A bit of History before I talk about this painting…

In My Favorite Murder, Episode #162 (Prom Queen), Karen and Georgia jokingly told people to paint this picture McKenzie Brelyn posted on Instagram. I’ve been practicing watercolor for a while now, and Rachel and I will be seeing them live in Pittsburgh on Friday, so I decided I’d give it a go.

Here’s a link to the episode.

On to my notes/explanation/lessons learned…

On the second attempt at this painting, I wanted to go the opposite direction. I ruined the first one with too much attention. (I pet that cat a few times too many) So on this second try I wanted to communicate the same thing as the first painting, but by using as few strokes as possible. I really like the expressive feeling that I achieved with the dry brush work, and the lines in the hill feel much more dynamic and interesting. But, the painting in its entirety feels very one-dimensional. There is some real value structure going on, but that value structure just cuts the painting in half, it doesn’t lead the eye any where or create any interest.

I was surprised by how much I liked this, given the simplicity of the style, but at the end of the day it felt like an exercise more than anything.

Also, I wanted to paint Grandpa Onions’ hat – but it just looks he was shot in the head.