Blank paper/canvas syndrome

I know pretty much every artist has faced this affliction at one time or another. Staring at that blank piece of paper or canvas and wondering where in the hell to start.

I found this meme that I keep on my inspiration board. It has helped me SO much. I now buy watercolor paper and sketchbooks on sale and use them to play and experiment. I am gradually encountering the blank canvas phenomenon less and less.

I hope it helps you.

By the Light of the Moon… Wolf painting

Inspired by the last supermoon of the summer and my recent trip to the Southwest U.S., I’ve painted a very large (for me) 15″x20″ watercolor wolf. I love the textures and shading. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything in this size in watercolors and had to overcome a few challenges to get back in the groove. It’s been literally years since I had to deal with glazing, softening edges, deepening shadows and unifying color on such a large scale. Fun times! I’m happy with the result. The original will be available once it’s been photographed for reprints.

By the Light of the Moon. © 2014 Aprille Lipton. Original watercolor with acrylic painting on paper.

The humpback whales are going crazy!

I’ve mentioned before, I’m a certified cetacean nut! And humpback whales are my favorite. The humpback whales have been so numerous and active here this past week that I’ve actually strained my eyes and given myself headaches from going out several times a day to watch them with my binoculars while they feed, lunge, breach and play just offshore.

Needless to say, I’m in heaven.

And, they’ve inspired me to paint and sketch them almost non-stop. Here’s a watercolor painting I just finished. Do you love whales, too?

Deep Blue Humpback. © 2014 Aprille Lipton. Original watercolor painting on paper.

Road trip!

I just returned from a nice long vacation… a road trip through the American Southwest. What a beautiful and inspiring place. We managed to squeeze in the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab, Arches National Park, as well as Colorado and Utah. Unfortunately, we were tired on the way home and passed up Zion and Bryce. We will have to make another trip later, darn!

Horses in Monument Valley – ©2014 Aprille Lipton

Anyway, as I said, I’m very inspired and will be working on some new pieces as soon as I rest up, get my son back to school and finish unpacking 🙂

Happy end of summer to you all.