Travel Journal: 5 Proven Tips for an Unforgettable Outdoor Sketching Trip - Painting & Drawing Tips

ERRCH!! THUMP! " Please remain in your seats till we reach the terminal"  

I'M HERE! . . . 

OK, Not exactly the Weather I pictured for my Sketching Trip!!!

My Outdoor Sketching trip to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia has begun.  

Let me tell you, there are tons of things to sketch there.  My trip this year was focused on the Western side of Newfoundland and Eastern Shore and Southern Shore of Nova Scotia.  I wanted to do hikes, walks and sketch, poke around lighthouses and old buildings.  Outdoor Stuff.  

And I did. . . .

But to have Success and bring home oodles of Great Sketches, there are 5 Must-Do Essentials for a Great Trip

Nova Scotia: Must have the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse in your sketchbook.  How can you not?!

***See my YouTube: Sketching Adventure: Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for more Highlights!!

1.  Have a small traveling kit & book:

You have only a short window to sketch - light, weather, bugs, new sights - they all call to you.  Keep you kit small but full of essentials.  Give your kit a few test runs before a big trip to make sure everything is there. At 5 x 7.5 x 1.75, I mean small.  Your book should be about the same size. 

My Art Supplies in my Travel Kit - 5 x 7 x 1.75 in

See My Really Smallmendous Art Kit.  To see what's in my kit.  Each year/major trip, I check it over to see if there is something new to add.  This year I added Payne's Gray to my watercolours and a white marker pen.  Both turned out to be great additions.  

Had to capture one of these Windswept Trees by the water. (Half Page Ink Sketch)  

2.  Work BIG and small:

Sometimes you have only a few minutes, other times an hour.  Pick the thing that catches your eye and sketch it.  If time is short, I often go straight to my pen and sketch a small drawing.  Later, in the evening I might add colour or leave as is.  A half page or full page, even in a small 5 x 8 sketchbook book takes time. 

Pocket-Sized Memories from Newfoundland & Nova Scotia

 Other Quick Alternatives are: pencil or pen sketch only; pen work with pencil shading; quick pencil sketch and add watercolour; or one of my favourites is only paint the focus area in a pen sketch and leave the rest as line work.  

3.  Monitor your Expectations:

Success breeds Success.  If you are disappointed with your work, check out your expectations.  Are you putting too much pressure on yourself to make a 'finish piece'?    A sketch is a sketch.  It doesn't have to be finished.  Or Fill the whole page.  Just capture the idea and move on. 

 

Really feel like I caught the spirit of the barren west coast of Newfoundland

 
Guard against your Critical Voice.  I find this a big one for me.  At some point in my sketch I feel that 'critical voice' step in.  SHUT IT OUT. It is one thing to tell yourself that you need to move a line but once you start hearing stuff like "this isn't working, that's not right, . . . ".  You know you need to stop the chatter and get to work.  This is a sketch.  You are capturing a feeling. A memory.  Let it happen.  I guarantee when you look at it later you will be impressed with what you could do in such a short time!!

Don't expect to finish a whole page in one sitting.  See #4 Down Time.  

Nova Scotia: When I saw Mrs Perkins in the house, I just knew I had to put her in my journal

4.  Save Stuff for Down Time: 

There is always Down Time on any trip: waiting for tickets, people, food, rides, ferries, life.  When you have a minute take out your book and add stuff: dates; notes on the location/names/special notes; add a bit of colour.  I seldom add more to the drawing part as I find an outdoor sketch has a certain energy to it and adding too much later changes that energy.  If I do add colour, I try and recreate some of the conditions: sit outside in similar light and wear my sunglasses if I was wearing them when I started.  Sunglasses do change the colours so if you start with sunglasses, finish it up with sunglasses.  

Newfoundland Coltsfoot - makes a great decoration for a page

5.  Treat your Sketchbook pages as the Composition: 

I think this is a biggie for Sketchbooks.  And probably the biggest change for artists new to sketching.  When sketching, your canvas is the TWO PAGES facing you.  This means that the look of the two pages is your composition - not any particular sketch.  To finish the page you are balancing your notes, your journal comments and your drawings. Not to say you can't do a 2 page spread and I certainly do, when I can,  but most of the time it will be smaller things.  

Newfoundland: Orange House & Crabbing Boat at Crabbs River

If I find I am on the move a lot, I will do smaller sketches and take pictures of something I want in a larger format.  This will become one of my Down Time Activities. (see #4)  

Outdoor Sketching can be a big or small part of your trip.  But you will find as your sketchbook grows, those sketches will become some of your best memories of your trip.  

***See my YouTube: Sketching Adventure: Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for more Highlights!!

Awesome Opportunity - 2 Artist Retreats in the Shuswap

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

  July 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  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

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

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

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

Going on an Outdoor Sketching Trip - Painting & Drawing Tips

It was early March and my Sketchbooks were getting restless.

They wanted to get out and about. I felt the same way. I started searching AirBnB’s.

It wasn't FULL Spring Everywhere!!

I figured by May it should be warm and sunny in the Interior of BC. After all it is nearly desert conditions there in mid summer.

I decided to head for the Hedley/Keremeos area in the Similkameen Valley.  It has a rich history of gold mining, lovely landscape views with the mountains and the river and lots of neat old things.   There is also the possibility of wildlife sightings of Mountain Goats and Bighorn Mountain Sheep. 

May came quickly

Suddenly it was time to get ready. As all of western Canada knows our summer is late this year. The trip was not going to be about sunscreen, sandals and mosquitoes.🙄

I enjoy looking at "Old Things" and drawing them

Packing for a Sketching Trip

Of course you know to pack clothing and food. My focus is on what to pack for your Outdoor Sketching Adventures.  

I pack two things: 

My Plein Air Kit:
Whether working in my sketchbook or completing a finished Fine Arts piece, I have a basic kit ready to go. It contains my paints, two brushes, pens (Microns 08, 05, 03, 01) 2B & 5B pencils, kneaded eraser, vinyl eraser, few paper towels, pencil sharpener.  Everything is packed in a small handy container.  When I have room, I also bring a board with some clips to attach paints & paper (sketchbook) to.  

More Info on travel kits here: 

Blog Post: YIPEE! I am no longer a Pack Animal 

YouTube: Getting Ready for Outdoor Sketching 

Of Course I had to have my picture taken with the miner's hat.  Imagine wearing this all day. They are heavy and mine didn't even have any fuel in it!

Rainy Day Material:
I know, we don't like to think about that but sometimes it happens.  Also, if you are traveling with other people that do not want to paint then you need something to work on when at rest. I usually take along my creative journal, some watercolour pencils, coloured pencils, glue and small scissors.  I like to journal, collage, or draw during quiet times.  I always have an array of my own reference material on my ipad to use as reference.  

What really happens on a Sketching Trip:
My plan was to head up to Hedley/Keremeos area for 5 days. My vision - sketching every day and filling pages and pages of my journal. 
Surprise!!!
Things don't work that way.  Don't get me wrong, I had a great time and did do lots of sketching but not as much as I thought.  

Can't beat an Old Car - Love to Draw these 😁

You can join me on YouTube on one of my sketching days.  I am Outdoor Sketching at the The Grist Mill build in 1877  YouTube: Outdoor Sketching at the Grist Mill, Keremeos, BC with Wendy Mould.

What went wrong??
When you head off to a new place you don't really know what is there.  I thought I knew.  I had maps, I had looked on the internet.  I had even driven through that area before.  But now things are different.  You are looking for places to set up.  It takes time to 'wonder around' and see things.  I found I took lots of reference pictures.  I went to the museum to learn more about the area.  I hiked up a few trails.  I talked with locals.  These are all important things to do.  You need to immerse yourself into an area.  Feel your way.  Find your muse.  Then you are ready to create.  

Didn't see great views of the mountains but this splash of colour grabbed my eye while walking along the river.  

I quickly learned if you wanted photos of something, TAKE THEM NOW.  Don't wait till the light is better, you have more time, you are heading back, . . .  Lots of reason to not do it now.  But life changes, you get caught up with other things, it gets dark, your forget or its raining.  (This last one is definitely true this year)

A few of the 'old things' I saw - Graveyard dated back to 1888

The biggest thing I learned is you never have enough TIME.  A five day trip sounded like lots but there is never enough time.  The more you learn about an area the more things you want to see and paint.  The good news is, you can always plan another trip and next time you will know where you want to start.  

The Grist Mill build in 1877 - yes the wheel still turns!! See my YouTube video of my outing, HERE 

You can join me on my sketching trip with my YouTube Video: Outdoor Sketching at the Grist Mill, Keremeos, BC.  Max and I had a great time wondering the grounds and of this flour mill, built in 1877.  There was several historical buildings, full of information of the Mills hayday and life in Keremeos. 

I found it very interesting reading about Julia Bullock-Webster , a watercolourist, who came to the area in 1894-1895  to visit her sons.  She spent her time plein air painting landscapes, both winter and summer and creating lovely botanical paintings of the plants she saw.  When I saw her bundled up setting on a chair in the snow working on a landscape I was impressed: Plein Air painting, in the winter, 1894, on snowy cold day.   I felt like a wimp for quitting when it rained!

A Fall Flower Study by Julia Bullock Webster

Was it a good trip?  Yes.  Should I have planned longer?  Definitely.  But at the same time I left inspired, with lots of reference material and of course the desire to go back another day.  

Join me as I am Outdoor Sketching at the The Grist Mill build in 1877  YouTube: Outdoor Sketching at the Grist Mill, Keremeos, BC with Wendy Mould.

Want to try Outdoor Sketching?  My classes are starting Next Week.  

Outdoor Sketching Classes - Starting May 27!!!

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: 
May 27: 10-12:30pm
June 9 & 16: 10-12:30pm
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 

 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, 

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy