Toasting Marshmallows - S'mores & Family Fun Around the Camp Fire

The Story

The marshmallows are perfect, ready for S'mores! 

I think of family fun when I look at this painting! Toasting marshmallows over an open log fire is one of the simple joys of life. Sitting by the fire with your front a bit too warm and your back a bit too cold, unable to see anything but what is right in front of you. Strange sensations that nothing else in life compares to.

Then to taste that warm squishy marshmallow between chocolate and graham crackers and sharing that with family and friends... it just doesn't get any better than that! 

Steps for the best toasted marshmallows ever!

1. cut a fresh Sassafras twig (strong but a little flexible so it won't break)
2. shave off all the bark (keeps it from catching fire)
3. sharpen it to a point
4. load it with marshmallows
5. toast to a golden brown, or catch them on fire if you like them burnt!

The Technique

I love starting with a big puddle of water on the paper, dropping a variety of colors into it, then watch the magic of the watercolor as they run and mingle with each other. It's impossible to control or to know what the final outcome with look like. After it's completely dry, I ask myself "What does this remind me of?"  This one of course was fire! The watercolor underpainting covered the complete surface of the paper, requiring opaque gouache to paint the white of the marshmallows.