Friday, February 28, 2014

Long Shadows of Winter

Long Shadows of Winter
in the back fields behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 12, 2014, sketched on February 28, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Arches Natural White cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Before the Sun Rises

Before the Sun Rises
over Fort Ridge in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 28, 2014, sketched on February 28, 2014
6" x 4", Winsor & Newton watercolors, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series cold press archival watercolor paper

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Smooth Skiing Megan

Smooth Skiing Megan
a painting exercise in triangles with
daughter-in-law Megan McDonald skiing in the
Swiss Alps at Airolo from a photo taken by Brett McMillan
on February 23, 2014, sketched on February 27, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
NFS - Private collection, Switzerland
The emailed feedback to the Family McMillan's Skiing series has been welcome, thanks.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Skiing Brett Carving

Skiing Brett Carving
Brett McMillan skiing in the Swiss Alps at
Airolo from a photo taken by son Finn McMillan
on February 23, 2014, sketched on February 24, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
NFS - Private collection, Switzerland

Monday, February 24, 2014

Teague Airs It Out

Teague Airs It Out
Grandson Teague ski jumping in the Swiss Alps at Airolo from a photo
taken by Brett "Daddy" McMillan on February 23, 2014, sketched on February 24, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper


NFS - Private collection, Switzerland

Finn Air

Finn Air
Grandson Finn ski jumping in the Swiss Alps at Airolo from a movie
taken by Brett "Daddy" McMillan on February 23, 2014,
sketched on February 24, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
NFS - Private collection, Switzerland

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Curling Stone

End of the 2014 Olympics
Curling Stone
sketched February 2014, 2.25" x 1.5",
Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 140 lb. Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
NFS now on my refrigerator

Congratulations to Canada at the Sochi 2014 Olympics
Men's Gold and Women's Gold, wow

Deep Thought:
Ice dancers twizzle while ice curlers curl
though both may eat twizzlers while curling up.

On to the Pyeongchang (pyung-chang) Winter Olympics curling in February 2018...
 

Sunset's Far Side

Sunset's Far Side
looking east on the Back Road in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 22, 2014, sketched on February 23, 2014
10" x 7", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico extra white soft press archival watercolor paper
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Note: I used only a number 24 round, Princeton, a very large brush to paint this.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Winter Sunrise on the Ridge

Winter Sunrise on the Ridge
seen from an upstairs window at my home in Shapleigh, Maine on February 21, 2014,
sketched on February 22, 2014, 9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, 
#3 graphite, on 400 lb. Arches Natural White cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Friday, February 21, 2014

Curling Gold Winning...

Curling Gold Winning Hugs and Waves
Team Canada Women celebrate moments after winning
the Gold Medal, the fist women's team in Olympic history
to go undefeated, congratulations, sketched on February 21, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Windpower cold press archival watercolor paper

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Curling Bronze Medal Waves...

Curling Bronze Medal Waves
by the Great Britain Women
after a 6-5 last stone shot win on February 20, 2014, sketched on February 20, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Curling Tie-Breaker...

Curling Tie-Breaker Great Britain
sketched on February 19, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Windpower cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Curling Sweeps...


Curling Sweeps Zezel and Landsteiner
sketched on February 17, 2014. Trying another medium today, acrylics...
Dowler-Rowney System 3 Acrylics on Raymar cotton panel, 6" x 6"
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Monday, February 17, 2014

Curling Stones Waiting to Rock

Curling Stones Waiting to Rock
Team USA Skip John throwing against Canada with stones in the house waiting,
sketched on February 17, 2014,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Curling Release Action

Curling Release Action
The Swedish Women sketched on February 15, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Curling Release Touch

The Curling Release Touch
sketched on February 15, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Friday, February 14, 2014

Curlers Jessica and Ann Sweeping

Curlers Jessica and Ann Sweeping
sketched on February 14, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, February 13, 2014

US Curling Skip John

US Curling Skip John
sketched on February 13, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
or free to US Skip John Shuster should he request it.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Orange, Grapefruit, Lime


Orange, Grapefruit, Lime
sketched on February 11, 2014 for the Daily Paint Works Citrus Challenge
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
painted from this photo in the Daily Paint Works Citrus Challenge HERE 
where the art and photo are posted in the February 9, 2014 Citrus Challenge 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Note: I painted this using only a very large brush, a #20 round (Princeton Neptune). 
A friend passed along what watercolor instructor Dewitt Hardy said, "Use the largest brush possible." I find that wise advice and it's always in mind when I paint.

Curling Sweep

Curling Sweep
The US women's Olympic curling team with their brooms, sketched February 11, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Winter Field in Snow

Winter Field in Snow
behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 6, 2014, sketched on February 11, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Aches Natural White cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Curling Stone with...

Curling Stone with
Norwegian Mondrian Pants
The Norwegian men's curling team is known for their colorful pants
in recent winter Olympics and 2014 is no exception, sketched February 11, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

A Lemon, Surf, No Fish

A Lemon, Surf, No Fish
A Meyer Lemon in the winter's ocean surf shallows at Parson's Beach
in Kennebunk, Maine on February 9, 2014,
sketched on February 11, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping 
also online in the Daily Paintworks Citrus Challenge HERE
 
Photo of a Meyer Lemon in the winter surf
at Parson's Beach in Kennebunk, Maine on February 9, 2014

 
Eggs Act Alee
by Bruce McMillan
Photo and text © 2014 Bruce McMillan
As a lemon
rolls in the surf,
tossed about, no
matter which way
it rolls, it is
always sunny
side up, always.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Snowy Owl Perch...

Snowy Owl Perch in a Snowy Marsh
at Parson's Beach in Kennebunk, Maine
on February 9, 2014, sketched on February 10, 2014
10" x 7.5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico soft press extra white archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Lemon Posing...

Lemon Posing
as a Bird's Egg on a
Snowplow Snow Cliff
by my driveway in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 6, 2014, sketched on February 9, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Tulips in Snow Falling

Tulips in Snow Falling
set out in my yard during a snowstorm in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 5, 2014, sketched on February 8, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 300 lb Fabriano Artistico soft press extra white archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Friday, February 7, 2014

Forelle and Kiku Snowed In

Forelle and Kiku Snowed In
A Forelle pear and a Kiku apple in a snowdrift
in my yard during a snowfall in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 5, 2014, sketched on February 7, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Lemons Playing Lemon...

Lemons Playing Lemon
in my Snowy Driveway on a Snowy Day
in Shapleigh, Maine on February 5, 2014, sketched on February 5, 2014
11" x 7", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 140 lb Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Closing the Umbrella

Closing the Umbrella
A red amaryllis past bloom set out in the snow in my yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on February 4, 2014, sketched on February 4, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Arches Natural White cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Palette

Do you use the pan or tube colors? 
I'd love to see a photo of your set up. -Brenda

Palette
The tube colors are set in a Mijello Watercolor Palette which is airtight and leak proof. I leave a folded paper towel saturated with water in the middle to keep the colors moist day to day. The top mixing tray is removable, clear plastic set into the white cover with an indent in the bottom right corner to slip the end of a brush in to pry it up for easy washing (smart...somebody was thinking). I also use three porcelain mixing trays because they don't leave behind the stains of previous colors.

My brushes are almost all rounds, the bigger the better, Winsor & Newton (sable-synthetic mix) and Princeton (synthetic); pure sable are way to expensive and I actually prefer the synthetics. Oh, and I sometimes use really cheap chip brushes, the flats cost thirty cents.

I only use colors with maximum permanence, all but one are Winsor & Newton; these are truly more than I need; picked them based on seeing what other artist's use. It's an ongoing evolving selection for I tend to go to specific colors again and again.
Clockwise starting at twelve o'clock...
Winsor Violet
Cobalt Blue
Prussian Blue
French Ultramarine
Cerulean Blue
Yellow Ochre
Naples Yellow - a nice surprise very light yellow brown, almost Caucasian flesh 
Winsor Yellow
Permanent Sap Green
Hookers Green
Olive Green - my favorite green 
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna
Brown Madder - my fun surprise tending to a rich dark red 
Cadmium Orange
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Winsor Red
Center pan clockwise from eleven o'clock....
Ivory Black
Chinese White
Winsor Lemon
Jaune Brilliant Number 2 (Holbein brand) - the best Caucasian flesh, ready to go
And I still use my Koi Watercolors Pocket Field Sketch Box sets sometimes when popping out and traveling super light, 12 pans and 24 pans, with their nylon water brushes (the water in the handle that floats out with a squeeze). A 12 pan set with a Strathmore 4" x 6" Watercolor Postcard set were my introduction to watercolors. My first watercolor exhibition (on my blog HERE) was painted with this, the 12 and 24 sets on these handy 4" x 6". It makes a great inexpensive gift ($19.42 for everything) that keeps on giving.

-Bruce

Monday, February 3, 2014

Apple on Snow


Apple on Snow
on a snow drift by my driveway in Shapleigh, Maine
on January 31, 2014, sketched on February 3, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 hot press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
 

The Boys Wear Yellow

The Boys Wear Yellow
A red amaryllis blooming set outside in my snowy yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on January 28, 2014, sketched on February 3, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Arches natural white cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
 

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Lemons on Snow

Lemons on Snow
on a snow drifted rock wall behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on January 31, 2014, sketched on February 1, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 300 lb Arches cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mixing Colors, Mixing Seasons
by Bruce McMillan
© 2014 Bruce McMillan, may not be used without permission

With lemon yellow set on snow,
enjoying winter, I'm yearning
for the colors of summer, so
my mind turns to colors, churning, 


mixing the snow blues from the sky
with lemon yellows thus making
greens of summer where I might spy
deep grassy greens awakening.