Friday, December 24, 2010

Cookies for Santa


Cookies for Santa
Watercolor 11" x 15" Mats to 16" x 20"

Merry Christmas!

My watercolor above, Cookies for Santa, is my way of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!  This is a fun and quick painting......with very little actual drawing and a great way to get into the holiday spirit while painting!

Watercolor tip:
The window panes were simply drawn in with a white Crayon so that when the blue was washed in for the sky the panes did not take up the color....no masking fluid or tape required. 

So, get your cookies and cocoa ready for Santa tonight and have a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Painting!
Karen





Sunday, December 12, 2010

Mug for All Seasons!



A Mug for All Seasons:  Mug liners for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

Do you need a quick, but personalized Christmas gift? 

I purchased some of the insulated mugs that have a screw off section to allow placement of photos, pictures, children's drawings, etc.  Then I cut out a template from a piece of watercolor paper  and painted several watercolors.  The one above is a "mug for all seasons" as I have interchangeable paintings for each of the seasons of the year. 

Mugs can be personalized with paintings of a person's favorite subject, sport, flower, season, landscape, etc.  These would make a quick Christmas gift for someone along with tucking a gift card inside to go along with their favorite activity.  Even a coffee shop gift card, a few packets of hot cocoa mix or tea bags would be a fun gift to give or to receive.

When selecting your subject for painting, select a painting that can be done quickly and has bright colors to show well through the plastic cover.

There's still time before Christmas to make a special gift for someone on your list!

Watercolor tip: 
Include washing instruction when you give this gift.  Just in case there is the chance of a "leak" if submerged or soaked in soapy water,  remove the mug liner from the cup and only wash that section.   When dry, replace the liner without worrying about getting the painting wet.

Happy Painting and Merry Christmas!
Karen Cooke

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Let it Snow!

Snow Days
Watercolor 11" x 15" Mats to 16" x 20"

My watercolor above, Snow Days, continues with the winter palette.  Notice the use of a very limited palette to paint the house, barn and surrounding buildings as well as the trees.  Remember the following colors for the winter palette:
• Payne’s Gray
• Ultramarine
• Burnt Sienna
• Sap Green
• Burnt Umber

I did not use any green, but used combinations of the other colors.  However, I included one or two other colors to add interest and direct the eye to the snowman and sled.  Using bright red and yellow ochre helped liven up the cold winter scene.

So, fix a mug of hot cocoa and sit down to a fun afternoon of watercolor painting.

Happy Painting!
Karen