Author Archives: esanford

Mystery Technique #161

April 20, 2026 – 10:51 pm

Curious about the techniques used here? You can learn more next month if you’ve signed up for email updates! 

ANSWER TO MYSTERY TECHNIQUE #160:

It’s surprising how little paint and water you need for this technique! After painting the yellow center, I worked on each petal separately. First I wet the petal shape; then I touched a damp brush to undiluted Quinacridone Magenta and quickly applied it in the direction of the petal’s growth, using another damp brush to blend it in and mimic the pansy’s texture. I continued painting with 2 brushes in the same way to finish the first layer of each petal. For the 2nd layer, I put a little undiluted Winsor Violet in a third brush and continued blending the strokes in the same way.

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April Watercolor Classes!

March 31, 2026 – 9:07 pm

Two of my April classes are already full, and only a few spots remain in the others, so sign up soon! There’s still time to join us for Watercolor Basics at the Franklin Recreation Center on Saturday April 18. Learn how easy it is to paint simple subjects as you explore fundamental techniques. This workshop meets from 10 am – 2 pm and you can register here: http://apm.activecommunities.com/wcpr/Activity_Search/44926

Painting Flowers in Watercolor is a great way to celebrate the glories of Spring! Discover how wet-in-wet color mixing and glazing can help you capture the vibrant delicacy of your favorite blooms. Reserve your spot on Saturday April 25 from 1 – 5 pm at the Franklin Recreation Center. You can find all the details here:

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/wcpr/activity/search/detail/44928

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Mystery Technique #160

March 20, 2026 – 6:29 pm

Curious about the techniques used here? You can learn more next month if you’ve signed up for email updates! 


ANSWER TO MYSTERY TECHNIQUE #159:

This painting was inspired by a dream! I started with an underpainting of yellow. After this layer dried, I used a Forsline & Starr Colour Shaper to apply masking fluid in irregular marks for the roots and patches of light. I temporarily covered the shape of the door with a piece of junk mail. When the masking fluid was completely dry, I painted the first layer of the root ball. I used a wadded-up piece of wax paper to apply more texture in darker browns. Next I painted some abstract green shapes to suggest foliage in the background. Masking fluid leaves hard edges, so after I removed all of it, I used watercolor pencils to add depth and dimension to the roots.

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