To glaze or not to glaze, this is the question.

Here is my watercolor picture of Winter Wonderland. If you had an opportunity to visit Swallow Falls State Park in Maryland then this picture would look familiar to you. This waterfall is much wider in real life but to improve composition I decided to narrow it a little. This trick let me bring trees that grow on the opposite sides of the river closer together and create a nice opening for the misty background forest.

            At a first glance the picture looked finished but after a while I noticed that it was lacking the depth. Since Winter sceneries are mostly white it is hard for us artists to emphasize shadows, and shadows add the depth.

In such situation simple glazing can improve the picture. Glazing is a well-known watercolor technique that involves painting wet-over-dry picture.  Because watercolor pigment, even when dry, is not fixed to the paper, glazing needs to be done very gently. To do so, I used a very soft and large brush. I loaded it with diluted paint. I mixed previously used indigo and crimson red and started darkening the background and carefully avoiding areas that needed to be white. Then I added shadows to mid-ground snow covered trees. Finally I added an extra layer of paint to the water at the bottom but left the waterfall foam and yellow reflection untouched.

The idea of glazing can sound frightening because it involves painting over a picture that is almost finished and full of details. But if glazing is done properly it brings loose elements of the picture together and simplifies busy compositions. 

So, to glaze or not to glaze?  Definitely glaze!

How to find an art inspiration?

Let’s say you have time, and you want to create some art. Your studio is cleaned, your materials are well organized, and you have desire to make something nice. There is nothing else to do but art. Unfortunately, instead of submerging into the creative process, you realize that you don’t know how to start. Something very important is missing. The inspiration.

They say that you can find inspiration everywhere and this is true. So let's look for it.

First, leave your studio because there is nothing interesting there. Walk away from your computer, drawing from old photographs is not that thrilling. Real subjects are much more inspiring.

 At home the best place to find something attention-grabbing is your kitchen. You have constant supplies of fresh food there. Fruits and veggies, bread and meat are perfect subjects to paint. They are rich in attractive form and color. Look at them with fresh eyes, cut them in half to find what is inside, make slices or simply take a bite. Create an appealing composition by moving the elements quickly. Highlight them with a good source of light. Working close to the window is the best but artificial lamps are also helpful. Quickly you will find that even in the comfort of your home you can find a lot of ideas for fantastic drawing or painting.

For me though the best way to look for inspiration is outdoors. There, the possibilities are endless. Your backyard, neighbor's doorway, old trees, rocks, buildings, parks, rivers, lakes and mountains.  Everything is just waiting for you to discover it. Move around to find the best angle for your composition.  Don't be attached to the first idea.  Draw several quick sketches and then choose the best one. Strive for progress not for perfection. Take reference photos. You can finish your art outside or bring it back to the studio. Notice how refreshed you feel by stepping away and meeting with your art Muse. 

After such an experience you will soon be reworded with a beautiful drawing or painting.  Pablo Picasso once said "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" so lets go for it.

Pet Portrait Commisions OPEN

I paint animals in abstract way. They can be blue or green or in any other color of the rainbow. I use India ink to capture the pet's nature and then I paint over it in watercolors.
If you would like your pet to be painted in this style, I'd be more then happy to help.
Here are some simple steps to follow:

• contact me by sending a note or leaving a comment below.  We will exchange email addresses.
• Send me 2-3 good quality photos. Pictures need to be sharp, taken without flash,  and preferably outside in slightly cloudy weather, or during "golden hour" . For the best results take the photo on pet's eye level. I love to see sparkles in those little eyes. Here is a good examples of photo I took. Please, do your best, and keep in mind that I will work with what I am given.

Place a nonrefundable downpayment of $20 via PayPal. The total cost of the portrait after completion is $50 plus $10 shipping and handling to US & Canada location.

I work on 11in x 15in paper. I use 140lb acid free paper and good quality paints.

To ensure that you are 100% happy with the portrait, I'll email you a low resolution final scan or photograph of the portrait for your approval. I may also upload the portrait here or on my other websites. At this stage I can do really small changes, unfortunately watercolors and inks are not a forgiving medium.

Once the remaining payment has been made ($30 + $10 shipping), I'll send you an original. I'll pack the piece in a flat envelope and secure it with cardboard for safe delivery.

I retain the copyright and reproduction rights on the artwork created from your photo, although I will never reproduce or sell your image in any form without your written permission.