Kittens and Butterflies

Who can resist playful kittens AND butterflies? My next watercolor project will involve these two. Here are the reference photos from Pixabay that I will be using. I will provide links at the bottom of this post if you would like to download your own free copies.

I will be following a tutorial by Louise De Masi to create this painting. If you have read my bio, you know that I love cats so I can't wait to start on this watercolor project.

I prefer to paint in the early morning hours. In fact, if I had my way about it, I would have started by 7:00 this morning. But I have a business to run, so the first few hours of the day are devoted to work and then perhaps I can carve an hour or two out for painting. I am fortunate to be able to work often from my home office. My backyard window provides just the right amount of light for painting. I am grateful as I sit here now, listening to the birds sing out their welcome song to this new and beautiful day.

To start this painting, I will lightly sketch out the drawing on watercolor paper using a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Once I am happy with that, then I will start a background wash and let that sit awhile to dry. These paintings involve several layers of paint and washes which is great for me. I can work in bits and pieces, a few minutes here and there, using what time I have available during a workday. While a wash or a layer is drying, I can set it aside and come back to it later in the day or whenever time permits. Once the painting is complete, I will upload it to my Watercolor page. This may take a few days or a week to complete.

I will be using the following in my painting:

Arches cold pressed watercolor block, 10 in x 14 in, 140lb

Micron archival ink black pen

White gouache

Paint colors I will be using include Burnt Sienna, French Ultramarine, Lamp Black, Paynes Gray, Permanent Rose, and Sepia. I like to use Winsor & Newton tube paints and mix them with water to the desired consistency but you can use these or any colors you prefer.

Painting Finished as of 10/28/2020!

Various links discussed in todays blog:

Louise De Masi watercolor tutorial on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh9tCjZb0yo&t=939s

Cat photo from Pixabay. The image is posted by JACLOU-DL

https://pixabay.com/photos/cat-pussy-feline-pussy-cloud-5098930/

Butterfly photo from Pixabay. The image is posted by MBLL

https://pixabay.com/photos/butterfly-insects-blue-wings-1938978/

Amazon links

Micron Black Archival Pens - https://amzn.to/37yvwiZ

Arches Watercolor Block - https://amzn.to/3dSaflu

Winsor & Newton Paints - Half Pans - https://amzn.to/37Adi0w

Winsor & Newton Tubes - https://amzn.to/2Hj6TMJ

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