I never really liked the look of watercolor paintings when I was young. Oil painting was where it was at for me. I preferred the opaqueness and richness of oils to the wispy, transparent look of watercolor. Then I was up around 3 AM the other night and watched one of those TV art teachers painting a watercolor landscape, and suddenly I wanted to do it.

I guess it’s like hating broccoli your whole life, and suddenly when you turn 40 you like it. So I rushed out and bought a set of watercolor pencils, a beginners watercolor tube paint set, and some watercolor paper. It sat on my shelf for a few months, before I finally decided to do some practice paintings while sitting comfortably in my bed watching TV at night.

All three paintings were done with watercolor pencils and a small brush. I used a sponge for the tree. Each painting is probably less than an hour of work. I didn’t really time myself. Watercolor is still not my favorite medium, but I am starting to like it more. In fact, I’ll probably do a new painting tonight.