I’m writing this the Sunday after my Birthday and I’m writing this in front of the TV with music on. Forgive me if this is disjointed, I’m doing my best. Thank you in advance whoever is reading this, you are appreciated.

I have been working on a few more bonsai in my little watercolor book. These two pictured are the most recent and are both still works in progress (as of right now). I’m not really satisfied with either one as a completed page but I had to stop them where they are because of time constraints and running out of steam. The plan is to return to them later and bring them to a higher level of finish.

Currently, and for some time, I have been working in a limited pallet of 12 colors (including white and black) from an old Koi sketch box. I really like this kit and have been using it off nad on for years so I’m familiar with it. I know that all the colors work together, I have a cool and a warm of the primaries, warm and cool green, and two earth tones, as well as black and white. I can mix pretty well based on that selection. However, it is limiting in both good and bad ways.

There is a forced decision making aspect to any limited pallet that I enjoy. I like being forced to make the secondary and tertiary colors, tints and shades, etc. I choose to make my own black out of ultramarine and burnt umber for the purpose of controlling color temperature better. I also choose to make my own greens most of the time even though they are provided. I do use the base greens (clearly, as pictured) maybe a little more than I would like to admit to. Probably too often actually, and it shows in my work. One alternative is a larger pallet (which I will get into later) while another alternative would be to mix all of my own greens and play and experiment more. Couldn’t hurt, right?

Experimentation and play are crucial to art as a whole. Without both there would be no art. As far back as any record goes, and I do mean cave paintings, it’s impossible to imagine that experimentation and play were not present. Every movement requires both.

But I digress. There is a new development in what I have access to. That being a larger pallet, much larger. 168 colors to be exact. I asked for it for my birthday and got it, now I’m overwhelmed with options. The place to start would be a swatch sheet (which they conveniently included). And that is certainly where I intend to begin. Soon. However, this new set/kit opens up a whole world of options. Many, many more colors to experiment and play with. It also opens up a universe of options for failure, the opportunity to pick the wrong color and fail dismally. It could also be a wonderful thing and really allow for great explorations. The thing is that won’t know until I start playing with it. So here goes…