4 Must Do Things to End the Year - Painting & Drawing Tips

OMG!! is there really 4 Must Do Things to End the Year 

What am I forgetting? You ask. 


Don't panic.  There is still time.  I find that the Whirl of Christmas Prep has an ebb and flow to it.  Sometimes I am in a panic and feeling totally out of control.  Other times I cross something off my list and feel 'hey, I can do this.  As you can tell, right this minute I am in the 'hey, I can do this' mood.  

POPPIES: FULL OF LIFE - With this picture I felt I had reached a new level.  I really loved how successfully I worked wet-into-wet to bring these Poppies to Life.  (Vanished Watercolour on Wood Cradle $700 )  Read its creation story Here. 

No matter what is happening each day I have to head out for a walk.  Max, really isn't concerned about Christmas Shopping but he is concerned about his daily walks.  I find them calming and a great opportunity to think.  I am sure you have those moments too.  Maybe driving. Waiting for the kids at a pickup. Watching a . . . 

This is the moment to . . .

1.Review your Art Successes this year.   Your other successes too.  What really went well?  Was there a new style you tried that really made your heart sing?  Special Event? A painting that nailed it?  Take a moment to celebrate your Successes.  It may be a little thing like a new colour you added to you pallet that really seems to bring new life to your work.  But it should be celebrated and cherished. 

Winning the Sketch Off was definitely a highlight for me - I knew I could draw animals,  but in 20 minutes?! . . . Read more Here

As Artists you work alone.  You face challenges, problems, defeat and failure.  Sometimes all in one session. Focusing on the positive is a great motivator and encourager for me.  It may help you too.

MUSHROOMS IN THE LEAVES - Sketchbook Practice - Working with coloured pens and Coloured Pencils, I discovered there was more to Pen Art than Black Ink.  And guess what?  I liked it.  Need to try more for sure.  Read more Here

2.  Start thinking of the Future.  I know, that is what New Years resolutions are all about.  But I find as I think about successes it inspires me to try more. Which in turns leads me to the future. New things I want to try, places I want to go, series I want to develop, materials I want to experiment with, . . . Sometimes I can get carried away.  But I am excited, ready for the new year.

My 3 Juncos SOLD - I discovered that I really could combine my Pen Work with Watercolour in an Awesome Way
Read more about this collection Here

My pictures of the 3 Juncos really gave me confidence to add more Pen Work to my work.  I found I really could make interesting images.  I have several new ideas I want to try in this area.

VARIED THRUSH: DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS - My latest pieces and a style I want to pursue as a series.  I love the combination of Wildlife, Pen Work and Watercolour.   Read more Here.  (Vanished Watercolour on Wood Cradle $400 ) 

3. Relax and enjoy the Christmas Season - Something I need to be reminded of.  Stop. Breath. Enjoy. I am a planner and organizer and when there is lots to do I sometimes forget to just 'live in the moment', relax and enjoy. 

4.  Capture Memories to Cherish and Share in the Future
Have a wonderful Christmas Season with Family and Friends and I look forward to connecting with you again in the New Year.

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

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

Catching the Light - Out Door Sketching - Painting & Drawing Tips

 Are you feeling stifled, stuck in your studio?

Does the outdoors call you?

I know how your feel.

THE STONE LION - This is one of the lions that guards the Forbidden City in Beijing (no I am not in China right now, I only wish!!)

 Painting and drawing are my passions but I get so tired of the AC world.  I want to be out and about. Trying new colours, painting something different or taking on a new challenge. 

The good weather is here and I am ready to roll.

 

I promised a new medium to wet your appetite and give you something new to think about.  Of course it incorporates ink.  Now, don’t panic and turn away.  A little black ink can really make your work pop.  I find that no matter how hard I try, without including ink, I just don’t get my darks, DARK. 

Without that true dark, things just don’t pop. 

So as you guessed, the new medium for outdoor work is mixed. 

1.     Permanent ink:  in the form of Micron or Staedler pens.  I like to use 03 for a small sketchbook, 5.5 x 8.5 and a 05 for a larger one.  Of course, it is nice to have a 02 or 01 in the bag when you want a light crosshatching shadow. 

2.    Coloured Pencils: Prismacolour.  Yes, coloured pencils with a bit of ink look awesome together.  Note my Stone Lion above. 

I find a pack of 24 has a good colour selection and doesn't take up too much room.  

Now why coloured pencil . . .

The pencils are very portable: light weight, clean, small. A 24 pk gives you lots of colours to play with and yet take up little room.  The colours can be mixed easily:  this can be done working in layers; different pressures; glazing; putting colours side by side.  Your old rules of mixing still apply.  Opportunities to include different textures by glazing over colours or leaving them rough. 

They can give you fast results when your time is limited.  Note the mix of colour (the Lion) and plain ink (the stand) They can both can stand together or alone on your page to bring your ideas to life.  

Working quickly is soooooo important in Outdoor Sketching. . . .

 light changes, things move and time disappears. 

Yes, you need to be quick because life is changing in front of you.  But more importantly working quickly teaches you so much. 

LITTLE BUCKETS - note the colour mixing and light strokes to quickly add colour to the outline drawing

1.     You don’t dither and doubt:  so easy to do in the studio.  And yes, when working on a large finished piece you need to think before you act.  But you loose the spontaneity in your work.  That lively line or stroke. Working in your sketchbook, gives you permission to not be perfect and give things a try.

2.    You mix and move on: Experimentation happens more readily when you need to move.  Working in a sketchbook allows that freedom to say “What the heck” and give it a go.  I have discovered many new ‘colour combos’ from these moments.  Note all the colours in the bark below.  Certainly a brown tree is more than just brown.  

LITTLE BUCKETS -  Note all the colour mixing on the tree - deep black and indigo for the grooves in the bark, some reds, oranges and browns and even green, the reflection from the foliage and a bit of grays, the reflection from the buckets.  

3.    You don’t stumble and stall: How often has an errant line or stroke caused you to stop.  You get hung up on the mark.  You restate the mark.  You correct and restate.  In short you are stalled.  Unable to move on.  The freedom of the sketchbook and the hum of the sunlight will keep you moving, letting that wayward mark sink into your work and get lost.  Yes, believe it or not.  A wayward permanent ink mark can get lost in your colouring and shading.   Once you are finished, it's gone.  Give it a try and see for yourself. 

LITTLE BUCKETS: pressing hard to glaze white over the buckets, mixed and blended the colours and gives a smooth look.  Light pressure to colour the tree with a yellow glaze leaves a more granular texture and tones it down

So grab you pen and pencils and head out to draw. 

What is your favourite medium for outdoor sketching? 

Up next, a few tips and techniques for getting your pen moving and into your sketching more.

Looking to get your Sketchbook Up to Snuff: check out my Italy series on Sketch-Booking: 

1.  Is Your Sketchbook Ready to Roll
2.  My Really Smallmendous Art Kit
3.  Did you Test Run your Portable Art Kit
4.  Sketch-Booking in Italy - Part 1
5.  Sketch-Booking in Italy - Part 2 

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.


Join me for a morning of  Outdoor Sketching: 

Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, July 30, August 6, 13, and 20. 

The classes will be small, max  5.  We will meet at 10-12:30 in a few of the local parks in North Surrey.  ie. Bear Creek Park, Tynehead Park.  The cost is: $45 tx incld. per session  Book all 4 sessions for $150. Bring your own supplies
Contact Me to register.   and for more information. 

FYI
Plein Air Event at Kilby Historical Site - August 16 -18, 2019

215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills, BC – approx. 1.5 hr drive from Vancouver
(or stay our there. I like to camp at Kilby Campsite but there are lots of  places to stay close by.  Makes for a great little adventure.)

 On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, painters will be capturing  breathtaking historic vistas, 1920s farm equipment, historic buildings, lush gardens & orchards, delightful farm animals and surrounding mountains.  Not hard to find something to catch your eye.

This is a fun, outdoor adventure for everyone.  Sunday afternoon, brings live entertainment and awards ceremony.  There is a competitive and non-competitive part to the event, so great prizes for everyone.  Cost $15 Registration: events@kilby.ca  more info: kilby.ca

I have been part of this event since it started 5 years ago and I never get tired of wondering the grounds and finding little vignettes to paint.  I know you will enjoy yourself.

If you decide not to join us to paint, come out and see the fun.  On Friday and Saturday,  Artists are set up all over the grounds working away or come see the 'Showing and Sale' on Sunday.

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