What Changes Each Time?

•  Mood: A rainy day version may feel wistful; a sunlit one, joyful.

•  Color Palette: Cool tones evoke quiet; warm tones energize.

•  Composition: Cropping, scale, and negative space shift the narrative.

•  Technique: Wet-on-wet softness vs. crisp drybrush detail.

•  Intention: What do you want to say this time?

The Value of Variation

•  Creative Growth: Each iteration builds skill and insight.

•  Emotional Exploration: Different moods reveal different truths.

•  Personal Voice: Repetition helps you discover what feels most “you.”

Exercises to Explore Variation

1.  Three Takes: Paint the same subject with three different emotional intentions (e.g., peaceful, tense, nostalgic).

2.  Technique Swap: Use a different watercolor technique for each version—layering, lifting, splattering, etc.

3.  Time Shift: Paint the subject as if seen at dawn, midday, and dusk.

This first series example, “Hill Country” series, is an approach to painting the Texas Hill Country where I live and paint—each piece tells a distinct story through mood, composition, color and technique.

•  “Hill Country Skies, No 1”: This piece captures the vastness and drama of the sky, with expressive brushwork and a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The movement in the clouds suggests a fleeting moment, emphasizing the ever-changing nature of the landscape.

•  “Hill Country Skies, No 2”: While still focused on the sky, this painting leans into warmth and contrast. The golden hues create a sense of tranquility and nostalgia, evoking the feeling of a sunset or early morning glow. The balance between cool and warm tones adds depth and emotion.

• “Hill Country Abstract, No 6”: This piece takes a more interpretive approach, distilling the essence of the Hill Country into abstract forms and colors. It moves away from direct representation and instead explores the emotional resonance of the landscape, inviting viewers to engage with the scene in a more personal, intuitive way. As someone said, “The silence is deafening!”

• “Hill Country Morning Breaks, No 1”: This piece focuses on the transformative power of morning light. The soft, golden hues suggest the quiet emergence of the day, with light filtering through the landscape in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. The brushwork and color choices emphasize freshness and renewal, making the scene feel alive with possibility.

• “Hill Country Last Light, No 1”: In contrast, this painting explores the fading glow of the day. The colors likely lean toward deeper, richer tones, reflecting the warmth and nostalgia of the setting sun. There’s a sense of closure and reflection, as the landscape settles into the evening. The interplay of light and shadow might create a more dramatic or contemplative mood.

• “Between the Shadows and the Light, No 2”: This watercolor painting focuses on the effects of deep shadows on a picturesque back road in Lourmarin, Provence, France. The composition emphasizes the contrast between warm, golden light and the deepening shadows, creating a sense of depth and movement. The choice of colors and brushwork suggests a tranquil yet dynamic scene, where light filters through the landscape in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.

•  “Between the Shadows and the Light, No 3”: This watercolor painting continues the theme of exploring light and shadow, with a different perspective or emotional tone. If No 2 captures the warmth of deep shadows, No 3 shifts toward a cooler, more introspective interpretation—emphasizing the mystery of shadows or the fleeting nature of light.

•  “Vaugines Steps, No 1”: This watercolor painting highlights the warm, vibrant colors of the town’s narrow streets and traditional stone buildings. The composition steps down a hill, leading the viewer’s eye through the scene, where a distant couple adds life and movement. The lush greenery and flowers contrast beautifully with the pink sky, creating a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

•  “Vaugines Steps, No 2”: This watercolor painting continues the theme of capturing the essence of Vaugines, with a different perspective or lighting. If No 1 emphasizes warmth and vibrancy, No 2 explores a cooler or more atmospheric interpretation—focusing on shadow, texture, or a different time of day.