Making the best of a bad situation

A friend of mine who visited me in the hospital brought me a sketchbook and a set of watercolor pencils.  I have never used this medium.  I did some drawing, but it looked like a regular sketch in color.  Then I decided to soften certain areas.  I didn't have any water, so I used some diet Sprite!  It did the trick!

What to paint when there's not much to paint except a parking lot.  I love trees, so I eliminated cars and concrete.  I left one tree sketched, and softened the rest of the trees.  A few birch trees were also left as sketches.  The contrast seemed right and emphasized the trees I wanted to highlight.  I also resisted the temptation to resort to local color.

After a week long setback and second weeklong stay in the hospital, I am happy to report that I am back with my cousins at their house.  The main culprit was two LITERS of fluid that had to be drained so I could breathe!  Feels good to have my lungs working again!  Now the long work of healing.

Stay tuned!  I'll be painting again before you know it!