Learning to Paint: Again

Mostly I draw. But through the years I have

occasionally painted, each time learning a bit more.

 I recently studied someone's gallery painting

because I had to write a poem in response to it.

Oooh, the craving to paint without my ink lines was sparked.

This is Day #1 of a new 5.25 X 3.5 " WCbook. From a photo 

I took in Acadia National Park, 2024

Rules: 

1. No ink lines but pre-pencil design OK.

2. Subjects: WC interpretations of Anything

3. Work fast, with little judgement & deliberation

4. Make notes about what I learned

Sharing A Bit of What I've Been Up To

I miss the blog world that I was so 

involved with. So I thought I'd share 

just a little of what I've been up to. 

I still journal with sketches

 in fact, I have several journals going. 

But they are more private 

than the old drawings I used to post here.

Here is a sample.

I've been studying beginning Italian for Travelers,

as well as advanced French.

If the world will permit me, I hope to go to Europe

one more time.

I make little flashcards & study aids for the Italian.

It's a beautiful language, but it's new.

I recognize words, but I'm not memorizing them 

as quickly as I would like.

I've been playing around with my watercolors & colored pencils, 

creating postcards for friends. Valentine's Day.

Some one introduced paper weaving to my art group. 

It was fun to play with my painted papers, like a kid in a grade school art class.

Lately, I'm reading books about art & making notes in my Art Learning Journal. A friend & I have formed a mini study group, we give ourselves assignments. This reading in Affirmations for Artists sparked some good personal writing. 

With spring on the way, going sketching outdoors is moving into the forefront again. With Covid maybe out of the way I'm hoping for some new adventures out in the world.I hope your lives are getting back to normal & that adventures await you!

PS I wasn't able to leave comments on your posts today. I will try again though...

Going Outdoors with The Sketchers

The Sketchers meet once a week, always

in beautiful places that are not far from our homes.

When I resumed going, over a month ago, 

drawing felt new all over again.

I had the tendency to try to record too much. 

After all, so I was seeing so many wonderful details!

This on location sketch got re-worked as I realized my eye 

had not seen certain things correctly. 

It would have been an ideal oil painting.

Sometimes, with watercolor, I miss being able 

to make lots of revisions.

The top sketch was a 2nd version,

using the original sketch, plus a photo.

I like both for different reasons. 

I'm finally coming around to making quick value studies

before jumping into color. How seductive color is though!

Lucy Willis' book, Light: How to See It, How to Paint It

has had a big influence on me recently. 

I used to own it, but gave it away.

Apparently I wasn't ready at the time.

We had an excursion to our local,

rather historic cemetery. Some challenges in perspective here.

On another excursion I stood on the end of a long wharf

at a harbor of a neighboring town.

As I sketched, the tide moved in.

Light, shadows & reflections grew more pronounced.

A lobster boat or 2 came in to shore. The slow rhythm 

& unhurried atmosphere calmed me.

No matter what the art lessons or technical challenges,

I Iove the peace I experience while sketching outdoors.