Pears. And an apple.

Darling Readers,

I have been chomping at the bit to share with you all of the fun goings-on from my Monday night watercolor class. Last night, we worked with a yellow palette and studied finishing strokes. The instructor brought a bag-ful of yellow items in an array of shades and plopped them down atop a custard-y colored tablecloth. She flipped through a book to show us the effect she hoped we would achieve in our in-class paintings. Then, she demonstrated the technique for us. While we painted, she put on a variety of what I can only describe as "best-loved classics," which included Pachelbel's Canon in D Major, Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 76 Trombones and the Entertainer. As we took to our work, our instructor walked around and critiqued our progress. I completed five sketches during the class, alternating between a Fabriano 140lb. cold press and a hot press papers. I'll share with you the highlights and low points of the night.

A pair of pears on cold press paper.

A pair of pears on hot press paper. This one didn't get such rave reviews, but I was proud of myself for experimenting. That's what this is all about, right?

A pear leans on an apple on hot press paper. This was my teacher's favorite, because I used the finishing strokes profusely. Personally, I didn't care for this. The hot press paper is a bit tricky to work with (for me at least) when I'm not working on an illustration-type piece. I like trying new things, though, and I refuse to give up on the hot press paper just yet! I LOVE using it at home, and am excited to really learn some crazy new techniques that have a vastly different effect on the hot press than the cold press paper.

What do you think readers? Do you enjoy pushing yourself in new directions, even if the first few attempts are less than perfect? I'm at a point in life where embracing imperfection seems so liberating. Let me know if you have tried something scary-new lately and what came of the experience.

Until later, my friends!