Lightfastness Tests 2023

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Since we’re deep in the darkest part of the year, I figured I’d take down my lightfastness tests. (To be honest, I forgot about them; I meant to only do them for 3 months but some of them have been up for over 6.) Here is what I learned.

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#magrish_challenge_sky 2023 (+2022!)

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For the last three years, one of my favorite sky painters, Maria Smirnova (@magrish on Instagram), has posted a three-week challenge at the end of November (#magrish_challenge_sky). Each week, she posts a black-and-white sky photo, and you’re invited to paint it in any colors you wish. I joined for the first time last year, and I participated this year as well.

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Watercolor Paint Consistency Scales, Ranked

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Photo by Eiliv Aceron on Unsplash

Describing paint consistency is a continuing challenge for watercolor teachers. Paint consistency has a huge impact on the appearance of a watercolor painting, so it’s a big deal topic. Fresh-from-tube paint brushes onto the page totally differently from half-diluted paint, which is also totally different from watery paint (or painty water). Experienced artists can tell when their paint is the right consistency for the effect they want, but newbies don’t have that context, and it’s hard to communicate verbally. Many artists use analogies to other substances. I personally had an a-ha moment when Ruth Wilshaw likened gouache at a “sweet spot” consistency to slippery dish soap.

Let’s take a look at other ways artists describe paint consistency.

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Photo to Painting: Blue November Edition

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Lately I’ve been painting a lot more from my own photos, especially flawed or odd photos. Winter Sun What I I love about the original photo: that super bright blue and yellow in the distant sky! The contrast between vivid and dull. What I don’t like about original photo: The bright sky is much too … Read more

Monthly Retrospective: November 2023

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I started November with a trip to Vancouver and a bunch of small travel sketches. Upon returning home, I hustled to finish my U.S. National Parks project. On another quick trip over the border to Toronto, I added a few more travel sketches. I also started #magrish_challenge_sky for my second year. I rounded out the … Read more

Earth Yellow Showdown: Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna Deep, MANS, and Raw Sienna

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Previously, I’ve asked What’s the difference between MANS and Yellow Ochre? Today, I’m adding a couple more earth yellows for a big showdown between Da Vinci Yellow Ochre, Da Vinci Raw Sienna Deep, Daniel Smith Monte Amiata Natural Sienna (MANS), and Da Vinci Raw Sienna. Which of these belongs in the earth yellow slot in my palette?

Color comparison of Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna Deep, MANS, and Raw Sienna

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What I Learned from Painting All 63 U.S. National Parks in a Year

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In 2023, I challenged myself to paint at least one scene from each of the 63 US National Parks. I started in February, with a mini gouache of Big Bend as a sort of proof of concept, then began working my way down an alphabetical list. I finally finished with Zion in late November. You can find them all on my National Park Collection page (I’ve also included several in this post!)

Big Bend National Park in gouache on Bockingford HP. February 4, 2023.
Zion National Park in watercolor on Lanaquarelle. November 19, 2023.

This was a great opportunity to learn – not only about technique and about the parks themselves, but about my own preferences as an artist. Here’s what I discovered.

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