Summer 2018

We made our first rip to Alaska in May of this year, 2018. I finished this watercolor of the Matanuska Valley, Alaska, at the end of August 2018. It measures 15" x 22". This painting is based on actual watercolor sketches made on location and photos I took during my sketching. Notice the trees framing the landscape from the watercolor sketch I did on locational in this posting.

Below is another watercolor I painted on my trip to Alaska. The mountain, located in the Matanuska Valley could be seen from the cottage where I was staying. I painted the watercolor while sitting on the door steps of the cottage.

This is a watercolor of an old oak tree at the Still Waters Vineyard in Paso Robles, California. I started it on location and finished at home. It was a very hot day when I was trying to paint.

The Palm Tree I started painting on location in Los Angeles County and then finished in my studio. This spot is where they filmed most of the Tarzan movies. Click to see larger image.

Fountain Valley park, below. is a mile square and is filled with trees and too many geese. This was painting was executed as a demo for a class I was teaching on painting trees. I added the fisherman later as it was needed. You can see more of my work on ETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KenHarrisWatercolors or follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenharriswatercolor

Summer has just started for us in the Northern Hemisphere. I have some work below that I have done this last spring. Below is a watercolor study of one of Andrew Loomis' Pencil Drawing. I am still studying the portrait which I really enjoy and find challenging.

This group of trees I did on location in Alaska this last May. It is entitled "Standing Out from the Crowd. It is relaxing to do small watercolors like this in one go.

Green Valley Lake, located 7000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, is the subject of this watercolor. The famed watercolorist regionalist Robert E. Wood lived and painted here. This painting started out bad because the paper was not sized properly. The colors blotted. So I decided to go with it and make the painting more abstract as well as using less water and dryer pigment.

Below is an acrylic paint study of a Rembrandt self portrait. He did many of them. You learn a lot about art, and I think the artist as well, when you copy their work.

This is a watercolor study of an oil painting originally by Fran Webb, I think.

Below is a watercolor from my sketchbook. It is from a photo a friend sent me. It is of France.

The next painting I actually did last year, But I never displayed it. It is of Fountain Valley Park.  Click on any image to see a larger view.

The watercolor below I did in late 2017. I touched it up a tiny bit in August of this year. So I decided to show it on this blog. I am thinking of doing a "Half Sheet" version (15"x 22") of this painting as well. I am learning, again, that good values make a good painting.