World watercolor month is a wrap

I’ve been working on both series of prompts for July

For the final day of World Watercolor Month and the Firefly Watercolor Challenge I want an image that will help cool us down from the current heat wave we're experiencing.

I remember fishing in the Tumwater River near Wenatchee with my parents, cooling down by walking barefoot in the cold water. You had to watch your step because the round rocks were slippery. My sister and I were always disappointed when we took our pretty rocks out of our pockets at home and they had changed from shiny jewels to dull grey stones.

"River Rocks" I learned a lot from books and videos by Tony Couch

FireflyWatercolorChallenge Day 31: You Did It!

“Watercolor: you can do it!” — Tony Couch. Congratulations! You’ve done it! Our 31-day watercolor challenge is complete, and you’ve proven your creative skill and dedication to your craft. Let us know what you plan to paint next.

What’s next? I think I’ll take the little peg man for a walk with my sketchbook around Portugal and extend my virtual vacation. They have tuktuks there now, an added convenience since we were there last. 

Worldwatercolormonth - Celebration of color on Doodlewash.com prompts

I’m celebrating complimentary color, value and chroma. This time a real watercolor, not an illustration or a sketch. 

Stay tuned for all 31 watercolors in one post. 

Snow, trees and the Stillaguamish River

I'm putting my dagger brush to good use in the studio today. Now that most of the residual snow has washed away, I want to preserve some of the winter beauty while the memory is still fresh in my mind. It just so happens that I haven’t done my “trees “ or “river” prompts for February World Watercolor Group Challenge yet. I’m almost all caught up!

The dagger works as a watercolor wash brush, yet has a fine tip for details and fine lines. I let the brush do most of the work. This is about all the preliminary drawing I did. I scanned it darker so it would show up but actually the pencil is very light.

"River Bend" Watercolor

 "River Bend" Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper
 Size: 8"x10"
Price: $125

Inspired by the return of clear skies, sunshine and shadows, I've been sketch hunting around our nearby rivers and rocks.

The second photo shows reference photos and my painting before adding the finishing touches. Sometimes it takes longer to decide on those that it does to paint the rest of the watercolor.

Winter River

 Winter River
Original Watercolor 5x7"
by Michele Cooper

The Stillaguamish River is only a bit down the road from our house and provides endless possibilities, painting included. I hear the brown trout are running, but it's cold out there!