In June, I spent a week in Chincoteague, Virginia with daily visits to  Asseteague National Wildlife Refuge. Rather than my usual approach to travel watercolors, in which I attempt some precision and realism, I went for more impressionistic and gestural. I enjoyed doing these (other than being devoured by mosquitos) and felt that I had gained more confidence and control after taking the botanical illustration classes. I paid much more attention to the values (lights and darks) to suggest the forms and depth. I started with watercolor pencils and then added water to “melt” the pencil. Then I enhanced the images with watercolors.