"Paradise" (unavailable)

(unavailable)

So often we think a planned trip to a "cool" place is paradise. (In this Texas heat wave, that's probably true!)  But a deeper truth is realizing that any place where mind and body can relax is called paradise. This thought gives a new appreciation for that favorite chair, patio, or porch setting where you enjoy relaxing on a daily basis.

There are numerous ways to portray an image or establish a mood. An artist has the option of going completely abstract or completely real or some combination of the two. I enjoy bouncing back and forth with different combinations of the two. It could actually be said that even a photograph is abstract because the viewer is seeing a flattened image of what they would see if they had the opportunity to view the real thing.

In this piece, there were lovely textures in the background. The decision to let the greens and blues represent trees and water was an easy one. And even though the lawn chair image looks real, there are only two values represented...actual hue and slightly darker hue. A more realistic image would have midtones, direct light, reflected light, etc.

This piece makes the case for gouache if you want a solid matte coverage of color. It is the best choice. Even acrylics and oils will not give you this kind of coverage with one coat. This is also the reason why it is the best choice for lettering. If you have not used gouache (opaque watercolor) for lettering, there is a simple way to achieve the right proportion of water. Mix enough water to achieve the consistency of melted ice cream. You might also want to add a drop of gum arabic. Test it by writing with it. If it doesn't flow from the pen, add more water. If it's too thin, add more gouache. Try painting and writing with gouache on a regular basis and you will soon see for yourself what a treasure it is.

Winsor Newton Gouache is reliable and can be found in most art stores. However, M. Graham & Co. makes a superior gouache. It must be ordered from Paper & Ink Arts (www.paperinkarts.com)