The winters in Michigan can sometimes seem long and frigid. As compensation for the cold, we get treated by some great winter visitors. Some are common, but charming, like juncos. Others, like redpolls and siskins only appear in our … Continued
Although I have painted a few male ebony jewelwings, this is the first female that I’ve painted. They have more subtle coloration than the males, lacking the intense metallic green. Instead, they have more bronze tones with a touch … Continued
Damselflies have long been a favorite insect of mine. I remember first seeing them when I was very young. I thought they looked like little jewels. I’d see different varieties when we’d go to a nearby lake. All the damselflies, … Continued
Any day I see a bay-breasted warbler is a great one. This painting is based on photos of a cooperative male we found at Metzger marsh, at Crane Creek, OH. That is a phenomenal place to see migrant warblers … Continued
Forktail damselflies can be hard to tell apart in the field. The males have some diagnostic features making identification a little easier. Discerning the species of a female forktail is well beyond my abilities of identification. Nonetheless, they are beautiful … Continued
Although I did this painting few years ago, I scanned it in as it was being painted, so I thought it would be worth sharing as a “work in progress” series. PIleated woodpeckers lived in the woods around our house … Continued
I’ve been painting a lot of dragonflies lately. Lots of great color to play with. Here is the latest, a step-by-step through the process of painting a male ruby meadowhawk. These are really cooperative insects… so much so that my … Continued
An oldie. This was a commissioned painting. The client wanted five male hummingbirds at the feeder. We settled on Blue-throated, Costa’s, Violet-crowned, Black-chinned, and Rufus Hummingbirds. It is an 18 x 24 inch transparent watercolor on Lana 140 lb HP Paper.
Liquid frisket is a handy thing for anyone who does a lot of watercolor. I tend to use it as little as possible. It ruins brushes and there is only so fine a line you can get with it. Because … Continued
I’ve been sketching a lot of damselfly and dragonflies from photos that I took last summer. I’m already looking forward to this summer’s crop. They are fascinating creatures to watch.