5 Things that can spark a series of Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you ever worked on a Series of Paintings?  

Do you paint random pieces or are your works interrelated?

Is this a limiting exercise or not?

ROBINS: SIGNS OF SPRING - Nearly done 

From a marketing stand point, working in a series is wonderful.  You have a standard product.  You have a statement that covers all the work.  You have One central focus for all your marketing energy.  Sounds like a marketing dream. 

However, there is one problem . . 

As an artist you are not a machine.  You can keep producing the same material but eventually it will become stale.  You will lose interest and your work will reflect that.  And on the other end, your buyers may become weary of seeing the same thing. 

Ok sorry, I don't mean to confuse . . .

Are series a good idea or bad?  I feel they have lots of merit but at the same time they need to evolve and change.  If their purpose is to preserve 'the sameness' not such a good idea. In my mind, a series takes you on journey to explore.  You take ideas and work with them.  Finding your voice as you feel your way.  They cause you to think and expand your ideas.  When you feel you have told your story, they end. 

I have started a series.  Not sure how big it will be.  For now it is 3 pieces. 

Decided on a background and my main colours

What sparks a series?

1.  Your emotions: For me it was my struggle to mix my pen work into my wildlife art.  I had just completed my work on my Inktober Tangles 2019 project and I was pumped.  I wanted to do something with my tangles and patterns.  (Read more about Inktober Tangles 2019 here.)

I liked the 3 different views of this fellow - his quirky character called to me.  

2.  Your eye is caught: Like most of you I have huge folders with photos I have taken.  Mine are all about wildlife I see and settings that would work for them.  My photos are overtaking my life.  I was trying to sort, delete and file some of my pictures from this summer.  I know, an endless task.  Suddenly my eye was caught by a robin.  I had several shots of him, wondering about the yard.  Hmm. . . . I thought.  I can do something with him.

One was working well so definitely time to start planning the group

3.  Chance: My husband was busy making wood cradles for me as I needed some custom sizes for some commissions.  Of course, being the frugal person I am, (read cheap, if you were one of my kids) I suggested he cut up the scrap and make some small cradles for me.  We figured he could make 3-5 x 7 wood cradles.

Robin: On his Own - WIP  As he started to grow I began to really see how my other birds would fit in. Surprisingly my husband thought he looked interesting.  Hmm. . . maybe my robin will interest others.

4.  Desire to meet a challenge: As I walked the trails with Max I thought of my challenge - realistic birds (my robin) and abstract shapes (my tangle patterns).  What? How? Somehow, out walking with Max I can create better than in my studio.  Here my mind is free to ebb and flow in different directions.  An idea began to form. Suddenly I knew what I wanted to do. 

Robin: Curious - WIP  My second piece started to take shape. Now, I was starting to get excited.   I could see where I wanted to go.  

5.  Time: Christmas Commissions done, Christmas was over, and I actually had a bit of time on my hands.  Those robins were restless, my pens were calling, my paints were wet.  I couldn't stop myself.  I jumped in. 

What sparks a series for you?  Are they a small collection or large bodies of work? Have you considered the pros and cons of working this way? 

ROBIN: ON HIS OWN - Ink & Watercolour - 5 x 7 mounted on Wood Cradle $115

In continuing the discuss, you might find the following posts of interest: 

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 1
Looks at creating a series from the artistic point of view; benefits to the Artistic Soul. 

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 2
This looks at the benefits of creating a series from a marketing point of view.  

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 3
An interview with an artist, Jane Appleby, who spent a year working on her series.  

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 4
Short interview and examples of other artists and their thoughts on work in series.  

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

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

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

February is Marketing Month for Artists!!

Each February I offer an all day workshops “Let’s Get Your Art Out There!!”
2020 Date: February 23, 10-3pm

Having trouble getting started or knowing where and what to do?

This workshop gets your Marketing Plans fired up to new and more successful levels. Learn the basics of today’s Marketing World, learn how to develop markets both online with Social Media and off line in your community, learn how to develop a productive network, and set up a Marketing Plan that will work for you. Taking this workshop is a valuable step in moving your business forward. Workshop runs 10-3:00 pm with a lunch break.    Class limited to 8 people

Cost $90 Tax Incl      Pre-Registration Required, contact Wendy      Gift Certificates Available

Save the Date . . . . . 

January 18, 2020 - Opus Langley Demo:  Put WOW! into Your Mark Making with Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM  11-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm.  Free but must Register: (604) 533-0601  Morning session is full but still some room in the afternoon.  

See you there!!

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

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

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Camping on Texada Island was AWESOME.

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

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

For me it is also a time to paint.

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

This year was no different.

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

SUN ON THE WATER - Mermaid Cove, Saltery Bay

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

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

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

Only 2 Colours . . .

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

I needed to do more . . .

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

HERON: TIDES RUNNING - matted 10 X 8.  $130 on Etsy

 As you can see, those two colours created lots of interesting colours. The blue grayed the orange down to create a range of tans and browns.  And the orange turned the blue into some interesting greens.  I felt it added another dimension to my ink drawings. They did look nice as black and whites but the colour definitely added a new dimension.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE: 

Open Studio at Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery

 Sun, Sept 30, 10-4pm   

Special Hands-On Drawing Demos: 11 am & 1pm 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 
The Story of a Painting in 3 Parts,  from start to finish - starts here

How to Paint/Draw Soft & Fluffy Animals, 2 Parts - starts here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

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

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

The Story of a Painting: Final Edition - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

HITCHING A RIDE - 12 X 16 -Watercolour

That train can start moving any time as my little Stellar Jay is ready for his ride.  Hitching a Ride is ready to roll.

When I  left you, in my last post, there were two challenging things to do: the Stellar Jay and that really involved section in the bottom middle of the painting. The hitch.  I must admit, I left them both to the last purposely.  It is much easier to face them once I have mastered my colours, value scheme and plan.  They were both complex areas but required different treatment.  The Jay was my star and needed to shine while the hitch was intricate but expected to blend and add interest, not steal the show. 

 (Need to catch up, you can begin the story of my painting with this post here - The Story of a Painting )

Just a light wash of  Winsor Blue to get this little fellow started

Challenge # 1 - The Stellar Jay

My Stellar Jay was a double problem as you know. As well as being a complex character,  my reference picture did not have the right lighting.  I was going to be making some big decisions on how the light would affect his colours.  I started with a light wash of blue close to my sunlight value.  Then I began to block in colour based on my value sketch for his new lighting. 

Blocking in some colour

I felt I was on the right track. So I kept on adding layers:  developed the tail feathers, set up his beak, worked on his crown, and layered his chest.  As I worked I started to do his legs and feet while I waited for other areas to dry.  When glazing it is very important to make sure the layers underneath are dry before adding a new layer.  If not they will mix together and mud can be the results.  I am not one to use a hair dryer, I like things to dry naturally.  So I often work on another part of the picture while I wait.

Checking the drawing and the colours - note pencil changes to the right shoulder

I was really feeling like things were coming together well.  The layers kept building.  Time to make a close check on the drawing as I was feeling body parts weren't right.  Yep, changes needed.  His right shoulder was too low and he was a little too fat and needed a trim on his left side.  This also changed how the tail appeared behind the chain. 

 (I am sure you are wondering about his eyes.  Since they are such an important element in bringing my birds and animals to life I leave them till I am ready to do them. I like them to fit into the body and not just float while I paint around them.  So sometimes it can be quite late in the process before they get painted or drawn in.)

I took a pencil and lightly drew in my changes.  Then using my trusting little 'lifting ' brush I lifted paint where needed.  The beauty of my background is I can add a few spots of colour to tighten up the drawing and they just blend in.  (Special Note: Even those special additions had to be done with 2 or 3 coats so they will blend in to the surrounding area.  I don't want any hard edges. )

Finished for now - STUDY MODE as I move on

Finished up the feet and tightened up the area around them.  Again, using a few layers I was able to blend into the base as I refined the feet.  I had purposely left this area a little undeveloped so I could work on it as I refined the feet.  Now it is time to Study him.  

Challenge # 2 - The Hitch

Step 1 - picking out some darks

 I found this Hitch area very interesting but very complex to paint.  I wasn't quite sure what to do.  I fell back on my tried and true method: paint what you see, don't try and interpret it and start with the darkest dark (Value 10)  Once I painted in the 10's I looked for the 9's then the 8's.  Always moving around the area.  If I found a colour that I liked, for example the greens, I put it in various areas that I felt it needed to go.  I played with the blues and grays the same way. Constantly moving around the area looking for little pieces to enhance. Always focusing on the shape and colours rather than 'the thing'.  

Step 2 - Picking out more and more darks and lights

Once I felt it had taken shape I really built up the shadows.  Again, glaze over with a layer of my purple, let it dry, check the value, add another layer.  Finally I was happy.

Step 3 - Checking the final Shadowing Glazes

The Final Stage: 

Study Mode.  Make notes on what I wanted to change. Study some more. I have my picture up on an easel so I can see it when I go by my studio. I leave it for a day or two and then revisit it.  I take a picture and look at that, both in colour and in black and white.  I often look things up. In this case I felt there needed to be a light highlight on my Jay's breast and I felt that the dark on his crown needed to be adjusted. I looked at other pictures of Jays in the sunlight.  I also felt there should be reflected light from the yellows and greens on my Jay. When I was ready, I made the changes.  

I use to jump in and make changes as soon as I thought of them.  Often that lead to fiddling and needless lifting again.  Now when I am in this final stage I find it better to wait and study.  Somethings those changes are just the feeling of the moment and once I step back I feel differently. 

HITCHING A RIDE is ready for his Train Ride.  

What are some of your steps in finishing up a picture? How do you 'decide' if it is done?  

My next project is already on the easel - Signs of Spring featuring a pair of Varied Thrushes.  REally excited to get it underway, I love their bright orange breast and mine was caught in the sunlight, really feeling me with thoughts of Spring. 

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

Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

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

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

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  

This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

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

 Monday, June 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.  Monday, August 13, 10-12pm & 1-3pm

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook  Ready for You - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

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

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

The Story of a Painting Part 2 - Painting & Drawing Tips

Who would have believed it?    ME painting machinery!

I love the outdoors.  I am a wildlife artist.  Trees, stumps, rocks, those are my friends.  Since when do I paint rusty metal, springs, and chains.  Well actually I am and the thing I enjoyed the most was those chains and gears.  I can hardly believe it myself.

HITCHING A RIDE - Well underway, Still some big challenges to do!

Every painting has a story and my latest painting on the easel, "Hitching a Ride" has turned into a real surprise for me.  Chains - fun to paint!  Yes.  And my picture is set up and ready for paint. My last post The Story of a Painting outlines all the preparation involved in setting up this painting. 

Let the Painting Begin!

My Paints
My palette: Ultra Marine, Hooker Green, Cobalt Blue, Winsor Blue (Blue shade), Permanent Rose, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Cadmiun Light

The Undercoat - fun to just drop on paint - wet into wet.  

The Undercoat
The colours of the springs, chains and rusty metal are so much part of this picture.  I decided to start with an underpainting using all my colours.  This way they would show through some of my glazes and really add interesting, colourful textures.  It also meant that everything would be cohesive, no stray colours hidden in the rust.

Putting my colours down I tried to make sure the right side was light and the left darker.  I didn’t put much in the top yellow area as I wanted it a more pure yellow.  I also made sure the smaller chains were kept light, close to the value of their lightest value.  That way I could add the darks and they would be done. This was actually on my mind everywhere: colours dark enough to show through some of the glazing but also light enough to be the light value in that area.  It's nice to not have all that white paper staring back at you.

Trying out my colours, getting a feel for how each area will be developed. 

Getting into the Picture

This is what I call my feeling the picture mode.  I tried a few colours in the dark at the left to see how much colour would show through my glazes.  I painted the yellow area on the right so I could see how that would work. It has to be light but still offer a good contrast to my Stellar Jay. I started on the chain to see how that would work.  First focusing just on the darks and then gradually working on the other values.  It was so much fun to see it come to life.  I fell in love with that large chain.  

Really liking what is happening.  My poor little Jay is almost forgotten as I am really loving what is happening with chain and spring!!

Starting to Really Roll

Things are really getting fun now.  I just had to work on that large chain, my favourite spot.  The more I worked on it the more I wanted to move around it and make it shine.  My poor Stellar Jay was forgotten.  I loved mixing up the colours as I glazed and seeing the underpainting come through.  It really made for great ‘rusty bits’.  

Moving out - Getting a real feel how my Stellar Jay is going to work out.  

Time to Move Out

Okay, I admit I kind of got carried away with my chain and it is time to move out and meet my Jay.  I decided to set up his background.  I needed to see how his light side on the left would work with the background and at the same time keep the right side light to work with his dark side.  I want to be able to make the right side the lost edge so I need to paint it first. 

I really enjoyed painting the base for the Stellar Jay.  As you can see the underpainting really shines through with lots of interesting texture. 

Really feeling the finish coming. 

Working hard on glazing and completing each section.  Sometimes I picked out the darks first and then glazed over the rest for the mid tones.  Loved how the Stellar Jay’s base worked out.  It really didn’t need a lot of work, a few glazes to grey it down and then of course those awesome touches of dark.   

Only two challenges left: my Stellar Jay and the lines and hollows in the bottom middle.  

Picture in Colour and Black and White - Both tell you different information.  Study Time is here.

Time for a Value Check

Things are going well but I really felt it was time for a value check.  Looking at the picture in colour really causes me to get lost in the colour mixes:

• the shadow highlights in the bottom left (aren’t those bits of peachy orange great),
• the golden yellow beam left of my Jay ( love the texture and colour changes there)
• and of course my large chain and spring down the left side.  I really like what is happening there. 

When I change the picture to a gray scale all those great colours disappear and I can see what is really happening with my values.

Things I noticed right away:

• spring on the bottom left and the cavity there are a little flat, possibly another light glaze in the shadow area might give it some depth.  Not too much as this is not the star of my picture. 
• Shadow of the middle chain is a little too light and blue for my sunlight. 
• The middle chain might be a little too washed out, possibly darken the darks a little more. 
• Looks a little to dark by the large chain in the top right side.  Have to think about that for a bit.
• Need to finish the chain at the far right to see how the balance will work.  Must keep its value close to the surrounding area so it will ‘stay at the back’.

What do you see?

Enter the Study Mode

Have to slow down a bit now.  As I near completion it is time to really study my picture.  With a light glaze I can bring something forward or push it back.  I like to paint, study, paint, study, study . . .  This is probably the slowest stage of my painting. 

Sorry,  picture not complete this week but it will be ready for my Next post: Hitching a Ride - DONE

I realized I only talked generally about my painting techniques, let me know if you want to expand on something in my next post.  

My Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Try Your Hand at Plein Air Painting: 

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

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

$15  Register  events@kilby.ca 604-796-9576 by August 15, 2018.  

This is an awesome event, there are juried prizes and draw prizes so fun for all levels.  Registration gets you on site for all 3 days.  I will be camped at the Kilby Campsite and there all 3 days so be sure and say hi.  

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: Only a few Sessions left till Summer
New people are always welcome.  Beginner to Advanced 

 Monday, June 4 & 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.

Expression Art Gallery, Valley Fair Mall, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Artists reading this also find the following valuable: 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here
Is Your Sketchbook  Ready for You - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

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

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Values and Colours in Action - Painting & Drawing Tips

New Works from the Studio of Art by Wendy 

WINTER COLOURS - $225     11 x 14 matted, unframed

Winter Colours features a little Rufous-sided Towhee, which we see a lot in the winter.  Their bright orange bellies add a bit of colour to the birds around the feeder and of course out on a walk.  

This time of year my heart thinks of snow.  As a kid we lived in Nova Scotia and snow, snow forts, skating on the lake, snow storms and no school were the norm.  I loved the fun of snow, especially the no school part and I find that even though I don't like driving in it, I still have a love of snow.  So winter pictures must have snow!  

Values in Action

Painting snow really makes me think of values.  It is white, just like the baby goats in the last drawing post "Blenders the Secret to The Soft Touch of Graphite" .   Now instead of the gray tones of graphite you are dealing with colour.  What happens to the values then? 

Winter Colours - Compare the tonal values with the colours

All those beautiful colours have a value and keeping the value pattern consistent is important.  In working with graphite you used different values to create the 'mass' of the shape.  The same thing happens in colour.  But now you are converting your 'colours' into a value on your value scale.  

Values of Colour

When it comes to working with colour, many shorten the 10 Point value scale to only 5 values. 

There is White, 3 mid-tones and Black

To think of these values in terms of colour think: (From Lightest to Darkest)

Yellow, Yellow orange and Yellow Green 

Orange, Red Orange, Green, Blue Green

Red, Blue

Red Purple, Blue Purple, Purple

Black

Of course within each colour there is a range of values, but having this picture in your mind will help in seeing and converting your colours into value.  Of course, taking a picture and converting it to tonal values is the most efficient method but not always practical when the paint is wet and colours are mixing. 

Note the values of the colours in the leaves - all in the mid tone and black range 

Building Mass with Values
In creating the leaves in the painting, you need the different values to make them 3 Dimensional. At the same time the value range has to be close or the leaves will not read as a unit. After all, they are not the focus of the painting. 
But the real challenge comes with the snow.  Like the goats, the snow is white.  But a white blob would be one dimensional and not have the puffy, billowing feel that is needed. 

Snow can have values that range from white to black!

Again like the white goats there is in fact very little 'white'.  Most of the snow has some value ranging from the light mid tones to the dark mid-tones  and even a spot or two that is almost black.  In some ways it is like Magic.  You are creating the illusion of white snow, yet you are using some very dark values.

Take the challenge and try your hand at snow - either in graphite or paint.  Have some winter fun!!

Looking for other drawing tips, check out my previous posts in this drawing series.  

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

 4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit - here

Time to Meet Your Drawing Friends - here

Ready to Start Drawing - Get Your Materials Together - here

Get Those Values Working for you - here

Blenders the Secret to the Soft Touch of Graphite - here 

     Christmas is coming, here are a few ideas for those Art Lovers and Artists on your list:

Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 5 or more  Christmas Doodle Cards or buy the Digital Down Load Cards and print as many as you wish. Lots of time till Christmas to personalize your cards with colour.  WOW! your Special People with your Cards.

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw: 
January Dates: Tues, January 9 & January 23, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
February Dates: Tues, Feb 6 & 20, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.
Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on a drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Gift Certificates Available. Contact Wendy Here

Be sure to like and share my posts.
 You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar on my blog)

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy

The Salmon are RUNNING - Painting & Drawing Tips

I know, I was going to talk about values in graphite verses watercolour in this post

but when Wildlife Things are Happening you have to be ready to Move.

My Coho Salmon with the blazing red colour

Saturday, Nov 11 we had rain in the evening.  

Not an uncommon thing here on the coast of BC but a very important thing at this time of year.  The rain puts lots of fresh water into the Fraser River and its tributaries and acts as a major signal.  The last salmon run is posed and waiting out at the mouth of the river. 

Chum and Coho at the fish ladder gate

That huge rush of fresh water coming down the river, signals the salmon to move.  This run heads up the Fraser and moves into the smaller rivers.  I live near the Tynehead Fish Hatchery on the Serpentine River and their last big run was happening NOW.

Opening the Fish Trap

My Dream
I am very much fascinated by the salmon run.  When I was a teenager we moved to the Comox Valley. I saw awesome salmon runs there for the first time.  The Puntledge River by our place was plugged solid with salmon in the fall. The smell, the fish, the seagulls, what a sight. After moving to Surrey, I was happy to see that the salmon come up the Serpentine River and I visit the Tynehead Fish Hatchery often. My Dream is to get some pictures of spawning Salmon swimming in the shallow waters.  I really want to capture the  Coho, with their bright red spawning colours.

Sunday, Nov 12, 4:30am The Call Came
The coho were moving.  The hatchery has been waiting for the Coho, they harvest the eggs for spawning.  So far only 12 coho seen, 10 males and 2 females.  But now the fish were coming, they were there and ready by 5:30am.  No, I wasn't there, unfortunately I am not on their list.  By the time I got there later in the morning they had their fish for the hatchery.  Now their job was to capture, count and release. 

Sometimes there are lots in the trap and sometimes not.

The hatchery harvests eggs from the Chinook, Chum and Coho. Once they have their catch for the hatchery, the other fish will now move up the river and spawn.  The hatchery's job is also to count returning hatchery fish and wild fish, to get a snapshot of what is happening in the river. (Hatchery fish have the small fin on the back removed) 

Keeping Score

Out of the rain and waiting to open the trap - Not your best hotel, but still warm, dry and comradely to help pass the time.

These volunteers are amazing, I was there a few hours with them watching but they had been there since 5:30am.  Did I mention it was a cold, wet, day.  A big thank you to all these guys and girls that volunteer to keep the salmon coming back to our rivers. 

One of the big Chum moving up the river

Not sure if I got THE PICTURE, but I got lots of others. I did however, get a very interesting adventure.  

Special Note: 

The Eagle Festival is happening there this weekend, Nov 18 & 19 with tours, boat rides, and lots of information. Harrison Mills.

FOLLOWING THE LINE - $300 (Matted 9 x 14) inspired by the Eagles in the trees waiting for the salmon at Deroche, in the the Nicomen Slough, Harrison Mills area. BC

With the salmon also comes the Bald Eagles.  The Harrison Mills area with the Chehalis Flats is a huge collection area for the Eagles and the dying salmon.   If you can't make the Festival, the eagles will be there in high concentration for at least 3-4 weeks. 

FRESH SALMON - 5 x 7 -  Inspired by the Eagles and Salmon

I will get back to my latest drawing series next week. Next up: Values and Colour in Action 

 
Looking for other drawing information:

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing

 4 Ways to Grow the Sketchbook Habit

Time to Meet Your Drawing Friends

Ready to Start Drawing - Get Your Materials Together

Get Those Values Working for you

Blenders the Secret to the Soft Touch of Graphite

     

Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!! 

Special Offer: Free Shipping with your order of 5 or more  Christmas Doodle Cards or buy the Digital Down Load Cards and print as many as you wish. Lots of time till Christmas to personalize your cards with colour.  Your Special People will love their Cards.

Great DIY Christmas Project:  Make Your Own Christmas Cards 

Christmas Card Doodle Classes Happening in November

Kitten and Puppy are happy to be featured on Your Special Cards

You will make some Great Christmas Cards for those Special People using my friendly little kitten and pup.  You will make at least 2 cards and you will feel confident to make more.  $35 all supplies included.
Classes: 

Sat Nov 18, 10:30-12:30 or 2:00-4:00  Art by Wendy Studio, North Surrey
Wed, Nov. 22, 3:30-5:30 Gardenworks at  Mandeville,  South Burnaby 

 Contact Wendy Here to register. 

Time to Move Inside and Draw
Drop-In & Draw: 
January Dates: Tues, January 9 & January 23, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
February Dates: Tues, Feb 6 & 20, 2018: 10-12pm or 1-3pm
Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  
Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on a drawing.  $15 Pre-Register Required. Contact Wendy Here

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 Have a great artful day,
Wendy