Deep Dive Discovery

9x12”
Live area 5.75x6.88”
©2026

This watercolor painting is the first in a series of smaller pieces that will explore painting multiple layers around a given subject. This intriguing technique was new to me. I watched an online video demo of this negative painting process; I was excited to give it a try. 

For this piece, I began drawing the top leaves and painted the entire area with a wash of color. Then I drew more leaves and painted another wash over all except for the top layer of leaves. This process was then repeated one more time so that the lightest leaf values were on the top layer, over midtones, and the final darkest values on the other two layers.  

I love working in this new, rather contemplative process, but was even more surprised to realize how the painting could easily be viewed as a metaphor for the inner self. The lightest leaves represented the side of me that the world sees —sometimes known as our "false self". The background and other leaves in midtone and dark values could likewise be viewed as our “true self,” the side that we most likely hide from the world.

This was a very interesting technique that I plan to continue exploring. If you’ve never tried a negative watercolor, it is worth the time and may produce some cool visual and perhaps emotional effects.  

Oh, life is such a daring adventure!  lol

Thanks for viewing,

Nancy

The Shoppers

"The Shoppers", 5x7" watercolor

I recently had a foot surgery and have been in a cast and unable to put any weight on my foot. Thus I haven't been able to stand and paint at my easel for the past three weeks. However, watercolors are the perfect solution. I can sit at my kitchen table and paint for hours on end. 

I have enjoyed getting back into the swing of painting in this odorless medium which requires minimal cleanup. I started out in watercolors many, many years ago and loved it, but didn't think the colors were screaming loud enough so I switched to oils. I'm sure I'll continue to work in oils once I am back on my feet, but may very well continue playing with watercolor. 

Hmm...perhaps I should also try finger painting? 

Here is my tiny portable setup. I love this compact little Windsor Newton product which makes art a breeze when I am traveling. 

The reference for this photo was posted on DailyPaintworks as a challenge painting.

Thanks for stopping to view my work. 

nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America

Watercolor Sketches from Montana

5x7" "Flying the Stillwater"
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7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye I"
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7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye II
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7x5" "Wood Ranch, Nye III"
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Heading back on down the highway once again...we were blessed to have spent some time in Montana this month on my sister and brother-in-law's glorious property. These watercolor sketches are some of the views from their lovely home which nestles on a hill along the Stillwater River in Nye, Montana.

I hadn't painted with watercolor in years, but loved the easy setup and no-fuss cleanup. I also love the looseness and transparency this medium provides.

I have a few more sketches from our next stop in Colorado which I'll post tomorrow.

Thanks for following my journey.
—nancy

To see more of my art click Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Fine Art America