I just started reading a biography of Leonardo daVinci. It is very interesting but, in conjunction with my goal of experimenting with watercolor every day, it is intimidating.

I began today’s experiment with dry brush strokes of quinacridone rust on paper with rough texture. I proceeded with short, choppy brushstrokes, blending with yellow and blue, on either side, contrasting with purple on the outer edge. On the inner convexity, I used orange with a dark blue slash for the reptilian eye. This was an experiment in texture and contrast.

Reptilian
12″x9″ 140# Rough Watercolor Block

daVinci would have used drypoint on tinted paper, outlining each scale with lifelike precision, backward cross-hatching to capture the light.

[Sigh…]