I did the sketch for this last year on one of the rare days of heavy snow. We're expecting a big snowstorm this weekend, so there will be more snow blanket paintings!This is gouache on Aquaboard panel. This panel is very forgiving! I didn't like the first painting so I completely washed this panel with water and re-painted this to make corrections. Some of the original color shows through in the left snow field, which I decided to leave. I pushed all of the colors a bit since the day was so cloudy and grey.

I did this painting in a class. I forgot my usual paper and a nice classmate gave me this sheet of slightly textured toned paper. Wow! I liked it! Changing materials can be very inspiring! This is a favorite walking place that can get very dramatic in late Fall.

Every August for the past 16 years, we have been meeting with friends for a weekend-long party in Greene, RI. We talk, eat, and watch the kids run around. This year, I brought my painting gear and set up near the Moosup river, which runs through the property. No beavers this year, but it was a peaceful place with wildflowers and late summer sun.

April showed up at the shelter when my mom was looking for a friend. For this one, I did a preliminary sketch as well. A square format adds composition challenges, but also really focusses attention on the expression.

Animals definitely have expressions. A Labrador Retriever can be particularly expressive when making a silent request for food or a walk.

Using gouache lets me plan a painting with light layers and add depth with more layers. If I make a mistake, I can wipe off a forgiving paper like Arches 140lb cold press. I do a sketch underneath to make sure the proportions are right.