Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
This is Let's Paint Nature's 500th post! To celebrate, let's post a free step by step watercolor demonstration!!! And let it be an easy on at that. Here we go.... This scene was taken from Knock Knolls in Naperville, IL. It will be a very simple watercolor sketch. When I want to do a quick … Continue reading Let’s Paint an Easy Winter Landscape Free Step by Step Watercolor
Black squirrels are not common in Chicago. I've only seen two in my lifetime, so you can imagine how jubilant I was to find one running in my own backyard. Happy like a little child. Nature has that way about it....to make you young again when you least expect it. To catch you off guard … Continue reading Black Squirrel White Snow Watercolor
Snow is softly falling and I have the privilege to watch without interruption, to watch without keeping track of time, to watch without any obligations for the remainder of the day. For once in a long time I can be instead of do. I do not have much experience being. I am only familiar with … Continue reading Snow on Sage Watercolor
Not only are the reeds frozen, but the animal tracks are too. Frozen in time. They tell a story which I love to read when hiking in nature. I have to put the pieces together from this story... whose tracks? When were they made? Did the animal have the silver moon as a guiding light? … Continue reading Reeds Frozen in Time Watercolor
Did you ever receive an original painting or drawing as a Christmas card? If you did, how did it make you feel? I bet it made you feel extremely special. Just knowing that the person who sent it to you didn't grab a generic one from a box, but actually sat down and took the … Continue reading Let’s Paint an Easy Christmas Card! Yes you can do this!!
Cold weather, dark gray skies, and the occasional flurries might put many in a gloomy mood. It will force some to stay locked in their houses, giving them an excuse to watch TV for hours and hours. Then there are the adventurers.... Some extreme adventurers laugh at weather conditions, drill through ice, and sit for … Continue reading Ice Fishing on Herrick Lake Watercolor Sketch
Winter brings out the true character of a tree, exposing every branch, every twig. It reveals the very essence, divulges hidden secrets, and leaves you in a trance as you try to follow one branch with your eyes...from the trunk to the very tip of its tiniest twig. It's a challenging maze and no two … Continue reading For the Love of Winter Trees
The Chicago area has been hit by two significant snow storms since winter started. I love snow. Not only is it soothing to watch as it descends, but it dresses the winter trees in their formal attire. How beautiful. Each and every one dazzles. So, let's paint a winter tree during an enchanted nighttime snow … Continue reading Let’s Paint a Winter Storm at Night!
Winter Music An overnight storm blankets the earth and covers each bough, each twig, But midday sun breaks snow's grip. As dollops of ice and snow slide off, Lower branches become chords to this tree harp. Various high pitched chimes ring in the frosty air. I let the crystal notes swirl. I am pine's biggest … Continue reading Merry Christmas Pine – Free Artwork
East Branch DuPage River Churchill Woods 40°F Calm A mild temperature cultivates an ideal setting for wildlife. There seems to be no end this day, as I notice abundant wildlife everywhere. Sitting next to the quiet river, a gaggle of geese tranquilly bobs up and down. Suddenly, half of them take flight for reasons unknown. … Continue reading East Branch DuPage River Watercolor Sketch
