Well, here it is. what can I say! LOL! Maybe I should call this Spring Melody on a dark, gloomy day. Actually, it doesn't look this dark in real life but, of course, I definitely didn't have a light touch either. I'm still struggling with wet on wet, although each time I do something different based on what I learned the last time. Maybe I'll do better with my next try. (I can only hope)

I just ordered some Escoda brushes. Maybe that will help! ?

Christine, this is really beautiful and yes, dramatic too, in the best way. I like it. I am really eying your twisted bud as I hope to paint that on mine tomorrow and you did a wonderful job. I am a firm believer that any new art supplies are always a good thing! :)

Christine you have achieved depth with your background, and certainly didn't have too much water around like I did. It does tend to throw the lily into stark relief and that id the focus of the painting after all.You have also managed to avoid the regularity of the lilac flowers On the whole a warm and friendly Spring Melody. Well done.

Christine, your painting turned out so beautiful, not gloomy at all! I think you did a great job with the background (and I can say that because I’m background-challenged). I like how the green bud really pops against the different color green of the background and the yellow of the bloom. Well done!

Deekaa, Fletch, and Terri, Thank you! Your comments are so encouraging. Yep, one of my favorite things is to buy new art supplies, Deekaa; it's something I'm really good at and often spend more time browsing supply catalogs rather than actually painting! LOL! If I spent that time on practice, perhaps I wouldn't have to whine so much... :)

It's interesting how dark you go with your brushstrokes. I have a feeling that you are afraid to let go and you use more paint than water, just like in acrylic or oil painting. I'm not sure whether this is something to worry about because this makes your paintings unique, but the fact is that it draws attention. It's a shame I can't see how you're applying the paint and why you get so much texture in the background. I actually see some very intriguing places in the background. I very much like the upper part of it. This painting has it's own character. It reminds me the time just before the storm. Interesting rendition! Congratulations! :)

Chris, I’m pretty sure it’s because I “fiddle” with it. On the first wash, I definitely had enough water on the paper (unlike my previous painting attempts), but the paint I applied was too watery and the whole background was just a washed out mess. Before joining your school, I painted by applying many watery glazes until I got the value I wanted, so I struggle with this. For this painting, I went back and “fiddled” multiple times, with the last layer being quite heavy with paint. Even though the result wasn’t what I wanted, I feel like I learned a lot from this project, and I’m working on the water-paint ratio and trying to eliminate all the fiddling. Lol. I’m currently working on a painting where I feel I’ve done a much better job applying the wet-on-wet background. I’ll post it on the forum when I complete it so you can take a look. Thank you so much for giving such valuable feedback time and time again. It is very much appreciated.

Gosh what a lovely painting I really like the textures you have achieved in the background @nd I don’t think it looks gloomy at all, I find wet in wet difficult and my water paint ratios aren’t that great, I think it comes with practice and greater experience but you are great because you are learning how to adapt which I think is important, a great job

Thank you, Margaret. I agree, practice makes perfect. ;.)

I recently switched to a profesional grade paper and noticed I have to wet twice rather than just once on the lighter weight paper..messed up a few before I caught on...