Yesterday was my first sketch out with my art group since the before times. I traveled light with only my sketchbook and two pencils since I knew I’d be socializing, even if it was at a distance.
5.6 mm Koh-i-noor Magic pencil lead in clutch lead holder.
0.7 mm HB mechanical pencil.
Many thanks to Honey Field Farm, Norwich, Vermont for generously hosting our group.
Marc Taro Holmes calls it direct watercolor while Liz Steel says straight to paint. Either way it’s quite the challenge to visualize the page and paint without a structural underdrawing.
I’ve now completed two thirds of the month’s challenge and I’m definitely more comfortable handling my brush and paints.
I took my paints to an outdoor concert. Great subjects but my painting was cut short as I spilled my water! Sigh.
I have a thing about ampersands! I discovered that I should have done the shading before I painted the details. More negative painting practice again.
Painted from a Sktchy photo. Another negative painting practice and another one of my favorites.
Foxgloves. I can’t grow them but I’m glad my friend can!
Cool and refreshing sour cherry cider! Another one of my favorites. I know many artists don’t like the blooms, also known as back-runs, but I love the variation in hues and the fuzzy edges.
#30x30DirectWatercolor2018
Ooops… Somehow I must have had a brain cramp… this should have been published last Friday. Well, it’s here now and I’ll just push the others back a few days to compensate.
These five are the start of the second half of the challenge. I’m much less stressed and more inclined to just start in and see where my brush takes me.
Two quick views across the pond. This is one of my favorites because I can see myself using this technique on vacation.
Another people spread. I’m particularly fond of the woman with dog in the upper right. Just a few brush strokes allowing us to fill in the details ourselves.
My favorite pitcher! Not only does it glug-glug-glug when it pours but with its beautiful coloration it’s a great subject.
Another fun pitcher to paint!
Dogs… I really miss my ink when I’m painting them! They move so fast… I should be painting sleeping dogs instead.
See you in a couple of days for the next installment!
#30x30DirectWatercolor2018
We managed to make it to 15 outdoor concerts this summer… and I took my sketchbook to every last one!
FIFTEEN!!!
So what do I draw? Sometimes it’s the band but most times it’s the audience. I love to sketch interesting postures, unruly hair and cute dogs… especially dogs!
Oh… and there’s great music too!
When I’m vaguely interested in a book, but not interested enough to read it myself, I often get a detailed synopsis.
It’s our version of audio books!
Dogs are good listeners too!
We went to two outdoor concerts this week, the final for this summer in each location.
It’s a long time ’till next summer but I know where the people go… I’ll be there with my sketchbook and pen in hand because there’s always someone who catches my eye and demands to be drawn… easy pickin’s.
By the way… Anderson East is the real thing! He came with his 6 person band and blew us all away. Be sure to see them if they’re ever near you!
People… People who draw people.
Okay, okay. That’s not how the song goes… I get it.
But I want to be one of those people. I want to be able to capture a gesture and movement, not necessarily a likeness. At least not yet.
How do I achieve my goal? Practice… each and every time I’m out and about.
Dana Burrell... Art 