Cold

Today’s prompt for the Xmas Magic challenge is Cold. I moved to Florida because I don’t like the cold, yet this week it has found me. It makes explaining the choice of picture for this project a bit easier however. I’m going to show the finished picture first then talk about why I chose it.

At first glance you might not think “cold” when you look at this. It doesn’t have any obvious cold elements to it. However, when I look at the little animals curled up in the nest, I see two creatures trying to keep warm.

It reminds me a lot of when it’s cold here in Florida. Everything is still green and the plants are still blooming. We don’t have a winter per se, as much as we get the occasional cold snap. Like this week. It is rare for my heat to run. It is rare that I don’t want to be outside enjoying the sunshine. Yet here we are. This week I feel very connected to these adorable little creatures. I just want to snuggle with my partner and stay warm in bed.

Cold isn’t always so clear, it isn’t always snow and ice or scarves and hats. It is however seeking warmth. I think that sometimes the easiest way to express something, is by looking for it’s opposite.

Now for the technical bits. This page is from Nightfall by Maria Trolle. I colored it with watercolor pencils. This is a very new medium to me but I am learning. I love using it on the black background pages in this book as I feel like the effects of the water color pop off the page more. I really love how the flowers came out. I love the texture in the animal fur. If you are an artist who uses watercolor pencils, I’d love to hear your tips and tricks as I explore these more!

-Flower