2020 Delaplaine National Juried Exhibition

My Nishikigoi 錦鯉 in a Pond watercolor was accepted in the Delaplaine 2020 National Juried Exhibition in Frederick, MD. 

 How did this painting evolve? Well, it all came about after I visited the Ladew Topiary Gardens just outside of Baltimore, MD. They had a beautiful Koi pond! I had my camera and took a bunch of photos. After looking them over, I knew they would turn into a painting. The contrasting colors of the black inky water and bright jewel hues of the koi were mesmerizing!

Sketching it was easy. Where I struggled though, was with the background color of the water. I tore it up twice before I was finally able to settle on a good mix. I painted it in several layers. Ivory black and Payne’s Gray, with swaths of Hooker Green and Cobalt Blue.

The bubbles are mainly Chinese White with some Windsor Green mixed in. I applied them when the background was dry. A little round white brush stroke and then a dab in the middle with a wet q-tip.

 I was very happy with the Koi. They turned out well and with very few fixes.

See here for more info on the show: https://delaplaine.org/exhibitions/opportunities/nje/