Watercolors by Jim Oberst Blog

We've been discussing the seven  Principles of Design : Contrast Gradation Repetition with Variation Harmony Balance Dominance ...

This big catamaran looks like it means business. It's moored with other sailboats in a marina in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida. If ...

In Artist Tip #11 , we listed the seven Principles of Design : Contrast Gradation Repetition with Variation Harmony Balance Dominance...

The sailboats' grace is in harmony with the peaceful sunset. If you'd like to purchase this 11" x 15" original waterco...

As we discussed in Artist Tip #9 , part of our artistic journey is to learn  design  so we can rearrange and modify what we see in order to ...

Three boats head for shore, with storm clouds on the horizon. If you'd like to purchase this 11" x 15" original watercolor...

Here we complete our discussion of the elements of design with color . Color has three attributes: Hue : the name of the color (red, bl...

On a hazy summer day, cattle graze near the river in this sleepy valley. If you'd like to purchase this 15" x 22" original...

Normally, when we begin our artistic journey, we are entirely focused on learning to draw and handle our art materials in order to be able t...

The sky glows and the shadows lengthen as the sun goes down, giving this farmland a magical feeling. If you'd like to purchase this ...

I'd like to talk about one way to make painting - and especially watercolor painting - easier and more enjoyable.  Paint all of the sky ...

This little farmyard has seen better days. If you'd like to purchase this 7.5" x 22" original watercolor painting for $225...

We artists often want to add reflections off water or hard, shiny surfaces.  First, some general advice: Reflections always come vertical...

I often use this very colorful still life as the basis for a paint-along in my watercolor workshops, to get students comfortable with pain...

Our last tip addressed the direction of cast shadows in backlit scenes.  In this final tip, I'll discuss a few more details that will h...

Port Penrhyn, Wales, just outside of Bangor, was built around 1800 to enable exporting slate from Penrhyn quarry. It's now a normal ...

Our last tip addressed the value (the relative darkness) of cast shadows.  This tip will focus on the direction of cast shadows in front- a...

This painting has been done with a wide landscape-type aspect ratio... cattle graze on a ranch out west. If you'd like to purchase t...

Shadows can make or break a painting of any representational subject - landscape, still life, or portrait.  Some artists don't hold cle...

Two lobstermen prepare for the day's work on a dock at Spruce Head Island, Maine. If you'd like to purchase this 11" x 15...