Saturday, December 31, 2016

A Friend's Cat

11x15 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper painted this past weekend over Christmas Eve.  This part ginger part white female cat belonged to a friend and I forget the cat's name but I've painted her before in different poses.  Here she was resting in a flowerbed of leaves in the fall; the dark greens contrasted well with her orange rust colored fur.  I painted this much more loosely than usual.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, December 30, 2016

Silly Sheep

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink line (Pitt pen XS by Faber Castell) on Masters sketchbook done Christmas day for WetCanvas weekend drawing event.  Photo courtesy Li Newton.  I cropped her photo to focus on the lambs' faces for a sheepish family pet portrait.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Bizarre Sunflower

8x8 alcohol inks on white paper done last week, another abstract exercise using various warm and cool colors for the background.  Gold tones dominate while a partial orange center displays a hot center of the swirling petals.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Wistful Kitty

6x6 watercolor on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper done today, a pencil sketch the painting of a part calico stray cat I've worked on in the past, just different poses.  I love this kitty's golden eyes so translucent and her bright pink interior ear.  A few days ago I did a very loose cat in watercolor so will post it soon.  The look in her eyes may be saying 'adopt me' or 'when is my next meal?' Background is a mix of two opaques (they say never to mix more than one) Payne's Grey and Blue Bice which is a nice cool and soft tone to contrast with the golden colors in the cat's fur and eyes.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Sleepy Boston Terrier

7x9.5 watercolor and black Tombow brush pen on Ecosystem sketchbook done today.  First I used a rocks and stones design stencil with opaque and transparent orange tones over the white paper.  When dry, I sketched the Boston terrier with the Tombow and filled in black areas.  My photo had a leopard print behind the dog and a white blanket in front; he had his head on top of a dog toy.  So I filled in the background with Blue Bice (Cheap Joe's American Journey) and Transparent Pyrrol Orange (Daniel Smith), ignoring the rocks and stones shapes.  All in all he made a cute sketch almost as if he is dreaming of being outside.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Christmas Tulip

5x7 alcohol inks on Yupo synthetic paper, an imaginary red variegated tulip.  I used lots of blending solution with this one to get the ink to flow and mix.  The red center was an afterthought when I turned it vertically and added a brighter red hue and let it run down. Initially I had a blue background that didn't work so removed that with 91% alcohol then added Sunbright Yellow.  The dark edges of the flower are that blue that I left on there.  (Yupo is sold by Tim Holtz products available thru www.scrapbook.com)
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas Flower in alcohol inks

6.5x6.5 alcohol inks on paper done this afternoon for a red and green Merry Christmas wish for all of you!
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Chickadees on Abstract Background

9x5 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper drawn and painted yesterday over an abstract background.  The paint marks are from putting this piece of paper underneath smaller works over a period of time.  It has been awhile since I painted any chickadees or birds, but did do penguins earlier in the month.  These cute little blackcapped chickadees are so cute and always bring a smile to my face.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Tulip Treasure

10x7.5 alcohol inks on white freezer paper, done today, one of three paintings on a nice day off.  I did one other ink plus a watercolor.  These are new colors just in from scrapbook.com and are the Tim Holtz brand of inks.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Shhhh! Santa

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink using Uniball Vision Elite pen, sketched last weekend but color added today.  This Santa is wanting peace and quiet as he delivers his loot to every good boy and girl.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Goat Trek

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink (Uniball Vision Elite pen) on Masters sketchbook finished Monday.  I sketched the goat earlier that is a part of a WetCanvas challenge then added color later.  I love the billy's long beard.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Early 50s Chevy

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink using Uniball Vision Elite pen on Masters sketchbook paper done over the weekend.  This old Chevy is slowly rusting away.  Our family had a similar one but before my time.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Spectacled Caiman

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 05 pen) on Masters sketchbook done last week for a WetCanvas challenge in the wildlife forum. This is a reptile that is very scary and dangerous.  Here he looks ready to snap those long jaws around any unsuspecting prey.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Smiling Snowman

9x6 watercolor on 140 lb Canson paper done yesterday, a whimsical snowman that looks a bit feminine with his twig eyes, mouth, and buttons.  Colorful mitten gloves are its arms with a matching knit toboggan for headgear.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Pinkness (tulip)

9x6 alcohol inks on white foamcore done a few days ago, another abstract floral design made by blowing air on inks.  This work is SOLD.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Christmas Cupcake

8.5x5.5 watercolor and ink line (Micron 05 pen) on Masters sketchbook done yesterday.  This sugary confection is chocolate and vanilla with sprinkles and a maraschino cherry on top.  Just perfect for Christmas!
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Red Sky Snowman

9x6 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper done a few years back of a fun snowman on a red background; it is snowing so he does not care.
Image COPYRIGHT Kay Smith.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Purple Power

8x8 alcohol inks on white foamcore done this past weekend.  With these type paintings no pencil is used but a drinking straw you blow air through to make the ink run and mix.  This work is SOLD.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Pixie Puss

12x9 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper, a pet portrait done today in under 2 hours for a WetCanvas challenge.  This pretty calico Pixie belongs to Christine in Australia.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Mule Deer

9.75x7 watercolor on Fabriano Extra White 140 lb cold press paper done over this past weekend from one of many deer photos.  I like this backside view of the mule deer surveying its fall going into winter domain.  As you can see in my imaginary background I've added aspens and fall foliage including red and orange leaves.  These are a nice backdrop to the freshly fallen snow in the middle ground.  The cold sky is darkening with a pending threat of rain or more snow.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Red Power abstract

8x8 alcohol inks on white foamcore done yesterday, my take on lots of reds over a pink magenta background.  Yellow, blue, and green were added also before the reds for an explosive hot abstract.  It resembles a floral to some extent.  This work is SOLD.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Penguin Colony

9x12 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper done yesterday of an imaginary penguin colony scene in the frozen tundra.  This main fellow is strutting along oblivious to the cold.  Every year I paint a penguin so this is it.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Sunset Flowers

5x7 alcohol inks on white foamcore done a few days ago, an abstract floral using many different colors over a light red background.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Finished Last (snowman)

5x7 watercolor completed last week on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper, the second version of an earlier melting snowman. That one had only one leg but I've given this guy two twig legs.  Even though slowing melting he has finished last and has a crooked smile.
This work is SOLD.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Frozen Scene

6x9 watercolor and white wax crayon on Canson 140 lb cold press paper begun yesterday with our cooler temps then finished today with even colder air.  Tomorrow heralds our first freeze of the year which hopefully will last only one day.  In this imaginary scene frozen water, river banks, and trees embrace a frigid sky.  Some negative painting was done around the trees.  No pencil drawing or reference was used.  This is another in my frozen imaginary landscape series.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Don't Dodge Christmas!

8x5.5 watercolor and ink on Strathmore Visual Journal for mixed media done this time last year.  Another old truck, this time a Dodge, is decked out for Christmas with its own wreath and gifts on top, traveling in the snow.  This pale green vehicle is a nice complement to the red truck painted last week.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Snowy Surprise (owl)

4x7 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) sketched on 140 lb paper, a portion of a sheet that I used behind larger works.  The snowy owl had only one wing as his right one was injured and removed; he lived in a wildlife sanctuary and has passed now.  I sketched around the paint marks then filled in empty spaces with other colors, and even gave him a log behind and in front.  This was featured on WetCanvas watermedia forum December challenge as hosted by Virginie in Canada.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Cold Wine on a Warm Day

8x6 watercolor and ink (Faber Castell Pitt XS pen) on Stillman & Birn Zeta series sketchbook for mixed media.  Yesterday when I painted this it was not a warm day but the cold chablis looked inviting.  This was done in an hour approx. for another WetCanvas weekend drawing event hosted by Marie in Belgium.  Our challenge was to add light since their country is fairly dark for winter now. Look closely and you can see reflections at the top of buildings behind the glass.  We have only 2 hours to choose a photo out of 16 presented then draw and paint.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Red Christmas Truck

9x8.5 watercolor and ink (Pigma Micron 01 pen) on Canson 140 lb cold press paper that is yesterday's work. Such a dreary day with cold misty rain I had to find a cheerful subject and this truck in the snow fit the bill. White gouache was used when dry for splatter resembling snowflakes.  This work is now SOLD.
COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Red December Floral

5x7 alcohol inks on white foamcore done yesterday as I needed a warm explosion of color for the dreary day.  First layer was a mix of purple and pink, then green.  Red was applied last along with pink and yellow.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Finished (snowman)

4x6 watercolor on 140 lb paper done last month that is now SOLD.  I was waiting on December to arrive before posting as snowmen are associated with the Christmas holiday season.  This finished fellow went to his new home in Florida and of course would melt there.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Stag

18x24 watercolor on Canson 140 lb. cold press paper painted today in about an hour with a #14 round brush and a 1" flat sable.  I first spritzed the paper at random with water over my pencil drawing then did the darks first.  Antlers were done then the ears, nose, mouth. A very limited palette used of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue.  Just a touch of raw sienna and raw umber in minute amounts were used along with lots of water sprayed into wet paint, letting drips happen.  A final drip ran down from the background middle and onto the stag's back, creating a run into his back that looks like antler horn shadows.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Surrounded by Poppies

6.5x11 alcohol inks on white freezer paper done this afternoon just playing with the primary colors seeing what would result.  The reds are darker though.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Red Fox

14x11 watercolor on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper drawn yesterday and finished today.  I was lucky and able to get photos of this wily colorful fellow as he visited neighbor's yard.  The snow however, is imaginary.  The red fox is the most common and widespread of their species, found in most all of the States.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Red Sunflower Fire

8.75x8 alcohol inks on white foamcore completed yesterday in a series of layers.  The areas I thought to be too dark were rewet with blending solution then soaked up with tissue or paper napkin.  Lastly small dots of blue and brown were added to its center.
COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Purple Flower Center

7x7 alcohol inks on white freezer paper done yesterday.  With no reference, no preconceived idea and no tools other than a drinking straw I created this vibrant abstract floral.  I love the way the purple is divided when extender or blending fluid is added, causing pinks an blues to surface.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith

Friday, November 25, 2016

Coffee for Two

10.5x6.5 watercolor on gessoed matboard done today for another WetCanvas weekend drawing event.  I try to do these each week but don't always manage.  The challenge was to paint a black subject in honor of Black Friday so I chose my favorite beverage:  Coffee!
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Agave

4.75x7 alcohol inks painted this afternoon, an abstact version of my agave cactus leaves.  I only used two greens and one gold.  Lighter areas in background were put in first and some were lifted out using a cotton swab moistened with 91% alcohol.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Sleeping Bulldog

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) on Masters sketchbook drawn over the weekend then painted today.  This imaginary sleeping bulldog looks so comfortable and content.  Background was palette mud made by mixing all colors together for a warm grey.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Red Abstract Floral

3.5x10.5 alcohol inks on paper done last week using only two colors.  The support or substrate size was just a scrap of freezer paper left over from the previous floral.  With this one I used a lot of extender to allow the pigmented ink to mix and mingle.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Blackhat Chef

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink (Micron 01 pen) on Masters sketchbook drawn over the weekend then color added today.  This ref, courtesy Jess/WetCanvas, was one of the 16 featured on the current weekend drawing event on that site.  The photo had another chef with this guy so he was omitted to focus on this happy fellow.  Background color was a mix of palette mud neutral tones.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Butterball turkey ~ it is Thanksgiving week!

5.5x8.5 watercolor and ink line on Masters sketchbook done a few days ago; photo in Animals & Wildlife monthly WetCanvas challenge for November.  This fat fellow is waiting his turn out in the woods.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Yellow Weed floral

9x9 alcohol inks on freezer paper done a few days ago from imagination, remembering the small yellow flowers that bloom on weeds around west Texas.  I used 3 yellows and a gold plus tangerine orange and two different greens.  Wildflowers do have amazing little flowers!
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Friday, November 18, 2016

French Village Street redo

8x6 watercolor and ink line sketch that I recently adjusted values and added color on; done in Stillman & Birn Zeta series sketchbook for mixed media.  Pattern was added to foreground figure.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Marigold Party

9x9 alcohol inks on foamcore done a few days ago, an imaginary abstract design begun by applying blue drops and blending solution, then greens, and adding orange last.  The orange hues reminded me of marigolds hence the title.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Man at Art Show

8x6 gouache, watercolor, acrylic marker, ink a now colorful version of the ink sketch done during #InkTober last month.
This is on Stillman & Birn Zeta series sketchbook.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Winding Road

9x6.5 pastel using Conte brand on paper done recently of a winding country road flanked by trees.  A small wooden frame building sits mid upper right.  Autumn leaves line both sides of the roadway.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Land and Sky

8x8 alcohol inks on foamcore board done a few days ago using a fairly limited palette of browns and a couple of blues. I don't do many landscapes or portraits but was in the mood to do an imaginary scene showing mostly sky.
Image COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2016.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Cardinal Courtship

11x15 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper drawn and painted today of two cardinal lovebirds.  He is trying to woo her to his way of thinking as a potential mate.  Several cardinals are seen frequently in our side and backyards year round; so this is not necessarily a Christmas themed piece.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Golden Melon

22x15 watercolor on 140 lb cold press paper with DaVinci/Daniel Smith paints. A collection of fall gourds cluster together in old iron urn. I particularly like their twisted stems, leaves, and vines.  This is an earlier work from 2012 that remains one of my favorites.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Dry Desert Icons

30x22 watercolor on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press paper painted earlier in the month. I have painted this southwest landscape mission more ...