Tag: Utah

Capitol Reef #1 – Meeden / BaoHong Paper

I am always trying to find economical and superb 100% cotton watercolor paper. This one is really good! Fraggle said she likes Meeden paper, so off to Amazon I went and ordered this 100% cotton paper. Though advertised as 9×12 inches, it measures 12.2×8.3 inches per the cover of the block. I don’t really like blocks, but the I think the paper may be worth that irritation.

This is the paper I ordered (click to get to link). It is the weight and texture I prefer: CP, 140#. Painting on it was a pleasure. Color absorbed nicely and didn’t create any weird textures. Absorption rate was reasonable. It held up to washes and glazes on multiple levels. Working wet-in-wet was easy to do.

Capitol Reef National Park is located in central Utah and is characterized by red rock and sandstone. Canyons and arches are some of its characteristics. As it is desert, the vegetation is sparse and dots the landscape. It is a stunning bit of country – Utah has some of the most beautiful parks! – as well as a place with a fascinating history, from prehistoric times to modern day settlers. Definitely worth a trip!

Watercolor, about 8×12 inches, Meeden / BaoHong 100% cotton paper, CP, 140#.

A View of Zion National Park and the Virgin River

Pixabay is home to a lot of great pictures! I used one of them – as you can see below – to create this watercolor. Unfortunately, the scan doesn’t show the real warmth of the rocks as painted very accurately as it could, but c’est la vie.

I chose this subject because the warm rocks on the left and right of the photo move into cooler ones as atmospheric conditions work their magic. The foreground of the photo is very dark and trying to catch the details and put them all in shadows was also a challenge. I also tried to create a focal point for the watercolor, namely the point at which the Virgin River, in the lower middle center of the painting and photo, turns. At this apex I also tried to create some visible interest to lead the eye into the canyon beyond. Of course, the big rock structures also add to this sense of depth.

Painted in watercolor on Kilimanjaro 140# CP paper.

Outside St. George, Utah

Red rock formations are stunning. Utah is filled with them, with Bryce and Zion National Parks presenting stunning examples of not only the rocks, but arches and canyons.

Driving through Utah is a trip into a wonderful land, brimming with natural beauty besides the red rocks – the Great Salt Lake, mountains, ranch land, forests, and so much that it is hard to even begin to describe. Add to that, it holds a special place in American history as it is where the persecuted Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints) found sanctuary.

Back in the 80s, I drove through St. George, Utah, when I returned to California to live.  Just a few years back,  we visited on a family road trip – it was far bigger than I remember, but just as beautiful.