I have to admit I was very tempted to put this one off until tomorrow. Long hours at the day job would have been an easy excuse to just say NOPE, but I didn't. 
​     It's not even close to Fall, but this little guy decided to make an appearance anyway. :)

​     Light source and shading -- tough to get right, but worth the effort. I still need practice, so I guess it's a good thing I have 88 days left! :)

     "It's nice having a bear about the house."

​     Thanks for the memories, Michael Bond.

     One-tenth of the way through -- whew! I'm learning a lot of what watercolor will and will not do and on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised. I've been working with a very limited color palette, yet I've been able to accomplish most every desired result. The paint is not nearly as unforgiving as I had thought, though the paper can be a bit persnickety.
​     So far I have found the experience enjoyable, not without the occasional "happy accident," but the process is just beginning. I can't wait to find out what tomorrow holds and look forward to comparing the paintings -- and my opinions -- across time.

      Today is a step outside of the proverbial box for me. Something a bit loose and freeform. It's all about the adventure!

​     And the dish ran away with the spoon. I felt the need to finish the rhyme. :)

    The little dog laughed to see such sport . . .
​     No paper was harmed in the production of this painting. No tussles, no cross words -- that wouldn't be fitting for such a happy subject. I decided not to use masking fluid, I cut back on the amount of water in my brush, and used multiple washes to build up the depth of color. I'm really happy with the results, I hope this little furbaby makes you smile, too!

     Moo-ving right along! :)

     Day five: One twentieth of the way through. I'm just getting started learning, growing, exploring.
​     Today I set myself a time limit. I finished this painting in about half the time of the others. I found, once again, that Watercolor doesn't care to be rushed. I have offered my apologies to Watercolor and will manage my time better in the future.  Masking Fluid misbehaved again, though not as severely. We shall see what adventure tomorrow brings -- I can't wait to find out!

     Today was challenging. Not unexpected when one is learning a new skill. Masking Fluid and I had our first (and second) tiff. He decided to peel a layer of paper instead of just leaving peacefully -- twice. We had words, but ended on a mostly cordial note.
​     I attempted to simplify my design today in an effort to speed things up a bit. This did not go exactly as planned, partially due to Masking Fluid's  bad behavior requiring three cracks at today's painting. In the end, the challenge is still on track and I am learning. Isn't that the whole purpose of this adventure? Of course it is (that felt a bit like I was channeling my inner Mr. Rogers, but you get the point).
​     Today's painting helped me work on two things: Moving forward with my challenge and also practicing on one of my favorite subjects. I LOVE elephants, but I find it difficult to capture their personality and beauty. Maybe my next challenge should be 100 days of pachyderms. :)