September Clouds

“September Clouds” – 11 x 15 watercolor on paper – plein air

I couldn’t imagine a more picture perfect day than the one I had today. Although there was the suggestion of a weather front on the way, the cumulus clouds merely circled our little valley, putting on one of the grandest display of cloudage that I’d ever seen. So I set up my easel outside of our gallery and devoted the day to cloud studies. The colors and patterns changed literally by the moment and sometimes I’d start painting one cloud and finish with details from another. Overall, it was an excellent opportunity to explore the many shapes and hues that clouds provide in a landscape. Creating soft edges and hard edges, painting wet in wet, charging pigment into semi-wet paint, doing dry brush, utilizing oozles and glazing, lifting pigment and creating texture with sponges, clouds give you the opportunity to try it all. These clouds were painted around noontime.

Also, one of the real joys of being at the Descanso Gallery is meeting all of the nice people who come by to chat about art and the gardens. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do on a crisp pre-fall day.

Comments

1. 

   Kate (Cathy) Johnson
   September 21, 2007

   I love the warm and cool in the clouds, Miss Karen…I have seen ones like that here in Missouri of late–your sky color is luscious, too…

2. 

   Wendee
   September 21, 2007

   I was looking at the sky yesterday thinking, “I hope Karen is getting these…”. How’s that for some cloud reference? Glad you were able to capture them! This one is so lovely!

3. 

   Donn
   September 21, 2007

   Lovely, Karen. Like the softness of it.

4. 

   teric
   September 21, 2007

   I admire your day of cloud-making. The result is fabulous.

5. 

   wendy
   September 21, 2007

   I like the accidental kind of effect, though I know it iw well thought out.
   w.

6. 

   PainterWoman
   September 23, 2007

   I agree that clouds are worthy of lots more attention than they get from average adults.
   If you are a reader, go look at the book CLOUDSPOTTING. It will make you fall in love with the way clouds work and what they do, as well as their appearance.

7. 

   Sherie
   November 28, 2007

   Wow, this is really beautiful. Great clouds and you did a fine job depicting them, too.