Student Art from the Snow Goose Festival

I asked the students I met at the Snow Goose Festival at Four Springs House on Camano Island to send me images of the art they created that day.  Austin Biehl, a 15 year old, sent me this wonderful sketch. I especially admire the sweep and flourish of his brush strokes in the water, suggesting the dynamic quality of water without getting labored about it. Notice how as the brush unloads most of its paint, the strokes become drier and more of the texture of the paper shows through--the drybrush technique.  Austin also figured out a way to mix watercolor with white gouache to indicate the softer lighter feathers atop the heron's body. It was a real privilege to work with Austin and all the very talented people I met there. I bring Prang 8 color paintboxes for these kinds of programs, and I think they are a really great bargain, with excellent colors (unlike some other manufacturers). I have been using these for my library programs for over 15 years and have never had to replace one. When the individual pans of color run out, I simply replace them with refills availabe online.  It's great to have discovered this way to minimize waste.