Illustration: Watercolor and bistre ink by Black Elephant Blog author on the banks of the Shenandoah River, 2017
What’s better than a riverfront campsite at a beautiful campground on a warm April day? Not much, it seemed, this past weekend. In such a gorgeous spot, it was great to have some watercolor painting gear with me. What a relaxing way to practice painting lights and darks in watercolor. And no Internet service to be had for miles around: so, no news.
I tried the technique of sketching first in a Sharpie pen (brown or black) to indicate where on the page the darkest darks would go. Then I ‘painted’ over those darks with some water-proof bistre ink. From there I proceeded to the lighter washes, and then some details. It seemed to work.
Illustration: Watercolor and pastel pencil, “Camping on the Banks of the Shenandoah River” by Black Elephant Blog author
With nothing to distract me, and no “must-do’s” around,
Illustration: Trying to capture lights and darks in watercolor while camping along the Shenandoah River (photo and art by Black Elephant Blog author), 2017
it was wonderful to be able to experiment in this way, enjoying the gentle breezes and shade where I was sitting.
Nearby some friends relaxed, including one lounging in a hammock he’d brought along.
Illustration: Evening with friends at the campground along the Shenandoah River, watercolor sketch by Black Elephant Blog author (2017)
This is a place known more for fishing, kayaking and rafting…but it is also a prime spot for painting, I’ve discovered. From the time you opened the flap to your tent at the first light of dawn, there were sights that demanded to be painted!
Illustration: Sunrise on the Shenandoah River (photo by Black Elephant Blog author) April 2017
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