Our apartment windows host views of Mt. Fuji most clear days, and it is such a privilege. I understand the reverence many Japanese people have for this most beautiful mountain. I call these waves of blue mountains the 'mirage mountains' for some days there are layers and layers of rolling mountain range, and other days I can barely see the other side of the runway (we live near a runway FYI). It makes viewing them all the more poignant, and I make the time to stop and appreciate the view.

There are days when the clouds are so low they rest upon the smaller mountain ranges as if too tired to lift themselves back into the sky.

In the morning, the white cap of Mt. Fuji has a dusty pink hue to it, but this is fleeting, and normally gone by 8 am.

Some sunsets are so glorious and rich in color, I find it difficult to ever aspire to paint it and do the scene justice. God's color palette is infinite to my Reeves watercolors set! So vivid, I may as well put raw magenta pigment onto the paper! The number of time I've had to remind myself I can't take a photo while driving: too many!

Even the hazy, or gloomy days inspire me to paint my mountain scenes.

I have yet to view the mountains of Mt. Fuji at night, but bear with me; it's on my to-be-done list! It will be fantastic to see Fuji with stars all around it!

Most of these painted sketches are from my apartment, but a few are from trips I have taken giving me closer, and different views of Fuji.

The reason I chose to paint these mountains rather than post photos, is that, even with editing and highlighting, the colors of the sky were not captured on my iPhone correctly. It's always a let down to remember such beautiful sights, then to see the flat, dullness on my screen. No comparison.

Thank the Lord for my memory, which I have been training, pushing and developing to see and record and remember these scenes better. Here's a few examples of what's to come: on 4 x 6 inches watercolor paper.

Also, I wish to improve my en plain air skills. I am making a point not to spend more than 20 minutes on each painting. I find it so different working in watercolors compared to oils. The lightest areas started first. The darkest built up with layers of pigment. It's the opposite with oils. Shadows first, and highlights worked in last. Still, I like the quickness of watercolor. But errors are easily made with the unforgiving paints.

I think I favor the more monochrome paintings. The second is my favorite: cool gray blue mountains and white clouds settling...

I will be adding to this blog in about a month's time, with more watercolor paintings, more sunrises, more sunsets, and more blue mountains!

Enjoy, and until next time

Evelyn

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