Hello friends!  This morning I decided to sketch my favorite bird (and my friend Jill Weatherholt‘s favorite bird) as a part of participating in the World Watercolor Group’s August 2016 Adventure hosted by Doodlewash. 

If you go to his page, you will find that Charlie O’Shields is a very accomplished watercolor artist and a real nice guy!  I joined his group which has the same name on Facebook and wow, what an enormous load of talented artists post there!  I have seen some fantastic work, and hope to make many new friends.  It is refreshing to find so many other people who are passionate about watercolors.  It has always been my favorite medium which is why you see much more of it than pencil or acrylics here on my blog.

I am constantly thinking about what new techniques I can learn of which as you know will be Chinese brush painting soon.  (I can’t wait to get my new kit.)  I am so looking forward to doing something new!  It is the only way I grow as an artist I think.  I will still be painting with the Chinese brushes in watercolor, but I will probably try them first with the ink that they come with.  I was trying a technique I watched on Youtube last night with the one brush I have and wow it is not easy!  But where is the challenge if every new thing we try is easy all the time?  I feel more accomplished when I practice something and then eventually master it.  I think much more personal satisfaction comes when I have worked hard on something and then I finally get it!

Well, I got started a week late in this August 2016 Adventure, and I probably won’t get to do it every single day, but I do plan to have something ready for August 13th, because that is “Favorite Ocean Creature” day!  So I need to start on a new sea turtle, because we all know that is MY favorite sea creature!

Have a wonderful day, and give someone you love a big hug!  🙂 

P. S. For all of you who are participating in this challenge, have fun!