Tulip Fields

"Tulip Fields"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Artwork: 5x7      Framed: 8x10"
Price: $95 framed

This one is framed and in the front window at A Guilded Gallery in Stanwood along with two more florals in celebration of the month of May during the The 15th Annual Camano Island Studio Tour, May 10-12 & May 18-19, 10 am to 5 pm  Drop by,  pick up a map and see the artists' work in the place where they create it.

Plein Air Sidewalk

 This is the view out the south window of my studio. We have been having some fantastic sunny weather here in the Pacific NW.  I'm sitting at my desk, working on ......desk stuff....and the urge to go out and paint is irresistible.



 I've spent some time making a contour drawing with a 2b pencil on 140# D'Arches watercolor paper.

Whew! these black pants are burning me up! No time!

Now for the rest of my setup! I have so many outdoor painting kits, you wouldn't believe! Just search this blog for descriptions of a few (watercolor outdoor kit, and/or plein air).

So what do I use for painting 4 feet away from the studio? A camp chair, cardboard box, folding palette, two or three brushes and a water container. I just flick the excess water off my brush into the bushes, no need for a sponge.

Gotta stop, haul everything back into the studio, shower, change and zip off for my night class at SVC. Weather's supposed to be good tomorrow, so I'll take this up again then. I'll update this post with the finished painting as soon as it's done.
Stay tuned! :-

It took a while, but here is the finished painting.

Four Red Tulips

"Four Red Tulips"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 15x22"   Sold

Now I put on "Puccini" and crank up the volume! A 2" flat watercolor brush, the #16 round, and a spray bottle. Petals fall and I'm dancing under the skylight!

Three Pink Tulips

"Three Pink Tulips" sold
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 8x10"  Price: $120

I'm still using line and wash with this series so far, but now becoming more interpretive, less botanical. I wanted this composition to be higher in key and "poetic". I'm listening to Claude Debussy's "Claire de Lune" as I paint.

Two Tulips - Pink and Purple

Two Tulips - Pink & Purple
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 5x7"   Price: $60

Today I have two tulips and shadows. Tomorrow, three.

Saturday's Watercolor Tulip

 "Saturday's Watercolor Tulip"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 5x7"  Price: $60

In keeping with the "daily painting" concept, I plan to add a flower a day for a week. One today, two tomorrow, etc.

"Pink Tulip and Shadows"

My goldfish kept me company in the studio today as I began with a contour drawing in ink. I'm keeping it light and using a very fine tip.

I'll work on balancing delicacy with fresh, "fragrant" color.



I plan to use much more color than line in this line and wash watercolor.
So the line cannot dominate.

Fresh!

"Pink Tulip & Shadows" by Michele Cooper
Original watercolor (5x7)  Price: $60

Spring Meadow

 "Spring Meadow" by Michele Cooper
Original Watercolor - Size 11x15"

When spring arrrives, all complaints about the dark, wet winter are forgotten.
Having lived in Eastern Washington a good part of my life, I can never forget how those wheatfields swell and move like ocean waves. I decided to create that same movement up the hill of wildflowers to the crest, where dark trees accent the horizon.