landscape

Paint a Winter Sky in Watercolor Using Salt

Art, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor tutorials

I haven’t given up on the salt watercolor technique tutorials yet, although I probably should, since the first salt video that I put on social media was a bit of a flop (so far). But, I’ve got high hopes for this one because it did turn out to be a solid winter landscape painting! The idea of the painting hit me as I was driving the kids to school. The sky at sunrise was beautiful but subtle, as the sun remained hidden behind thick winter clouds, but there was just enough luminosity to have something special to enjoy on our ride to school. On my way back home, I snapped a quick photo on the side of the road and thought; the sky would look even more interesting with a salt effect if were to paint this scene in watercolor.

We have not gotten much snow over the past couple of years so I was excited to actually have snow to include in this winter landscape! The entire play by play for this painting is now available on YouTube (link below). I hope you enjoy!

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Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Art, lighthouses, watercolor

I was asked to paint a lighthouse, as a Christmas gift for someone. I didn’t know where the photo given to me, was taken, but I had a feeling this scene takes place somewhere in Maine. Shown below is the rough sketch I started with.

Lighthouse Sketch

Turns out, this is the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and it is indeed located in Maine (Acadia National Park). Below are progress photos of the painting.

Sky painted and the rest being worked on
Most of the painting completed. Final details needed.

The recipient of the painting grew up in Maine and this painting had a lot of symbolic meaning for him. I am happy that he liked it. The final stage of the painting is shown below!

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse (18”x24” Watercolor)

Please visit Always Wandering Art on Etsy for more paintings.

Red Barn Winter Landscape in Watercolor

Art, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor

A local photographer, Cindy Plumb Bishop, captured a stunning image of a Red Barn in snowy New York State, which inspired me to paint the scene in watercolor. Places close to home are some of my favorites to paint, as it helps to enhance my awareness of where I live. This scene is simple, yet effective in creating visual interest because of the dramatic contrast between the snow and the red barn. If you’re looking to do a quick and simple painting, scenes like this make terrific subject matter. Not a lot of detail, no fuss, just great color combinations.

Red Barn Winter Landscape (watercolor on Arches Rough paper)

I’ve also recorded a time lapse video of the painting process.

For more examples of my work, please visit my Etsy shop!

The Road to Nowhere

Art, watercolor

A quick silhouette style painting! On the road late in the day, the light fades, causing the objects nearest to the viewer look very dark, which then allows for a dramatic silhouette effect. Watercolor paint always dries lighter so I found myself going back several times to darken the foreground. Then, you naturally look toward the lighter areas in the painting. Finally, I added cable wires for more perspective.

A Pond for Wildlife

Art, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor
Wilderness Pond – watercolor 14”x20”

When Covid-19 first broke out, I found myself with a little extra time to build a pond. I call it: my Pandemic-Pond. This is not that pond. This is a pond created by nature! This pond is somewhere out there in some obscure location where I imagine thousands of insects are abuzz on a lazy hazy mid afternoon. Frogs, turtles, and salamanders bask in the sun, as few random lazy clouds float on by.

This painting is available on my ETSY shop