"Sweet Cherries", my demo for the Intro to Watercolor Workshop on Thursday, July 31

"Sweet Cherries"
Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato
Arches 140 lb Cold Press
5x7"

Just a quick update on the Summer Boredom Buster: Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop last Thursday, July 31. I had a great class of five eager and enthusiastic learners. We started out with the basics:

•how to tear the full sheets of watercolor paper down to quarter sheets for a lovely deckled edge
•how to tape the sheets of paper to the base board (Gatorboard)
•how to mix water and paint on the palette to fully load the brush
•several basic techniques to get the paint onto the paper
•basic wash techniques
•how to use a "thirsty brush" to control the excess water in a painted shape
•glazing

Then I took them step by step through the painting of "Sweet Cherries," while the class painted along. This 5x7 painting utilized the basics that were covered, with emphasis on the "thirsty brush," and how to keep an eye on the bead of paint at the bottom of a painted shape, etc.

Mark your calendar now for Thursday, September 18, 2014. I will be teaching another Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop at Katy Contemporary Arts Museum in Katy, Texas. It will build on the same techniques, helping to reinforce those basics to complete another small painting to take home and hang proudly in your home. Stay tuned!

"Mo," a recent pet portrait

©Becky Brocato
"Mo"
11" x 14"
Watercolor on 300 lb Arches CP


This pet portrait commission that I recently completed is of an amazing Chocolate Lab named Mo. He was such a special pet for his family for many years, so after he passed, his owners wanted a really special remembrance of him. The lady of the house was especially close to Mo because he was her constant and faithful companion when the kids were at school and her husband was at work, which included a lot of business travel. I was so happy when she received the portrait last night and she teared up. She said I had captured his image, his personality and the light in his eyes. Mission accomplished.

I used several photos as reference material for this painting. The out-of-doors background was not in the original photo, as it was taken inside their home. Also, the lighting was from a flash, which flattened out his features and changed the color of his eyes. So I really had a challenge making the shadows, highlights and his eye color look more natural. I really enjoyed painting this portrait, and I am very happy with the results!