Aug 30, 2018

Still Time for Outdoor Sketching - Painting & Drawing Tips

Fall is in the air but DON'T go into your studio Yet.

Still Warm enough to get outdoors SKETCHING

It is comfy in your studio, all your materials are where you want them.  Things don't move, light doesn't change, bugs, wind and rain don't bother you.

But . . . .

The fall colours are starting to shine.  The air is crisp and clean.  The blue sky has a deep warmth to it, a balance to the rusty reds and lemon yellows of the trees it silhouettes.  My favourite is the bright orange of the pumpkins, the browns, greens and yellows of fading corn stalks and the rusty reds of harvest time. 

This summer I have been working with a few students on Outdoor Sketching. I loved every class but I know each was a challenge for my students and me.  Yes, it is fun but there is always a challenge.  Sometimes you feel you meet the challenge but not every trip is a success.  But then not every studio painting is a success either. 

There were several things I found helped:

a. Give yourself permission to practice.  Seems simple but you know what it is like.  With any picture you have high expectations and when they are not met, feelings of failure seem to rear up.  This is a sketchbook you are using, this is practice, remember the key questions to ask:  What do I like about my drawing?  What is working?  How did I do that?  Those questions lead to learning. 

Have a SMALL kit ready to go 

b.  Have your materials in an organized manor.  If you are busy fiddling with a wobbly stand, working with weak pigmented paints, sitting/standing in an awkward spot; how can you expect to do well.  Test your materials out before you go and make sure everything works and is ready.

Be Comfortable but bring only what you need.  The Parking Lot is further than you think. 

c.  Pack only what you need.  This seems like I am repeating my last point but not really.  Taking extra 'stuff' because you might need it only means more for you to carry.  This means more fumbling and fiddling.  When the light is right you want to 'get at it'.  You can always add that extra sparkle when you get back to the studio

Do little Studies - Karina is working on rocks in and out of water. 

d.  Paint/draw what caught your eye, first.  This is not a complete work of art.  It is a sketch of something that caught your eye: water flowing down the creek bed; sun shining on the rocks; ferns wafting in the breeze. Start with your inspiration and move outwards.  The light will change, the clouds may come or my case, the boat your are drawing may sail away.  Capture the special thing you want, the rest is just window dressing. 

Catch your Inspiration first and draw out from there

e.  Zoom in on your subject.  Make your sketch a micro environment.  Those ferns and rocks give you 'meat' to draw.  You can create that texture you love on the tree, if you zoom in on it.  Drawing the big landscape gives you a great panorama but may leave you feeling you haven't captured your 'inspiration'.  (Special note here: you know I love detail, texture and values.  Those are my meat and potatoes in any picture.  If you like the grand vistas please draw them. There is no right or wrong in Outdoor Sketching.)

Start with Big Shapes and then add detail, again focusing on your focal point first and then moving outwards. 

f.  Start with the big shapes.  Before drawing each leaf and berry first capture the big shapes.  You may find that your big shape "a bush" is really not large enough to include the individual leaves.  When I see a tree or bush I ask myself how I know what kind of plant it is.  What shapes, patterns or colours are the clues.  Those are what I try and draw. 

It's way too early to head for your studio.  Bundle up and head out for a few more Outdoor Sketching Trips.  Accept the Challenge.

Update on the BIG Project: 

Honorable Mention awarded for My BIG Project
Very pleased that my Picture made it into the prizes, sadly my boy and dog will not grace a wine bottle like the winning picture but it was a great experience for me. ( A huge learning curve preparing a large watercolour on a wood cradle) To learn more about my BIG Project see here

Up Date on that train picture "Hitch'in A Ride"-  Read about it here.

HITCH'N A RIDE is still waiting for the results.
I don't know anything yet but Awards will be made at the Reception, Tuesday, Sept 18, 7pm, Newton Cultural Center, Surrey.  Fingers Crossed. See you there.

SAVE THE DATE:  
Sheraton Artisan Market
Saturday, Sept 29, 11-6pm
 Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 104 Ave, Surrey,
This is an Invitation only event for Professional Artists so you know there will be Sensational Fine Art, Jewelry and Pottery there. 

Open Studio at Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery
 Sun, Sept 30, 10-4pm 
Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm 

Artists reading this post also find the following valuable: 
How to find the Right Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook Ready for You? - here
Have You Felt the Freedom of the Line? - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy

Aug 23, 2018

Plein Air Festival at Kilby - Full Report - Painting & Drawing Tips

Can it really be over already?!

Just got home and unpacking from 4 days at Kilby Plein Air Festival. Steve, Max and I had an awesome time.  Lots of old friends from other years and new ones too.
Jayden with his winner - PEPPERMINT
 We started off Friday & Saturday as two glorious painting days.  11-4pm.  How can it go so fast?
There was so many interesting setups and different mediums.  It was fascinating just to walk around and talk with all the artists.

Terry works large on Yupo paper with Acrylic
Kilby had lots of umbrellas up for shade and were quick to move them when needed.
Nika worked every day on her great painting of the Milk House - Amazing work from one so young.
Kerry busy painting the Kilby Cafe, set up by the gas pumps

Food was available right at the Cafe and they had a wonderful spread.  We placed our order and they brought it right out to our spot.  Who wants to stop working just to eat!!

I was busy as an Organizer and Judge so did not have time to really sit and paint.  However, in keeping with my focus on ink drawing this summer I decided to work on some ink Portraits. 


ERNIE - My first attempt.  Encouraging, eh?!

 I know, you are wondering, when did that start.  Well, there were so many people there in period costume wanting to be models so I thought I would give it a try.  My first one went way better than I expected.  It looked like a person and even my model could recognize himself.  I was encouraged and tried a few more.  

Portrait #2 - little bigger and a bit of colour

My second was Jo-Ann.  I got brave and added just a hint of colour. 

Jessica was very patient with me while I worked on my drawing.
For my third one with Jessica I really got a bit carried away.

JESSICA -  Portrait #3 - more colour, stronger values 

Sunday was wrap up Day at the Festival.  Artists were sneaking in before the gate open at 11 to get their paintings done.   1 pm saw paintings handed in. Time to look around and see what had been accomplished.  Some had finished 2 or 3 paintings others only 1.  Didn't matter.  It was all in the spirit of the event.  

Bruce Coughlan sang all afternoon - so nice to hear his music under the trees as we picnicked on the grass
Jurying happened at 2 and Prizes and Awards at 3.  Jayden won the big prize - a night at Harrison Hot Springs.  People's Choice was Awarded and then Draw Prizes for everyone.  Suddenly it was all over. 
Max is getting pretty good at this kayaking thing.  We were out on the Harrison River several times over the weekend. 

Don't think Painting was all we did.  Several of the artists like myself, stayed at the Kilby Campsite on the river so it was walks, swims and kayaking for us well into the evening.  Kilby Campsite takes reservations so keep that in mind if you plan on joining in next year. 

A special thanks to the Kilby Staff for making this such a successful event. This was the 4th year and certainly a very successful one.  

Have you tried Plein Air Painting or Drawing?  Time and worries just melt away as you get into your zone.  An awesome way to spend the day.  I have one more outing set up this month, see info below if you would like to join me.

Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  Original Artwork, commissions and prints and cards of Art by Wendy's Work


One More OUTDOOR SKETCHING DAY - Tuesday, Aug 28, 9:45- 11:45pm

Capture the sun filtering through the trees, flowers blowing in the breeze, or lazy water trickling in the creek.  Bring you sketckbook and paints and join me in a morning of relaxed drawing and painting in the park.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome - Small Group and Lots of Instruction.  Cost $36.75  Bring your own materials.   Contact Wendy to save your spot

SAVE THE DATE:  

Open Studio at Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery

 Sun, Sept 30, 10-4pm 
Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 
The Story of a Painting in 3 Parts,  from start to finish - starts here
How to Paint/Draw Soft & Fluffy Animals, 2 Parts - starts here
How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy

Aug 16, 2018

Playing with a VERY Limited Watercolour Palette - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY
Camping on Texada Island was AWESOME.

TIDES COMING IN - The view from our Campsite, Texada Island


As many of you know, Steve, Max and I head out each summer for a few weeks to enjoy the sunshine.  It is a time to go for long walks on the beach, dig for clams, feast on oysters, kayak, relax and refresh. 

For me it is also a time to paint.

I paint nearly every day.  It is always a mystery to me how the focus of my work changes each summer.  For the last few years we have headed up to Texada.  There is a semi-rustic campsite there, right on the ocean.    So the views don’t change.  But somehow, each year I come home with a completely different set of pictures. 

This year was no different.

My series “At the Water’s Edge” was born. 

SUN ON THE WATER - Mermaid Cove, Saltery Bay

It happened accidentally.  I started off with a nice little watercolour of Mermaid Cove, where we camped on our first night.  But then when we reached Texada things changed.  My eye was caught by this hugh driftwood stump, upended on the beach.  My paints were ready but somehow I felt it called for ink.  I needed to capture those sharp lines, the curves, the rough abrupt edges.  They told stories of growth, of prosperity, of despair.  A silent beauty, dashed  up on the beach during a winter storm. Forcefully ripped from its home.  I know, I just go crazy when I see the etched lines in trees and stumps. 

SUNLIGHT ON THE DRIFTWOOD Sold - My first experiment with a 2 colour palette

After sitting on the beach and drawing my stump I felt it needed some life.  I added a seagull, there were several searching the beach for tender morsels of food.  I loved the ink drawing but wanted more.  It felt so cold.  Black and White. It didn’t do the summer day justice. So I added a bit of colour.

Only 2 Colours . . .

A VERY limited Palette. Winsor Blue (Green Shade) for the summer skies and Cadmium Orange for the soft warm feel of summer.  I loved it. 

I needed to do more . . .

A heron was my next idea.  There was one hanging out along the shoreline whenever the tide was out.  I sat down among the island cliffs near the tidal pool where he liked to hang out.  When I was out in my kayak, I could see why.  There were large schools of fish taking up residence there.  


HERON: TIDES RUNNING - matted 10 X 8.  $130 on Etsy
 As you can see, those two colours created lots of interesting colours. The blue grayed the orange down to create a range of tans and browns.  And the orange turned the blue into some interesting greens.  I felt it added another dimension to my ink drawings. They did look nice as black and whites but the colour definitely added a new dimension.  

(Note:  Winsor Blue, also called Phthalo Blue, comes as a Green Shade and a Red Shade.  They look very similar but will react differently when mixed with other colours because the Green Shade is a Blue Green and leans more to the yellow when mixing with other colours.   The Red Shade is a blue violet and leans more to the Red when mixing.)   

After drawing my rocky cliff, I added my heron and bits of colour.  I was hooked. The ideas came jumping at me.  What about the eagle soaring overhead, moving from stoney bluffs to trees to rocky points. 

EAGLE: SOFT LANDING - matted 10 X 8.  $130 on Etsy

The oyster catchers screeching as they fly from one patch of kelpy rocks to another. (I know I deviated from my palette with that touch of red for the oyster catchers but really.  Can you imagine an oyster catcher with anything but their bright orangy red beaks?!)

OYSTER CATCHERS ON THE SHORE - matted 8 x 10. $130 on Etsy

Soon I was picking out rock outcrops and seaweed beds to include in my pictures.  I patiently set on the beach and completed the detailed drawings of the shoreline and then using my library of wildlife pictures, I added my subject.  As I relaxed in the campsite the bits of colour were added. 

HERON: HUNTING THE TIDAL POOL - - matted 8 x 10. $130 on Etsy

I completed a number of pieces on our trip but I still have plans for more. You can see a full selection at my Etsy Store.  WendyMouldsArt 

When Max and I were out kayaking I got some great shots of a seal resting on the rocks.  He will definitely be my next subject!!

Have you tried something new this summer? How's it going?  

Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  Original Artwork, commissions and prints and cards of Art by Wendy's Work


One More OUTDOOR SKETCHING DAY - Tuesday, Aug 28, 9:45- 11:45pm

Capture the sun filtering through the trees, flowers blowing in the breeze, or lazy water trickling in the creek.  Bring you sketckbook and paints and join me in a morning of relaxed drawing and painting in the park.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome - Small Group and Lots of Instruction.  Cost $36.75  Bring your own materials.   Contact Wendy to save your spot

SAVE THE DATE: 

Open Studio at Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery

 Sun, Sept 30, 10-4pm   
Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 
The Story of a Painting in 3 Parts,  from start to finish - starts here
How to Paint/Draw Soft & Fluffy Animals, 2 Parts - starts here
How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy

Aug 9, 2018

Wrapping Up the Big Project - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY
A BOY AND HIS DOG - 2ft x 4 ft, watercolour

 Yes, my BIG Project is Finished!!

What a great feeling.  It was a challenge, a steep learning curve and a wonderful adventure.  You know what it is like.  Each new project feels like this.  I think it is a big reason why I like to create.  My creativity feeds on challenges, learning new things and new adventures.  What things feed your creativity?

Not sure what is happening, My Project is a 2 foot x 4 foot watercolour painting mounted on a wood panel and finished without glass.  See my posts starting here to catch up.

A Final Report

At first I was going to include my final picture as a minor part of my post this week.  After last week I thought all the excitement was over.  Touch up a few spots, varnish and done.  What's to say about that.

That was before trouble started. . . .

I finished up the picture early Saturday, I put my brush down.  I felt I was just fiddling.  On a whim I took the picture to my daughter's as we were invited to dinner.  I thought I would get some outside thoughts before I varnished it.

There were others there as well. They all said "Oh, that is lovely".  (Not really much help there) Then my son-in-law said "do you want us to critique it?"  (Now we are talking).  Now don't get me wrong.  You need to paint your own ideas but it is useful to hear other's thoughts.  You may not agree with them or like them but it is important to hear what other's see and think about your work.

Max's ear is too big and undefined

The big problem was Max's head. . .

I realized as soon as they spoke that it was a problem I hadn't resolved and kind of ignored.  The ear was too big and unresolved.  My references didn't tell me anything.  So I went back to Max.
Max's Head Shot Photo Shoot - Harder to do than you think

Although Max was willing to eat all the peanut butter we wanted to give him, it wasn't that easy to get my shot.  My critiquers wanted more nose, but when I really studied him with the stance I had used. I realized that wouldn't work.  I should see a little nose below the ear and his throat not his eyes and forehead.

Here is where I was glad I had 300 lb Arches Paper adhered to a wood panel.  

I needed to 'lift paint".  Lots of it.  I panicked.  You know how it feels.  There is the "OMG" moment 'what am I going to do?'  I have learned to curb that feeling.  It is really important to "move away from the painting" when it hits.

First make a plan. 
I drew the changes right on my picture. I realized right away it wasn't that bad as I could use lots that was there.  I wet and scrubbed using a scrubber, dabbed and waited.  The heavier paper takes more punishment, which is good but slower to dry.  I let it dry several times during the process because when wet it was hard to judge the values correctly.
A Fast way to study the 'whole' picture

Step back to Evaluate
Making changes and adding final touch ups requires careful study with your picture upright.  I work flat. So in the early stages I would pick up my picture and place it on an easel to study it.  When I was deep into 'fix it and final touch up' mode, I wanted a faster view.  My step ladder filled the bill.  A quick climb up and I could check things out.

Finally the Varnish  . . .
After fixing Max's ear, a few touch ups here and there I really did put my brush down.  Then it was time to varnish.  Like everything to do with a BIG project, planning is needed.  To varnish small pieces was easy.  Setting up a space for a big picture to sit for hours as each layer was applied, then dried was more difficult.  But finally 6 layers of a spray mat varnish were applied.  Now it must sit for 7 days to cure and it is ready.
A BOY AND HIS DOG - Finished 

Jurying will be done August 18/19 weekend and the results announced 3pm,Saturday, August 25, Vinoscenti Winery, 15560 Colebrook Rd, Surrey.  Fingers Crossed!!

Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  Original Artwork, commissions and prints and cards of Art by Wendy's Work.


Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

Plein Air Painting Festival - August 17-19,  KilbyHistorical Site, Harrison Mills, BC

Great Opportunity to Paint on an Historic Site with costume models, farm animals, farm scenery, old store and more.  Painting Friday and Saturday, & Sunday Morning,  Prizes, Luncheon, and Sales on Sunday Afternoon.  Great Prizes for all levels - Beginners to Advanced Welcome.

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  
This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Last Summer Session
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Monday, August 13, 10-12pm & 1-3pm 

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,
Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 
The Story of a Painting in 3 Parts,  from start to finish - starts here
How to Paint/Draw Soft & Fluffy Animals, 2 Parts - starts here
How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy


Aug 2, 2018

Working on Over-sized Watercolours - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

It's great to be back!

Don't get me wrong, I had an awesome trip with Steve and Max camping on Texada Island but somehow when you get home everything seems new and exciting.

And for me, the Biggest Excitement is my BIG Picture!

BOY AND HIS DOG -  2 ft by 4 ft. Watercolour - Coming Down to the Finish Line

Yes, I have picked up my very large, half finished painting and I am back to work on it. I found this was a different experience.  (Not sure what is happening, My Project is a 2 foot x 4 foot watercolour painting.  See my posts starting here to catch up.)

Usually when you stop work on a painting it is because you ran into trouble.  Your frustrated, disappointed, defeated.  You do get back up and run at it again but sometimes that painting can sit for days/months/years before that happens.  I hear from acrylic and oil artists that those paintings can even get scraped off or painted over.  Definitely not a positive experience.

With my BIG Picture things are different. . .

I didn't stop because of trouble, I stopped because I had to.  Part of the competition was to have an "In Progress" Reception.  So I had to stop, even when I was on a roll and paint was humming.  The feelings are so different as I return to work.  Excitement. Joy. Impatient.  Get out of my way, I want to paint!

There are three main jobs left: Painting Max, my dog; painting my Grandson's hand and face, my little boy and reconciling the background.

Part 1: Bringing Max to life:

Max - Step 1 - here you can see how the layers build his body.  His back shows the gray undercoat.  His back legs show a finished section.  


At first I wondered how I was going to get Max's coat looking good and not just a black blog.  My solution was buried in the roots of my pencil work.  Lay down a mid tone value for the area.  In this case I wanted both warm and cold tones in my black.  I used Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna to make my gray.

Max - Step 2 - the layering is done in patterns that resemble what I can see on his body.

Once the first layer of gray is dry, I begin to build his fluffy coat by adding darker layers. Slowing increasing the value with each layer. And of course drying after each layer.

 I am constantly looking for some kind of pattern in the body shape.  This is done wet into damp.  Not really a full out wet surface but not totally dry either.  I want to keep soft edges for most of my hair.  Hard edges catch the eye and Max is not the star of my painting.  (I know, hard to believe, but Max is number 2, it is really all about my grandson.)

Max - Step 3 - I am constantly building by overlapping my strokes.  Keeping the colour similar but not exactly the same. 

Max is a phantom poodle and has great markings.  They are a tan colour.  I used my gray as a wash over the tan areas to tone it down and integrate it into his body colour. I also added green over some of the areas to pick up on the reflected light in the vineyard.

Max - Step 4 - Final - I kept his harness lighter than him in most areas as it really broke his shape up.  I didn't want him to be a black blob. 

Once Max was done I was ready to take on my Real Challenge. . . .

Part 2: My grandson's face and hand. 

I wasn't quite sure what I was going to use for the skin tone but finally settled on a combination of New Gamage, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Rose, and my mixture of greens from the background.  Again I laid down a the midtone for his face. (This is not a mid tone value of 5 on the scale of 1-10, this is the midtone value for this area.)

Grandson - Starting to build the layers, focusing on the darks

As I put down the base I used a cloth to lighten the area on the back of his neck and the top of his head.  Then focusing on the darks I began to add layers to create the shadows and form his features.  Again working wet into damp. Lots of drying in between.   Hard lines on a young child can really age them.  (Actually you already know how mean those hard lines in your face can be!)

Check up top for my work in progress to see how the layers of grazing for the shadows are starting to sculpture his face.  I added a bit of the white highlights on his face as well to give you an idea how they will change things again.  Eye Candy.

The next few days should see my picture done.  Then Varnish, 7 Days to Cure and over for Jurying on August 16.  I am looking forward to seeing the finished picture as much as you!!  I will post the finished picture with next weeks post.   You can see the full process of working with Oversized Watercolour Paper starting hereAny questions about working with oversized watercolours and framing with varnish I will be glad to answer.  I have several more varnished paintings planned as I really enjoy seeing them on the wood panels.

How is your Big Challenge coming?  Are you ready to share?  I would love to see/hear what you did.

Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  Original Artwork, commissions and prints and cards of Art by Wendy's Work.


Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

Plein Air Painting Festival - August 17-19,  KilbyHistorical Site, Harrison Mills, BC

Great Opportunity to Paint on an Historic Site with costume models, farm animals, farm scenery, old store and more.  Painting Friday and Saturday, & Sunday Morning,  Prizes, Luncheon, and Sales on Sunday Afternoon.  Great Prizes for all levels - Beginners to Advanced Welcome.

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  
This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Last Summer Session
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Monday, August 13, 10-12pm & 1-3pm 

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,
Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 
The Story of a Painting in 3 Parts,  from start to finish - starts here
How to Paint/Draw Soft & Fluffy Animals, 2 Parts - starts here
How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.
You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.
Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy