had no idea about the little critters. Makes sense, of course.
Lovely capture! I’m glad you didn’t miss them…and yes, the raking can wait.
I did eventually get to the raking! But glad I did the sketch first.
All these posts and sketches are just great! And as always, a calming refuge from the horrors everywhere for a little while.
Thank you Betsy. I appreciate that.
That’s really beautiful. Love the toned paper, too!
Thanks Barb!
Thanks for sharing about the paper. I really like its influence on your resulting painting.
It’s really nice paper. I will definitely try it again!