Yesterday I spent a fair amount of time developing a weekly schedule for myself. I wanted to get down on paper in a homemade spreadsheet, something that I could get a big overview of my tasks and responsibilities to see if I am using my time wisely.

It was actually quite revelatory. I can now see clearly the hours and days where I can plug in some activities I have been wanting to incorporate.

One of the recurring ones is do so watercolor paintings.

In some annoying glitch in my personal programing, I need hurdles to be removed that get in the way of sitting down to do something creative. I'm hoping that setting aside dedicated times will help.

So today I rearranged my work table to have my paints and brushes more accessible, so that when I DO want to paint, I basically just need to fill my containers with water and sit down. This meant moving some inks and pens to accommodate TWO hobbies in the same space.

You would be surprised at how fragile the creative impulse is and how easy it is to muddle it up by too many preparations. Those who know will know.

I had an outline already prepared from this bird I saw on Pinterest one day, so I sat down, before I could let my inner critic scare me [that's a whole 'nother subject]... and dove in. Perhaps one day I will be able to dip the brush in the water without those few moments of sheer terror. But so far, that's never happened. It's what one has to face.

I began by putting a layer of Buff Titanium over most of the painting. It's a good base for animal paintings I have found.

On the right is my example I printed out ages ago.

Here we are part of the way there....

Here it is before doing some splatters on the finished painting...

I wanted to take a photo in case I messed it up royally. My friend C. is a big fan of splatters. They terrify me because you could completely destroy all your work if you do them wrong. I placed a bit of paper towel over the bird and splattered a LITTLE bit.

Here is the end result:

I always feel like I have survived a close call with disaster when I paint... that never really goes away. But I also get to feel the magic of the whole thing.

If I am blessed, there will be a special part of the painting that surprises me by turning out as I was intending, or perhaps better than hoped for. In this painting it is how the gradient of color transitions so beautifully from the beak, onto his head. I WATCHED it happen as I was painting that part. I wish I could have said to you it was a matter of skill, but honestly, with watercolors, all you really have to rely on is hope....

(There are several points I would like to make about where you missed the mark and if you will just allow me to .....)

Yeah, well you can keep those points to yourself today. As a matter of fact you can poke yourself with them. I hope they are sharp too!