Category: Watercolor

Whatever Weds. Painting

Posted in WatercolorTagged , , , , , , 65 Comments

Copyright ©2022 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

February I was in the mood to dig out my paints and try some online tutorials. Here are two finished watercolor paintings, a study of trees, and one pen and ink line drawing.

My favorites are the horse painting and the pen and ink drawing. I did that drawing by hand no tracing! It’s wonky but it’s not bad for me. 🤣

I bought a new book on Urban Sketching for beginners by Liron Yanconsky so far so good. It was his book that motivated me to try to draw the Clark Administrative Bldg from an image I made of it. I’m not ready to go out with my pad and pen and try drawing on site yet, but I hope to one day. In the meantime I’ll be working my way through this book this month.

My week-end away birding with friends was so fun and we saw so many Bald Eagles! I’ll be sharing images from that trip soon.

We firmed up plans Monday to have #1 Grandson here for part of his Spring break…not Littlest though. Baby Girl isn’t ready for that yet, but we’ll take what we can get! 😀I’m making plans for trips to the zoo and looking at other things to do with him while he’s here. We’re excited! That’s all that’s new here.

I hope you all are having a good week!

more to come…

Whatever Weds. This and That

Posted in Moonrise, Pen & Wash Watercolor, Photography, Watercolor, Watercolor Painting, Wild MustangsTagged , , , , , , , 48 Comments

Copyright ©2020 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL Rights Reserved

How are you all doing? I’ve been out making pictures, seeing nature, my Baby Girl, grandboys, and our Big Baby Boy came up to visit. We hadn’t seen him in person since January 4th when we parted ways at the Reno airport for our transfers from our return trip from London. It was grand seeing him. We all missed him very much.

I’ve been making lots and lots of pictures, but I’m in a slump processing them. I’m not very motivated to do it lately which is why I’m posting less, painting more.

Here are two I have processed from recent photography outings, and some of you who follow me on Instagram know I’ve been taking two architecture sketching in ink and watercolor courses online. Well, I’ll show you the final project from one of those courses too.  Here we go!

July 4th’s almost Full Moonrise from my patio- rising over the Pinenut Mountains

July 4th's Moon 99.5%

Monday (this week) a girlfriend and I went out to the wilderness in separate cars to see the Wild Mustangs and there are lots and lots of new foals, fillies, and ponies!  Here is one of the cuties I saw.

I never did determine if it was male or female, but here it was resting under the protection of its mother’s chest and head whom you don’t see. It’s so cute!

Wild Mustang Foal

What’s blooming in my yard?  Not a whole lot, but there are Day Lilys! I don’t have any idea about its name. John Hric  do you? They were planted and doing well when we bought the house so left them. I love them.

Yellow Orange Day Lily

…and my Final Project of one of the watercolor courses. This took me all day and 3 times totally erasing it all and starting over. Drawing is so hard for me! I did learn more about how to “see” and draw perspective though. I hope one day it really clicks and I can actually draw without having to start over so many times. Like sewing, I think it requires an engineering brain. That’s not me. At. All!

We had a choice to paint the same building the instructor painted or choose a building from your own town.  I chose a building from one of my images from the capital of my new home state of Nevada. This is the St. Charles Hotel and Fox Brewery Pub in downtown Carson City, not my town, but it’s not too far away. It’s a Historic Landmark which some of you who have been following me a while might remember when I posted about it here in August 2019 for Thursday Doors.  My lampposts and buildings are wonky. I can’t draw a straight line to save my life.  I really wish all the teachers and instructors wouldn’t take away my ruler! St Charles Hotel and Fox Brew Pub Watercolor

…and here’s my image of the St Charles Hotel/Fox Brew Pub from 2019.

You can see I took artistic license and simplified the scene.

 

Historic Mt Charles Hotel and The Fox BrewPub

Current news: Three fires started simultaneously Monday evening just about 25 miles south of us just outside Gardnerville, NV so, we’re keeping a close eye on those.  We’re hoping they all stay out in the uninhabited BLM land. At the time of this writing, it’s now spread to 10,000 acres, destroyed one house, and 10 outbuildings and has 0 containment. Winds are still pretty good from the west which isn’t good.  We’ve been under a Red Flag high wind advisory conditions since Monday afternoon.  The firefighters have been concentrating on saving the 350+ homes out there.  I could see the flames from my patio Monday evening and from along Hwy 395 tonight.  It’s awful. My neighbor who is a retired firefighter says 3 fires don’t start at the same time naturally and suspects it’s arson. They’ve named it the #numbersfire. Right now they’re so busy trying to knock them down that they’re saying the cause is unknown. We had a wildfire in this same area the week before last that burned up a whole lot a of acres! Our thoughts are with those who have been evacuated, and those who are out in the thick of it fighting the fires.

We had dinner tonight with #1 Grandson’s other Grandparents at their house who also live in this town. OH MY GOSH! It was so great to see them and catch up in person! It’s been months and months since we’ve seen them. We figured we’re all still healthy, and we’re all keeping our circle of who we actually get close too really tight so let’s do it. It was so good to be normal! We’re going to see them again only we’re hosting next time. 😀

So, that just about catches you up with me. What’s been happening with you?

Fuji X-T3 & Nikon D810| PS CC 21.2| DaVinci Watercolor paint in the Scratchmadejournal curated palette| Canson 140lb cold press watercolor paper|DaVinci Artissmo and Pentel water brushes

more to come…

 

 

Thursday Doors- Watercolor Doors

Posted in Pen & Wash Watercolor, Photography, Thursday Doors, WatercolorTagged , , , , , 58 Comments

Copyright ©2020 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I haven’t photographed any doors lately and those in my archives are marinating nicely so I thought I’d share two doors I’ve painted as homework recently.

I’m doing two online architecture sketching watercolor classes while I’m on a hiatus from the local watercolor class. This first door is from an image I made last year when a friend came to visit and we did Photowalk in downtown Carson City.   One of the classes had an assignment to practice drawing something in 1 point perspective and this is what I drew and painted.  There’s something special about a red door isn’t there.  A note to myself only partially seen says, ” not good!”  It’s wonky, and the portico and window aren’t quite right. I need to redo this one!

Red Door Carson City watercolor

This second painting is exercise 3 in Phil Davies Arttutor Sketching Architecture online class. An Old Blue Door.

Blue Door Arttutor homework_IMG_4282

His assignments are getting more and more complex. I’m a bit anxious about this weeks!

 

This is part of Norm’s  Thursday Doors weekly roundup. If you have a door image or painting to share head on over and share yours, or just go visit to see all the lovely doors people share from all over the world.

 

DaVinci Watercolors in the Scratchmadejournal palette on Canson Watercolor 300g cold press paper, and Sakura Micro .05 ink pen.

more to come…

 

 

 

Whatever Weds. This and That

Posted in Photography, This and That, Watercolor, Whatever WednesdayTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 54 Comments

©Copyright 2020 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This and That. What does that mean to me? Things that I photograph that I don’t feel really define who I am as a photographer. Things that catch my eye while I am out photographing things that I love and things that are happening in our time outside of my usual genre that I make an effort to go out and photograph. Can we call those images journalistic images? I do. Yes, I have a journalling file folder even for photography. 🤓 And just stuff I’m doing.

Let’s start here with the USAF’s Air Guard who flew over Carson City and many other towns in NV and CA to honor the First Responders and those countless other people who are working every day to support the citizens of their counties and communities during the Pandemic of the Wuhan Corona Covid-19 Virus.  Do you see them just coming over the Carson Range? Three tiny little specs with a whole lot of impact and respect for those braving the virus on the ground every day?  HERE THEY COME!!! 3 C-130's Fly Coming into Carson Valley

Here’s a closer look at one of the planes…  Damn, they were awesome!! Thank you for flying and honoring them all!! 🙏

USAF C130 Flyovrer 2020

A view from a boring “Stretch my Legs Hike”.  The 4-mile round trip hike is boring…the view…not so much.

Home is down there. That makes me smile and very happy.  The rock formations are pretty cool too. Just sayin.

The View from Clear Creek

Backyard View and Golf Cart traffic…The fruitless Olive trees are beginning to bloom. April 2020

Copyright © Deborah M. Zajac ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

…I’ve been painting on and off throughout the lockdown.

My Grandson Kneeboarding for the first time from a photo Baby Girl sent us while he was doing it.

Jaxon Kneeboarding First Time

I subscribed to the JohnMuirLaws Drawing Birds webinar while my watercolor class was on hold due to the pandemic and I tried sans success to keep up with the homework. However, I did manage to draw and fill in with paint a Duck and Shorebird I drew freehand from my own photographs then added watercolor to them after watching his webinar. I’m rather proud of these paintings. They look like what I intended them to look like! That’s huge! 😀

Lesser Scaup and Avocet watercolor

Okay, that’s 6, six images in this post. Way more than I usually post, and I have loads more of images that fall into the This and That category. I’ll stop, but you can count on more images from this category coming one day in the future. 😀

I hope you’re all doing well, and hanging in there! It will get better!

Nikon Camera and Lenses, Fuji Camera and Lens, Lumix FZ200, and Iphone 7 Plus

 

more to come…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw-a-Bird Day February

Posted in Chinese New Year, Draw a Bird Day, iPhone 7 Plus, Photography, Watercolor, Watercolor PaintingTagged , , , , , , 46 Comments

Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I’ve been painting Roosters to celebrate in my own way the Chinese New Year.

I was born under the Fire Rooster sign and I am hoping that this is going to be a good year for me.

The first rooster I painted was in my Stillman & Birn watercolor journal with my new M.Graham watercolor paints. I bought Steve Mitchell’s favorite 8 colors since this paint is one I’ve been longing to try. I love the paint. I think this is going to be my go to paint.

I don’t like the way the waddle came out, or my text on the page. I really want to take a calligraphy class. Perhaps this is the year I finally do that.

2017 Year of the Rooster

So, take II- Instead of drawing the Rooster freehand like I did for the painting above  I set up the light table He-Man gave me for Christmas and traced the image of the rooster from an image I made in 2016 while on a doorscurion in Maxwell, CA.

Take II

I don’t like the tail so I covered up the worst bits with the mat board. The text is boring as well. I really am making a case for a calligraphy class aren’t I? “)

Year of the Rooster

Take III

I let loose a bit, and used my white gel pen, and black micron pen to add some details.  Again  wasn’t really happy with the tail feather ends, but love the way its head and breast came out.

Fire Rooster 2017

Some traits of the Fire Rooster for those with inquiring minds:

2017 The Year of the Rooster-

1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

“I am alert

Ready to take action

The first on the scene

The last to leave

I take chances

But I am precise

I know where things belong

I am orderly and fastidious

Nothing escapes me

I am always prepared

I never give up or in

I AM THE ROOSTER”

I can’t say I meet all these traits, but some fit. 🙂

I’m not sure there will be a Take IV (oh man, I had to look up the table to make sure I recalled the correct letters for roman numeral 4) SAD! I did but still! It’s so true what they say about losing it if you don’t use it!

A note regarding the 8 paints and paper I used:

The 8 colors of paint I purchased are: Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue, Paynes Gray, Sepia, Azo Green, Indian Yellow, Quinacridone Red, Red Iron Oxide.

I really like how vibrant, and transparent they are. They mix well, and don’t make a muddy mess.  I’m looking for a little palette to put some whole and half pans in to be able to carry it out and about.

I used Arches 9″X12″ 140lb Coldpress paper for the 2nd, and 3rd paintings.

I wish you all Gung hay fat choi!

iPhone 7 Plus| PS CC 2017

More to come…

 

 

Draw-a-Bird Day Nov.2016

Posted in Birds, Draw a Bird Day, Photography, WatercolorTagged , , , , , , , , 33 Comments

Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I actually painted this in late October and thought if it came out alright I’d post it for this month’s Draw-a-Bird day.

I’ve never seen a Barred Owl in the wild but, would love to!

Barred Owl in Watercolor

Reference/inspiration Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America

Painted on Canson 140lb coldpress watercolor paper

Paint: Turner Artist Watercolors; sap green, maya yellow, burnt umber, permanent yellow, ultramarine blue

Ink: Carbon Platinum Pen and ink

Brushes: Escoda #6, rd #2 rd , Mimik Kolinsky #12

More to come…

Lazuli Bunting Watercolor

Posted in #WaterColorMonth, Art, Birds, Birds of North America, Draw a Bird Day, Nature, Photography, Watercolor, Watercolor PaintingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 26 Comments

Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Here we are already on July 8th! Which means it’s Draw-a-Bird Day over on CreateArtEveryday, and it’s also #WorldWatercolorMonth created by Charlie O’Shields over at doodlewash.com. 

Yesterday afternoon I felt inspired to paint a Lazuli Bunting I photographed back in May 2014. I used a Pentel Graphic Gear 0.7 to lightly sketch the beak, and snag it’s perched on, but kept the rest the painting loose.  I’m pleasantly surprised how well it came out for not trying to sketch the whole bird.

The Lazuli Bunting is a Spring/Breeding visitor in my region of Northern California.  I was very excited to see it him and add him to my “life list” back in the Spring of 2014.

Lazuli Bunting in Watercolor

The image I used as my reference is here.P52 18 of 52 Lazuli Bunting-1st yr Male

Paint, Paper, Brush:

Sennelier L’Aquarelle in Cinereous Blue, French Vermillion, Bright Red, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, Naples Yellow Deep, Warm Sepia, Hooker’s green, Phthalo Green Light.

I painted this in my Strathmore Watercolor Art Journal 400 Series 8.5″ X 5.5″ 140lb paper.

Brush:  Di Vinci Artissimo Rd #1

I’m posting this on both Creatarteveryday’s Draw a Bird Day, and #WorldWatercolormonth.  If you have a moment please head over and check out the amazing work being done by artists all over the world.

More to come…