From the Vault: Imagined Trout

This was a quick watercolor sketch I did a few years ago- since then it has been clipped to an unused easel in the corner of our study. I messed around with the colors a bit- I'm not sure any real trout looks like this. When I draw or paint I tend to be over-meticulous, and spend far too much time trying to achieve a realism that is all to often elusive. I like this trout because it swims in the face of that reality, and reminds me to try more quick sketching, and to let my brush wander around without always listening to my hyperactive inner-critic. Maybe I'll paint the next trout in fuschia and blue. That'll give my inner critic something to talk about...