The sky colors are amazing. Here in the north we have been in grey and fog for a bit so these are great to see. The sun broke through today so we now have a clear blue sky that I may need to paint since I don't have your variety of colors. (Shades of blue will do just fine.) Enjoy your next adventure!
Good Question - I come to watercolors from the botanical side so mainly drawing and painting detailed plants. Not much blue is used. I consider myself a beginner in this work. I am just setting out to learn to paint landscapes. This is the year to explore blue skies - I have the 3 primary colors/ warm and cool from DS. I work mainly with DS Phtlo Blue and Ceruleain Blue and mix from there. I have WN Blue (green shade) and Wn Blue (Red Shade)that were gifted to me plus a Koi travel kit with Cobalt Hue and Cerulean Blue Hue. So will see what all these blue do when painting Northern skies.
Dear Lisa, I am totally enjoying exploring color and your design of the triad template. Loved the demo on art tool kit as well. I’m so happy you are on Substack. Happy New Year and thanks for the inspiration. ❤️
Happy New Year Lisa! What a beautiful place!! Actually I LOVE laundromats—but I think it’s because I always pair it with a local coffee or hot tea. A spoon full of sugar does help the medicine go down… plus clean clothes are super satisfying. Xo!
Hey Amanda! Great idea on local coffee or tea! The small towns that we're in don't always have a shop, but if not I can always make a southing cuppa in the van! Thank you!
We saw pup fish at Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge near Death Valley. We were told they did not exist anywhere else. I was surprised that you saw them where you are. I wonder if they are the same.
The visitor center pond, affectionately known as “La Ciénaga" or "desert oasis," is home to the endangered Quitobaquito pupfish. This small fish is only found in Quitobaquito Springs, in the southwest corner of the monument, and in the Rio Sonoyta, a small Mexican river drainage directly south of the international border. Since this unique fish naturally exists in only one location within the United States, a second habitat was created and set aside as a refuge for this endangered species. This pond was designed and built in 2005 by 160 science students from Ajo Middle School.
The sky colors are amazing. Here in the north we have been in grey and fog for a bit so these are great to see. The sun broke through today so we now have a clear blue sky that I may need to paint since I don't have your variety of colors. (Shades of blue will do just fine.) Enjoy your next adventure!
Thanks, Joanne! What are your favorite colors for northern skies? I'd love to hear!
Good Question - I come to watercolors from the botanical side so mainly drawing and painting detailed plants. Not much blue is used. I consider myself a beginner in this work. I am just setting out to learn to paint landscapes. This is the year to explore blue skies - I have the 3 primary colors/ warm and cool from DS. I work mainly with DS Phtlo Blue and Ceruleain Blue and mix from there. I have WN Blue (green shade) and Wn Blue (Red Shade)that were gifted to me plus a Koi travel kit with Cobalt Hue and Cerulean Blue Hue. So will see what all these blue do when painting Northern skies.
Dear Lisa, I am totally enjoying exploring color and your design of the triad template. Loved the demo on art tool kit as well. I’m so happy you are on Substack. Happy New Year and thanks for the inspiration. ❤️
Hi Aseneth! I'm so glad you love the triad template! It's so fun! Happy New Year to you as well!
The Organ Pipes and Cholla DO NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Orange sky backdrop and you have photo and sketching opportunities!!!
Thank you for enabling so many of us to transport ourselves from 'here'. Your van, sitting among the cacti! WOW! The quail...so cute!
I'll bet drawing on that beautiful paper makes your artwork flow, making all the difference.
(P.S. I think you nailed it on ID'ing laundramat anxiety. Hopefully it helps.)
Take care. Looking forward to next stops!
Awww thank you! Those quail are so cute!! I saw some more today at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument!
You are so right about the paper -- it's a joy to use!
Thanks for joining in the journey! And Happ New Year!
Happy New Year Lisa! What a beautiful place!! Actually I LOVE laundromats—but I think it’s because I always pair it with a local coffee or hot tea. A spoon full of sugar does help the medicine go down… plus clean clothes are super satisfying. Xo!
Hey Amanda! Great idea on local coffee or tea! The small towns that we're in don't always have a shop, but if not I can always make a southing cuppa in the van! Thank you!
Your vehicle seems to have a Dutch name: Walter Van Spangler.
Hi Steve! That is a great name lol!! Happy New Year to you and Eve!
Happy New Year!! It’s such fun to follow your adventures. Thank you for all the amazing photos and fun updates!
Hi Melissa! Happy happy new year!! So glad you like the photos! Hugs from Arizona!
We saw pup fish at Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge near Death Valley. We were told they did not exist anywhere else. I was surprised that you saw them where you are. I wonder if they are the same.
Judy Schwan
Hi Judy! I think the pup fish at Death Valley are different ones. Here are the ones we saw at Organ Pipe Cactus:
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/see-endangered-pupfish-along-the-visitor-center-nature-trail.htm
The visitor center pond, affectionately known as “La Ciénaga" or "desert oasis," is home to the endangered Quitobaquito pupfish. This small fish is only found in Quitobaquito Springs, in the southwest corner of the monument, and in the Rio Sonoyta, a small Mexican river drainage directly south of the international border. Since this unique fish naturally exists in only one location within the United States, a second habitat was created and set aside as a refuge for this endangered species. This pond was designed and built in 2005 by 160 science students from Ajo Middle School.
Are you familiar with the botanical paintings of Marianne North (1830 – 1890)?
https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/marianne-north-botanical-artist