Warm Breezes

My painting above, Warm Breezes, reminds me of spring and one can almost smell the fresh scent of the dry laundry still warm with the sun. Other than bringing back memories of a time when clothes dryers did not use electricity, this painting is an excellent example of positive and negative effects.

Sometimes the color value (the strength or lightness) of a sky is influenced by the objects in the immediate foreground of a composition. In this instance the sky of this spring day is enhanced by including white sheets blowing in the wind. The light objects (the sheets) make the sky appear brighter.

Light against dark is a good tool to use to create impact in your composition. Objects, such as the white laundry billowing in the wind, are best left largely unpainted. The clarity of the white paper is always sharper than any white paint. Use masking fluid to keep your white areas white.

I was taught that white paint is never used in watercolor painting other than to add white on top of a color, such as snow flurries, etc. Never mix white paint with any watercolor paint to lighten it. White will only muddy up the color.

Try this painting...can't you feel the wind blowing?