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.