A quick trip to Gluepot Reserve in May, was a little chilly and despite bird numbers being lower than usual due to a very long dry spell, it was productive. Bird hides provided flurries of activity at the cleverly elevated water troughs, where I practiced with my new second hand SLR camera and 300mm lens. So good for taking my own bird photos which I can use to draw and paint from when back in the studio. Watercolour is normally a very adaptable medium to use, however I found the near freezing nights and cool days meant I had to restrain my self from making my usual “lakes” on the paper. My first painting for the trip was left out on the ground where I’d made it for 2 nights waiting for it to dry.
I usually make my work sitting on the ground. I find the paper moulds to the earths shape when damp, in turn the picture is influenced by the ridges, gullies and sticks it drapes over, causing water to pool and run taking watercolour pigment with it. Also my drawn lines fade and strengthen with these same imperfections. In this case the work was predominantly made and finished on site.
Quick sketch book watercolour of a Willie Wagtai
Porcupine Grass, mallee and red dirt.
A painting/drawing with morning dew on it, left out over night because it wasn’t dry.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters having a “discussion”