Late Morning Snow Melt

"Late Morning Snow Melt"
15x22"

Class demonstration
by Michele Cooper

Yesterday's class demonstration got a little "tweaking" in the studio this morning. After various pauses to answer students' questions both am and pm, this one moved from a spontaneous wet in wet demonstration to negative painting on the dried paper. Back in the studio, I used some textural devices, such as spatter and scraping with an Xacto knife to balance the softer edges of the original wet in wet passages. The paper was now dry enough to create the dark accents of the tree bark. I usually need some time for thought after the initial painting session to evaluate it and add the "last five strokes". Those who took photos in class can compare, to see the final touches that were added.

Apples

3 apples, north light
7x11
Original Watercolor Demonstration
by Michele Cooper

I painted this as a demonstration for one of my classes. Even though the subject was in north light, the photo comes out a lot cooler in this photo than the actual color of the original artwork.

Tip: Click the photo for enlargement

Markers

Found still life photo
by Michele Cooper

I was taking a walk around the block in downtown Seattle yesterday when I found the perfect autumn still life right there on the sidewalk.

When I make my painting, I think I will call it "Markers", since fallen leaves are a sign of the season....and they just happened to arrange themselves like this around one of the geological markers on the sidewalk.