Lichen finished……
February 13, 2012
Feathers fini…..
January 31, 2012
A bit of color….
January 22, 2012
After the graphite drawing I have added some soft washes of color to the lichens. I enjoy the combination of pencil and watercolor. I think the texture of trees is especially suited to graphite and the delicate color of the lichens are a good subject to enhance with soft color. Almost finished I will balance a few of the shadows in the graphite and see if a bit more color will be needed…before I call it done….. This method reminds me of the hand painted intaglio prints, something old fashioned about it.
Peonies revisited
August 19, 2010
I have many unfinished pieces from years of demonstrating techniques to students. This summer I have promised myself that I would finish some of this pieces. So I’ll begin with a pair of peony buds that I did in watercolor in 2002 or 2003. Time to finally add the graphite….a favorite way of mine to work. The combination of graphite and watercolor seems to be somewhere between finish and process, I love the way the two mediums compliment each other.
Apple blossoms
April 23, 2010
I am beginning a watercolor of a beautiful apple tree branch in full bloom. I haven’t done a new big piece in a while…I decided to share it step by step. These first tissues are of the blossoms which I must capture in the first few days as they deteriorate quickly. Here are my first two tissues….and a quick color study……more coming soon. Hope you enjoy watching my process :)
subject propagate – illustrationfriday.com
February 19, 2010
Back from Cape Cod
September 15, 2009
We just returned from Cape Cod. All the watercolors are from the cottage where we stayed. The pen and inks are from the National Seashore,
the cottage and some of our favorite places. I am always inspired by the sea and skies of the cape….the colors and light









Smudge and Beetle napping
June 15, 2009

Graham’s garden with color washes added
May 27, 2009

Goldfinches and Redbellied Woodpecker
May 21, 2009
Late afternoon at the thistle feeder … quick sketch, very quick…..3.5″ x 5.5″ pen ink and watercolor washes













