Do You have a Breakfast Studio? Painting & Drawing Tips

Do you have a breakfast studio?

Actually this is my Anytime Studio- Great for catching a Creative Moment 

A place where you can just sit back after you’ve had your morning coffee.  And just create for a few minutes before you start your day.  Or maybe a spot for a quiet coffee break.  A spot where you can just draw for a few minutes. 
(**See my Youtube video  Do You have an Anytime Sketchbook?  to see the whole book and more tips on using an Anytime Sketchbook) 

Black-eyed Susie's with some grass flowers. 

I do have a beautiful studio and I do go there and work for hours on end and forget about things but other times I want to just play around after breakfast. I’m not ready to get my day started.  When the sun shines, I like to enjoy working for a few minutes outside.   I guess really, instead of a calling it a breakfast studio I should call it my Anytime Studio.  Actually it is just a small sketchbook and pencil case. 

It doesn't take much to create - small pencil case, sketchbook & of course a coffee 

It’s here where I explore themes and ideas.  Fun sketches, different drawing styles, future projects and more.  I have several little books on the go. Sometimes I get a bit carried away, with too many different ones.  I think a few are beginning to think they are orphan books.   

Who knew Buttercup Leaves could be so interesting

Right now, I’m celebrating a special moment.  I finished my Flower Power Book.  (I think it was starting to feel like an orphan).   I started this book last spring to explore flowers using my pen.  I’d look for different ones everywhere I went.  I became obsessed with flowers.   Picking some flowers and weeds too,  to take home and draw.  I decided I wanted to have different flowers on each page.   

A Collection from my walk - Buttercups and grasses

Then I got all carried away and decided I should try different things with them in terms of shading, borders, patterns. As I said, carried away. 

Blackberry Flowers are not just for making Berries

It turned out to be an awesome experience.  I found out I knew nothing about flowers.  Not even my favourite ones.  I had no idea how many petals they had, what their leaves looked like, even the ration of petal size to the centers.  My observation skills are the pits. 

Blackberry Flowers can make a Fun Arrangement

I discovered how many could be broken down to a center with petals.  Once I understood the size ratio. I began to look at the flowers at different angles, and understand how to make the folds, curls, and bends in the petals.  It was exhilarating.  I was on a flow.   

Dandelions take on a whole New Life in a drawing

I  found my pen work improved.  My confidence in my mark making soared.  Sure I did some pretty detailed sketches in pencil at times but I did find that once I jumped to my pen I could relax and add a lot of embellishments.  The lines were just a guide. They weren’t something that I had to trace. I found I loved looking back at my work.  I started looking at my book as a reference and used the flowers in other parts of my life as sparkles on a notepaper or sketchbook.  

Ballet Girl Fuchsias - Every flower has its own Secrets!!

It’s been a very awesome experience.  I put together a video on Youtube video to share my book with you: Do You have an Anytime Sketchbook?  It has more tips on using an Anytime Sketchbook to keep your practice going. 

I hope it inspires you to jump in and start your own Anytime Sketchbook. 

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

Do You use a PRACTICE SWING in your Drawing - Painting & Drawing Tips

I like to golf.

I love walking out on the course.  Chatting with a few friends.  Where I golf there are lots of mountain views and vistas of the valley.  It feels good to be out there.

Black-eyed Susies - Sketchbook Practice.  

In golf you use a practice swing.  

It is a very important stroke.  Especially when you start to play.  You walk up to the tee box.  Get into your stance.  And do a few practice swings.  Sooooo important.

That swing sets you up.  Let's your body know what is happening.  Let's you check that your balance is right.  You feel the wind, the heat, you visualize what is coming.

Your ready. . .

When you start a drawing or lay out a painting on canvas, a practice swing can set you up.  I like to call it a Rehearsal.  (Not sure if there is a name for it in art, but that is mine).  For a practice swing you get into position.  You swing your club

but you do not hit the ball. . . .

For your rehearsal in drawing you will get into position, hold your pen or brush and go through the motion of the line/stroke you want. (This is a gesture movement.)

But you do not make a mark. . .

When you do a rehearsal, you Inner Critic will quickly tell you what is right and wrong about your proposed line.  

Why?  What is the point?  Why not just jump in and go for it?  Like the practice swing, the rehearsal motion at the beginning makes you ask several questions:

1.  Is my arm comfortable, can I do it in a single motion?
2.  Is the line going to be the right length?
3.  Is the placement of the line going to work?  Will my subject fit where it needs to be?
4.  Does the angle look/feel right?
5.  Am I ready and focused on what I am doing?  Can I feel the line?

Your Inner Critic will come into play as well.  Answering many of those questions.  It may also suggest something better. 

Once your golf game is under way, the practice stroke does not disappear.  Have you ever watched a PGA player when he is in a difficult lie? Behind a tree.  In the rough. On a steep bank.  ( I, of course, have never had that problem when I golf.  LOL)  They will do a few practice swings.  Often without a club.  They want to check their balance and line of sight.  Get a strong feel for what they want to accomplish.  (If I had several thousand dollars hanging on my shot I would want to really feel it. Visualize it.  Before I hit, too. )

My rehearsal stroke gives me a feel as to where to put my stem.  Check the flowers at the top of the page.  I definitely did a rehearsal to find good places for all those stems. 

The rehearsal stroke doesn't only happen at the beginning of a drawing either.  As you move from the big shapes to more detail,  you will get into tight spots too.

1.  Drawing the rigging on a sailboat.  I definitely like to do a rehearsal first.
2.  Capturing the gesture of the movement of a leg or arm.
3.  Adding that detail trim line to a shape.  Especially when you only get one shot at it.  ( I know you acrylic and oil people can wipe it off and do it again.  But to really capture that lively line you need to be ready to do it once, with a flourish.)

Not sure if you do a rehearsal stroke.  I do. Quite often.  Am I the only one??

Further reading:
There are Rehearsals in Drawing?   A look at the power of a rehearsal in drawing with permanent ink.
Have you Felt the Freedom of the Line?   A look at the rehearsal and other types of lines used in drawing with permanent ink.

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  3 Spots Left

Cost $90 + Tx       Pre-Registration Required, contact Wendy      Gift Certificates Available

Save the Date . . . . .

March 6-8, 2020 - The West Fine Arts Show.  Peter Ewart Middle School, 7755 202A St, Langley BC.  Yes, I have teamed up with this great show event: 20 Professional Artists, Awesome Art, a show you shouldn't miss.  

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