A Walk In Manteo

A Walk In Manteo

watercolor

6 x 6 inches

©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

available

Here is another study of trees that I had finished up before the holiday but am just getting around to posting now. The view is from the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, North Carolina. A beautiful, magical place graced with many magnificent trees, flowers, and shrubs lining meandering walkways.

sketchbook :: winter solstice

The winter solstice is tomorrow and I am so ready to begin the turn towards the light again. I am nearly finished with this Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook, and right on time too. A new season, a new sketchbook waiting. Perfect.

I have many pages of notes in this book, and several sketches. It seems this sketchbook handles these sketches that are lightly washed with watercolor a bit better than the previous sketches that I posted where I am doing more "painting" than sketching.

And here we are at the winter solstice. Yes. I am ready for a new season. All of my notes are preparations for changes to come. Planning for the upcoming year, goal setting, setting my intentions. But for now it is time to do a little relaxing, like Sam up there, and contemplate the beauty of this season. May you find time for quiet contemplation and enjoy a delightful holiday!

sketchbook :: fruit

I didn't intend to be away so long from posting. I have been filling my sketchbook and here are two to share. They are both watercolor only, done in my Stillman & Birn Beta sketchbook.

The jury is still out on whether or not this will be sketchbook that I will stick with for future use. As you can see, the paper buckles a bit, which I am sure is due to my soupy washes. I don't mind that so much as it is a sketchbook after all. However the further I work into the book the more difficult it is for the pages to lay flat while I am working.And the paint does tend to sit on top of the paper, which requires me to adjust my painting application. Again, not a deal breaker, yet something to consider. I have one more commercially made sketchbook to try before I give up and return to my hand made sketchbooks again.

And here is a sneak peek at my current painting in progress. Still thinking about trees. I am most happy with that tree trunk in the foreground. We'll see if this little study develops into a finished work.

sketchbook :: tree farm

We made our traditional visit to a local Christmas tree farm this past Friday. This year we hiked way up a slick, snow covered hill to select our tree. The views were incredible but the air was cold. I did this sketch after we were back home from one of the photos I snapped, while sipping hot chocolate.