Painting with Warm & Cool Colours - Drawing & Painting Tips

Right now it is mid-February on the West Coast of BC, and it is WARM.  

I mean wear your summer runners warm.  

Everyone is at the park and wondering through the plant shops!!  

It is warm. 

View from Campbell River Sea Walk - Matted 11 x 14 $225

 

Yes, we know that we still have lots of rain to go through before summer but 'We are enjoying it now'.  

Warm and Cold is not all about the weather but it is also, all about your paints too!!

When I finished painting this scene I realized that it was really all about warm and cool colours.  My sunny areas were the warm colours and the shady areas were cool. This may not be the case for other paintings.  Some will have the shade warm and a cool light.  This can also make for an interesting painting.  

Focus: The colours in the background

1.  The Background: I have circled the areas on the right side of the painting indicating W (yellow) for the Warm spots and C (fushia) for cool spots.  Note that the background of the landscape is layers.  By changing from warm to cool with each layer I have created depth in my work.  The warm comes forward and the cool pushes back.  So there is a push-pull with each layer there.

You will see evidence of this happening with each of the other areas.   

Rocky Mid-ground

  2. Rocky Mid-ground: The  clue here that things must be different is the rocks.  The rocks in the sunshine are faded, but light warm tones. (soft beige coloured and soft warm pink tones).   While the rocks in the shade are darker cool colors. (cool purples & blues)

Warm and Cool tones of the Trees 

3.  Painting the Tree: I think this area really brought it home to me what all this business of  Warm and Cool Colours was all about.  When you look at the tree and its branches your can see clearly that one section is in the sunshine and one section the shade.  So even though the branches are "green" they can't all be the same shade of green.  

This is an 'ahhhh' moment. If the leaves are cool greens, as the ones in the shade are, they are blue greens.  I used cool blues like viridian, cobalt teal blue as my base.  While the warm sunny branches have yellows mixed with sap green.  

When painting the branches things are not quite cut and dry.  Some of the branches on the sun side may be shaded by other branches. So not everything will be warm or cool. 

Warm and Cool Foreground

4.  Foreground area: This is the meat and potatoes of your painting.  The place where your viewer spends the most time.  The story of this painting. 

I found it to be the most challenging area to paint.  I had to keep reminding myself that the shade had to be cool colours.  Here again the cobalt teal blue came into play.  When I first put it on the logs I thought it was completely wrong.  Blue logs!!! But after, I became one of my favourite parts.  It really makes for a cool colour in the shade.  

The yellow grasses are another battle of warm and cool.  Although I have them circled as warm there is evidence within the warm golden colour grasses that some are in the shade and so are cool, almost lime green in colour.  

Take a look at some of your paintings. In many cases we make the right colour decision but often if things look a bit off, this could be the reason.  Certainly if the painting feels a bit flat, poor use of warm and cool colours could be the issue.  

Have fun with your warm and cool colours and I certainly hope you are getting a few nice sunny days, even if they are cold.  

You are invited to my Special Upcoming Events: 

1. Senior Show, Cloverdale Recreation Center ( 6188 176 St, Sry)
Feb 13 - Apr 13, 2026
Exciting to show 4 of my large drawings of large west coast birds: Heron, Bald Eagle, Short-erred Owl & Canadian Goose. 

2. Expressions of Spring Show - Newton Cultural Center, (13530 72 Ave, Sry)
 March 3-29, 2026.   

This is a group show with  Artswest.  I have 5 pieces in this show.  

3. Class - Introduction to Drawing with Pen & Watercolour, Newton Cultural Center

Friday, March 13, 10:30-12pm   
All supplies incld.  Free by Donation.  Registration Require with Wendy 

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, 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,

Bringing Light into Your Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Grab the Light and Make it Shine!!

I think that is what every artist wants at some point in their work.

Late Walk on the Trail - watercolour Matted 11 x 14 $225

  I just finished teaching a series of 4 classes focusing on Shadows and Depth.  I found I became a little abscessed with the topic.  I began to analyze every painting and photograph I saw.  It was interesting to see the different techniques artists used. Reflective light and Ambient Light were the most interesting.  My class will attest,  I really pushed the limits with Ambient Light.  (See last post "Make Magic with Ambient Light")  

Getting a feel for the painting and setting up the darks in the midground. 

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Last Chance to Join the Class: 
In-Person Online Drawing Classes
 Enhance Your Drawing/Painting Series – 5 Ways to Bring Depth into Your Work with Wendy Mould.
Thursdays, Feb 6, 13, &  20  6:00-8:00pm PST (Zoom)
Cost:  Early Bird $75 After Feb 4 $90 Contact Wendy to Register

***********

To create depth in your work means shadows and light will play a big part.  For the final project we worked on a reference photo I took last fall when visiting Campbell River.  My sister and I were walking along the trail that winds along the side of the Campbell River. There are several little side streams that have branched out from the river and run parallel to it.  This little scene was from one of those streams.  

In the fall the salmon run along this area and there is lots of activity. Salmon, bears, eagles, and people are everywhere.  Now things are quiet.  The dead salmon are gone, and life is back to normal.  These two seagulls were resting quietly, probably remembering the heady days when salmon were laying everywhere.  

It was late, I caught the sun peaking through the trees on this magically little place.  I loved it.

It was tricky.  

My first thought was, get some colours in the background but keep them light.  The background was the lightest part of the picture.  

Balancing the colour on both sides and adding more detail to the mid ground

Next, get some darks happening.  

In order for light to shine it needs some darks to set it off.  In my picture, the darks were in the midground.  They were the trees and branches.  There was also a few shapes on the ground that were silhouetted by the light. 

Setting up the Water and Seagulls

I didn't want to lose the light so I focused next on the two sides.  They were both the same but different.  The right side was in full shade.  There was a little reflected light allowing for some colour but dark tones.  

The left side was quite different. Here it was shaded but with lots more reflective light. The greens ran to more of a blue-green.  And the values a bit lighter then on the right side. 

Once I had the sides settled I could see it was time to do the water.  The colours needed to be mid-values to light to keep the attention to the front of the painting and offer a balance to the light of the branches in the sunlight. I tried to include the colours in the midground to keep unity in the painting. 

 

Really pulling in all together now - checking patterns, shapes and values

Now it was time to pull it together.  I focuses on the shapes and patterns I could see.  There was no way I could put details in the light.  The perspective did not allow for that.  I used light and dark cold yellows but also used my Cobalt Teal Blue mixed with the yellow to give me some great cool greens.  Also,  I made sure I dropped a bit on the midground and on the water.  Changing the value and hue slightly to reflect its location in the picture. 

It was time for the branches.  I left them til last.  It is almost painting with negative space to put them in.  Once I dropped them onto the leaves I went back and grounded them with some darks. Then it was time to add a few highlights on the water and seagulls, even a bit of foliage in the mid-ground.  

Finally I stepped away.  "Late Walk on the Trail" was done.  

Last Chance to Join the Class: 

Join the Conversation in my February set of Online Classes - We will take a Deep Dive into how Depth in your Paintings is created at every step of the process - From Composition to Completion. 

 Looking Forward to Seeing you there  ↓↓↓↓↓↓

In-Person Online Drawing Classes
 Enhance Your Drawing/Painting Series – 5 Ways to Bring Depth into Your Work with Wendy Mould.
Thursdays, Feb 6, 13, &  20  6:00-8:00pm PST (Zoom)
Cost: Early Bird $75 After Feb 4 $90 Contact Wendy to Register

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, 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

Composition: How Shape & Patterns Set up Your Art Work - Painting & Drawing Tips

Did you watch the Master’s? 

ROCKY SHORES OF HICKS LAKE - Ink drawing on Wood $750

Have you seen the awesome way they track the drives on the screen.  Let’s face it, those pros hit so hard and far it is nearly impossible to follow the ball on the screen.  But really you don’t have to anymore.  Their app takes over and show you the arc, distance and line the golf ball follows. 

Maybe this is good for watching golfing on TV . . .

 but your Art Work needs a different mode of attack. . . .

 Your viewers want to jump in and look at your work.  Some start at the left side and move across others jump to the middle and move out.  If you want to keep their attention you need take control.  Unfortunately, there is no app for that.

 Shape & Patterns can HELP  . . . 

To do that look at the abstract piece from my sketchbook.  It really brought the idea home for me. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - Sketchbook Activity

There is a flow created by the shapes and patterns.  Coming in from the left side causes the eye to follow the sloping diagonal going from the top left to the bottom right.  This should take your eye out of the picture.

But it doesn’t. . . 

There is an eye stopper on the right, the dark blue shape.  It grabs your eye shoots it up to the pink and yellow pattern area.  From there the eye dances around the tulips, hits the zigzag line and moves back to the left.  The circular route starts again.  Notice whether your eye comes in from the bottom or the right, it picks up the same path. 

I know that colour  and value is also playing an important role, and I don’t want to discount that.  But instead, I am focusing on what shape and pattern can contribute to the game. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - converted to grayscale

Check out the picture in black and white. 
The movement is still there. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - some of the pattern replaced with solid blocks of value

Here I removed some of the key pattern areas and replaced them with solid shapes.  Most of the movement is still there but you can feel that the it is not the same.  The eye seems to dance across those pattern sections and at the same time enjoy the movement.  With the pattern gone the eye just whizzes' by and I think even become a little bored.  What do you think?  

**As a secondary note, can you feel the tension caused by the two focal points?  The box shape and the flower pot.  The eye wants to dart back and forth between them but the strong movement from shapes and patterns keeps it moving in the circle. 

Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake - Eye Movement

When you look at my drawing ‘Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake’, can you see how the pattern and shapes catch you in a circle.  If your eye enters from the left (most North Americans read a picture from left to right), it is grabbed and moved to the right.  The dark, mixed shapes of the rocks move your eye up.  This should send your eye up and out but it doesn’t get a chance.  The light airy patterns created by the leaves of the bush and the soft grain of the wood capture the attention.  As the eye wonders through this area, the darker shapes draw it down and back to light rocks in the front.  The circle begins again. (Notice how those few little leaves on the left, block your exit and keep you moving along.)  

Sketchbook Study of Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake

I found this a very interesting phenomenon.  When I saw the rocks and bushes paired together by the shoreline of the lake I was drawn to them.  I photographed them and did a sketch of them.  I found the sketch very powerful. It seemed to grab my eye and demand that I look.  And keep looking.  I kept telling myself it was just some rocks and a bush.  The idea stayed with me so this winter I started working on the drawing. 

Awesome Opportunity - 2 Artist Retreats in the Shuswap

June 23-26 or September 15-18, 2023

Join me for 4 DAYS of Outdoor Sketching, nature walks, deck and beach time, creative conversations, gourmet meals and simply relaxing 

Your Hosts, Joanne Denis and Myself.   Cost: $450 single room or $300 shared room
Art instruction, transportation (from Lower Mainland), meals and lodging included (Bring your own art supplies.  Space is limited to 8-10 attendees, Register Early 

Outdoor Sketching Classes - Dates are HERE!!

Outdoor Sketching Classes

Thursday, June 29, 10-12:30pm;  July 6 & 27, 10-12:30pm
  August 3 & 10, 10-12:30pm 

Experience the Joy of Sketching in Nature with Wendy . 
2.5 hr classes; located in Surrey Parks;  Beginner to Advanced Welcome. 
Class Size: Max 3  $55 per session  

Available for booking special outings for you and 1-2 of your friends. Gift Certificates Available.

Contact Wendy for More info

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, 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

How to Make your Art Retreat a Super Experience? - Painting & Drawing Tips

Whippee!!! I am off to not One but Two Art Retreats this summer!!
Not only will it be fun to hang out and work with fellow Artists, but I will be the Instructor.  You probably already guessed what the topic will be, that's right.  Outdoor Sketching.  

Getting OUT THERE is half the FUN!!

 The Adventuras Retreat will be in Shuswap, BC, June 23-26 & September 15-18, 2023. It's a worry free event: Transportation (from the Lower Mainland), food, accommodation  and instruction are all included.  $450 Single Room $300 Shared Room.  More info at the bottom of this Post. 

 

This will be our Cabin on the Lake

An Art Retreat is a chance to get Out and Just Do It.  Can you imagine, no cooking, no planning, no mucking about.  A chance to be pampered and relax.  Of course for me that means settling down somewhere and sketching, reading or following a trail to see where it goes.  

But to really enjoy yourself there is PREP than needs to be done . . .

Albas Falls Trail,  not far from the cabin

Being prepared before heading out on a Retreats, really can add to the experience.  (Ok, I will admit it.   I was a Girl Guide when I was young.  "Be Prepared" is kind of my middle name.)  But when travelling away from your home base things go better with a few extra preparations. 

When packing remember the KISS theory- Keep It Simple

Ways to Make your Art Retreat a Super Success

1. Keep all your Organization Material Together: When you Register for an Art Retreat it is usually well in advance.  A year ahead is not uncommon for a long 10-14 Day Retreat.  And certainly 3-5 months is pretty common for shorter ones.  That means that lots of information is passed out at the beginning and you don't really look at it again until a few weeks out from the event.  

Set up a folder (ie. Art Retreat 2023)  in you email Inbox to store all the emails pertaining to the event. (Google can help you figure out how to do this)  Try and use the same email thread for all the correspondence so you have all the information in one spot.  

Heading out for walk and stopping to sketch is the Icing on the Cake. 

2.  Organize your Art Supplies:  You will get a supply list from the Instructor with both suggested and optional items.  Keep it Simple.  Less is Better.  It is no fun hauling a heavy container of 'art stuff' around.  Don't forget you also need things like water, snacks and weather gear.  

My Kit (4.5 x 7.5) & My Sketchbook

For my Outdoor Sketching Retreat let me show you what that looks like.  Supplies: sketchbook, 

2B Graphite Pencil, eraser – white vinyl & kneaded eraser, .03 & .05 Mircron Pigma Permeant Ink Pen,
pack of watercolours, water container, watercolour brushes – 10 & 6 round, paper towel, Container to hold everything.  

For more information see my Post: My Really SMALLmendous Art Kit   My art kit doesn't vary but the size of the sketchbook may get a bit bigger depending on where I am going. 

The beauty of Outdoor Sketching is you can do it Anywhere.    

3.  Give Your Art Kit a Test Run:  This is CRICIAL! Imagine Hiking up to Machu Picchu, Peru stopping to sketch the moment and your brand new pens are dry.  (Actually I always take extra pens as I find sometimes the air pressure when flying can upset them) 

Making a Title Page for your Book is a good way to give Materials a Test Run (of Course you need a gondola picture when going to Italy) 

Use your kit in the studio and take it out on a few local trips.  See how everything will work for you.  You might find a bigger/smaller water container is needed, a larger/smaller brush would be nice or the sketchbook isn't really working.  Certainly understanding how your paints work with your sketchbook is important.  I find books and paper all have their own quirks, sum papers grabs the paint and it is hard to do a wash and others float the paint so much it is hard to get a good dark.  There is no right or wrong but playing with things ahead of time really helps.  

Many have found this helpful:

Blog post: 5 Tips to Get Ready for Outdoor Sketching

YouTube:  5 Tips to Get You Outdoor Sketching with Joyfulness

4.  Get to Know Something about Where you are Going:  Maybe this is the Girl Guide in me but I like to have an idea of what things are like at the new place.  Things like: Sight Seeing Points; Weather; Terrain; possible hiking spots; history about the area.  These are things that can add to the experience.  When going to a different country I also like to collect images of symbols and common sights of things to decorate my sketchbook. 

This Gyrfalcon became my cover picture for my trip to the Northwest Territories

Whether you join me on the Shuswap Retreat or head off somewhere else, I wish you a great trip.  The camaraderie of a group with a common interest is so inspiring.  You will have great memories to keep you creating on those cold, dark winter studio days.   

Awesome Opportunity - 2 Artist Retreats in the Shuswap

June 23-26 or September 15-18, 2023

Join me for 4 DAYS of Outdoor Sketching, nature walks, deck and beach time, creative conversations, gourmet meals and simply relaxing 

Your Hosts, Joanne Denis and Myself
Cost: $450 single room or $300 shared room
Art instruction, transportation (from Lower Mainland), meals and lodging included (Bring your own art supplies.  

Space is limited to 8-10 attendees, Register Early 

  Contact Wendy for More info

Always  Available at Art by Wendy's Studio

Original work, Commissions, Private Drawing Lessons, 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

Strategies for Composition - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG!  I love those Magnolia Flowers! 

When Spring comes they are one of the first flowers to Brighten the Day.

(Special Note: Only 2 Outdoor Classes Left Aug 18 & Sept 1 - see details below ↓↓↓) 

Magnolia Flower (Photograph) 

The Magnolia flowers on my neighbour's tree and were glistening in the sunlight.  It is just a small tree.  Actually more like a bush, but Oh such a bright spot in my day. 

 Of course I had to draw it. 

I took some pictures and decided it would be a great subject for my drawing classes. Drawing and painting ‘white’ things is a really challenge. 

(Try you own hand at "Magnolia in the Sunshine" - Click for a Free Downloadable PDF )

 We decided to focus on just one bloom and really blow it up in size.  Layout and initial shading proceeded pretty quickly.  The darks are easy to find, there are hardly any.  Then the petals became the focus. 

That’s when the questions started. . . . .

 How to create the white? ? ? . . . 

A white on white paper needs a contrast to show up.  I know, it’s obvious, it needs a background.  But what should the background be?  I find this a common question from students and one that often plagues me as well. 

 This is where your personal artistic spirit comes into play.  What appeals to you?  A realistic graphically detailed setting?  An angular graphic shape?  Or are you somewhere in between. 

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice - Melissa

Melissa, my student, chose a more graphic type design of light and soft values.  It made her flower petals pop and created drama.  It was great.

 

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice, Wendy 

My choice was also a graphic type design of lights and darks but it also reflected the natural environment around the flower.  (A touch of realism).  My flower pops and has great drama as well. 

 Which is right? 

 Both are. Our drawings both look nice.  They both make you feel the power of the sun on the magnolia and our love for the topic.  They both reflect our personal touch. 

When setting up your painting/drawing you chose the subject.  You choose what to use and what to discard in the reference material.  That is your Artistic Touch.  The choices you make put your personal touch on your work.  

Magnolia in the Sunshine - Sketchbook Practice, Wendy
Fun to play around with this flower in colour too!! 

Try your own hand at "Magnolia in the Sunshine" - Click for a Free Downloadable PDF    What kind of a background will you use?  Melissa and I would love to see what you do.  

Outdoor Sketching Classes - Only 2 Sessions Left!!

Class Dates: 
Aug  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 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