Sumi Style

I've always been fascinated with sumi painting and the concept of making each brushstroke as expressive as possible. This week I tried something with watercolor that looks a little like sumi painting. I used Daniel Smith lunar black watercolor, a very interesting granular pigment, and worked on some smaller, monochromatic pieces. I love the elegant grays. It was wonderful to just focus on line and value.

Right outside my studio window is a bird feeder that is a popular hangout for the neighborhood chickadees.The chickadees are always so cheerful and friendly. They even try to get my attention when the feeder is empty! The magnolia near the bird feeder has really interesting branches. In the winter the flower buds are very visible and stand upright like little candle flames in the dark winter.

I would love to know what you all think of these. I'm thinking maybe I'll use the one of these as my Christmas card this year. Which one is your favorite? Please add a comment and vote for which one of these three you like best!


Chickadee #1,  7" x 13"



Chickadee #2, 7" x 13"

Chickadee #3, 7" x 13"