Fall Leaves Inspire Drawing Practice - Painting and Drawing Tips

Have you enjoyed the Colours of  Fall?? 

The trees are beautiful, their reds and yellows glowing in the sunlight.  

My Pumpkin Patch - Leaves and Pumpkins Collage

But here in the Fraser Valley we have more.  The fields of blueberries glow in fuchsias and pinks as the bushes say good bye for another season.  And just this week I saw the red fields of cranberries.  The fields are flooded and the the berries are floating and ready to be scooped up.  The greens of our tall firs make an awesome background.  

I know those colourful leaves are also creating havoc in your life.  They are falling everywhere, need lots of raking, and plugging up drains.   

But don't throw all those leaves away!!

Drawing from life is an important practice to improve your drawing skills.  Leaves are a great subject, eacy to find and very low maintenance.  (They never need to stop for a coffee break) 

As Max and I walk the trails I am always on the alert for a new type of leave.  Some I will press and flatten as they dry but others I will leave to crinkle and roll.  You can get such interesting shapes if they are left on their own.  

3 Ways Leaves Inspire my Practice:

1.  Design:

As many of you know I spend a great deal of time this summer focusing on line drawing of flowers.  Of course leaves came into play.  Using leaves as a design feature to balance a drawing was an interesting part of my practice.   

Petunias and Daisies, one of my summer flower drawings

Look what happens when I remove some of those interesting little leaves I added to my imaginary flower arrangement.  

Petunias and Daisies with some of leaves removed

Really it is amazing what a few little imaginary leaves will do to this arrangement.  Playing with leaf shapes really focuses on design and composition

2.  Shape and Form: 

This particular drawing I did in early spring when the primroses started to bloom.  They were such a wonderful shot of colour when everything was still gray and dreary.  I placed the leaves around the flowers to create my own spring surprises.  Working out the complex curls and wrinkles in the leaves was not easy.  Note how some of the work was done by watercolour and some by ink drawing. 

Spring Surprises - changing my pen stroke for the different planes of the leaves teaches a lot about structure and folds

3.  Patterns:

A page of leaves floating is a very pleasing sight.  Focusing on each leaf as it sat in front of me made me aware of several drawing practices: contour drawing, fore shortening, developing curls and folds, and the differences the shading and fill patterns make.  

Floating Leaves - Love the curls of the top leaf

Adding a pattern to the leaves changes things again.  This is one leaf that I tried drawing from different angles.  

Leaf with different patterns - each one tells a different story.  My favourite one is in the middle

I have found that my practice this summer - focusing on line drawings of flowers and leaves has had many benefits for me.  I see more when I look at flowers and plants then I use too.  But most of all, I feel a greater sense of confidences in my drawing and compositional skills.  I have enjoyed creating my line drawing this summer and almost finished a whole book.  I look forward to sharing that with you soon.  

Special News: 

Show and Classes  November 3-28,
Landmark Pop-UP Gallery, 15140 North Bluff Rd, White Rock.  

Show: Nov 3-28, Wed - Fri 11-5pm, Sat. 10-5pm & Sunday, 12-4pm 
Reception: Nov. 10, 6:30-8:30

Classes: Thursday, November 10 & 24 - 10-12:30pm.   Drawing and Watercolour  with Wendy - $50 each, max 5.  

 1: - Get that Line Drawing Right -Thursday, Nov. 10
Is your Drawing Process a Conversation between you, your subject, and your support? Join Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM as she uses the bare line to bring her Blackeyed Susies to life.

 2 - Values, Light & Shadows Bring Your Subject to Life – Thursday, Nov 24
Are your Values, Lights and Shadows making your subject full and vibrant?  Join Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM as she breaths life into a flat, outline drawing.

 Beginners to Advanced Welcome.  Contact Wendy to Register 

 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

Using SHAPE to change things up - Painting & Drawing Tips

Are you feeling that your work has lost its freshness? Your SPARK is just not flashing.  

Nurse Stump WIP (Going to be a new piece in my Deep in the Forest Series) - Different shapes require different focal point placement

Max and I walk in our neighbourhood twice a day. We both love to walk and I for sure love to get out.  

Even those dark and stormy days are great.  Everything is different with the wind blowing and rain pounding down.  Max is not so big on the rain part.  In fact on those days he walks very close to me (like a really well trained dog, don't I wish).  He wants me to be the wind and rain break.  

Walking the same route may seem boring . . . . . but its not.  

I like to change things up a bit.  Change the direction. Change the route.  Change the time.  Little things. But they do change my perspective. Make things different. 

The same principle works with your art. . . .

I know you have your favourite subjects/techniques/habits.  They are comfortable.  They support you as you work. But sometimes they can also steal your SPARK.  

Excerpt from RABBITS IN THE GARDEN - changing the shape means different elements in the fill areas. 

Try a different shape for your finished work. . .

This can be as challenging as you want.  If you always work in a landscape format, try portrait.  If you always work in certain sizes, try one bigger. or smaller.  Always do a rectangle, try a square.  Stretch the shape.  Long and skinny or tall and stretched.  Using canvas, paper or sketchbook.  Change it up. 

Why is this good for your artistic soul?

1.  Changing it up pushes you to new places.  Suddenly you need more information to fill your space.  Your subjects/techniques/habits aren't changing.  They will support you as you move ahead.

Gowlland Point, Pender Island, BC - Using both pages in your sketchbook creates a new shape for sketching.  

2. Changing it up creates new compositions.  The shape of your work determines your focal point placement.  New shapes makes you create new paths for the eye to follow in your work.    

3.  Changing it up makes you see different things.  If you walk a path in one direction then turn and walk back.  You will see new things.  Your perspective is different.  Painting your usual subjects in a different format, means your images will be cropped and supported differently.  Ways that you haven't tried before.  

Mouat Bay, Texada, BC.  Changing up your sketchbook with cutouts brings surprises into the mix

4.  Changing it up bring surprises.  These are the SPARKS that can get your creative juices flowing.  You will find yourself asking the 'what if. . .' questions.  What if I try . . .?

Go ahead, make a few changes.  My big change right now is my long narrow drawing "Nurse Stump" at the top of the post. At 9 x 17 inches it is quite different from my usual landscape work.   It did require me to think about the kind of foliage I was going to add and where to put it.  My ink work is done, really excited to add the watercolour!!  

Have fun and see you next week.  

Christmas Shopping Online with FREE Shipping in Canada!!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 15% on all sales

FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA TIL DEC 15

Lots of One-of-a-Kind items, original art, art prints, art cards, jewelry, pottery, painted scarves, and more. Anything that inspires an artist to create.  
Get your Christmas Shopping Done and Shipped Free 

Art by Wendy Original Work, Art Cards & Prints, Memo Pads and Doodle Cards will be available   

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.  We meet on Zoom for our sessions and discuss your work. I am a sounding board and coach with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to working 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  

Looking to BUILD Confidence and Skill in Drawing - Painting & Drawing Tips

Are you hesitant when you go to draw?

Do you find yourself doing sketchy, broken lines rather than clean swooping stroke? 

Do you have to do everything in pencil first before committing to ink or paint?  

Does your confidence sag when you’re faced with drawing something?

Creating Christmas Cards: Fun. Skill builder.  Confidence Booster. Best of All "Friends Dazzeler".  

Well doesn’t have to be that way. . . .
Of course everyone will tell you, just practice.  That’s the problem, it is hard to practice when your Inner voice is screaming at you.  I know.  I have been there.  I am a self taught artist.  I know how hard it is to draw something when you are constantly criticizing yourself because it looks AWFUL.  Well, I can tell you, me and my inner voice always agreed on that!!

I found practice was way easier if I was doing something interesting and I felt it was successful.  It made me want to try more. Do more.  

I know we are trapped at home right now but this is a perfect time to try something new.  I guarantee this will perk you up, build confidence in your drawing skills and totally dazzle your family and friends.  

Make your own Christmas Cards . . . .

These are not just any Christmas Cards, these are cards to help with your drawing.  I have lots of things to ensure your success.  See my video DIY Awesome Christmas Cards for  ideas, examples, and more.  

 Materials: 

1.Permanent Fine Tip Pens- Micron or Staedler Size 03 & 05.  This allows you to colour with felts, watercolour, and other wet media without ink running.  They also come in a variety of colours. 

Micron and Staedler pigment pens are permanent so won't run if you add a wet media.  They come in different sizes and colours.   

2.  Cardstock/Watercolour Paper for Cards: I use cardstock if colouring with dry media otherwise I get Strathmore Watercolour Cards.  They are creased, cut to size and have matching envelopes.  They come in packs of 10, 25 or 50.  A scrapbooking store has great cardstock in lots of colours and different size envelopes if you want only a small number. Art Stores & Amazon will carry the Strathmore Cards.  

These come in mixed media as well.  

3.  Pencil, putty eraser, vinyl eraser, and colouring materials. Coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, felts or watercolours.  Both Watercolour Cards and Mixed Media Card papers will work for your wet mediums.  Don't forget a few glitter bits from the Dollar Store.  They are even self sticking!!

This card gives me a Happy feeling - The red strip on the side just adds extra pazazz (See my video to learn about this)

4. Inspiration - Christmas Card Activity Sheet - this a FREE Activity Sheet to get you started.  I have mixed candles, poinsettias, holly and doodle patterns to make my cards.  You are welcome to download it and get drawing.  I am sure once you create a few cards you will be inspired to try other things.  

My FREE Christmas Card Activity Sheet is full of ideas to get you started.  

Things to think about as you draw:

1.  Work towards drawing freehand.  I know at first you will want to do pencil first and then ink.  No problem.  But as you work stretch yourself by leaving more and more of the detail to freehand drawing.  

Being aware of your working space makes for better compositions

2. Frame your space. You will be working with your card flat.  It is important to understand your space so use a coloured sheet to block out the back of the card.  

3.  Try a few doodle patterns.  Doodle patterns are made from small parts that work together to make a pattern.  Drawing them freehand goes a long way to build confidence.  Try scallops on edges, little open circles, simple three petal flowers.  They can be powerful in perking up an empty space.  I live the power of a simple line or dot.  

4.  Sign them.  Be sure and own your work.  Add a signature.  I have my own Doodle Signature for my Doodle work and another for my other work. 

Get more information on my video: DIY Awesome Christmas Cards  and be sure and download the FREE Christmas Card Activity Sheet .  Now get ready to have some fun!  

Christmas Shopping Online with FREE Shipping in Canada!!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 15% on all sales

FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA TIL DEC 15

Lots of One-of-a-Kind items, original art, art prints, art cards, jewelry, pottery, painted scarves, and more. Anything that inspires an artist to create.  
Get your Christmas Shopping Done and Shipped Free 

Art by Wendy Original Work, Art Cards & Prints, Memo Pads and Doodle Cards will be available   

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.  We meet on Zoom for our sessions and discuss your work. I am a sounding board and coach with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to working 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