Author: Jamie Hansen
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Straight Soprano Saxophone in Magenta
A vibrant watercolor painting captures the sleek form of a straight soprano saxophone, painted with a palette of magenta and Indanthrone blue. This piece was painted from a photo I took at the 2025 VMEA conference. Original Artwork Medium: watercolor on 300# hot press Arches watercolor paper Dimensions: original is 13″ x 6″ Pigment Note: Painted…
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Sousaphone in Magenta
A vibrant watercolor painting of a Sousaphone, bursting with energy in shades of magenta and drawn in lavender black iron gall ink. This colorful source photo was a gift from an educator at the 2024 VMEA Conference: the original image was captured by a marching band student. It’s a celebration of music, education, and the…
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Lavender Euphonium
I painted this euphonium in lavender tones to balance strength with softness. The color feels unusual on brass, and that is exactly why I wanted to try it. I photographed the instrument at the 2025 VMEA conference in Norfolk, Virginia. I used new Daniel Smith colors, including lavender and wisteria, and I let them behave…
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Glockenspiel
This watercolor captures the clean geometry and reflective surfaces of a glockenspiel, balancing precision with softness. I met George at American Drum while I was photographing instruments at VMEA, and he generously let me capture this glockenspiel. I tested a few color arrangements on my iPad, then committed to this one, bright gradients and all.…
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English Horn Bell in Indigo
I focused on the bell of an English horn and used deep indigo tones to emphasize depth and resonance. I love how this single area holds so much of the instrument’s character. Max in Arizona suggested I zoom in on this exact section, and I took his advice. The curve, the shine, and the weight…
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Lemon Mallets
I painted these mallets in bright lemon tones to give percussion tools the spotlight they deserve. I love the balance of repetition and tiny variation across the set. I photographed the source mallets at the American Drum table during VMEA in Norfolk, Virginia. George filled his table with beautifully arranged percussion instruments, and I left…
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Bb Clarinet in Peacock | Musical Instrument Painting
30″ x 6″ original watercolor on 300 lb Arches paper, May 2025. Bold, fluid, and alive with color, Clarinet in Peacock is painted with vibrant washes and cool turquoise lines. This tall, narrow piece will be a conversation starter with its rhythmic detail and vertical presence. Part of my ongoing music series, this work makes a…
