Preliminary sketches

Books by Philip Jamison listed on Amazon 

In his book, "Capturing Nature in Watercolor", Jamison salutes the artists that influenced him, including Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Odilon Redon, Andrew Wyeth and especially watercolorist W. Emerton Heitland, who was his teacher and mentor in high school. Capturing Nature in Watercolor, generously illustrated with Jamison's paintings, contains information on studio materials and demonstrations of the artist's working methods.

The second book, Making Your Paintings Work (Watson-Guptill, 1987), provides more details on his paintings and pencil drawings. 

Since we are covering composition in my weekly classes, I thought Jamison would be a great example of one who does a considerable amount of preparatory drawing and planning in his watercolor still life's of daisies. 

Classroom set up and demonstrations of 10 to 15 minute loosening up sketches.

Another angle

Dandelions in a Little Blue Vase

"Dandelions in a Little Blue Vase"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 7x5"     Price: $60

What perky, yet contrary little weeds dandelions are. I know that in some countries, they are loved as wildflowers. Not here, though. I had quite a hunt today to find any left after my husband rigorously worked on the lawn last weekend.

And then, as I was painting them, they decided to switch completely around. Guess they wanted me to paint the back, too. The leaves wilted, but I remember.

"Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them," A.A. Milne

Pink Flower Basket

Pink Flower Basket by Michele Cooper
15x 22" image
22 x 28" framed

I liked the contrast of the soft, colorful pink flowers against the rougher, earthy basket.

Summer Shadows

"Summer Shadows"
Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 14x19"

I love painting flowers in watercolor and I'm always challenged by the attempt to capture the contrast between loose and definitive edges/high and low chroma, as well as light and shadow effects.