Plein Air Painting or Chasing Pigs & Goats - Painting and Drawing Tips

Do you view Plein Air Painting as a Static Activity?  You come, you set up, you stand, you paint, you’re done.  Other than moving your painting arm, you are basically motionless. 

JUDGE, THE KING OF THE CASTLE - all the goats had a turn standing on the cart.  

In many ways, that is probably true. 

Of course that doesn’t take into account, your brain.  It is moving a mile a minute.  And don’t forget that you are stepping back, looking, evaluating and then moving in for the ‘stroke’.  So yes there is movement. 

However, Plein Air Painting with Pigs and Goats is definitely not STATIC.  . .

Painting the Flowers was a very Popular Theme for many of the artists

Last weekend was the Plein Air Festival at Kilby Historical site.  It is a great 3 day event.  Okay, as one of the organizers I am a little prejudice.  But really, 3 days to paint on a Historical site, for $20 with great prizes for everyone.  Who wont have a good time? 

Others were in the orchard, with the veggie garden and scarecrow to catch your eye

This is my 5th year helping out.  Each year I challenge myself to step outside of my box a bit. (see last year's Pen & Ink Portraits) This year it was to draw animals from life.  As a wildlife artist I draw lots of birds and animals in great detail but always from photos.  This year was going to be different.  No photos, just the real thing. 

THE 3 LITTLE PIGS - Chasing pigs around the pen to draw them was not such a popular place

Do you realize Pigs and Goats are on the move.  All the time. . . 

Drawing them is a bit like a bunch of 2 minute poses in Life Drawing.  Actually some were maybe 1 minute.  It was a challenge.  My goat, Judge was first.  That little picture took me 4 hours!!  ‘The 3 Little Pigs’ went much smoother.  And I felt I got more interesting poses for my animals.

Things I learned while chasing Pigs and Goats:

1.     You need to watch the animals for a bit to see what kind of poses they make and what poses you want to include in your picture.  When I was drawing Judge I was so busy getting his body shape, I really didn’t pick a very interesting head position.  I wished later I had his head turned a bit. 

Of Course there is a show to display all the hard work

2.    You need to quickly layout where they will be your picture plane.  I used a rough circle the size I thought the animals should be.  For my pigs, I made each circle a different size, to put them in a different plane.  I also needed them to be facing different ways. 

3.    You really do need to chase pigs and goats if you want to draw them.  They don’t stay still.  While sleeping yes, but not such an interesting pose.  As they move, watch for a duplication of the pose you want. You wont get the whole body duplicated but you can see how: the legs work; the shoulder connects to the back; the different way the ears bend. . . .   Basically draw the pigs in pieces. 

4.    You should be ready to work on the setting/background when things are quiet.  In my case the pigs went into their house.  My goat trotted off to the other end of the field.  So I worked on the trees, the ground, fence posts. Other stuff. I had the advantage of knowing soon people would come along with food for the animals and they would be back.  I know, this wont work in the wild but hey, maybe with lots of practice I will be faster and able to do detailed 2 minute poses of a heron or deer.

Pigs, goats, flowers, old buildings all found their way into the paintings

5.    You need to be patient.  Waiting and watching.  Pretty soon they will turn, sit, stand. And you will be ready to gather more information for your drawing.

 

6.    You need to celebrate your work.  I know my goat and pigs aren’t perfect, but hey.  I am pleased.  They look like pigs and goats.  My pigs have a sense of movement.  They have interesting poses.  I am ready to try again. 

 Have you tried drawing animals from life?  Any thoughts on what helps you?

The Festival wasn’t all chasing pigs.  . .

Max and I got out for several paddles. Weather was up and down but still great sights.  Saw an bald eagle catch a fish and carry it off.  

It was meeting new people.  Catching up with old friends.  Sharing stories.  Lots of laughs.  Seeing how others took up their own challenges and come up with some neat ideas.  And of course the best part was celebrating at the end.  There was so many different, awesome, interesting pictures capturing the Kilby grounds.  The Festival has a Grand Prize which is juried, A People Choice Award and then lots of door prizes for all the contestants.  Any age can enter and any age did.  Even the weather cooperated, well for the most part anyway.  

Helen, Joanne and myself were the jurors, loved this winning painting by Stephenie Egg

Special thanks to Kilby and their Staff for hosting such a fun event.  And special thanks to singers Lawrence Congie and Bruce Coughean who sang for us Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Awesome sounds guys.  And of course a special thanks to all the sponsors for adding to the event. 

FYI - Plein Air Festival at Kilby next year - August 21-23, 2020

 Put it in your Calendar and join us for a fun time.  Come for 1 day or all the days.  Book a campsite with Kilby and stay the whole time.  That's what I do.  

 Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Contact Me to Register ↓↓↓↓

Upcoming Drawing Classes: 

Sunday, September 22 & 29, Beecher Place, Crescent Beach, S Surrey. 1-3pm. $40 ea. 
Part 1: Get that Line Drawing Right - Sept 22
Part 2: Values, Light & Shadows - Sept 29
Beginners to Advanced Welcome.  Come to one or both.      

Drop-In and Draw
Monday, September 30, 1-4pm Beecher Place, Cres. Beach $20.  Get tips on old projects or new. 

Contact Wendy to Register and for more information.  

OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225 
Based on your Schedule at my Studio, N. Surrey. 

September 19-30 I will be at Beecher Place with Art Theo featuring Art by myself, Doris Biddle and Donna Schipfel.  During our stay we will be offering classes and showing/selling our work. I have Drawing Classes on the Sundays (Sept 22 & 29)  and a Drop-In Session (Sept 30)  for those that want to practice more from the classes or would like help in their own projects or starting new ones. 

Doris will be offering a 2 Day class working with Acrylics $80 and a Ceramic Painting class $45.  Donna will be offering 2 classes on Watercolour on Rice paper $40 ea.

FYI

I am scheduled for a Demo at Opus this fall: 

 Drawing: Values, Light & Shadows - Saturday, Oct 19, 11-12:30 or 2-3:30 Free 

Contact Langley Opus to Register  604.533.0601

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Have you De-cluttered your Paintings? Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you tried to sell a house recently? 

Do you watch the House Selling Reality shows?
 If you have you know all about ‘staging your house’ for selling.

BIG BLUE -  Graphite, 8 x 16 inches   $450 Matted, Unframed

This really came home to me this summer as my sister was selling her house. She sent a link to her MLA Listing. OMG! Her house looked lovely but  .  . . 

It looked like nobody lived in it!

Great for selling but not so great to live in.

Ok, I know this is a lot about personal preference.  I am not for full clutter either. I would say on a scale of 1-10, 10 being Hoarder and 1 being Sterile, I am a 4 or 5. I like a few knick-knacks and colour around but I do like to see the counters. 

Where do you fit in?

TREES AND MOSS - I like the white spaces and the combination of finished watercolour with the stand alone ink work

This summer I spent a lot of time Outdoor Painting and Sketching.   My Outdoor Paintings were finished pieces but my Sketches were often left unfinished. As such, those unfinished pieces had wide open spaces.  They were definitely 'Un-Cluttered'.   I found myself visiting this idea of clutter in a painting.

TREE ON THE ROCK -  Shingle Beach - Full of that Big White Space

BIG BLUE was the result of my thoughts.  I know, you might place him close to 1 in my Clutter Scale from above but I think of him more as a 2.  I do like the clean white area surrounding him but I feel the rocks/wood at his feet give a sense of foreground and background to the piece.  At the same time as giving him a base.  

Thoughts coming out of trying the 'Great White Space'

1.  Composition: reducing the background makes me much more aware of how my subject must interact with the picture space.  Where it is best to place him;  What creates the mood I want to convey.  

A Very HEAVILY CROPPED BIG BLUE - Certainly doesn't convey his strength and yet fragile place in the world.  This Cropped Piece seems to minimize him. I feel he is cramped by the picture frame.  

2.  Simplification of Information:  When you plan your picture, there is always a need to simplify the information.  You can not paint every leaf, car, building . . . .  You Simplify.  But what is important and what isn't.  Working with a bare background makes you more aware of what is important and certainly changes the conversation as you design you next picture. 

3. Contrast: The Great Empty White Space contrasts with the complex body of my heron. This makes for great Eye Candy.  Do you feel your eyes want to wonder around his body and examine his feathers, legs, feet, eyes , , ,  This idea of Contrast is in many parts: white/dark; bare/complex; soft/rough; sharp/dull; curvy/straight; and more.  Seeing this in action with minimal background makes you more aware of how this can work in other settings.  

4.  Mood: The importance of Mood and Message also become more apparent. I enjoy the Drama of the Black on the White.  It makes for a strong image.  My Message is strong as well: respect, reverence, relevant and yet fragile.  Worth protecting.  Important to the Universe.  

I found these thoughts really carried over to the Finished Pieces I completed.  See August's post:

a.  What Colour is Water?  - rather than finishing the water I kept it loose, added bits of colour and in the case of Heron didn't even define the horizon line.  Do you think it was needed?

b.  Painting and Drawing on the Beach - rather than a complex sky with lots of detail, I have simplified it but still 'suggested' lots.  Enough or do you think it needs more or less?

SEAGULL ON THE ROCKS - Graphite 5 x 7  $130 Matted Unframed
Here again, I like this picture.  I really enjoy that simple/complex contrast and the Drama of the Dark on White.  Makes for an interesting Seagull, eh?! 

Seeing your Subjects in that Great White Space really makes you stop and think, eh?! You can understand some of my thoughts, it did make me take a fresh look at all these issues.  Hope you are inspired by the results. 

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?
September 19-30, I will be at Beecher Place with Art Theo featuring Art by myself, Doris Biddle and Donna Schipfel.  During our stay there we will be offering lessons as well as showing and selling our work. I plan on offering Drawing Classes on the Sunday,  as well as a Drop-In Session at the end for those that want to practice more from the classes or would like help in their own projects or starting new ones.  see info below ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓

Doris will be offering a 2 Day class working with Acrylics $80 and a Ceramic Painting class $45.  Donna will be offering 2 classes on Watercolour on Rice paper $40 ea. 

My Drawing Classes: 

Sunday, September 22 & 29, Beecher Place, Crescent Beach, S Surrey. 1-3pm. $40 ea. 
Part 1: Get that Line Drawing Right - Sept 22
Part 2: Values, Light & Shadows - Sept 29
Beginners to Advanced Welcome.  Come to one or both.      

Drop-In and Draw
Monday, September 30, 1-4pm Beecher Place, Cres. Beach $20.  Get tips on old projects or new. Contact Wendy to Register and for more information.  

OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

FYI

I am scheduled for a Demo at Opus this fall: 

 Drawing: Values, Light & Shadows - Saturday, Oct 19, 11-12:30 or 2-3:30 Free 

Contact Langley Opus to Register  604.533.0601

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Is Your Sketchbook Lonely? Painting & Drawing Tip

Does your Sketchbook lay in a dark and lonely place? 

Does it make you feel guilty whenever you see it?
  

Does its clean, white, unblemished pages scare you? 

I know how you feel.

 

MOUAT BAY - See below for the SECRETS of this Page

Life is short. Things to do. Always something more important. Promise myself I will get to it later. Too busy. Too tired. Not inspired. Been there, done that. 

I think part of my problem was I didn’t think it was important. 

I felt if I was drawing and painting, it had to be Special. Perfect. Salable. 

Sketchbooks are Not a Finished Studio Work of ART.

They are for fun, adventure, memories, experiments, practice, challenges, . . . .

Here is how FUN in a SKETCHBOOK can really look - Check out the SECRET part of my Moat Bay Sketch.

ISN'T THIS FUN!!

 

WHAT A NEAT SURPRISE, EH?!

PUTS A WHOLE NEW TAKE ON YOUR LINE DRAWING, EH?!

I love the ink and watercolour combo.  I enjoyed the challenge of planning the full spread.  I even used different parts of the shoreline for the watercolour section to make you feel like you were walking along the beach. 

Super Fun. 

I feel happy whenever I look at it.  It is exciting, inspiring, full of memories and helpful.  Check out my grey logs and sand.  They were part of my summer Challenges. (See more about my Challenges  HERE). I completed this project as I was working on my Grey Challenge.

Blubbler Bay, Texada - WIP

How much Time did it take to Make my Mouat Bay Project? 

Well for you, that might be a problem.  I certainly didn’t complete it in one Outdoor session.  When we are camping we stay for several weeks so I have the luxury of returning the next day to finish a drawing/painting.  Also, Max and I hike around a lot and I use a lot of that time to think about my projects and figure out what to try/do next.  (Max is pretty quiet on our walks so there is lots of thinking time.) I also take photographs and upload them to my iPad to study them and decide what works.  

Blubber Bay, Texada - Playing with Line and Colour 

Was my sketchbook Project a waste of time?

Yikes!! You are probably saying.  Why on earth spend all that time on a few pages in your sketchbook? 

For several reasons:

1.     Tried different ways of making grey logs, rocks and sand. Literally just threw down different colours to see what would happen.  Sketchbooks give you permission to play and do that.

2.    Worked with foreshortening logs.  They really worked well, but please ignore the breakwater for the log sort in the left corner.  It probably looks fine to you as you don’t know what it should look like.  😝

3.    Practiced drawing a complex scene

4.    Experimented different ways to make values to create depth

5.    Played with my colours for water (See my post “What Colour is Water? For more on that)

6.    Plugged away on my composition skills - really tried to make a pleasing, interesting, waterscape

Van Anda Harbour, Texada - Trying out my Lamy Pen with a midsize knib

7.    Had fun thinking & playing with ink and colour- I know, I need to get a life.  But I enjoyed the challenge of the project once I decided to do it.  I even looked for a special area along the shore and waited for low tide so it would be more interesting. 

Van Anda Harbour, Texada - WIP

  So No, not a waste of Time.  

Rummage through your drawer, dig into your cupboard and get out your sketchbook.  The weather is perfect for getting out and doing some sketching/painting.  Keep it simple or make it complex, regardless, you will enjoy yourself.  And I guarantee you will learn a few things. 

Are your sketchbooks calling you?  Looking for more practice.

If you live in the Fraser Valley, think about joining me this summer for a Morning of Outdoor Sketching.  An easy way to immerse yourself into sketching with ink and watercolour.  See the info below ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓

OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me.

Join me for a morning of  Outdoor Sketching: 

Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, August 13, and 20.  Only 2 sessions left

The classes will be small, max  5.  We will meet at 10-12:30 in a few of the local parks in North Surrey.  ie. Bear Creek Park, Tynehead Park.  The cost is: $45 tx incld. per session. Bring your own supplies.  This is what my kit is like, see HERE
Contact Me to register.   and for more information. 


Or A Day at the Farm - Art Jam at the Farm - Sunday, Aug 11

A full day of ARt here in East Langley, BC

I will be one of the morning instructors with a Outdoor Drawing Session but there will be other sessions as well.  All Sessions are 3 hr.  Cost $100 before Aug 8 & $120 after

Morning Sessions  - Still time to sign up

• 
  
• Collagraphs with Edith Krause
• Drawing with Wendy Mould
• Afternoon Sessions - Lunch Provided

• Life Drawing (from a clothed model) with Claire Moore
• Collagraphs Continued
  

Registration and More Information HERE

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

FYI
Plein Air Event at Kilby Historical Site - August 16 -18, 2019

215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills, BC – approx. 1.5 hr drive from Vancouver
(or stay our there. I like to camp at Kilby Campsite but there are lots of  places to stay close by.  Makes for a great little adventure.)

 On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, painters will be capturing  breathtaking historic vistas, 1920s farm equipment, historic buildings, lush gardens & orchards, delightful farm animals and surrounding mountains.  Not hard to find something to catch your eye.

This is a fun, outdoor adventure for everyone.  Sunday afternoon, brings live entertainment and awards ceremony.  There is a competitive and non-competitive part to the event, so great prizes for everyone.  Cost $15 Registration: events@kilby.ca  more info: kilby.ca

I have been part of this event since it started 5 years ago and I never get tired of wondering the grounds and finding little vignettes to paint.  I know you will enjoy yourself.

If you decide not to join us to paint, come out and see the fun.  On Friday and Saturday,  Artists are set up all over the grounds working away or come see the 'Showing and Sale' on Sunday.

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

What colour is Water?? Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you noticed that the ocean water is NOT BLUE?

Well OK, sometimes it is but most of the time  . . . NOT!

HERON ON THE SHORE - Matted 5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130

Each summer I look forward to heading out and doing lots of Plein Air work and just plan old Outdoor Sketching in my sketchbooks.  Our favourite place right now is Texada Island on the southwest coast of Canada. 

For me its is special.  During the rest of the year I am working in forest trails, along a lake or stream but Not. By. The. Ocean. 

My summer treat is painting along the ocean shores. 

As I work, I work everyday while we are there, I find I: learn new things; discover new colour combos; meet new challenges - some I succeed and others not.  But always I come away with new work that blows me away -  Same Inspiration each year but the results are entirely different. 

This years challenges:

1.     Painting Grey: Yes, Grey.  Those wonderful knurly logs glistening in the sun.  The rocks peaking out of the water as the tide slowly moves out.  The old piles still standing in the water, from days gone by.  And of course, don’t forget the sand.  Grey, Grey Grey.  Not even a dark or light grey, a washed out grey.  Bleached by that very sun that is making it such a wonderful day.  See more on this with last post. HERE .

EAGLE WITH HIS CATCH -  5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130 

2.    Finding the Colour of Water:  When you look up the Georgia Strait, which we do on Texada, you see a wide expanse of blue - warm blue, grey blue, purple blue, pink blue, deep Prussian Blue. . . The weather dictates the colour.  Its what you would expect with the grand vista of the water and mountains.  But when you get up close and personal things change.

Water isn't blue any more. 
In the summer when I paint my wildlife pictures, I paint plein air.  No, I am not magic, I can not get an eagle to sit still while I paint him.  I do however paint all of his setting plein air.

Throughout my trip I am constantly taking pictures of any wildlife I see.  At the same time I sit on the beach and draw and paint rocks, logs, seaweed, water, . . I save 'a place' for my star.  For example, Eagle with his Catch. I photographed the eagle on a bluff as he ate his catch, I couldn't sketch him as Max and I were kayaking at the time.  Later, when walking the beach, I found a great rock to 'set my eagle on'.  

Plein Air painting helps you really understand what is happening around your subject .  . . 

Closeup from Heron on the Rocks

What does water really look like? 

Take a look at this close up from Heron on the Rocks.  Note some of the colour changes:

1. Rock shadows vary depending on how close they are to you
2.  Shallow water begins to reflect the ground underneath it.
3. The colours of the trees and other things on land behind you are reflected into the water especially closer to the shore
4.  Where the sky and water meet may become ambiguous when dealing with open water
5.  The sky colours are reflected in the water. (Probably could do a whole post on "What colour is the Sky?)

Bit overwhelming. . . .

I find if I am sitting right there and looking at all of this, it seems to make sense.  I can take this information and run with it.  The result, a picture that is believable, reads as realistic but still reflecting my own interpretation.  

OYSTER CATCHERS ON THE ROCKS - 5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130

Once you really start looking at water, especially near shore, there is so much to see.  What catches your eye the most in water?

Are your sketchbooks calling you?  Looking for more practice.

If you live in the Fraser Valley, think about joining me this summer for a Morning of Outdoor Sketching.  An easy way to immerse yourself into sketching with ink and watercolour.  See the info below ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓

OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me.

Join me for a morning of  Outdoor Sketching: 

Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, August 6, 13, and 20.

The classes will be small, max  5.  We will meet at 10-12:30 in a few of the local parks in North Surrey.  ie. Bear Creek Park, Tynehead Park.  The cost is: $45 tx incld. per sessionl. Bring your own supplies.  This is what my kit is like, see HERE
Contact Me to register.   and for more information. 


Or A Day at the Farm - Art Jam at the Farm - Sunday, Aug 11

A full day of ARt here in East Langley, BC

I will be one of the morning instructors with a Outdoor Drawing Session but there will be other sessions as well.  All Sessions are 3 hr.  Cost $100 before Aug 8 & $120 after

Morning Sessions

• Abstract Painting with Russell Leng
• Collagraphs with Edith Krause
• Pastels with Watercolour with Don Portelance
• Drawing with Wendy Mould
• Painting Life with Olivia de Fleuriot Perry
  Afternoon Sessions - Lunch Provided

• Life Drawing (from a clothed model) with Claire Moore
• Cyanotype with Michelle Vandyk
  
  

Registration and More Information HERE

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

FYI
Plein Air Event at Kilby Historical Site - August 16 -18, 2019

215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills, BC – approx. 1.5 hr drive from Vancouver
(or stay our there. I like to camp at Kilby Campsite but there are lots of  places to stay close by.  Makes for a great little adventure.)

 On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, painters will be capturing  breathtaking historic vistas, 1920s farm equipment, historic buildings, lush gardens & orchards, delightful farm animals and surrounding mountains.  Not hard to find something to catch your eye.

This is a fun, outdoor adventure for everyone.  Sunday afternoon, brings live entertainment and awards ceremony.  There is a competitive and non-competitive part to the event, so great prizes for everyone.  Cost $15 Registration: events@kilby.ca  more info: kilby.ca

I have been part of this event since it started 5 years ago and I never get tired of wondering the grounds and finding little vignettes to paint.  I know you will enjoy yourself.

If you decide not to join us to paint, come out and see the fun.  On Friday and Saturday,  Artists are set up all over the grounds working away or come see the 'Showing and Sale' on Sunday.

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