Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to try my hand at watercolors for a while now. I finally decided to take the plunge. My inspiration? The beautiful scenery at Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis. I mean, have you seen the pictures? It’s gorgeous! I figured, what better way to immortalize it than through art, right?
First things first, I needed supplies. I went to the local art store and picked up some watercolor paints, a few brushes of different sizes, and a pad of watercolor paper. The guy at the store was super helpful, and he gave me a few pointers. He saw I was a newbie, so, he made some recommendations and I just took all of it.
Next, I had to actually, you know, start painting. I found a nice photo of the Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis I found online. I printed it out as a reference. I lightly sketched the outline of the landscape onto the paper with a pencil. I wanted to get the basic shapes down before I started with the colors. I wasn’t sure where to start, but I remembered the picture I saw online. So, I just followed that.
Now for the fun part – the colors! I started with the sky, mixing a light blue with a bit of gray to capture that vast Wyoming sky. I made sure my brush was nice and wet to create a soft, dreamy effect. Then, I moved on to the mountains. The Tetons are just majestic, so I used a mix of blues, purples, and even a little bit of green to capture their rugged beauty. I tried to let the colors blend naturally on the paper. And I really mean “tried” there.
- Sky: Light blue mixed with gray. Wet brush for a soft look.
- Mountains: Blues, purples, and a touch of green. Blended on the paper.
- Golf course: Different shades of green, layering to add depth.
- Tennis courts: Reddish-brown with white lines.
The golf course was next. I used various shades of green, layering them to create the texture of the grass and add some depth. It was kind of relaxing. The tennis courts were a bit trickier since I wanted to get those lines crisp. I used a reddish-brown for the court surface and then carefully painted the white lines with a fine liner brush. I had to hold my breath for that part! I waited patiently. I don’t want to mess it up.
After adding some details like trees and shadows, I let the painting dry completely. It took a while, but it was worth the wait. After an hour, it’s finally dry! I propped it up, took a step back, and… I was actually pretty pleased with how it turned out! It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and it captures a little piece of Jackson Hole. I mean, it’s recognizable, right?
This whole process was definitely a learning experience. I learned that patience is key with watercolors, and that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s all part of the process. I also realized that painting is a really great way to relax and de-stress. I might just keep doing this!
What I Learned
I gotta say, I’m pretty stoked about this whole watercolor thing. I’m definitely going to keep practicing. Maybe I’ll even try painting some other landscapes. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually get good at this! But for now, I’m just happy to have a little piece of Jackson Hole hanging on my wall, even if it is a bit amateur.
If you’re thinking about trying watercolors, just do it! It’s a lot of fun, even if you’re not a natural artist like me. Just remember to be patient, have fun, and don’t be afraid to mess up. You might surprise yourself with what you can create.
