This, Most Recent Watercolor Painting ..

Is called 'The Tapestry Of Lamplight On Winter's Kiss'. I wouldn't of thought to go back and create another winter scene if it were not for @dswigle's post several days ago called Trees Tuesday on Your Wednesday Walk. The post started out questioning if artificial light has the potential of clouding our vision. Just above her intro, she posts a picture of a recent winter scene with evergreens and a street lamp. The lamp, as its artificial light glazed over the newly fallen snow, caught my eye. At that moment I was hooked in.. I was reading and beginning to think about this winters kiss. I was imagining myself painting winter's tapestry once more.

I Ran With This Inspiration ..

After asking @dswigle's permission to utilize the picture as inspiration, I set out to create something from it. Two hours and ten colors later, I had completed what I set out to do and my creation is complete.

Thanks for the Inspiration!!

I always like to clarify that I paint from inspiration and my goal is not to paint an exact match to what I see. I never have just one vision. I didn't let the artificial light cloud it either.. hehe. I like to see where the creative process leads me. Sometimes it leads to the scrap pile, while others lead to a frame (in some rare instances). Not sure yet where today's painting will end up, my critique is still in limbo. Being I am still very new at watercolors, I tend to be pretty judgmental of it. I did take a step away from it for an hour or two, and when I came back to it I still liked it enough to keep it from the scrap pile. I suppose that's hopeful :-)

When The Time Presented Itself ..

I quickly pulled together the items I would need to create my little art piece. I gathered about a half dozen brushes, my Derwnet black colored pencil, dry watercolors, white acrylic paint, my container of water, something to wipe my brushes on, a pencil and a small piece of watercolor paper. That should do it! I think.. No wait.. I need my trusty old clip board and some drafting tape to keep the paper from curling up as water is added to it.

I Was Prepared With Inspiration & Tools ..

And was ready to begin this journey (a short journey.. more of a hike.. haha). I first taped down the paper to my clip board, then started out with a general sketch to give me a little perspective.

Once I had an idea of where I wanted this painting to go, I began layering in water and paint. This process continued until I had a decent black and white, monochromatic painting.

I want to take a moment here to credit my little helper..

I can't not mention the fact that I had a little help with the process. I had next to me my biggest fan.. Pepper!! He watches me every step of the way, making sure a limited amount of mistakes are made. He is also most excellent at making sure I stay focused and on task. He makes a nice little side heater too, on this cold winters day. From time to time I show him the progress and he gives his sniff of approval :-P

Moving On To Some Color ..

The overall feel of the piece was supposed to be monochromatic and simple, and in some way it remained just that. I wanted to just add a splash of yellow and blue, which turned into multiple layers of these colors. I was then tempted to add a few touches of other colors within the nooks and crannies of the branches. As you will see below, when the color was added over and over again to specific areas between limbs, these areas took on a stained glass look. I decided to keep the look and refrain from filling in too many areas, in hope not to lose the look.

Done With Watercolors ..

At This point I am done adding the color and done with the watercolors. I am going to let this dry for about 20 or 30 minutes and then get prepared to add some highlights. Before I add the highlights, I like to take a step back and frame the piece to get an idea of how it's progressing. For some reason, framing it helps me with this.

Dry and Ready For Highlights ..

For the highlights, I will be utilizing a pure white acrylic paint. It's nice to work with, drys rather quickly and can blend easily with the watercolor paint if needed. I use a small brush with light dabs of paint slowly applying it to the surface of the painting. For the most part, the white is representing the patches of snow stuck to the branches, limbs and post.

I painted in my signature with the white paint and am calling this a success! It's always fun to set a goal and achieve it. Even more fun when you like what your doing and immerse yourself in the process. With ever painting I do, I tend to learn something new; Maybe something to do next time or not to do.

Progress Summary Photo ..

If your one that likes to see it all together in one photo, rather than scrolling back through.

Examples Of Framing ..

Below are a few ideas if I were to frame them. I like playing around with this to see what the paintings look like in different colors and styles of framing.

What To Do Next ?? ..

No clue.. guess you'll have to wait and see :-)

Well, off to do something great! Hope you are too!!!

If Your Interested In Purchasing Any Of My Work:

They can be found for sale in

My Facebook Shop

OR

My Etsy Store

If you don't see the piece in either shop, It may still be drying. Let me know and I can upload it as soon as possible to be available. Or you can always make me an offer (in SBD or STEEM) in the comments section of this post. If we agree on a price, I will then ship the painting to you. (shipping costs will be determined by your location).

Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!

All words, pictures and art pieces are the sole property of B D Miller Gallery, unless otherwise noted and credited, and are not to be reproduced or copied without the prior written consent of B D Miller Gallery.

About Me ~ The Artist

My art work incorporates a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape, seascape, cityscape, and still life images. My works are the product of a continuing process of exploration through which I seek to portray personal and visionary interpretations of my surroundings. My paintings are impressions of places and events from everyday life, an interpretation of my imagination, and personal responses to what I see and feel on a daily basis. More recently I have invested generous amounts of time into my landscape painting. I am surrounded by natural and man made beauty, which inherently presents itself in the tri-state area, and almost demands that I paint it.

Not everything is art. Art is not everything, but it comes close. Art is everywhere and all the time. Art makes you experience the beauty of the world, the people in it, and the places we call home. Art itself is so influential that it can tell stories, show feelings, and express passion or fury. Art exists in addition to language; expression of sensations and thoughts, revealing a way of thinking too subtle and delicate for words.

For me art requires love, honesty and perseverance. In return, it reveals some personal, non-analyzable, and creative untamed passion. For the public, art with its magnificent beauty, improves mood and health and builds better human beings and communities. It engages the intellect, softens the heart, strengthens the soul and frees the spirit.

Ms Molly Resting As I Create ..

“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.” – John Steinbeck