At the time of writing this blog post, it’s April 2020 and it’s been quite an interesting last 5 weeks. Interesting doesn’t really even begin to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. And if you’re reading this I trust that you understand what I mean because this has truly been a collective global experience.

Yet despite collectively experiencing this pandemic, we individually all have our own experiences that we’ve been living through day-to-day. I won’t even begin to pretend that I can understand what life has been like for essential workers, for ICU nurses, for doctors, and for parents of school-aged children that are learning to homeschool and balance everything else at the same time.

I have a toddler, but he wasn’t in school yet, so things have remained pretty much the same for me and for that I feel so grateful.  It is a privilege to be able to continue painting and sharing art with you on the blog and on YouTube.

I just want to take a moment to address the current global climate because, well...how can I not?

I also want to share that yes, things are pretty crazy, and we likely won’t get back to “normal” anytime soon.

And finally, I want to share the reason that I continue to paint. It is because of the chaos that I believe we need forms of solace (like creating) more than ever.  Watching the news beyond getting the facts brings me down. There’s so much that is out of my control. But when I sit down to paint, I can spend more time in a space of joy and wonder rather than fear and anxiety.

And it’s my hope that by continuing to share blog posts and videos here, that they will provide guidance/inspiration/an escape from watching or reading something OTHER than the news.

In other words, I hope that what you’re finding here is a happy distraction, if you need one!

So with that said, I am here today to share with you the video process of my April Paint With Me Challenge painting.

If you don’t know what the Paint With Me Challenge is, you can click here to read about it and sign up if you want to participate.  It’s free and it’s never too late to join!

SUPPLIES USED

• Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper

• Silver Brush Black Velvet Size 10 Round

• Princeton Hake Brush 2”

• Daniel Smith Paints

  Colors Used:

• Burnt Sienna (Warm Brown)

• Terre Vert (Green)

• Monte Amiata Natural Sienna (Earth Yellow)

• Cerulean Blue Chromium (Blue)

• Payne's Grey (love using this to darken colors)

• Potter’s Pink (Winsor & Newton)

OTHER SUPPLIES (if you're curious where I got them):

• Palette by Priscilla Lee

• Water cup by Sylvan Clayworks

REFERENCE PHOTO

• Eberhard Grossgasteiger from Pexels

As always thank you for reading & watching,
Susan