Up Close and Personal: Watercolor Painting Activities by Mary Erickson, Ph.D. with Arizona art teacher Pat Burdette.

Phoenix artist Mary Shindell’s work is inspired by nature. “My fascination with Arizona lies in the contrast of detail and vast space,” she said.

Shindell took the photo below of a nest in a saguaro cactus. How do you believe her Double Bird Nest sculpture was influenced by her observation of a real bird’s nest?

Here are more photos from the artist. (You may want to return to these photos when you see close-up images of Shindell’s artwork.)

These are close up images of Shindell’s work. Point to parts that you think were influenced by her close examination of saguaro cacti. Describe her lines. Where do you see gradual changes in value from light to dark?

You will be making a watercolor painting inspired by your own personal observations of nature. It should: 1. Incorporate diverse types of line. 2. Use a range of color values (light and dark). 3. Have a nature object as a focal point.

Two great ways to get inspiration from nature are to… 1. Go outdoors to explore what you can see. 2. Look very carefully, using a magnifying glass if available.

Look for changes in color values, like the gradual changes from light to dark in this dried mud. close up

Also look for interesting lines, that you can only see clearly if you look very closely. close up

You really can’t see the lines in the rock unless you are only a few inches from the rock. close up

If you could walk into the meadow in front of the trees in this snowy scene, you would find patterns of icy, dried grass and shadows in the snow. close up

Sketching from real life or from photographs helps you study how something looks. Choose an object from nature as the focal point for your painting. Make several sketches of the object.

You need these materials to make your watercolor painting. Light weight watercolor paper Watercolor paint set Pencil White oil pastel Brushes Mixing tray Water container

Plan where you want the focal point of your watercolor painting to be. Draw the object from nature.

Trace over your pencil lines with white oil pastel. Press firmly. The oil pastel will keep lines white by stopping watercolor paint from spreading and coloring the paper.

Next, add lines in the background to contrast or complement your focal point.

Apply color with a brush and watercolor. Add water to the paint to change the value (lightness or darkness) of the color.

Finish your painting by applying color to the background. See how the oil pastel repels the paint and keeps the paper white. You may want to lighten an area by adding water while the paper is still wet. You might even add a little bit of another color and watch it mix and spread over the wet paper.

This finished up-close- and-personal watercolor painting… is inspired by nature has a strong focal point incorporates a variety of lines has changes in color values from light to dark

Special thanks Gililland Middle School, Tempe, Ariz. Pat Burdette Suzanne Hobby-Gregory and her students