Copyright ©2025 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.
Last week Pit from https://pitsfritztownnews.wpcomstaging.com/2025/02/17/august-september-2024-three-country-tour-in-europe-a-walk-around-chur/
posted a bit about some time he and his wife spent in Chur, Switzerland, and I loved one of the doorways so, I asked him it it would be alright if I tried to draw and paint it. He said yes! Here’s the reference photo. Used with Pit’s permission.

I wanted to simplify the image a lot keeping the door and only a bit of the courtyard. thought the little entry stair would be the hardest for me to draw so did a little thumbnail sketch- it was okay so pressed on and painted this.

I think the courtyard is too busy and I wanted to blur out the sides more so played with another rough sketch.

Chose my colors and painted version 2.

I’ve taken on the challenge of painting 100 mini paintings this year. I’m 16 paintings in. I’m going to paint this in mini this weekend. Time will tell if I can make it to 100 or not.
Thanks again, Pit for letting me use your photo as a reference!
This post is part of the weekly challenge Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion over at https://nofacilities.com/2025/02/20/riding-around/
Hop on over there to see more doors from around the world or join the craze and add a door or two of your own. 😊
Stratemore watercolor paper, M. Graham watercolor paints, assorted brushes. Images iPhone 14 Pro.
more to come…
I am a beginner watercolor and always imagine myself doing something so amazing. Thanks for the breakdown in pictures. I can see lots of opportunities to practice practice practice.
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Thank you so much, Diana! You can do this!! Yes, it takes practice especially for me since I can’t draw really well, but I keep on trying!
My best advise…DO NOT GIVE UP!!! 😊
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Wow!! Great job! I like both paintings and your sketch. I never seem to have the patience to paint a subject more than once! 😂
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Thank you so much, Jill! I usually paint two or three of something. I usually make hash of the follow ups but, I am trying to learn and improve my drawing and painting skills so I keep going.
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Good for you, Deborah to keep at it. I applaud you!
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🥰
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Well done, Deborah!
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Thank you so much, Cheryl!!🙏🏻
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Awesome idea to paint one of your favorite subjects! 😊 I enjoyed seeing them as I like to paint too!
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Thank you so much, Denise! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing them. What medium do you paint in? Watercolor as well?
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Wonderful pictures, Deborah! I’m happy about what you made of my photos. I like the second watercolour best. When I look at these pictures, I think I should really try and take up painting again. I used to a few years ago, but then kind of lost interest.
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Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like my paintings of your image.
You should pick up your brushes again!! It’s another creative outlet when taking our camera out isn’t an option. I’d love to see your work.
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We’ll have to see when/if I finally get to it. But thanks for your encouragement.
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Nice job. I tried painting once (acrylics), many years ago. My talent was such that I had to limit my subject to geometric shapes. 🙂 Probably why I stuck with photography.
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I can relate! In middle school my art teacher told me “art” isn’t going to be your thing find another creative outlet. I didn’t draw or try to again until my late 30’s. I found photography and that is my main canvas, but I keep plugging away at drawing and painting. I’ve improved since middle school but, have a LONG way to go yet. 😊
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What a beautiful courtyard and wonderful watercolor!
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Thank you so much, Brenda!!
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You are an accomplished artist, Deborah. I love your watercolors, and #1 is my favorite. Way to go on the challenge!
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Thank you so much, Jennie! 🤗
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You’re very welcome!
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🤗
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That’s a wonderful project for the year. Let’s see: a hundred mini paintings at three inches each would be great framed in a 10 x 10 format. You probably could do it as a 36″x36″. If you had the wall space, it would be a wonderful heirloom! I like the courtyard; my favorite is the first painting. I think it’s the more vibrant colors that do it for me.
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Thank you so much, Linda! I hadn’t thought of framing them all in a collage for myself but, it’s a great idea! I painted some mini winter scenes in December and bought little frames and gave a couple away as gifts for Christmas.
I like the colors in the first one as well. They seem cleaner less muddy to my eye. I finished the mini yesterday. I think it came out okay. I may do one more as a backup and 18 paintings in!
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A wonderful collection, Deborah.
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Thank you so much, Rebecca!
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Amazing and beautiful, Deborah! ❤️ Only 84 to go and I know you can do it!!
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🥰 Thank you so much, Donna!! The true hard part is being creative and thinking of things to paint! I have some art dice I bought awhile ago I haven’t employed yet, but this year I may need to get my creative brain cells moving. 😂 You roll the dice and they give colors and material, setting combos to jump start your art creativity. Example I just rolled 3 dice and got Humor, Sports/Games, and Pastels. I have a set of oil pastels I haven’t used in awhile so I could play with that idea.
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Hmmmmm….now you’re making it hard sounding. I drew a blank with those three choices, lol. I’m curious what you’ll come up with now if you go with it. Though I am not an artist, I can color pretty darn good, ask the grandboys! 😂
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😊
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Oops, should read beautifully
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I knew what you meant! My brain flies at break neck speed with replies and comments, sadly, my fingers can’t keep up so I make all sorts of typos, and leave out whole words often. 😂😯
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Beautiful done, Deborah 😊. And that’s quite the challenge.
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Thank you so much, Belinda! It is. BTW- I knew what you meant. No worries! 🥰
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Happy hundred when you get there, which I’m sure you will.
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Time will tell. Thank you so much, Steve!
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This is a great project, Deborah. I’m really enjoying your watercolors!
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Thank you so much, BJ!! 😊
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Totally charming
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Thank you, Sheree!
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Lovely work, Deborah.
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Thank you so much, John!
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😊
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Beautiful and fascinating. I like the fewer details and the colors in your second one. 100 minis in a year? Sounds creative and wonderful.
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Thank you so much, Ally! I appreciate your feedback! I like the less cluttered courtyard, and the steps are better in the second one. I tried to take the good bits from the v1 and v2 and put them in my mini yesterday. I think it came out okay. It sounds so daunting! It’s 8-9 paintings a month! I’m 17 in now maybe once I get past 20 it will be less daunting?
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This is beautiful!
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Thank you so much Smitha!
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Love your painting Deborah, you really capture the rustic setting in your art, so gifted ! Keep painting
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Thank you so much, Ashley! I appreciate you encouragement!!
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P. S. My favorite is the first one. 😁
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Thank you so much, Janet!! I like the colors in the first one best. 😊
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Well done!!
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Thank you so much, Janet!
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Lovely painting, Deborah! ❤️😊
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Thank you so much, John!
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You’re welcome. ☺️
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Beautiful! I really like your first attempt too. I love the challenge you’ve given yourself. I hope you share more of your work.
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Thank you so much, Janis! I am going to try combining what I like in V1 and V2 for the third version and I hope I don’t make hash of it. 😊
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This is delightful, Deborah. I enjoyed seeing the progression too. What size is a mini painting? I remember back when I used to draw and paint that working small was very difficult for me. Hugs.
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Thank you so much, Teagan! 🥰 The mini’s are 3 in X 3 in squares for the majority. A few are 3×2.5 inches if I’m economical and using my scraps for mini paintings instead of testing color swatches. 😊 For some reason the mini’s are easier for me. I suppose I’m not bothered by ruining a 3x3inch piece of good paper with a bad painting vs a larger sheet.
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That is so cool, Deborah. The painting is beautiful, and I really appreciate your walking us through the process.
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Thank you so much, Dan! I like elements of all three so I hope to combine them and fingers crossed not make hash of it. 😊
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That is so cool, Deborah. The painting is beautiful, and I really appreciate your walking us through the process.
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This is a cool Thursday-doors entry, Deborah! I follow Pit’s blog as well and he makes wonderful travel pictures. I like both versions of the door and courtyard, but when I would have to choose only one it would be the first, top sketch. Wich ever you choose I’m sure the mini will come out great.
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Thank you so much, Peter! There is a lot I like with the first one as well. Often I find the more I keep messing with a drawing/painting and redoing it the more I mess it up. It’s a learning process for sure!
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These are BEAUTIFUL Deborah! Very nice. Just like
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Thank you so much, Jarlath!! 😊
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