Wonky Stars

This was just one version of the sunset a couple nights ago...it changed color by the minute.  

That sliver of blue sky at the horizon was such beautiful compliment to the pinks and purples....it was breathtaking! I went out to take a look 5 or 6 times over a 15 minute period.  How could I not!

After a couple late evening painting sessions I've finished this small negative space wonky star painting. 

It was 4  layers of paint....and I intentionally splattered and created blooms in each layer trying to give the background sky more interest.  

This morning in the light of day I thought it needed a little something...so I splattered some gold watercolor.  

I was a little hesitant....but I think it's just what it needed.  Phew!

I'll finish it up in the next few days and get it on its way as a 1st birthday card for Max....he and I have a star thing going.

This is the only "in progress photo I took.  

I covered the paper with a very pale wash and the lightest stars were sketched on top of that. Then I painted around them in the next darker value and so on.  I used a blue watercolor pencil to draw in the stars on the last layer so I could see them easier. 

It's always that last dark layer that make the other values really pop!

I just realized I might have missed a spot with the darker blue....but I can still go back and fix it. That's what happens when you paint wonky stars late at night.