Adventures in Pretty

Watercolor: Travel Journal Sketches Class

 One of my watercolor palettes

On Saturday, I had lovely group of people take my Watercolor Travel Journal Sketches class at the Seattle Daniel Smith Art Store. Some folks were trying watercolor for the first time, others had some previous experience. They all did really well-diving in and capturing photos of their travels. It is so fun to see the different styles everyone has. I always love seeing everyone's beautiful travel photos. I always leave class with a desire to jump on the next plane, with nothing but a change of clothes and my art supplies!

 Close-up of my palette. I often use colors out the center, where it has all these leftover colors from mixing.

Several years ago I did a two month road trip around the U.S. and took LOTS of photos. Most were of the natural environment-trees, lakes, canyons, meadows. But at one place I stopped-a mom & pop road side diner... I was fascinated by the light falling on the table, onto the chunky coffee cup, the little packets of sugar, the condiments and my spoon. It felt like it might want to be a painting one day. So I took some photos. Now 11 years later, I finally dug out the photo and made the painting that had asked to be made. I thought you might like to see my quick sketches of it. I might do it again in acrylics or oils someday.

First I did a fast pen sketch.

Second I added values with washes.

(Click to enlarge)

Then I went in and added color. In some areas I put down the final color immediately and in other areas I built up the color with successive glazes of color. One challenge is how do you create interest when many of your objects are essentially white? Well white is rarely true white and if you look carefully you can see subtleties in the whites. You can also use your artistic license [I just got mine renewed! : ) ] and build in more richness, with little hints of color here and there. 

I will be offering the Watercolor Travel Sketches class again. Right now I am busy creating new classes, and hope to have the Fall schedule posted by the end of August.  You can view the current class schedule here. If you would like to receive my newsletter about when and where I'm teaching-let me know here.

I hope this has inspired you to get out your supplies and try this yourself! Have a wonderful day!

Art Cars on the Loose (4)

  Here is my last installment of art cars from this year's Summer Solstice Fair in Seattle, WA, U.S. 

  

 

 

It is hard to tell from this photo but in the middle-the stack of gold dishes is real fountain feature! The water splashes down the plates into the black container at the bottom. 

 Sometimes the interior is as decorated as the exterior!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
You can't tell the full story of this car until you look at it up close.

 
The owner/artist covered the whole car with adhesive velcro-the side with hooks.. and then he created an entire design with yarn! 

I met one couple who had his and hers art cars. The car above is HIS car-and he is still in the process of adding details to it. Below is HER car.

 I hope this inspired you to get out some paint and paper and see what happens! If you were to do an art car-what would it look like? What theme might you have? Would you attack stuff to it? That should give you something to think about next time you are waiting for the bus, subway or train! 

That is ALL the photos I have! Whew! IF you are still thirstin' for more art car photos, you can see more here. 

Have a super week!!!!