Take Your Art Making Outdoors - Painting & Drawing Tips

Do you hike up a trail, pause at the spectacular view, take a photo and walk on? 

Does it feel there is something missing from that moment?  Somehow, you want to feel more, taste more, capture more.  

That's how I feel. . . 

Outdoor Sketching Class - June 27: I love to capture mini environments. A baby Barred Owl watched us as we painted by this little stream.   

I take my photo but it doesn't always give me that sense of fulfillment.  I feel not ready to move on but don't  know what else to do.  

That was before I started Outdoor Sketching.

It was exciting to just stop and spend a bit of time sketching in the Roman Forum. I knew this was my one chance to capture this memory.  

Now, when I wonder about and reach a spot that is special, I sketch it.  Capturing that moment doesn't have to be exotic, like this scene from my trip to Italy.  It can be a moment that is special.  

Rocks on Erickson Beach, Texada Island. - 5 x 7, ink & watercolour. SOLD

I loved this little sketch from Erickson Beach.  I really like the movement of colour in my rocks and the line work echoing and flowing in the sky. 

But not only that. . . .

I remember the other artists that were with me.  It was a beautiful sunny day by water and 5 island artists joined me for a Paint Out.  I loved painting, talking, sharing stories and ideas.  Also, there was a heron that hung out with us for hours and I got some awesome shots of him.  An eagle swooped down on the water to fish, seals were bobbing up and down.  So many memories with that painting.  

Memories aren't made with a quick photo and moving on . . . 

MORNING CALM, Texada Island.  - 4 x 4 - Watercolour - SOLD - The view from our campsite early in the morning before the sun was high and hot. We watched a mother seal teach her baby to swim as they went back and forth across the bay.

Capturing a fragment of the moment brings back so many memories.  Sitting for an hour or two to sketch or paint means you see things you would have missed with just a quick visit.  

But to Capture the Moment you must be ready. . .

When time is of the essences, it helps to be prepared. Many years ago I was canoeing with a group of 12 on a 10 day trip.  I learned early on that if I wanted some time to sketch I had to 'get to it'.  No looking through bags and packs for my paints and brushes. Just grab. Open. And paint.  

Since that trip I have tried several combinations for my travel kit.  Each one a little smaller than the last. I am really not sure there is a perfect kit but the one I have now is 2 years old and seems to be still working.  My post:  My Really Smallmendous Art Kit. will tell you all about it.   I have tried several mediums but have finally settled on ink, graphite and watercolour.  These are all found in my kit.  Have a look.  It may help you in putting yours together.  

Since I paint a lot on the go I am often writing about it.  Here are some other posts that others have found helpful in organizing their materials: 

Travel Kit Saves the Day - looks at different types of small travel kits for painting and sketching

What does a Plein Air Trip Look Like - how to plan for a lengthy trip which will involve lots of Plein Air Painting.

What does a Plein Air Trip Really Look Like - how to enjoy outdoor sketching and painting on a trip when you travel companion doesn't paint.  

Good luck with your Outdoor Sketching this summer.  You are welcome to join me for a few outings.  I will be taking small classes out each Tuesday, starting July 28, 2020.

 Do you have big/small projects on the go?  

Looking for a sounding board, help, suggestions, techniques. You and your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  I am available for Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75). more info here.   

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

If you are looking for Live Outdoor Sketching Classes they are now underway.  See info below.  Contact me to set something up. 

Outdoor Sketching Classes !! 

Ready to go out and do some sketching?  Have fun painting and sketching while learning new tips and techniques. Capture a moment in time without worrying about the World and the crazy problems of today.  Come Join me for a session or two.  

Class Size: 3  Rescheduling for Bad weather.  Covid  Rules and Social Distancing will be followed.  

Sessions 2.5 hours, in local North Surrey Parks, Tuesdays 10-12:30 or Saturdays 10-12:30.  

Cost: $45  

July Dates: Tuesday, July 28, 10-12:30pm

August Dates: Tuesday August 4. 11, 18, 25: 10-12:30:pm

Save a Spot Now. Contact Wendy    More information: artbywendy.com 

 

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  

What?!! Paint it Again?! Painting and Drawing Tips

Yes, Paint that Picture Again!!
Hey, I get it. You painted the picture, you expressed your idea and now you're ready to move on.


Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, Uclulet, West Coast BC - Plein Air Painting

I don't mean do this every time.  But once and awhile just try the picture again.  Use a different pallet, try a different layout, change it up.  This isn't meant to be a laborious task but more a learning experience.  An opportunity to try something different and see how your original idea might look if expressed in a different way.  Or revisit and old idea/subject and try it again.  (Read more of the story of painting this original Plein Air painting here)

VanGogh painted over 30 self-portraits between the years of 1886 - 1889.  He couldn't afford models and felt portraits would be a could source of income so he used himself to practice.  It is interesting to see what he did: different poses, different expressions, different pallets, different styles even different props.  You can certainly see growth and changes in his work and understand how his style developed.  Read more about his self-portraits here. 

I am not suggesting you paint a picture 30 different times but maybe try it 3 or 4 times.  I teach drawing and painting skills in private lessons.  In the session we do side by side drawing.  We each have a sketchbook and we each draw the same thing.  I find this way I can discuss the steps in the drawing with my student as we progress.  Whenever there is a problem/question we stop and discuss it and look at ways to solve it. 

Sketch #1 of my Lighthouse Practice - The rocks were painted first and set my pallet.  I really enjoyed how the colours worked out in my rocks.   

There are several pictures that I use for reference over and over again as they offer special opportunities to focus on specific skills.  As a result I often end up painting and drawing the same picture several times.  

I can understand why VanGogh painted himself, over and over again.   

Some of my thoughts on my repeated  Lighthouse Paintings: 

1.  Each time I painted the lighthouse I noticed more things in the setting.  For example the different bushes under the tree.  At first I simplified them so much they weren't there.  Later I realized there were several different types.  It is surprising how you can study a place, paint it and yet never notice little things.  The pattern of the colours in the bushes,  different types of plants, the relationship between shapes, little things.  

2.  Change the lighting.  In Lighthouse Sketch #1, I accidentally added too much pink when painting the rocks.  The sketchbook paper did not allow for me to change things so I decided to go with it. It meant I had to include that colour in other areas.  All of a sudden I had a rosy sunset kind of picture.  It really intrigue me how that was created.  I know that I can take that idea into new work.

Sketch #2 of my Repeated Lighthouse Practice - Red as a dominate colour is not something I usually do.  However, I did like the way it worked into my rocks.  

3.  Changing the palette caused big changes in the picture.  In my original Plein Air painting the colours are cold.  There were really no warm tones and that might have been that it was an overcast day.  In my Lighthouse Sketch #2, I repeated the red from the lighthouse in my rocks. To me the rocks hold way more interest than my first one with just the blues and purples.  Maybe because I don't often use a lot of red.  I quite liked the results. 

4.  Try different layout/compositions.  This I found very interesting.  Each layout told a different story.  I found the landscape picture (Sketch #1) very pretty and interesting but the portrait pictures seemed more dynamic with their strong lines.  

Try a few small painting/drawings/sketches of one of your latest paintings.  See if there are new things your subject wants to tell you.  

Note to my Regular Readers:  

I know you are probably wondering how my Ring-necked Pheasants are coming along from my last post.  (Read here)  With all the Halloween Fun they are moving slowly. They're not done yet but I will certainly have something for you next post.  

Also

Inktober Tangles 2019 is over.  (Read more Here. ) I am not quite finished my 31 Tangles, I am on #27.  That has turned out to be an adventure of its own so I will report back to you on that as well next post.  

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Join me in November and December to Make Christmas Cards using Doodles and Candles.  See info below ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Contact Me to Register ↓↓↓↓

Get Ready for Christmas!! with a Fun Way to Improve your Drawing Skills

This year's theme is Candles, Holly and Poinsettias - Samples of things you can do with them

Christmas Card Classes 

Saturday, Nov 16, 10-12pm. Art by Wendy's Studio, North Surrey

Wednesday, Dec 4, 1-3pm. Gardenworks at Mandeville, South Burnaby

Treat your Friends to a Special Christmas Greeting

All supplies Incld $40      Contact Wendy

OR

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225
Drawing lessons in graphite, carbon, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils.
Based on your Schedule at my Studio, N. Surrey. 

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

What colour is Water?? Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you noticed that the ocean water is NOT BLUE?

Well OK, sometimes it is but most of the time  . . . NOT!

HERON ON THE SHORE - Matted 5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130

Each summer I look forward to heading out and doing lots of Plein Air work and just plan old Outdoor Sketching in my sketchbooks.  Our favourite place right now is Texada Island on the southwest coast of Canada. 

For me its is special.  During the rest of the year I am working in forest trails, along a lake or stream but Not. By. The. Ocean. 

My summer treat is painting along the ocean shores. 

As I work, I work everyday while we are there, I find I: learn new things; discover new colour combos; meet new challenges - some I succeed and others not.  But always I come away with new work that blows me away -  Same Inspiration each year but the results are entirely different. 

This years challenges:

1.     Painting Grey: Yes, Grey.  Those wonderful knurly logs glistening in the sun.  The rocks peaking out of the water as the tide slowly moves out.  The old piles still standing in the water, from days gone by.  And of course, don’t forget the sand.  Grey, Grey Grey.  Not even a dark or light grey, a washed out grey.  Bleached by that very sun that is making it such a wonderful day.  See more on this with last post. HERE .

EAGLE WITH HIS CATCH -  5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130 

2.    Finding the Colour of Water:  When you look up the Georgia Strait, which we do on Texada, you see a wide expanse of blue - warm blue, grey blue, purple blue, pink blue, deep Prussian Blue. . . The weather dictates the colour.  Its what you would expect with the grand vista of the water and mountains.  But when you get up close and personal things change.

Water isn't blue any more. 
In the summer when I paint my wildlife pictures, I paint plein air.  No, I am not magic, I can not get an eagle to sit still while I paint him.  I do however paint all of his setting plein air.

Throughout my trip I am constantly taking pictures of any wildlife I see.  At the same time I sit on the beach and draw and paint rocks, logs, seaweed, water, . . I save 'a place' for my star.  For example, Eagle with his Catch. I photographed the eagle on a bluff as he ate his catch, I couldn't sketch him as Max and I were kayaking at the time.  Later, when walking the beach, I found a great rock to 'set my eagle on'.  

Plein Air painting helps you really understand what is happening around your subject .  . . 

Closeup from Heron on the Rocks

What does water really look like? 

Take a look at this close up from Heron on the Rocks.  Note some of the colour changes:

1. Rock shadows vary depending on how close they are to you
2.  Shallow water begins to reflect the ground underneath it.
3. The colours of the trees and other things on land behind you are reflected into the water especially closer to the shore
4.  Where the sky and water meet may become ambiguous when dealing with open water
5.  The sky colours are reflected in the water. (Probably could do a whole post on "What colour is the Sky?)

Bit overwhelming. . . .

I find if I am sitting right there and looking at all of this, it seems to make sense.  I can take this information and run with it.  The result, a picture that is believable, reads as realistic but still reflecting my own interpretation.  

OYSTER CATCHERS ON THE ROCKS - 5 x 7, ink & watercolour, $130

Once you really start looking at water, especially near shore, there is so much to see.  What catches your eye the most in water?

Are your sketchbooks calling you?  Looking for more practice.

If you live in the Fraser Valley, think about joining me this summer for a Morning of Outdoor Sketching.  An easy way to immerse yourself into sketching with ink and watercolour.  See the info below ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓

OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me.

Join me for a morning of  Outdoor Sketching: 

Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, 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 sessionl. Bring your own supplies.  This is what my kit is like, see HERE
Contact Me to register.   and for more information. 


Or A Day at the Farm - Art Jam at the Farm - Sunday, Aug 11

A full day of ARt here in East Langley, BC

I will be one of the morning instructors with a Outdoor Drawing Session but there will be other sessions as well.  All Sessions are 3 hr.  Cost $100 before Aug 8 & $120 after

Morning Sessions

• Abstract Painting with Russell Leng
• Collagraphs with Edith Krause
• Pastels with Watercolour with Don Portelance
• Drawing with Wendy Mould
• Painting Life with Olivia de Fleuriot Perry
  Afternoon Sessions - Lunch Provided

• Life Drawing (from a clothed model) with Claire Moore
• Cyanotype with Michelle Vandyk
  
  

Registration and More Information HERE

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

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