Quote of the Day

" Watercolor is temperamental, the paint is transparent so you can not just paint over it to fix errors. Once the paint is absorbed into the paper thats it! That is what I love about it, the challenge keeps me interested. It is a meditation with paint, water and color.

Tofino Beach Watercolor by Melanie Spencer

Process of a Beach House

I so enjoyed my day of painting today. This painting took quite some time to ruminate before it came to life on paper. It started with a holiday visit to Mitchell Bay in Sointula B.C. It is the beach house of the Midden Lane Bed and Breakfast that we stayed at. We had an outdoor kitchen on the beach and the table where we ate was just in front of the beach house. At night we could hear the whales blowing water out of their air holes. We had a lovely time there and this painting brings back fond memories of our trip.

Midden Lane Beach House in Michell Bay,
 Malcolm Island B.C.

This has two to three layers and masking fluid

Added more shadows and details 

Watercolor Instructions on the Internet

On the days that I can't seem to muster up the energy to actually paint I cruise the net looking at Google  Images and youtube. I am so excited to be learning how to paint in this era of information. I just recently discovered "Artist's Network", a place where very accomplished artists teach workshops on line for a nominal fee. You can pay by a set fee and have unlimited access for six months for all workshops or pay for one workshop or my the medium you are interested in. What I most appreciated is that you can preview the courses for free. Each class has at least a five minute preview of the course.

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/

Negative Space Landscape by Melanie Spencer

Market Season Has Begun!

I started selling images of my paintings on cards last summer at two of the local markets in my area. I have really enjoyed the experience and have found it to be a great way to network. I have made contacts for art festivals, art shows and  art auctions. I like the idea of being able to use an image for cards by doing so I can use an image over and over, not sell my originals which are harder to sell and get paid for your time and talent, since I am a fairly new artist it has worked to get my work out for people to see and not spend tons of money on framing and hanging fees. I also enjoy the camaraderie of meeting other venders and being part of the local economy and community.

Little Bird Studio at the Market

Step by Step Process "Maddie the Dog"

Photo of subject

Journal Sketch

First Wash and Masking Fluid

Second Layer

Hardest part adding the eyes, nose, back ground and more detail

Link to see my paintings

https://www.facebook.com/MelanieSpencerWatercolours

10 Tips to Get Started on a Painting

1) Buy good quality paper (it makes a difference)

2) Use clean brushes and water

3) Prepare you paper by stretching it.

4) Do a sketch of you painting in your art journal, it will help you to warm up to your subject and portray the feeling you want more clearly.

5) Plan your colour

palette, I like to use three colours and see where they take me

6) plan but paint freely without fear...it is more fun!

7) Do a practice painting and then do it again for your original

8) Have your sketch or photo close by for a reference

9) Paint with feeling...what does the image say to you. You are the painter

10) Most of all have fun!

Giraffe watercolour by Melanie Spencer ( this is my third painting that I did of this subject)

I Named My Studio!

So excited to have a name for my studio! I often paint on my deck in the summer close to the bird feeder and have the pleasure of watching the little birds as they eat. In the winter I can see  the feeder through the sliding glass door. So it is fitting that my studio name be"little bird studio". We even collect the fluff from our cat for the birds to build nests.

My summer studio

"little bird studio"
 Individual watercolour by Melanie Spencer