Arches National Park, Utah – watercolor on 21″x 14 ” Masa Paper
Toned Masa Paper
First Wash
I showed the final painting to a few people before this post and not one, not two, but THREE people told me it reminded them of the Flintstones’ house. Fred and Wilma, I’ve renovated your place. You’re welcome.
A while back I got a box of Quinacridone colors from Daniel Smith. I’ve used them on occasion, but decided to do a test of all of them on watercolor paper to see all the colors together since many of them are similar. Here they are in all their Quin Glory. I had started the painting at the top using some regular watercolors, but decided to add some of these colors to the mix. I like the splash of Quin Pink in the bottom left corner of the painting.
And again, for no reason, here’s another picture of my dog. Hey, get off the bed!
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
29 comments
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August 18, 2013 at 10:52 am
artscottnet
Beautiful painting… I got some of the masa paper, it’s on my list of things to try. I’m color blind, so it’s difficult for me to discern/name actual colors, but I can tell when colors are ‘warm’, and I love the warmth of the Qs. A beautiful inspiring painting, Carol, thanks for sharing, and I always love to see photos of furry friends so thanks for the bonus pic… a good day to you
August 18, 2013 at 10:57 am
Carol King
Hi Scott, thanks for your comment. I’m surprised you’re color blind since you paint so wonderfully. I guess if you can see values though, it doesn’t matter so much about the colors. My dog sends her regards!
August 18, 2013 at 10:59 am
Mr. CATSOE
Must say… Your painting does sort of remind me of the Flintstone’s house. But the “picture” sure doesn’t look like “Dino”.. LoL
Hi Carol… Very nice indeed.!!
August 20, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Carol King
Funny! My dog is no dino for sure! Thanks for your visit and comment.
August 18, 2013 at 11:02 am
John Eagan
Thanks for posting your process for using the masa paper. You have inspired me to give it a try. I also like the DS quinacridones, they are great for desert paintings.
August 20, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Carol King
I look forward to seeing your masa paper work. Make sure to send me pictures. And yes, the DS Quns are great for the desert. I also use them for city scenes.
August 18, 2013 at 11:03 am
Padmaja
The toned masa itself looks so lovely, I am sure that set you further down to come up with a stunning piece! The colors look very rich, just the way I love.we don’t get such colors here in Oman or in India.You are giving us a lovely masa series to enjoy, thank you!
August 20, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Carol King
Padmaja, i would think in India there are very bright, rich colors. not sure about Oman. glad you stopped by and commented.
August 18, 2013 at 11:34 am
RHCarpenter
HA! I didn’t think of the Flintstones at all!! I have been there and I just thought you are really getting ready for that move out west 🙂 Great dog photo!! I love quin colors, having begun with quin rose and quin coral and then buying quin burnt gold and quin magenta and…you get the idea!!
August 20, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Carol King
I’m glad to hear you didn’t think of the Flintstones! I would have never thought of that either. I love the quin colors too. And yes, maybe I am getting ready mentally for the big move out west.
August 18, 2013 at 11:35 am
nicsearth
I love your dog! She’s gorgeous and I for one am always in favour of dog photos for no reason at all! I really like these paintings on masa paper. I wouldn’t gave thought of the Flintstones until you said it but I can see what they mean! What are quinacridone watercolours?
August 20, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Carol King
Quinacridone watercolors were originally, as I understand it, made for car paint. Somehow they made their way to watercolor pigments.
DS has a great selection here: http://www.danielsmith.com/Item–i-G-284-600Q
August 18, 2013 at 3:04 pm
joantav
Oh, I never thought of using masa paper for rocks like these! Brilliant!!! I think your choice of color was great…not only does it give the color of those red rocks it gives you the feel of the heat there.
We missed you yesterday…and we found the Red Hook Yacht Club right across from the Fairway Market. The area has a lot of interesting spots to sketch. We’d like to go back again.
August 20, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Carol King
I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to Red Hook with the Urban Sketchers. Maybe next time. Masa paper does work well for these rocks, thanks.
August 18, 2013 at 5:43 pm
hannekekoop
Lovely and warm painting, Carol. It makes me wonder what is behind the hole in the rock. The path leads right to it. Nice photo of your dog. 🙂
August 20, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Carol King
Behind the hole in the rock are more rocks. 🙂 I wanted to put some tiny people at the top of the path to show how big the rocks were, but they ended up being dots so I just called it a day. My dog is always wondering why I’m pointing the camera at her. I tell it it’s because she’s cute, but I suspect she just thinks I’m crazy.
August 18, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Terri Morse
Hi Carole! I was delighted to see your post. We are on our way to Arches right now! We’ll be camping in Rocky Mountain N.P. first, and then we’ll move on to Arches later in the week. I love the texture that the paper adds to your painting. Rocky landscapes are a wonderful subject for that type of paper. I’ll have to do some experiments with it when I return home.
August 20, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Carol King
Hi Terri, I see that you made it to Rocky Mountain National Park. I hope you have a wonderful time. I look forward to seeing your experiments back home.
August 18, 2013 at 11:28 pm
lesliepaints
Wow! Thank you for posting your original toned paper and first washes. I don’t know about the Flintstones. I like the composition. I want to walk up the path and look through. I like the Quinacridones, mostly the gold. Beautiful painting and , of course, beautiful Kaiya.
August 20, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Carol King
Leslie, I owe the discovery of this wonderful masa paper to you and your tutorials. (And of course your magnificent masa paintings.) Isn’t quin gold a great color. And my doggie is very cute, if I do say so myself. LOL!
August 19, 2013 at 5:48 am
Nuno
Thanks for showing the intermediate steps. And, yeah, it is possible it is similar to the Flintstones, it is a rocky landscape. But it is much deeper and interesting than those cartoon backgrounds!
August 20, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Carol King
Hi Nuno, thanks for your comments and visit. I’m glad you like seeing the intermediate steps.
August 19, 2013 at 11:21 am
napabelle
Ah! The masa paper bug has gotten hold of you too!! Beautiful! I do love these intense colors! I remember when I went to Sedona for the first time, my first thought was: “Why did I bother bringing all these colors?? I could have just grabbed reds and yellows!” 🙂
August 20, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Carol King
Yep, I’ve been bitten by the masa bug. I laughed at your Sedona story. thanks for the visit and the comments. I’ve just been by your place and loved what you did with Myrna!
August 19, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Irina
As I do not remember the Flintstones’ house at all, I must say that from the first second I saw here beautiful mass of natural stones, painted with vivid colors. Masa paper adds interest for sure, too.
August 20, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Carol King
Thank you Irina. Masa paper does indeed add interest. And for me the ability to be freer with my paint.
August 20, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Beth Parker
I knew I had to open it when you mentioned 3 of my favorite things in the title. 🙂 And you added a dog!!! Yay! I love German Shepards. That’s my kind of dog. I love the painting and the pink in the corner is great!
August 21, 2013 at 12:06 am
Cindy D.
Haha, I didn’t see the Flinstones either until I read your note! Now I do see it. Maybe the rounded shape and the little half crescent window. But you’ve really styled up the place – they never could afford it now. Not on a slate quarry worker’s salary. Yay dog pics!
August 21, 2013 at 12:39 pm
hw (hallie) farber
Now I have to get some Masa paper. I spent some time around Santa Fe so I didn’t think of the Flintstones–beautiful painting of that area’s unbelievable colors.