More gouache studies, this time working with snakes. I’m experimenting with layering order, and the kinds of marks I can make with different brushes.

The blue snake worked out pretty well, the green lost the shape of their head a little bit. It is a smaller painting and that made it tough to control the shape of the marks the brushes made.

I do love the bright vibrant colors of gouache, these are M. Graham, they really pop off the page, which makes it really fun to paint with.

For this Burchfield study I wanted to explore his colors and shapes to try to understand how he creates such a strong feeling of nostalgia, and the passing of time using the strength and beauty of nature.

I love surrealism and try to pull that feeling into my work. I chose a hare and some passionflowers to express the feeling of chaotic good, that bit of randomness that brings change and growth.

This month I’ve been experimenting a little bit with process. I took this class taught by Marco Mazzoni and decided to try the process he shares with some botanical drawings.

I’m always trying to improve and get my images closer to what I see in mind. This month I took Botanical Watercolor Painting taught by Helena Smyth at Domestika.

I’ve been exploring decorative arrangements, and small compositions while also experimenting with ink blocks and oil pastels.