watercolor painting is very different from acrylic or oil painting because the pigment is placed and moved with the water more than the brush or knife
East of Fresno, California, numerous orange orchards feature trees trimmed flat on all sides, creating a unique landscape of tree cubes. In winter, the deep blue sky and snow-capped mountains enhance the scene, offering a fantastic view. The author illustrates this in a watercolor painting.
Lighthouses, with their picturesque ocean and cliffside settings, have long fascinated artists and historians. Though modern technology has replaced many traditional functions of lighthouses, they remain iconic symbols of maritime history. Painting these structures allows for creative freedom, adding elements from different eras to evoke nostalgia and timeless beauty.
A campground and beach north of Santa Barbara feature ocean views and wildlife like dolphins. Noting the dramatic changes in light during “magic hour,” the writer captured the scene’s geological features with pencil, then painted with watercolors after. They enjoy exaggerating colors, particularly those enhancing interesting compositions.
