Tribute to Autumn

Michigan Gold

In honor of the fall season, I finished another of my experiments in larger watercolors, 14″ x 20″. I like to make fun of the fact that I have trouble painting water scenes with watercolors…you’d think painting water with water would be a natural, wouldn’t you? I can pull it off fairly well in my tiny 7″ x 10″ paintings, but the larger ones challenge me to keep the water from looking streaky and blotchy. The reflections in this scene added to the fun. In order for a reflection to look somewhat believable in a painting, it must not be quite as vivid as the subject it is reflecting. Still working on perfecting that blend…

Anyhow, I once again took advantage of nearby scenery to compose this painting. This field is about 10 minutes from my house, and what caught my eye was the rich golden carpet of unknown vegetation (could be wheat, or could just as easily be weeds–I don’t know!) sliced through by the ribbon of water. There is a farmhouse (which I eliminated) off to the left of the field. Perhaps some day I will overcome my fear of looking silly and ask the farmer what the heck was growing in that field!