Jul 28, 2022

Art, Artist and the 19th Hole - Painting & Drawing Tips

Golf has a 19th Hole.  All golfers love to play that 'hole'. 

After slugging away for 18 holes, the 19th is the reward.   A place to re-hydrate, re-energize, re-engage!
But did you know that Artist have a 19th hole as well? 
 
FULL SUN - 16 X 20 - Camp Painting SOLD

Not all Artist but Outdoor/En PLein Air Artist do for sure.  I have been reminded of this on my last sketching trip.  

(NB: Catch my YouTube Video with further discussion "What's a Camp Painting?")

One of my fellow Artist, Murray Phillips, who has now past away, was a big fan of Outdoor Painting Trips.  He worked on very large paintingsEn Plein Air and so they required more than one visit to a site.  "I had a morning painting, afternoon painting and a camp painting"  That was how he organized his day.  The Light and Shadows changed so much after a few hours that you needed to come back the next day to really finish up.  So each day he would work in the morning in one place, the afternoon in another.  This is THE WORK of a Sketching Trip.  

Camp Studio - FULL SUN -  Work in Progress 

Then it is back to camp - to  re-hydrate, re-energize, re- engage.  Chat, share stories,  commiserate, laugh. But knowing Murray and other artists, they also painted/drew, sketched/planned. 

This is the secret of the Artists 19th Hole.  . . .

It is here that they have Outdoor Studios.  They might paint a scene around camp but usually work on projects that can be picked up and put down.  Things that allow less concentration.  Things that allow them to kibitz with others. 

Deer at Texada - Camp Painting - Ink Drawing 5 x 21 inches - View from the campsite 

I always have Camp Paintings.  Sometimes large pieces on an easel that take days to finish other times small things finished in an evening or two. 

Close up Page 1 of Deer at Texada - foliage was drawn sitting at the picnic table and deer from photos I had taken of them.  

 In the 'old days' I would take reference pictures with me to work on or drew things around the camp.  (Most places we camp are wildness sites, the internet has never been apart of that scene.  Even power was dependent on a generator or solar panels when they were available)  

I have a card reader for my iPad so I can take pictures with my camera and then transfer them to my iPad for reference.  It was great to finish paintings if  I had a rainout or just to add details, like the deer, that were local.  

Camp Studio - awesome view right from the campsite (Note fence, Max, my painting buddy was only 12 weeks old at this time.  We shared the space and the shade) 


Camp Paintings, Outdoor Studios, 19th Hole - These are part of the secrets of an Outdoor Sketching Trip.  You may not be camped with a group of artists but working with your fellow travelers you can make it your own camp pictures. 

1.  Have an art pack ready to go.  Keep it small.
2.  Plan art projects that can be done in stages (easy to pick up and put down)
3.  Practice working in front of others - drawing and chatting takes a bit of confidence but practice really helps
4.  Take advantage of the down times.  Everyone needs some quiet time, use yours to paint/draw/collage/plan. 

When next you go on a Sketching Trip, don't forget the 19th Hole!  

Outdoor Sketching Classes - On Now!!

Class Dates: 
Aug 4 & 18: 10-12:30pm           
Sept 1: 10-12:30pm 

Outdoor Sketching Classes are 2.5 hr sessions and located in parks in North Surrey and North Langley.  Beginners to Advanced are Welcome.  Mediums supported: watercolour, pen, pencil, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils.  You can sign up to as many sessions as you like.  Class Size: Max 3.  $50 per session.  

Arrangements made for inclement weather.  
You are welcome to contact me for help in organizing your supplies for an Outing.  

 I am available for booking special outings for you and 1-2 of your friends. 

Gift Certificates are Available     Contact Wendy to register 

Up-Coming Outdoor Sketching Events:

Aug 6 - Art Jam at the Farm 2 Workshops, Coffee, Snacks & Lunch $100.  My Workshop is 
"Capture that Special Moment: Outdoor Sketching with Wendy Mould" Hosted by Fort Langley Art Gallery. 

Aug 20 & 21 - Kilby En Plein Air Weekend - $20 - ( 2 day site fee & Sunday Elevenses) - Kilby Historic Site, Harrison Mills.  Register: kpickering@kilby.ca  See you there!!

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 
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.  Contact Wendy for More info

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 2-30 sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

3.  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio
Original work, Commissions, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

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

Jul 19, 2022

Do You Have a Bucket List? Painting & Drawing Tips

What’s on that list?  Traveling to exotic places?
 Trying a new activity? Learning a new skill? 

The Cove at Ruckle Park, Salt Spring Island - 8 x 10 Matted Watercolour $190

I do a lot of teaching and I find students wanting to take lessons come in groups: ‘want to learn how to draw”; ‘always wanted to learn how to paint”; and others who ‘want to sketch and journal their travels”. 

I am in the ‘sketcher and journal group’. 

Maybe you are too. . .

I am a Sketcher & Journaler - My pages vary from full page paintings to small pictures and writing of various amounts. 

NB.  My Youtube Version "Is Outdoor Sketching on Your Bucket List?  

I have a variety of sketchbooks that I have used to document trips to Europe and Asia, camping in the northern Canada and canoeing and portaging in Northern BC.  I find that each of those books have cemented memories into my heart.  It makes sense.  In order to complete a sketch, it means I have spent at least 20-30 minutes working on site and often more time finishing it up in the evening.  

Really, can you ask for a nicer spot to paint?! - boats go by, birds drop in and even a seal popped up to say hi.  

Now don’t get me wrong, my sketches aren’t all great . . .

Especially  my early work. I must at admit, you can be very critical with yourself when you start out. And of course you will have ones you love.  And hate.  But, they are all filled with memories.  Good or bad they bring that moment alive in your mind.  They are also a document of your skill development.  I look back and feel good when I see how far I have come. 

In my sketching journey I have found a few a few Universal Truths

1.     Pack light - it is surprising how quickly your pack fills up.  Along with art supplies you need, drinks, snacks, a seat/pad, hat, . . . .  See what I mean.  The list can really grow quickly depending on where you are going.

My Setup.  A Treat to have a table to work on  

2.    Work Small - it takes time to fill a page.  Something close to 5 x 8 inches is a big enough page to fill.  Even at that you might want to do more than 1 or 2 smaller pictures on the page. Anything bigger and you have to think about Truth #1. I work a bit bigger only if I know I will have time to finish. 

3.   Don’t Make Eye Contact - well you can if you want, but if you do, people will stop and talk.  You wont get much done.  I tend to keep my head down and work and make eye contact when I am ready for a break.

Working on an 8 x 10 Arches, fits nicely on my board with my paints

4.    Let Go of Perfection -  This is your sketchbook with your thoughts/sketches for you to enjoy.  Experiment.  Enjoy the flow. 

5.    Focus on the Subject first - forget about all the studio things you do.  Start with your subject then branch out if time.  Light changes.  Boats sail away.  Rain falls.   

Not time to finish but can come back tomorrow or finish in the evening.

 I hope you get to your Bucket List and if Outdoor Sketching is on it, I hope you get started soon.  I have written many blog posts that would help.  Use ‘Outdoor Sketching’ as a search on my blog or Google YouTube - Wendy Mould Outdoor Sketching.  

Each summer I run Outdoor Sketching Classes for Beginners to Advance. Contact me to join in.  If you don't live in the Fraser Valley, check out your community,  I am sure you will find some there as well.

NB.  My Youtube Version "Is Outdoor Sketching on Your Bucket List?  

Outdoor Sketching Classes - On Now!!

Outdoor Sketching Classes are 2.5 hr sessions and located in parks in North Surrey and North Langley.  Beginners to Advanced are Welcome.  Mediums supported: watercolour, pen, pencil, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils.  You can sign up to as many sessions as you like.  Class Size: Max 3.  $50 per session.  

Class Dates: 
July 7 & 28: 10-12:30pm
Aug 4 & 25: 10-12:30pm
Sept 1: 10-12:30pm 

Arrangements made for inclement weather.  
You are welcome to contact me for help in organizing your supplies for an Outing.  

 I am available for booking special outings for you and 1-2 of your friends. 

Gift Certificates are Available     Contact Wendy to register 

Up-Coming Outdoor Sketching Events:

Aug 6 - Art Jam at the Farm - 2 Workshops, Coffee, Snacks & Lunch $100.  My Workshop is 
"Capture that Special Moment: Outdoor Sketching with Wendy Mould" Hosted by Fort Langley Art Gallery. 

Aug 20 & 21 - Kilby En Plein Air Weekend - $20 - ( 2 day site fee & Sunday Elevenses) - Kilby Historic Site, Harrison Mills.  Register: kpickering@kilby.ca  See you there!!

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 
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.  Contact Wendy for More info

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 2-30 sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

3.  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio
Original work, Commissions, Prints and Cards of her Work, 

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