Photo of the Day, Molly Murrah's WC Class, and Sketches

I have what I think is a very interesting photo for you today. It is one that explains to me why some children are afraid of frogs. I particularly like frogs and spend lots of time with the little girls in the backyard along the creek spotting them. I don't think I've ever seen teeth before, though.

Doesn't he/she look a bit menacing?? I told the girls I thought it was a parent with babies nearby.

I've had a couple of requests to share a bit of what I learned in last Friday's Creative Techs free online WC class with Molly Murrah. Here is what I learned:

- her favorite WC paper is Arches 140# cold press

- she prefers to paint on the smoother side (I've always used the rougher side)

- she showed a beautiful portrait she did years ago of her son on something called Aquaboard and said it is a dream to paint on      

- she also likes to sometimes paint over a thin layer of acrylic gel medium

- she talked about brush care (basic) and did a few washes, both flat and graded

- she brushed across several different kinds and weights of paper, including Yupo to show how the color looked on each one.

I have a question about what side of the paper you paint on - rough or smooth?

I intended to get some painting done yesterday, but between visiting my grandgirls, going to the dentist and grocery shopping at two different locations, I only got a few sketches of ideas done. I could have painted in the evening, but the Tigers were playing the Yankees and I really got caught up in the game. And the Tigers won - go Tigers!!

Here are some of the ideas I am thinking of trying in watercolor:

I actually drew the blues with a fountain pen. I've been playing a bit with them lately - actually since I got the Rhodia Webnotebook and they write like a dream. I had a couple of Shaeffers that I had gotten on sale long ago and really like them. I now also have a Lamy Safari and a dip pen with some chocolate colored ink. I would like to teach myself to make better lettering and am practicing to that end. I'll share as I go.

I am going to Ann Arbor with an art friend today and hope to get some "live" sketching done. I am hoping I won't feel so strange and intimidated this time. This will be the second time we do this. I will share my efforts with you tomorrow.

For now, I need some coffee and then I'd like to spend some time reading the many (sometimes it seems like too many) blogs to which I subscribe before getting a wee bite for breakfast and getting ready to go.

xoxo