Butterfly Experience

This 20 minute painting of an exotic butterfly was inspired by some pictures I took inside a butterfly conservatory. What an incredible experience, surrounded on all sides by these wonderful fluttering creatures of all sizes and colors! I took numerous photos, and I have no doubt I'll be inspired to paint this subject again. Watercolor, 5 1/2" x 8".

A Busy Day

When you're little and enjoying the last of your summer vacation, there are lots of ways to fill the day indoors and out. The long hours of this particular day were loaded with activity, documented in this 20 minute sketch instead of photos. Pen and watercolor, 5 1/2" x 8".

Musical Frog

The plush toy frog painted here in 20 minutes is silly and fun, but has had its creepy moments. It normally sings when you push on its multicolored toes, but occasionally makes music or noise when no one is in the room or has touched it for days. Other noise-making toys have done a similar thing at various times, so I attribute it to the batteries running low... or something. I enjoyed sketching this in charcoal pencil, which, combined with watercolor, is a classic technique for children's book illustration. 5 1/2" x 7".

Lily & Violet

 

A 20 minute bright and cheerful floral, made up of two of my favorite flowers (the lily and the violet). I'm pleased with the violet leaf here, it almost captures that thick and fuzzy-ness of real life. Pen and watercolor, 5" x 7".

Late Summer Bouquet

Unfortunately summer is coming to a close pretty soon, but there's still plenty of flowers in gardens and in my folk art inspirations. This 20 minute sketch on one of my favorite themes was thoroughly enjoyable to draw and paint. Pen and watercolor, approx. 5" x 6".