An Apple A Day 23 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple quarters on a plate, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

An Apple A Day 22 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple on a napkin, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

An Apple A Day 21 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple on a napkin, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

An Apple A Day 20 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple on a napkin, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

An Apple A Day 19 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple on a plate, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

An Apple A Day 18 ... Watercolor - Wet into Wet Washes

Apple on a napkin, wet into wet washes.
Watercolor on paper, 7 in x 10 in.

Art Every Day Month - November 15

Spirited Calligraphy

I found a quote from one of my old painting teachers, John R. Fox, who passed away recently:

"I believe that a painting has to be a feast for the eyes.
I try to create in my art something that makes me feel alive.
Any art that makes me feel better is good." - John R. Fox

The colors I used in today's challenge, a flat wash of cadmium yellow underpainting, with Opera magenta and alizarin crimson details in the blocks, would look bright and cheerful in any painting.
When you look closely, the alizarin crimson actually looks dull and brownish in contrast with the much more saturated pink and yellow.

But it is the active brushstrokes that bring this painting to life.
I blotted these calligraphic marks out of wet washes with a brush that I first wiped absolutely dry, and then put a touch of color straight from the tube just on the tip.
When I made a firm heavy stroke, the dry brush sucked the wet paint away, and the concentrated paint laid itself down on the paper in the same movement.

This painting certainly makes me feel enlivened just looking at it, and I am grateful that the 16 block arrangement has become truly a feast for the eyes.