Day 28 of the Painting Challenge

From A Secret Admirer

Best Wishes Bouquet

Flowers For My Love

Painted on February 28, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Day 28 of my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge is finally here. The last day of the challenge and I chose to paint three small florals. I have enjoyed this painting challenge and ended up with quite a few wonderful little paintings. Most days I painted more than just one painting. I will have to decide if I will continue this challenge beyond February. I have the rest of today and tomorrow to decide, will I continue it for another month or the rest of the year? I guess we will both find out tomorrow.

I hope you have enjoyed my Painting A Day Challenge. Thank you so much to those who have purchased one of these lovely little paintings. It means a lot to me when you choose to buy one. Thank you!

Saturday Morning's Paintings

Secret Adventure

Whispers by the Sea

Blue Note Forest

Painted on February 27, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO = Art Cards, Editions & Originals

ATC = Artist Trading Cards

Required size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Medium: Any!

ACEOs are bought and sold. Collectible little pieces of affordable art.

ATCs are traded.

ACEOs and ATCs are pretty much the same. They get one name if bought and sold and the other if traded. This is a great way to start your original art collection. All of mine are original watercolor paintings. Enjoy!

Cheery Little Paintings

Blossoms of Sunshine

Sandy Bluffs

Waiting to Sail

Painted on February 26, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ACEO - Art Cards

Yes, it is the end of February and it snowed yet again today. So for today's little paintings I decided to go for something a bit cheery. A potted flowering plant and a couple of cute little seascapes. Dreaming of planting and growing flowers and escaping to some place warm on the coast.

Day 25 of Painting Challenge

Snowflakes at the Lake

Another Snowy Day

Painted on February 25, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

My two little paintings painted today, February 25, 2010 for my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge.

They will be for sale soon in my

Etsy Shop: http://squier.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Day 24 of the Painting A Day Challenge

The Chocolate Forest

Stormy Woodlands

The Royal Path

Painted on February 24, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

I decided to go with mono-toned paintings for today. I chose three colors I knew had a great value range and could also go very dark. With about a foot and half of snow on the ground and cabin fever getting ready to set in I just could not paint snow again today. Maybe tomorrow, there's always tomorrow ... and most likely more snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

Yesterday's Paintings

Snow Day - Sold

Mr. Cardinal

Painted on February 23, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

It started snowing around noontime, big giant fluffy snowflakes.

It never stopped snowing.

Snow Day has SOLD! :)

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Opaque Test Your Colors
You have your colors squeezed out into your palette and you've tossed away the tubes. Now you need to know which watercolors are opaque and which colors are transparent. Remember mixing opaques with too many colors ends up in mud. What do you do?

Create an Opaque Test Chart

• Using waterproof black India Ink, paint a straight line about a 1/4 inch wide onto a piece of watercolor paper. If you have a lot of colors or several palettes, paint several lines. Allow to dry completely.

• Swash each color from your palette across the black line.

• Allow to dry.

• Label each color for future reference.

If the color covers the black line, it is an opaque color.

If the black line shows through, it is a transparent color.

Make sure you have a good mix of paint to water. If you have more water than paint you will end up with a confusing test result like my gamboge and cadmium green in the lower right side of the picture. I created my charts on 300 lb. watercolor paper and then used a three hole punch on one side of the chart and keep them stored in a three ring binder with other test charts. Label the charts with the colors and brands of paint is also very helpful.

Productive Monday

Rainbow Forest

Forever Wild

Nature Reserve

Painted on February 22, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Today was a very productive day. I painted these three small watercolors for my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge. I replied to a bunch of notes & emails. Took tons of pictures. Baked banana bread. Cleaned the kitchen and did some laundry. Laundry, one of those things that never seems to ever get done, their is always more to wash. Hope you had a great Monday!

Sunday's Painting Done Early

Sepia Sunday - Painted February 21, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Inspired by nature, I just love the look of monochromatic paintings. This painting was created using only sepia watercolor paint. Sepia is a great color that has a huge value range from light to very dark.

I decided to paint first thing this Sunday morning, I certainly did not want a repeat of yesterday. So far, I have painted every day of my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge.

Down to the Wire

Eleven Fifty-Six - Painted February 20, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

It's Saturday, a day to clean house, organize a few things, bake and enjoy the Olympics. I made a fabulous tiramisu. I had one cup of mascarpone cheese leftover from having made a tiramisu for Valentine's Day and I had no idea what I could make with it. I decided the tiramisu is fabulous and freezes well, so I made another one and will freeze it after sampling it. I love some of the english comedies they play here on our local PBS channel on Saturday evenings, we watched a couple of those while waiting for the Olympics to come back on at prime time. We only get the regular NBC channel, so I miss seeing some of the sports they show on the pay channels like the women's hockey and curling. Why do they repeat the same things in the early hours of the morning that they show between 8 pm and midnight? Why not show us different sporting events?

It's 11:56 pm and we are waiting for the late night Olympic broadcast to come on and suddenly I remembered I did not do my Painting A Day Challenge! Oh no! I immediately go to my studio to paint this quick and lovely 3 minute watercolor floral. Can you believe it? Three minutes! I was done and looked at the clock and was happy to see I had one minute to spare, it was finished at 11:59 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

Friday's Paintings

Enter Here - Painted February 19, 2010

Twilight - Painted February 19, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Two miniature works of art, both created with the same colors. I still find it amazing how many different colors you can create from only a few colors of pigment. Painting landscapes in this style is my most favorite thing to paint. I hope you love them as much as I do. Enjoy!

Thursday's Painting

Dancing Trees - Painted on February 18, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

I was feeling a little blue and decided to paint something blue. Just taking the time to sit down and paint a painting for my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge certainly cheered me up. The trees came alive and began to do a happy dance!

Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge

Glorious Blossoms

Geraniums

Painted on February 17, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

On this snowy day in February, I decided spring flowers would be the perfect subject matter to paint today. Sure one could whine it's snowing again. But if it's gonna be cold, why not have snow? It makes everything look clean and pretty. The snow will melt and turn to water which soaks into the ground and will eventually help make the pretty Spring flowers grow.

The paintings from my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge are available for sale in my Etsy Shop: http://squier.etsy.com If you see one you really have to have and it is not yet listed in my Etsy shop, let me know and I would be happy to reserve it for you.

Painting A Day Challenge

Lily's Tutu Dress

Lucy's Tutu Dress

Painted on February 16, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

These two little paintings were inspired by all things girlie, plus I just wanted to paint something different, something I never tried before.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Dry Brush Technique

You can add texture to a watercolor painting by using the dry brush technique. This works with cold pressed and rough watercolor paper. Hot pressed watercolor paper is perfectly flat and ironed out. This can be done with any color of watercolor and it does not matter if it is a transparent or opaque color. The trick to behind the dry brush technique is in the amount of water to paint ratio. No you are not using a totally dry brush, you never want to paint with a totally dry brush, always wet your brush before dipping it into watercolor paint.

You want to use less water and more paint. Dampen your brush and blot some of the water out, pick up some color and lightly drag the side of your brush across the top surface of your paper. The bumps and dips in the paper will help create the textured look. It can be done with either a round or flat brush. Practice a bit and give it a try.

Dry brush is great for creating texture in landscapes.

Painting A Day Continues

February Snow - Painted on February 15, 2010

Waiting for Company - Painted on February 15, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

As my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge continues, I have created two miniature winter landscape paintings. February, usually the coldest and snowiest month of the year inspires snowy little paintings.

Day 15 of the challenge and my darling husband says "This challenge is going on for a whole year, right?" My original plan is for 4 weeks, during the entire month of February, including weekends. Will it continue beyond February? We will all have to wait and see, let's get through February first.

Valentine's Day Paintings

Sweetheart Forest - Painted on February 14, 2010

Sweetheart Forest 2 - Painted on February 14, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO - Art Card

ATC - Artist Trading Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Two lovely little paintings inspired by Valentine's Day and the color pink. I was going for something pink with hints of red and purple.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday's Paintings

Woodland Jewels - Painted on February 13, 2010

Woodland Gems - Painted on February 13, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Lovely little miniature works of art! I love the jewel tones in these pieces. Two more pieces for my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge.

Enjoy!

Friday's Paintings

Woodland Rocks - Painted on February 13, 2010

Whispering Woodlands - Painted on February 13, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Friday's paintings from my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge. Can you tell I'm greatly influenced by nature and forests filled with trees? Inspiration can be found all around you in the things you love.

Painting A Day Challenge

Rosie's Valentine - Painted February 11, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

I loved the style of yesterday's Sally's Snowday so much, I decided to paint another one in the same style. My Painting a Day for the Month of February Challenge is going super well so far.

Wednesday's Paintings

Cardinal Appearance - Painted February 10, 2010

Sally's Snow Day - Painted February 10, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

The day of the big snow storm! It has been snowing here all day, so far we only have 2 inches of snow. It hasn't stopped yet.

I simply love these two little paintings. My inspiration being the falling snow. Plus we have a beautiful red cardinal that eats at the bird feeder everyday and then sits in our magnolia tree. So pretty.

Painting A Day Challenge

Julia's Violet Forest

Painted on February 9, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

February 9th is my mom's birthday. I had just returned home from having travelled to Connecticut to visit my mom for her birthday. We had some delicious chinese takeout and chocolate cake for lunch. The chinese takeout in her area is way better than ours, it was fantastic! As I sat down to paint my Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge, I started to think my mom's favorite color is purple, I am going to paint something purple. This is the painting I created. Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tips & Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Working with Opaque Watercolors

Watercolor is a challenging medium to work with to be successful you really need to learn your palette and several key factors of how the paints work together.

While learning to use watercolors, do you find yourself creating a lot of muddy color? If so, one of the factors could be the use and mixing of opaque watercolors. I am not against using opaque colors, but it is much easier to create mud if you do use opaque colors. The reason is mixing two or more opaque colors together or mixing one opaque color with too many transparent colors. The colors are brilliant on their own but too many opaques can ruin a painting.

Second Week of the Challenge

Blooming Flowers

Spring Blossoms

Flowers in Bloom

Wishes for Spring

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO Art Cards

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Painted today, February 8th for my at least one Painting A Day for the Month of February Challenge.

On a bright but chilly day, I'm dreaming of flowers, the flowers of Spring!

ACEO = Art Cards, Editions & Originals

ATC = Artist Trading Cards

ACEOs are sold to artists and collectors. ATCs are traded amongst artists. They are relatively the same, yet one is sold and the other is traded. The requirement of an ACEO/ATC is the size which is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. The same size as any trading card.

They fit perfectly into sleeves and binders sleeves created for trading cards. They look lovely framed alone or in groups.

Artists from all over the world create these little works of art in a variety of mediums and subject matter. Artists trade them with other artists. There are card swaps all over the world. Artists will sell them to those who love small art, to those who love to collect art but cannot really afford to buy or don't have the room for larger pieces an artist may be selling. It allows people to collect and store a larger variety of art because of their small size. The art cards are meant to be sold at reasonable prices to reach a wider audience.

Collecting Art Cards or Artist Trading Cards is a fabulous way to create your own art collection. Start today if you haven't already!

Super Bowl Sunday

Golden Lake

North Lake

Cerulean Lake

Painted on February 7, 2010

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Paintings

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inch

My Painting a Day for the Month of February Challenge has been going on for one week now. So far it is a success! Plus I am enjoying it which is a big plus.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. I've already done my paintings, taken a short walk and boy is it windy and cold. I plan on catching a few of the commercials and hopefully the half time show. The game itself is not for me. Enjoy and have fun!