Workshop Day Two

Another fabulous workshop day following the light!  In this series, we created a shadow map from a photograph and then used it to plan our painting.  There is no local color in this piece, just shadow painting.  I am in love with the abstract grooviness of this style, and have oodles of ideas for using this in the future.  As with my favorite watercolor book, Urban Watercolor Sketching, today's exercise allowed us to use the full strength, bold pigment effect of many layers of watercolor (about 12 layers over a 6 hour time-span in this piece).  

When I first began doodling and collecting and making marks, my eyes became trained to see patterns everywhere.  I couldn't leave the house without interesting patterns appearing whereverI looked.  Years later, I still see patterns, but now try not to be distracted like a crow with a shiny object.  After this class today, I can already see shadows in a new way.  Just another reason why I should not be allowed to paint and drive at the same time.