I am not a confident landscape artist.
That’s exactly why I continue to go out with my plein air group Thursday mornings! These days I’ve been working on losing my dependence on ink line and using real watercolor brushes.
Even with the drought our rivers are lovely and have plenty of water. A perfect spot to enjoy a summer morning.
When painting, some days are better than others.
Sometimes you’re lucky!
No… I did not win PowerBall!
Bur a few weeks ago, through an online giveaway, I won a copy of Richard Sheppard’s new book, Impressions of Wine Country.
Just look at that glorious scene! Can’t you feel the warm sun on your back?
I first became acquainted with Richard Sheppard in 2013 when I saw his work in Danny Gregory’s book, An Illustrated Journey. Richard has a lovely, loose, atmospheric technique that nicely evokes a sense of place, particularly in this book about California, its wines, and their “terroir”. I’ve done a bit of wine tasting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and have always dreamed of doing the same out west.
Richard’s book reads as a monthly look into his wine experience as he visits vintners across the Sonoma and Napa valleys. Each page is illustrated with one of his fabulous watercolors. I particularly enjoyed seeing how Richard captured an iconic pear tree in each of the four seasons. Not only can I admire and learn from his artwork but I’m learning about wine and its production to boot!
Highly recommended! This would make a great gift whether the recipient is an artist, an oenophile, a Californian or just someone who dreams of getting away!
Please check out Richard Sheppard online for more of his wonderful images including many from his travels outside wine country. You won’t regret it.
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Disclaimer: I won this copy in a blog giveaway. I was not compensated nor was I asked to review this book.
Yes, another fair! The Tunbridge World’s Fair!
(Just a quick explanation… this book is made with 130gsm Gutenberg and has pre-painted pages which I just drew right over. They were prepared with dilute acrylic paint and acrylic ink so there was no fear of bleeding.)
Once I got though the mass of children on a school expedition I made a bee-line for the poultry barn… I have a real soft spot for those birdies… especially ducks! These are Runner Ducks! They’re known for dropping eggs everywhere as they go about their day!
Poor page planning on my part… I hate it when the eye ends up in the gutter!
There was a steady stream (no pun intended) of heifers and their humans walking to the river to cool off and grab a drink. I was so excited to catch them I put my first sketch upside down in the journal. Sheesh! I had to do another!
Lots and lots of cows!
After a quick stop to check out the vegetables and the cake testers (no, they don’t spit it out after tasting like the wine tasters do… they swallow all the goodness) I stopped back in the poultry and rabbit barn. Don’t you love their topknots?
Most of the children had gone so I had enough breathing space to pull out my paints.
The chicks are only 3 days old!
And no… I was NOT a participant other than visiting the fair but one of the volunteers was so taken by my journal that he gave me a ribbon!
Put it in your calendar… it always starts 10 days after Labor Day. If my calculations are correct that’ll be between Thursday 15 September and Sunday 18 September 2016. I’ll be there!
… Hopkinton State Fair that is.
It’s the 100th anniversary of New Hampshire’s State Fair and you still have time to visit… It’s open through Labor Day… Monday, 7 September, 2015.
I arrived nice and early armed with my sketchbook and pen, watercolors and brush safely tucked in my left hip pocket. Come! …walk with me as I travel and sketch my way through the barns.
The Avian Flu Virus has plagued the upper midwest causing the fairs like the Minnesota State Fair to cancel their poultry exhibit. We’re fortunate, so far New England has been spared, allowing the Hopkinton exhibit to continue this year. Each year I’ve been able to sketch the fantastical variety of poultry breeds but this year was special. I managed to paint my sketches as I stood before each bird… a major accomplishment in my art progress! No painting later at home this year.
A Salmon Faverolles… Isn’t he gorgeous!
I was on my way to sketch the dairy cows when I was hit by an incredible sneezing fit. Time to reconsider my next subjects.
There’s shade and picnic tables alongside the duck pond and it’s my favorite place to regroup, relax and do one final page before packing up my supplies for the day.
In an hour I’m home… planning my next fair visit. I think it’ll be the Tunbridge World’s Fair in two weeks… stay tuned!
I consider myself fortunate to live near to two of New England’s small jewels in the National Park Service. Both Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site are easily within reach. Saint-Gaudens in particular is a favorite location for my plein air group on a beautiful summer day.
We met there a few weeks ago and each one of us, although close in proximity, chose to sketch and paint a different view. I chose to sketch the Hermes sculpture standing along the edge of the garden, a particularly suitable spot for the god of transitions and boundaries.
As I started in I realized he wouldn’t fit on the page and I abandoned this page only to return to add the blooms and frame out what I had captured of dear Hermes.
I fared better in my second attempt. Not only did he fit easily on the page, but I managed to capture his surroundings as well. By the end of this session I was quite hot from sitting in the sun, perfect timing to stop and see what my compatriots accomplished. Besides, it was time for lunch and I knew they would be off in search of nourishment.
I got all the way back to my car before I remembered I hadn’t stamped the S-G National Park stamp in my journal. It’s become habit and I certainly didn’t want to break my streak. So… back I went. But the stamp wouldn’t easily fit on my previous pages and… I was getting a second-wind. After my landscape outing at VINS I was eager to try my paint only technique at capturing Ascutney Mountain.
I’m quite happy with the range of values… getting my darks dark enough has always been a weakness.
But… still no place for the stamp! …just had to add another page to my day.
Now there’s plenty of room for journaling and those coveted stamps.
Success… time to head home!
Just over a week ago I was able to spend a fabulous day sketching with 2 friends I found through Sketchbook Skool. We met at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science to sketch together and catch up on all our various travels, classes and workshops.
We enjoyed the raptor visitor program and toyed with the idea of sketching the eagles but instead, we settled on painting the lovely view of the Ottauquechee River just a short walk from the main exhibit area. Landscapes have never been my forte so I jumped at the chance to practice, especially in the presence of my friends who are both more comfortable and more proficient at capturing the terrain.
Having decided against using my trusty fountain pen, I loosely and lightly sketched the rough outline of the marsh before pulling out one of my travel watercolor brushes. Sorry, I can’t remember which one; I only know I felt as if I was walking a tightrope without a net. Definitely out of my comfort zone!
Stillman & Birn Alpha 9″ x 6″, Daniel Smith Watercolors
The time just sailed by and only too soon we were saying our good-byes and scheduling our next get-together. Once I got home and really studied my spread I saw a few flaws that I thought were “fixable” using a few of the hints I gleaned during the day.
You can see that in my zeal to capture the reflections I totally neglected to draw the mountains that were reflected! Sheesh… what was I thinking! The other hint was to paint in a smudgy layer of color at the base of the rushes. Two small things that made a big difference.
Is it perfect? … far from it, but I’m pleased. I only know I have more practice time ahead of me… and with my friends encouraging me, I’ll enjoy every minute of it!
Today I joined our plein air group at Lake Runnemede in Windsor, Vermont. The plan was to paint the expanse of waterlilies against the distant mountains… that’s Ascutney in the distance.
Don’t you love the cloud reflections in the water?
There’s a resident family of Canada geese and after some discussion they decided to form a conga line directly across the lily pads.
Tonight… rural New England… a lovely clear night perfect for two friends sketching and painting by the side of the road trying to capture the alpenglow on paper.
Just……… SUPER!
I love Fairs! Where else is there a multitude of creatures just hanging around begging to be included in my sketchbook.
A couple of warm-ups and I’m ready to go!
Sometimes there are so many to choose from… I decide to sketch as many as possible. (Check out that Lamancha goat! I was astounded to learn they’re born without external ear flaps… pinnae.)
I even go one to pose for me after his turn in the show ring.
Sometimes humans are interested in my work… the cows? Not so much! ( I thought Holsteins were only black and white. Not so! These red and white girls are Holsteins too! )
There’s still time for you to take your sketchbook and get in on the fun. New Hampshire’s Hopkinton State Fair is open tomorrow and Monday. If you’ve missed your chance at your nearest fair I highly recommend you start planning for next year… I know I am!
Sue’s at the Montshire! Correction… a life-sized replica is at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. She’s the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered!
My geeky alter-ego would have been a paleontologist so a trip to see Sue was a given! She… or maybe she’s a he, they don’t know… is HUMONGOUS! Over 40 feet from her snout to the tip of her tail and she stands at least 13 feet tall at her hip. Simply massive!
A quick splash of color before spending quality time with my fountain pen. She barely fits on my page!
But one visit just wasn’t enough. I returned today for another view!
My… what large teeth you have my dear!
Check out those proportions… Her foot is as large as that young fella!
The T. Rex exhibit will be there ’till September 7th. Find out why she’s named Sue and try all the interactive activities… don’t miss it! Not interested? There’s plenty to keep your attention and be sure to say hi to this little mink for me!
Dana Burrell... Art 