Build Drawing Skills with DIY Christmas Tree Cards - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG it has really been RAINING here!!

DIY Christmas Tree Cards - fun way to fight the winter drabs!!

I think everyone must have heard by now that here on the Southwest Coast of Canada we have had LOTS of RAIN!!  I am fortunate to not live in a flooded area. But I think of those people daily and what they must be going through.  Please say a little prayer for them and send them positive thoughts.  

Between Covid restrictions, the newest variant and the dark rainy days, I feel a bit of cheer and positive thinking is needed.  I know we are into the high tech days where everything happens on our phone or iPad but I feel we need to go back a bit to the 'touch and feel' days.  

There is nothing like feeling SPECIAL. 

It's a feeling you get when you opening the mailbox and there is card just for you.  Or when you meet a friend and they hand you a card.  Even more SPECIAL if they made that card themselves!  Suddenly it means soooo much more.   

 

Definitely a feeling of Peace with this little card.  😉

Check out my Christmas Tree Christmas Cards

They are user friendly, not too intimidating, one of a kind and guaranteed to give your special people a smile.  As an added bonus they allow you to easily feed your creative spirit.  They are something you can do while watching TV or listening to your music.  I suggest you make up a little supply box that is handy to grab whenever you have a minute.  

Creating DIY Christmas Tree Cards

I like Mixed Media Cards because I can use any media on them

SPECIAL NOTE: 

I have a video "Learn to Draw with Christmas Tree Cards" that will give you more ideas on making your Christmas Tree Cards.   

 

I have 2 Card Classes Scheduled: Tuesday, Dec 7,  2-4pm  & Saturday, Dec 11, 1-12:30pm 
Small group (3), all materials supplied, Beginner to Advanced Welcome, $50 each.  Walnut Grove area of Langley.  Contact Wendy to register

1.  Materials: 

- paper and envelopes - Strathmore has packages of Mixmedia paper cut and scored with envelopes ready to go. Scrapbooking/Stamp Stores let you buy cardstock by the sheet and have small packs of envelopes that can be purchased.  Envelopes can be expensive if you go to custom sizes so stick to standard ones.  (Even business envelopes make for an interesting card shape) 

I like white paper to work on as I love to add my own colour and I like the sharp, clean lines on my white surface. 

- pencil, vinyl eraser, kneaded eraser, white acrylic pen

- permanent ink pens: Staedtler or Micron 03 & 05  Using permanent ink means you can use wet media like felts or watercolour pencils and your lines wont run

My materials - note the white pen for making tiny corrections  

- your favourite colouring medium.  I like my Intense Watercolour Pencils because they give me bright colours but I also use my coloured pencils as well

- some Bling.  The dollar store has lots of little stick on glitter shapes.  The star shape is hard to find but little round ones work great too. (note them on the top of each tree above. )

2.  Layout

Decide on the size of your card face.  Do not fold card before working on it.  Cover the backside so only your drawing surface is showing. It is important to understand the size and shape your image will be. 

Note the paper covering the back and how light the markings are for the layout.  

Draw a light drawing of your tree/trees.  The layout should be dark enough to see but light enough to easily erase.  It should not score the surface.   Use your kneaded eraser to lighten any areas that are dark.  

When drawing your tree/trees think about curvy lines.  Try to move away from the idea of symmetrical.  Light gestural lines will give you great shapes to work with.  I like to dip the top over to give it a little character or round the top to make room for a piece of glitter at the top.  

Challenge yourself to try different sizes and groupings.  A few lines will indicate snow and I love my little snowballs under the trees.  They break up the line and move the eye along.  A few breaks in your snow lines also add interest for the eye.  

Layout for 3 trees - Challenge yourself to try different combinations 

3.  Draw with your Pen

Don't sweat it!  I know it is permanent.  Your layout lines do not need to be traced over exactly, they are to help you move along the surface.  If you made your trees a bit quirky, any deviation from your layout line will not matter. 

Single patterns give you more latitude for colouring. Note ow the shadows on the tree trunks and snow add to the composition.  

Add your patterns/doodles to your trees.  I like to fill in my trees with doodle patterns.  You can see my favourite ones but there are lots more on the Internet.  I find it is nicer to keep to one pattern per tree as it makes colouring more interesting.  But certainly a personal choice here.  Do a few practice patterns on another piece of paper and then draw directly onto your card.  

You will be surprised at how freeing that is.  That sense of moving the pen freely without tracing.  (I know you wont feel that right away but if you keep moving you will.  It is a real confidence busters) 

4.  Time to Colour & Decorate

Have some fun with your colours.  Add garnishes.  Add text.  And don't forget to sign it!! (My doodle signature is in the bottom right corner.  It is different from my fine art signature.) 

5.  The Finish

You can make several cards and I do suggest you make several.  You will be more relaxed and joyful after the first one is done.   You will find that the more you make the more ideas you will have.  Your mark making will reflect your building confidence.  

If you have time make originals for everyone, if not, take your card to a shop and have it photocopied onto cardstock.  Either way, those SPECIAL people will be thrilled when they see what you have done. 

Looking for Help to start your Card Making: 

I have a video "Learn to Draw with Christmas Tree Cards" that will give you more ideas on making your Christmas Tree Cards.  

I have 2 Card Classes Scheduled: Tuesday, Dec 7,  2-4pm  & Saturday, Dec 11, 10-12:30pm 
Small group (3), all materials supplied, Beginner to Advanced Welcome, $50 each.  Walnut Grove area of Langley.  Contact Wendy to register

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

An Awesome Way to Capture the MOMENT!! - Painting & Drawing Tips

NO, this is not about Outdoor Sketching.  

However, this is truly an AWESOME way to Capture a MOMENT in Time.  

CURLEY - Page 1 -MOMENTS IN THE PAST - Ink & Acrylic

The Spark:

I read about the Paint the Train Juried Show.  They were looking for works that presented the present and past of the Glory of the Railway age in Surrey, BC.  

My Muse:

Not a person, it was the history.  I thought I would just take a look into the Surrey Archives Pictorial References and see if anything caught my eye.  (Let me clarify, I do have a love affair with old pictures especially with people in them.)  Somehow I wondered into the website of the Surrey Historical Society.  Pretty soon I was reading living histories.  Needless to say I was lost for days!!

I was defeated.  

There was no way I could paint a picture for this show. 

Surrey Historical Society - Curley 1894

My mind was full of the rich history of Surrey, the stories of the people that lived in the past and the changes that the railway brought about.  I could not condense that down to one picture.  

I thought about it for days.  Well, fretted about it, actually.  I really wanted to support the Arts Council's activities but couldn't figure out how.  

The Solution: 

It didn't have to be one picture.  It could be several.  This was a perfect time to try my Book Art. One of the things I had been working on during Covid.  

I was READY TO ROLL.  

I had to use 'Curley',  the locomotive,  he personified the logging industry and the railway. And really, how can you not love him.  This picture was from 1894 and so that decided my time period - anything close to 1900.

Printmaking - designing the pages for the drawings

The Process: 

First I used a process called 'Monotypes Prints' to create my pages in the book.  I wanted to give the feeling of old vintage pictures so I splattered them with paint to give that sepia tone.  

Then I arranged the pages so the 'blobs' of colour had a nice flow.  

The drawings were done with ink.  Of course Curley was first.  I wanted to show how life was then, give a sense of the industry and of course include some railway history.  Stewart Farm came next with an agricultural slant.  If found some great fishing as well but decided if the focus was railway history I should stick to the land. 

 

Surrey Historical Society - James Oxenham & Family at Surrey Centre Oxenham General Store 1910

The center of any community of commence was the general store.  I found great pictures of James Oxenham and his Surrey Centre Store.  That got me jumping in with both feet.  People. Of course.  I should include a few people.  

Kilby Historical Site - My awesome model for my Shopkeeper

I had a great picture of one of the actors at Kilby Historical site for a Shopkeeper.  He happily volunteered to be part of my piece.  The close up of him was a special project for me and one I was very pleased about.  

Suddenly only 2 panels left.  What to feature???

In the end I chose the Cloverdale Station and the BCER train.  Can you believe in 1910 you could take the Electric Railway from Vancouver all the way to Chilliwack!!  Not sure how long the trip was but I bet it was faster than the freeway on a summer Sunday evening when you are returning from a trip to the Interior.   

The Cloverdale Station was a major station and the route from New Westminster to Chilliwack opened on Nov 6, 1910.  This seemed a fitting point to end my book on.  

Surrey Archives - Cloverdale Station with BCER 1911

As I completed the drawing for each section I added my shading with an ink wash.  I loved the way the background and drawings worked together to keep the vintage feel.  

When the drawings were finished I completed the book by binding, labeling and covering it.  I love the cork fabric on the cover.  It has the feel of the softness leather but full of colour and pizzazz.  

OMG!! You are probably saying, this turned into a MAJOR project.  Yes, you got it.  I totally got carried away.  I had an awesome time.  By the time I was finished I wasn't sure I wanted to enter it into the show.  I wasn't finished enjoying it myself!!  

In the end I wished it luck and sent it off.  

Click to See the full view of my Art Book - Moments in the Past by Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM

*** Special Note:  When I wrote this blog, the show had not been opened and the results had not been published.  However, today I have just learned that my project "Moments in Past" has won 1st Place in the 3-D Category!!!  Awesome, eh!!??

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

2.  Online Mentoring/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

3 Ways to Control Eye Movement in your Painting - Painting and Drawing Tips

I like to READ.  Actually, I love to REad.  But I don't read books.  

By books I mean I don't read real books. I like to read online.  

THE FOREST FLOOR WIP - 12 X 24 - Ink on Wood 

Why?

It is all about my eyes seeking a pleasurable experience.  We do listen to our eyes and we often make decisions based on them.  I like the strong contrast of the print to screen.  I like to dim the light on the page, making reading the pages a soft, relaxing experience.  I like to change the font, if it doesn't appeal to me.  

I must admit, once I found how easy it was to sign out books online from our library, I was hooked. 

As an Artists you are very aware of what pleases the eye. . . . 

This awareness is both conscious and unconscious.  I found it is here that my Inner Critic is most helpful.  He looks at my work and says "it's missing something".  Very often it is that 'little thing' that catches or moves the eye around the painting.  

Wood cradle is 12 x 24 - certainly invites the eye to start at the left side and slide out the right side

As I worked on my drawing "The Forest Floor" I became very attuned to eye movement.  Having a rectangle drawing that was long and narrow, was really inviting the viewer's eye to run across the drawing and out the other side.  I really needed to make sure to keep the viewer's eye in the piece. 

Here is some of the things I noted.

3 Ways to Control Eye Movement in your Painting

1.  Stoppers

Our Culture reads left to right.  This means the viewer's eye usually comes into the piece from the far left and moves to the right. I noticed right away that my cluster of stumps and trees acted as a great stopper for the eye.  They grabbed it and changed it's direction. The eye had a choice, move up the tree trunks or move down to the plants and leaves on the forest floor.  The ferns reaching from the left side grabbed the eye that moved upwards.  The plants and leaves at the bottom did the job there. 

However, at first the tree trunks didn't do their job!!

Cropped right side of THE FOREST FLOOR - WIP - Note the stopped on the tree trunks to redirect the eye movement back into the picture.

My Inner Critic immediately blurted out, "those trunks just shoot the eye up and out.  Fix it!!" He was right.  As soon as I added a few branches and ferns on the trunks, I could see that the eye was stopped and directed back into the middle.

2.  Movement

Eyes like to move around.  They like to follow paths.  They like to run and jump, stop and ponder and rest.  The forest floor is a natural place to offer this kind of entertainment.  I think this is one of the reason why I love drawing these 'close up' forest views.  

 As the eye moves across the image it is happy: it can slide down the smooth sleek lines of the tree trunk; it can dance about in the ferns; it can stop and study the intricate shapes buried under the fern; then skip away on the log off to a new spot.  At the same time there is a sense that there is more to see and something to come back too.

  

The Forest Floor - Sketchbook drawing to Plan the Project

3.  Contrast

We all love contrast.  The eye is no different.  Light and dark.  Rough and smooth. Lines that dance about and lines that are calm and patterned.  

As I pick and chose which items I will include in my drawing I think I was both conscious and unconscious of creating this contrast. (Because there just isn't room for everything.)  I definitely think my Inner Critic was busy too.  I worked on a small mock up of this drawing in my sketchbook to see and feel how things were going.  I wanted to present the fascinating life on the forest floor but not put in tooooo much detail.  (Definitely I love my detail)  Keeping that idea of contrast in mind does help me in the designing stages.  

Bonus Note: 

4. Tension

I think this might also be a Grabbing Point for the Eye.  And I think it is here in my drawing.  The focal point is the large cluster of stumps and trees on the right but I feel the contrasting shape at the left, the single tree growing over the stump acts as a second, lesser focus.  Even as the eye finishes with the main cluster, I feel there is a pull back to the first tree.  

Possible Tension within the picture - the draw between the main and secondary vocal point 

What do you think?  Is there a pull?  Is there a bit of tension?  If so, that would be part of the Eye Movement Story.  

Still bits and pieces to finish up on my drawing "The Forest Floor".  I must admit there is lots about it that catches my eye.  I really enjoy working on it and studying it.  There is lots it seems to want to tell me.  

Further Reading/Viewing

5 Tips for Drawing on Wood - Blog Post

How to Draw on Wood Blocks - YouTube Video 

EeK!  How to Plan a New Art Project (Series) - Blog Post talking about how my Drawing on Wood came about and more examples of this Series. 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

2.  Online Mentoring/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

5 Tips for Drawing on Wood - Painting & Drawing Tips

Wood?? Why would anyone want to DRAW on Wood?

Wildlife → Nature → Wood →Art

Somehow my brain works that way.  

BALD EAGLE ON THE BEACH - WIP - 4 x 4 ink on wood $65

It's INKTOBER so naturally I am working with my pens.  And of course I want to draw things that interest me. Wildlife & Nature.  I had been mounting watercolour paper on wood cradles to draw and paint on and then it hit me.  Why use the paper?  Why not just go straight to wood?  Featuring nature with a wood grain background just seem to fit.    

SANDPIPERS ON THE BEACH - 4 x 4 ink on Wood $65

Whenever you start something new there is a bit of research involved.  This was very true with this project. I wasn't sure if my pens would even work on wood.  I was afraid they would dry up, bleed, not adhere, . . .  Lots of little concerns.  And of course if the drawing worked, how was I to finish it.  

I am sure you know what happened next . . .

The practical side of me said wait till I had all the facts.  But the Artist Side said "Let's Go!!  You can learn on the way!"

I did!!. . .  and I loved it!! .  . . . 

I loved the feel of the wood as I worked.  I loved the sharp, line of black ink running across the surface.  I enjoyed the smooth, sleek way my pen moved across the block. 

As many of you know, I have always loved miniature work so working on a 4 x 4 inch square was right up my ally.  I loved the challenge of coming up with little vignettes.  And I loved how they worked up relatively quickly, about 5 or 6 hours per block, so very rewarding to watch my animals come alive.  

After all that, I have some great tips to get you started on wood too.  

5 Tips for Drawing on Wood

**Note: I have a video on YouTube which also gives more information on "How to Draw on Wood Blocks/Cradles with Wendy Mould. 

1. Sand it

The wood cradles from the Art Store are fairly smooth but it doesn't hurt to touch them up with a bit of sand paper.  The  Purple Label: Grit 320 (see #5 below) is the grade to use.  Just a few light rubs. You are looking for a smooth surface without grooves that will grab your pen.  

Note the smooth surface (SANDPIPER ON THE BEACH drawn with 03 & 05 pens)

2. Transfer

Yes, you can draw lightly on the wood and erase with a kneaded erasure.  This will not harm the surface if you have a light hand.  However, there is always a risk of damaging the surface.  I found it much easier to work out my big shapes on tracing paper and then transfer the drawing to my blocks.  

See my post: The Tears Free Way to Transfer an Image for more information on that.  

Pencil drawing after transfer, focus on the large shapes and key reference points in the drawing.  

3.  Work Quickly

This is not a time to leave your pen resting on your support.  Your pen needs to move continually when resting on the surface.  Otherwise the ink will bleed out into the wood.  This is not a problem when you are shading but you definitely want to do a practice stroke when drawing those important lines.  

'Thinking time' was needed in a drawing as I planned how an area would be filled in.  At the same time, the quicker movements made things loose and alive. I strive to keep that 'contrived' look out of my ink work.  

BALD EAGLE ON THE BEACH - WIP - Quick strokes set up the drawing

4.  Build with Layers

Working on your darks should be easy because you are using a black pen. However, it still needs lots of planning and you need to check your value as each layer goes on.  There is no 'redos' with ink on wood.  

I found it was better to build my darks in layers.  This gave me more latitude for variation in values.  It also gave a more interesting dark.  Holding your pen in one spot and letting the ink bleed out to make a dark does not give the same affect as layered cross hatching.  However, this is probably about personal choice as much as style.  

BALD EAGLE ON THE BEACH - WIP- Note the build up of layers on the eagle and the rocks. 

5.  Seal It

Once the drawing is complete you need to seal the wood to protect everything.  I wanted a shiny, natural wood look so I chose a Glossy Acrylic Medium. (First I applied a light coat of Workable Fixative Spray.  I just wanted to make sure things were set and my ink did not run.)  Then using a small sponge brush I put on 2 coats of  Gloss Glazing Liquid.  Waiting at least 4 hours between coats.  

My finishing coat was Liquitex Pouring Medium.  Also 2 coats, with light sanding using that fine sandpaper in between the coats.  I let my pieces sit overnight between coats.  I also used the Pouring Medium to finish the sides.

Materials used to seal each cube.  Don't forget to finish the sides as well.  

Have fun with your drawing on wood.  I would love to see what you draw.  Don't hesitate to drop me a line and show me your work.  

**Note: I have a video on YouTube which also gives more information on "How to Draw on Wood Blocks/Cradles with Wendy Mould. 

My large drawing on wood "The Forest Floor" is coming along.  Unfortunately it had to go on hold for a bit as other projects jumped into line ahead of it.  Hope to have it ready to show you soon.  

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

2.  Online Mentoring/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Eek!! How to Plan a New Art Project (Series) - Painting and Drawing Tips

In with NEW and OUT with the OLD!

Seems like a very common sense idea and one that has been around for ever. 

But it hasn't. . . .

Beach Buddies: SEAGULL IN THE SUN; GRIZZLY ON THE RIVER; & BLACK-TAILED DEER ON THE BEACH - ink on wood, 4 x 4, $65 each

I googled it and was very surprised to see it didn't become part of our daily life until 1976, with the introduction of the television show, Logan's Run. Can't say I remember the TV show but I certainly subscribe to the phrase. It is very apt with my new project. 

As I mentioned a few posts ago I had picked up a wood cradle, 12 x 24.  I totally fell in love with the shape and wanted to work with it.  My plan was to do a watercolour on paper, mount it on the wood cradle and varnish it.  I was excited and ready to go.  

12 x 24 Wood Cradle

Life changes. . .

As you know I have been doing lots of pen work with my outdoor sketching.  I really am focused on my pen work lately and wanting to do more. At the same time I decided I wanted to do a picture focusing on the forest floor.  

Suddenly I could see a NEW way . . .

Why cover up that beautiful wood grain with paper when I could draw right on the wood.  Well I thought I could.  My next move was to go to Opus Art Supply and talk to them about it. Yes, I could.  They told me how to finish it and my NEW PATH was underway.  

Now, drawing with a pen on a surface that is 288 sq inches is a BIG job.  I decided I had better do smaller projects to see what I was getting into.  

Beach Buddies were born . . 

HERON RESTING - 2 x 3 inches, ink on wood block $50

I picked up some 2 x 3 wood cradles and there was an 8 pack of 4 x 4 wood cradles.  I know, how many practice pieces do you need to do.  Well, it turns out, LOTS.  I drew a heron on a small 2 x 3.  It was small and a little awkward to draw on.  I forgot to mention, the wood cradles are 1.5 inches thick.  So not much room for resting your hand anywhere.  

I loved it!!!!

HERON RESTING - Side View 

I decided to try the 4 x 4's - just a bit bigger.  My Grizzly Bear on the Run was finished soon after.  I loved him too. And I loved the slightly larger size.  

GRIZZLY BEAR ON THE RUN - Ink on Wood Cradle - 4 x 4 inches $65

Ok.  At this point I admit, my BIG plan was forgotten.  I got lost in my little blocks.  With each block I learned more and more about 'how' to draw on the wood.  I started with 1 pen and was soon using 5 different kinds.  Deciding how to shade and what patterns I could maintain over a large area was another.  How dark was dark.  (Yes, even with black permanent pens, darkest darks are elusive.) 

The finishing became the focus. . .

Sooner or later in all creative projects we have to do the boring stuff.  Either it is the 'prepping' or it is the 'finishing'.  These steps are important but are just not as much fun as the 'creating'. Putting the finishing coats on my blocks was definitely not as much fun as drawing them.   I tried the 4 step process to varnish them on a sample.  My ink marks started to move.   OMG!  What if that had happened on my big piece.  

Suddenly I was glad I had done all those little ones. Working out the kinks on a little 2 x 3 or 4 x 4 block wasn't too bad.  I sure would have been upset to see my ink lines moving on my large 12 x 24 inch piece.   

  

HERON RESTING; SWANS ON THE WATER; SEAL: COMING UP - 2 X 3, Ink on Wood $50 each

Life is good again. . .

I feel ready to tackle my Big Project.  Next post I will give you a peak at my progress.  Needless to say it is going to take a few minutes to draw my forest floor on a 12 x 24 inch wood panel.  I am really excited to get under way.  

Do you plan BIG projects?  Does their journey take twists and turns as you bounce along the road? 

How do you feel about it?  I look forward to hearing your stories.  

Wendy is on Youtube:

Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is Quickly Disappearing !!

Only a few Scheduled Sessions Left: 

    Saturday, Sept 4 & 11 - 10-12:30pm
(Private Sessions/Small Group sessions available upon request)

Classes: Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.   Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Stretch Your Art Muscles with a Challenge - Painting & Drawing Tips

"We need Artists Wendy, can you give us a hand?"

OMG!  I knew what it was about. The call was for Artists to make Street Art for the Covid Centers.  All supplies included.  Simple Shapes. Theme: Nature. 

Sounded Great till I read the fine print.. . .

Supplies Supplied for the SURREY STREET ART PROJECT 

The size: 3 ft x 4 ft.  The medium: Acrylic.  You know how often I paint in acrylic. Once.  It turned out not too bad but still, I fought it the whole way.  I never felt that confident.  I didn't think I wanted to go through that again.  

The Artist Call 

But, they needed artists.  All supplies included.  I had thought about it, but was kind of letting it fall off my calendar.  Now I was caught. I said 'yes'.  

I sent in a plan.  

My Plan - keeping to simple shapes is not easy for me.  I love the detail.  

Wednesday came and time to pick up my supplies.  Surprise! Problem with canvas supplies, it is now 2 ft x 4 ft.  OoooKay. 🤔 I think I can adjust my plan to fit that space.  

I must admit I felt a bit panicky.  Will my deer still fit?  Will it look funny if I just make my rocks bigger?  I rushed home.  In my studio I unpacked my supplies and quickly got to work.  Only a few colours: blue, yellow, green, white, rusty brown.  I decided a blue underpainting would do well with the brown tones of my deer. I quickly covered the whole canvas with the blue.  😀

Then I waited. . . .

Underpainting was down but I had to block in some rocks.  I couldn't relax till I could see how my rocks would work.  

I thought acrylics were suppose to dry fast.  This blue was taking forever.  

Finally it was dry.  I blocked in my rocks.  Hmmmm... Not bad.  I took a pencil and outlined my deer.  Things were going to work.  😀 I felt relief. Suddenly I felt like this project might really work out.  OMG.  it was 11pm.  Time to quit for the Day.

Very relieved to see my deer would fit in nicely.   

My anxiety ramped up the next day. 

Can I get enough of the deer into the space so he looks good. I need to cut off so much of his legs.  Time to get serious.  I began painting the rock to get a feel for my colours and to see how the paint would work on the surface.  (gessoed corrugated plastic) Since I don't work that large I needed to fiddle around with a place to work.  The Plastic surface was rigid enough for the paint but wiggled a lot as I painted.  Once I had a bit of the rocks done, I drew more detail for my deer in the space.  He looked good.  (Well I thought so anyway)  My plan was going to work.  Life was good again.  

Wow! Now I am excited.  Sky and rocks looking good.

OMG!!  I can't stop!!

11:30pm and I am still painting in my studio.  I painted my rocks and sky.  Things were really getting exciting.  But those acrylics just couldn't keep up with me.  I started to add my clouds, but the blue was still wet.  I knew I should stop but . . .  Finally I was forced to.  Everything was wet.  I couldn't wait to start on the deer.  

Starting to do the details

Finally my Deer comes Alive. . . 

I grabbed the biggest of the brushes and began to block in my deer.  I loved how my browns and golds reacted with my sky and rocks.  It was very exciting to see him take shape.  

Went to a small brush. . . 

I really tried to stay with the big brush as long as I could but some details just cried to be painted.  The face and the tail I felt were crucial.  They had to be right.   

Close Up of my Black-Tailed Deer

Final touch ups and he was DONE!!

BLACK-TAILED DEER - 2ft X 4ft 

Stretching your Art Muscles and Taking on a Challenge can be fun.  

But don't get me wrong, it is a Challenge.  There will be problems to solve, anxiety will rise and fall throughout the process.  The results may not be great.  But remember, it is all about the journey and the things you learn along the way.  (Note, you don't see me blogging about my FIRST acrylic painting I did a few years ago.)

This time around, my challenge really gave me knowledge.  I learned more about colour mixing - there wasn't many colours to work with; I could see how my glazing with watercolour really was effective with glazing with acrylics; I saw ways to let go of my detail - my sky and rocks have minimal detail and yet fill the space in an interesting way.  I acquired a lot more information on how painting and drawing connect and this will help in my teaching.  I was lucky this time as well.  My challenge resulted in a piece of work I was really pleased with. It was a real confidence booster.  

I am a self taught artist and one of my learning techniques has been to give myself challenges.  I invite you to set yourself a few Challenges and follow the journey.  You will be amazed where they will take you.  

Oh, and if you are in a Surrey Covid Center check out the art.  You might even see my Black-tailed Deer.  

  Wendy is on Youtube:

Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is Quickly Disappearing !!

Only a few Scheduled Sessions Left: 

   Wednesdays, Aug 25, Sept 1 & 8 - 10-12:30pm

    Saturday, Aug 21, 28, Sept 4 & 11 - 10-12:30pm
(Private Sessions/Small Group sessions available upon request)

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

4 Tips for Painting Mossy Rocks (Logs, trees, stumps . . .) - Painting and Drawing Tips

Green, fluffy, soft moss.  

Here on the West Coast of BC, moss is a very common element in any nature setting.  

Trees, stumps, rocks - everything eventually ends up with a mossy covering.  

It is a magical place in a moss covered forest.  All the sounds seem muted, the greens glow, whether there's sunlight or not.  And everything has a feeling of softness.  The lumps and bumps of branches and rocks are puffy and round.  A magical place.   

Very pleasing to the EYE. . .

However, very challenging to paint!! 

The problem is two fold.  Everything is green. And everything has a puffy, soft feel to it.  Those can be very challenging to paint.  

You definitely need to love to paint and draw the mossy covered trees, stumps, fences and logs in our forest. You need to enjoy playing with the greens and love the challenge of getting that puffy, thick look.  

Mossy Tree - You must admit, this looks like a fun thing to sketch

I love playing with 'Mossy Look" . . . .

I have found several secrets that give me success.  Give them a try and see if they can work for you.

4 Tips for Painting Mossy Rocks ( Logs, trees, stumps, well actually anything moss covered.)

My reference picture and my outline drawing of a mossy rock in the creek bed

Note: I have a video on this topic which is available here.  You can also download the Reference Picture and draw along with me.  The Mossy Rock Reference Picture is available here.  

1.  Edges

I always find that the Edges tell the story of the object. The Edges are your way of telling the eye that things are not all the same.

 As you can see on the drawing below, Areas 1 & 3 denote where the smooth rock changes into a lumpy surface.  Note there is a slight raised area where the two surfaces meet. This is key in telling the eye there is a change.  

Area 2 tells the eye that the edge is fringed and uneven, more evidence that the rock has something coating it.  

Mossy Rock with drawing points noted.

Area 4 and the other marks on the rock give a sense of depth to the surface.  Because Area 1 & 3 already told the eye it is not smooth, the eye is ready to accept that there is something on the rock. 

Area 5 provides contrast.  Here there are several rocks that are smooth, further suggesting that the big rock is different.  

2. Colour

Some of the Greens that I like to use

Creating great moss is more than just painting with green.  Above is my most common green mixes when in the field.  However, it is important to note that other colours are found in moss: yellows, rusts, oranges, browns are the most common. I like to use purples in my shadows and bits of red as well. 

Adding colour to my moss - it is more than just green

3. Texture

Creating different textures within your painting helps to suggest depth to your moss.  The slick smooth surface of the rocks suggest that my moss covered rock has a some kind of coating on it.  Using glazes to add layers of different colours to the moss also suggests depth.  The more layers there are the more puffy the moss appears.  

A Mossy Rock in the Creek Bed 

4. Shadows

The final touch is the shadows in the moss.  

Not the edges of the shadows - there is a hard edge and a soft edge

In the cross section above, note the shadows. To emphasis the puffy feeling the shadows need a hard edge and a soft edge.  This is an extension of No. 3 - Texture.  As you make those different layers look for that hard edge and blended soft edge. The more layers you have the more thick and fluffy it becomes.  

Have fun with your sketch - making that moss fluffy and thick is half the fun of painting our forests.  I found these tips have helped me deal with other types of drawings as well. ie. hair, fur, trees. . . .   Anything that I want to seem thick and fluffly.  

Note: I have a video on this topic which is available here.  You can also download the Reference Picture and draw along with me.  The Mossy Rock Reference Picture is available here.  

Next time you see a mossy covered rock, tree, . . .  grab your sketchbook, and give it a go.    

Wendy is on Youtube:
Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is Quickly Disappearing !!

Next Sessions:  Wednesday, August 11  & Saturday, August 21

10am - 12:30pm 

Upcoming Dates: Wednesday  August 25 & Sept 1
Saturday, August 28 & Sept 4

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy