Today’s watercolor was inspired by yesterday’s photograph of a coffee table made from a tree. I constructed it from memory, using a compass to draw more than 30 concentric circles. I used a French curve to outline the branches, which I placed on lines radiating from the circles’ center.

Circle Table
12″x9″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block

I was hoping to begin by painting the central circle with the darkest tone, gradually lightening it with each successive ring. The technical challenge, however, was unmet today. After painting a few of the central circles within the lines, I applied a series of washes (burnt sienna, English yellow, quinacridone nickel) around the outer rings.

I’m gradually building a ‘circle’ vocabulary, to be continued in future compositions.