...why there's a clove of garlic on my cupcake! I've no idea. It just showed up. (Maybe it's a new taste sensation?) It's what the muse wanted and I'm not about to tell her she can't have a garlic cupcake! (ALL) Watercolor Sketch3.5 x 5.5 inchesMoleskine Sketchbook Could someone please explain to me what the attraction everyone seems to have to these Moleskine sketchbooks?...

Continue Reading

Watercolor over Ink3.5 x 5.5 Moleskine WC Sketchbook Here's something you probably don't know about me–I'm not a huge fan of black ink. It has its place, just not in my sketches. I'm not sure why I feel that way. Maybe because it's...well, because it's so dark? It seems stark to me. Now, in some sketches, other people's sketches, it looks great. Mine...

Continue Reading

As a general rule, I avoid people. Watercolor & Pen SketchMoleskine WC Sketchbook3.5 x 5.5 inches Sketching them, that is! Especially out in public where you usually find people. LOLAM! (Laughing Out Loud At Myself!) I'll sketch a tree, a door, a window, a building, plants, even a dog, but a person? No, thank you! I think about sketching people. I even go...

Continue Reading

Working late at night, when I'm way too tired to be painting, can lead to thoughts of grandeur, illusions of prowess, imagined deftness of handling difficult passages, and a unrealistic satisfaction in a sketch that is short lived...... Watercolor Sketch5" x 7" Cachet Sketchbook .....upon waking and viewing the same sketch in the brilliance of the morning light. Not only is this not...

Continue Reading

Watercolor Sketch5 x 7 inches, Cachet Sketchbook While waiting for KJ at Panera's on Friday, I decided to sketch this lovely "Panera Palm" that sits majestically in the courtyard. (Not sure if the majestic come through in the sketch.) KJ and I had talked about sketching the tree the first time we met at Panera's back in September, but somehow we were/are always...

Continue Reading

Today's post is a continuation from the two prior posts where I've discussed waterbrushes and pens to be used with watercolor. The swatches above are from my new Daniel Smith* paints. The top one is Isoindoline Yellow and it is pure bottled sunshine!! The color just radiates! It is clean and smooth with no granulation to it. When my Indian Yellow runs out...

Continue Reading

Continuing from yesterday's post, New Art Tools!..... We're fortunate to also have a Michaels nearby to compete with JoAnn's and I decided to go and visit them once I found out about the brushes just to see if they might carry them also (forgot to mention this in the prior post) and they do! In different sizes though. (Thanks, Pam, for reminding me!)...

Continue Reading

Is there anything better than new art toys tools to play with? I think not!! ;•) This week is going to be Tool Week here at Painted Thoughts as I seem to have acquired a number of new tools to share ! First up: As some of you may know, I strongly advocate the use of waterbrushes for painting on location during the Imaginary Trips. They...

Continue Reading

The next "Imaginary Trip to Paris!" will be leaving on Tuesday, April 20th! There's still time to register! Come and join the fun! You can find more information here. The above sketch was done on "virtual location" and is a mix of watercolor, black and white ink. Registration for class will remain open until Sunday, 10:00 PM EST, April 18th. ...

Continue Reading

Watercolor SketchNature Sketchbook5 x 7 Inches Text on the page:"The Ibis visited today! Lots of juveniles. I've always admired how they sedately walked around going about their business.....[however,] these guys seem to gallop! Of course, that happened after I got my pencil and started to sketch! LOL! It was fun. This is a melange of different birds as they just would not stand...

Continue Reading

Yesterday, I was in the master bathroom when I heard the unmistakable sound of little furry paws scuffling around as though chasing something. I cautiously peeked around the door into the bedroom to see Booger chasing after a phantom....something.....on top of the bed. The very second she saw me she froze. Game over! We both knew the game was up, whatever it may...

Continue Reading

Morning. I'm working on a project. I'm thirsty. Coffee mug is empty. I refill it. I find myself standing in my kitchen, looking at my mug, wondering what's wrong. The coffee doesn't taste right. The project calls. I head back to the computer. The coffee taste remains a mystery. Later, the coffee mug catches my attention. Again.....my muse is calling. I sketch &...

Continue Reading

We have a guest post today from Bob Skurrel, the mascot of The Compounding Shop of Riverview: "Hello there! So sorry to be late for the Easter festivities, but it couldn't be helped. You know, it's really hard to get good service, not to mention help, these days. When my "ears, nose and tail" arrived via special order, they just weren't quite good...

Continue Reading

Watercolor, 5" x 7"Cachet Watercolor journal Not sure this really counts as en plein air as I was in my studio, looking out the north window. This little birdhouse is a new addition to our smallest maple tree, and as of yet, has no residents. The tree is just beginning to bud out, so maybe we'll see some action soon. I really thought...

Continue Reading

Look who I saw this morning on my daily walk–all cozied up together on the same log!!! You can click on the image to see the details better. I was about 15 feet from these guys. Unfortunately, I did not capture any distinguishing marks on the turtle that would result in a positive identification. The bad boy on the right is a small...

Continue Reading

I love this time of year with all of the beautiful, vivid greens, yellows, oranges, and golds! Makes me want to paint up a storm. Or a birdbath..... From My Newest (Old) SketchbookWatercolor & Ink, 5" x 7" I broke out this old sketchbook to get back in the habit of sketching daily and from life. There's something about a new sketchbook that...

Continue Reading

I hope this day brings you peace, happiness, and renewal. May you be surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. May joy fill your heart. ...

Continue Reading

For those of you that are Nature lovers, I want to invite you to hop over to Elva Paulson's blog, Elva's Field Notes, where she has been sharing the story of her time in Yellowstone National Park back in 2000 when they were reintroducing the wolves. The series is in three parts and is absolutely captivating to read. Elva shares the sightings of...

Continue Reading

Spring HyacinthWatercolor Print by Laure Ferlita11" x 8.5" I had Spring Fever something fierce last year and decided to paint all the blooms I could find. This hyacinth turned out to be absolutely gorgeous and I had so much fun painting the progression of the bloom. Nature unfolding before my very eyes. The changes seemed hourly! I've only finished up the last sketch...

Continue Reading