Honestly, I’m not a fan of winter!

I’m already counting the months until spring, the return of light, and the first tiny wildflowers. But there is something to be said for the amazing creation on display in the icy crystals on trees, windows, and leaves!!

I’m embracing the challenge of master painter Paul Wang [during this Daniel Smith LIVE with John Cogley demo] to allow myself to play more this year!! (Thanks Paul!!) So here is an attempt at capturing frosty trees and enjoying the play and granulation of damp Lunar Black.

First I wet the entire sheet of watercolor paper and let most of the water soak in. I then applied a generous amount of Lunar Black pigment to the entire paper except a small area in the  foreground. The paper was tilted so that the paint would run towards the top of my painting. Next I used a fine spray bottle to mist the trees, waiting after each spray to see the effect before continuing.

A damp brush helped create the runs which became the white trunks.

I tilted, spattered and added more paint as needed to encourage the contrast of runs and granulation.

Spattering in a little Sodalite Genuine created a slightly bluer color shift, and spattering in Janes Black (Red/Green) provided darker contrasts.

My lesson learned: give the paint and water time to work! Sit back and enjoy watching what it does, without interfering and “fiddling” too much, and simply enjoy the process!!!

If you missed your chance to put Lunar Black on your Christmas wish list, you’re going to want to add it to your birthday wish list!!

Is anybody else a fan of Lunar Black??!!!

–Julie Ann Karlsson

Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors used in this playful exercise: