"Sweet Cherries", my demo for the Intro to Watercolor Workshop on Thursday, July 31

"Sweet Cherries"
Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato
Arches 140 lb Cold Press
5x7"

Just a quick update on the Summer Boredom Buster: Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop last Thursday, July 31. I had a great class of five eager and enthusiastic learners. We started out with the basics:

•how to tear the full sheets of watercolor paper down to quarter sheets for a lovely deckled edge
•how to tape the sheets of paper to the base board (Gatorboard)
•how to mix water and paint on the palette to fully load the brush
•several basic techniques to get the paint onto the paper
•basic wash techniques
•how to use a "thirsty brush" to control the excess water in a painted shape
•glazing

Then I took them step by step through the painting of "Sweet Cherries," while the class painted along. This 5x7 painting utilized the basics that were covered, with emphasis on the "thirsty brush," and how to keep an eye on the bead of paint at the bottom of a painted shape, etc.

Mark your calendar now for Thursday, September 18, 2014. I will be teaching another Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop at Katy Contemporary Arts Museum in Katy, Texas. It will build on the same techniques, helping to reinforce those basics to complete another small painting to take home and hang proudly in your home. Stay tuned!

New Family Portrait Commission "Attitude is Everything"

©Becky Brocato
"Attitude is Everything"
15" x 15"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

This is a recently completed family portrait commission. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. This family loves to go snowboarding together. They are very outdoorsy, so this fit them to a T. And they are very happy with it! What I love about this image is the attitude of the kiddo in front, ready to tear down the mountain!

Do you have a great family photo that would make an even better watercolor painting? I would love to create a family portrait to be featured in your home or office! Contact me for details. [email protected]

"Beth and Billie: A Radio Flyer Day"

©Becky Brocato
"Beth and Billie: A Radio Flyer Day"
9" x 12"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

This commission is complete and has been presented to the family. I painted the kids using a photo taken when they were little. And the background was composed from one of my photos that I took of a pretty country road a few years ago. They are very pleased with how it turned out. The mom had this to say about the new painting, which will hang over their fireplace:

"This was one of my favorite photos of the kids when they were young; unfortunately the background was a dirty garage. The painting captures the kids perfectly and now they are surrounded by a scenic background. I smile every time I look at it!"

Thank you, Sherry and Paul, for entrusting me with this wonderful little moment in Beth and Billie's young lives!

By the way, blog readers, if you were going to have a painting done of a family member, would you prefer a formal portrait or a slice-of-life painting? Just curious.

In the Garden - Caladium Note cards

I thoroughly enjoyed painting these four varieties of Caladiums: Gingerland, Miss Muffet, White Queen and Red Flash. The fused and blended colors of watercolor fit these lovely garden favorites to a T.

I just listed a set of note cards for purchase on my Etsy shop featuring these four paintings. I'm a bit of a paper snob, so the quality on these are premium: Classic Crest 80 lb Solar White with matching envelopes (not cheap see-through envelopes!). Blank inside for your personal message. They are great as a treat for yourself (everyone needs to send a handwritten note from time to time!) or as a gift for a special someone: teacher, new bride, birthday girl, gardener.

"Mykonos in May" has a new home

©Becky Brocato
"Mykonos in May"
23.5" x 17.5"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

"Mykonos in May," which was accepted in the Visual Arts Alliance 25th Open Juried Exhibit in 2008, is now at it's new home. I painted this watercolor from a source photo taken by my friend and neighbor. It is now gracing the wall of their home, and hopefully it will be a wonderful reminder of their Mediterranean Cruise for many years to come!