Peekiing Through the Grapevines

Photo ref for this is from friend Kounelli "Manny" on flickr; I asked him for permission last year sometime and just painted it; thanks Manny

Tetrad Color Wheel

Some things I've learned about tetrads color groups:

- A tetrad consists of 4 colors positioned on the color wheel in either a square or a rectangle as in this diagram.
- You determine the color choice by deciding what you would like your dominant color to be and the rest will be built off this dominant color choice.
- Choose a "sister" color by moving either 2 or 3 colors to the left or right of the one you chose.
- Number 3 and 4 are decided for you by following a straight line across the square or rectangle, finding the complements apparent if you had drawn an "X" inside the box.
- See my chart below for 9 possible color groups resulting from the diagram above.

Some things I've learned about painting with a "tetrad" color group:
* Choose from the color wheel what your dominant color will be
* Next, choose a "sister" color either 2 to the left or right of the dominant color, or 3 to the left or right of the dominant color.
* Now, the remaining 2 colors are chosen for you by making a straight line across the inside of the color wheel as in this diagram.
* The tetrad consists of 4 colors, not just any random colors; they are in harmony.
* Instead of a square or rectangle you could think of it in terms of an "X" - across from each of your chosen colors, is it's complement. Striking grays can be created by mixing complements, or used in it's pure color make the painting sing.

Tetrad Painting

This study was for two purposes (1) to stay within the 4 colors chosen from my tetrad study below, in this case - the first one on the 3 row. (2) to practice painting in the round

Tetrad painting

This study helped me practice 2 things: (1) staying within the 4 colors chosen for the study, in this case - number 1 on the bottom row of my tetrad study below (2) I've been wanting to practice a round format in WC

Tetrad Color Groups - 9 possible choices

I've been studying tetrads and have created a diagram to better help me group the colors:

Crystal Bowl

Thanks to Vicki Greene for use of her photo and Susan Roper for coaching through the use of her demo, this was a project for the Watercolor Workshop online.

Valentine Roses

Dennis gave me pink roses between our anniversary and valentines day; they inspired me to paint roses and after seeing a photo by Michiel Thomas, he graciously allowed me to use it as a painting reference.

Solitude

From Brent Nesseth's photo comes this watercolor on Arches 140 lb 11 x 14

Blind Pears

Credit on this one goes to Dorena Kerry for use of her photo.

Blind Pears

Painted from a photo by Dorena Kerry - thanks Dorena

Pear of Pears

For a September "Pear Project" on WcW

The Fountain

From my photo taken at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen

Juicy June

I don't do bugs, well okay I've made an exception. This is an unusually juicy style for me; yikes I had to give up control.

Golden Tree Nymph WC

My thanks to June Damanti for allowing me to use her gorgeous photo as a reference for this painting. Please take a look at June's website for a mini vacation: http://www.bydamanti.com/

When I saw her photo I was so impressed with the macro perspective and gorgeous color I yearned to get out the watercolors.

"Favour" makes the Homepage of WcW

I am proud to announce that this painting is being featured on Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop - Homepage - for the month of June. That is such an honor and of course a boost to my ego as well. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WatercolorWorkshop/

Favour

Thanks to Vicki Greene for another lovely photo; this was sent out for my SWAP group this time. I loved painting this and hope to do it again soon.

Candies

How about cellophane? I'm continuing my study on painting shiny things, stay tuned. Thank you Doris for inspiring me to do this when I saw your photo of these candies.

Under Cover

This month the focus will be on "shiny things" - this gets my creative juices flowing as I love trying to capture light in my paintings so needless to say I have a lot of subjects I'd like to try. Let's see now, what should I try next?

Time for Tea

March challenge on Yahoo's Watercolor Workshop to paint from same photo; we're working this month on painting "shiny things"

Time to Celebrate

My Dahlia painting "Peace" that I did some time ago has taken 1st place and BEST OF SHOW with the National Art Program at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. I am overjoyed and most grateful. Thank you to my Son Brent who encouraged me to do this and works for the Health East System.