Easy DIY “Low-Stress” Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 2
Some fast and easy watercolor sketchbooks you can make yourself from the paper you usually paint on. (Part 2 of 2)
Sketching
Sketching and plein air painting.
Easy DIY “Low-Stress” Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 1
Some fast and easy watercolor sketchbooks you can make yourself from the paper you usually paint on. (Part 1 of 2)
Avoiding Overwhelm When Sketching on Location (or Working from a Photo)
To avoid overwhelm while sketching (or working from a complicated photo), collect “characters” now, arrange them to tell a story later.
More Tips for a Consistent Sketching Practice—Don’t Try to Do It All! (at once)
Ideas for how to keep your sketching going without discouragement. Enjoy sketching on location right now, with the skills you have right now, and still build the skills you need to create that beautiful “sketchbook as a work of art” you aspire to.
Establishing a Consistent Sketchbook (or Painting) Practice
Tips for establishing a consistent sketchbook (or painting) practice.
What’s That Pen You Use for Drawing?
A lot of people have been asking about what pen I use for drawing in my journals. In this post, I describe the bottled waterproof ink and pen(s) I use in my Studio Journal, and a couple of alternative options if you prefer cartridges over bottled ink.
How & Why to Keep a Studio Notebook
Expand your sketchbook practice beyond just making sketches. Your studio notebook is a place to brainstorm, explore, learn and develop your own creative style. Here are some ideas for getting started using a studio notebook to support all aspects of your creative development.
Sketching with Watersoluble Line
Super-simple and minimal supplies: a watersoluble pen, a wet brush and a postcard or sketchbook. This is basically a form of line-and-wash, but doesn’t seem to be taught or discussed much. My favorite super-lightweight sketching strategy.
24 min.
Painless Planning for Watercolor, Part 1: Exploratory Drawing
This article is the fourth in a series about creating paintings with more emotion, power and personal meaning. Here are links to the first three: Is My Painting Done? Are You a “Photocopier”? There’s a Better Way The Lazy Way to Build Painting Confidence I know that taking the time to do some planning would…
Jul 2019: Finding Focus When Working on Location
Some strategies I use to manage the overwhelming amount of information when painting on location, so sketching enhances my enjoyment, instead of raising my stress level. And so I have a better chance of coming back with photos and sketches that I can actually use to create satisfying, personally meaningful paintings.
Mar 2019: Get Ready for Spring Plein Air Painting
Several different options for light, packable watercolor sketching kits, and a few tips for selecting a manageable subject from the sometimes overwhelming wealth of options when working on location.
Better Landscape Greens
The weather is beautiful here. It’s the time of year when a lot of us are feeling that pull to take our paints and sketchbooks outside. It’s also the time of year that a lot of people struggle with GREEN! Do the greens in your landscapes look flat and unnatural? The likely culprit is a…