Ink Scribble Figure

Here's a quick 1 minute demonstration I did for my class. It's a combination of gesture and contour drawing with a Micron pen. I scribble from the inside of the shape to the outside, adjusting as I go for the proportion and angles that I need.

The whole idea is to use your sketchbook all the time, not worrying about how to perfect what you're doing......just do it! Practice creates freedom, freedom and enthusiasm create artistic growth.

Sunshine on a gloomy day

"Summer Squash"
Original line and wash Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Size: 5x8"  without frame  Price: $50

We have had stormy, gloomy days this week and I was in the mood for something cheerful. Good thing these summer squash bottled up some sun for me. I laid them out on my studio table under the skylight. I had almost more fun with the colors in the shadows than in the subject. Click to zoom.

Sketching tools

This illustrates the entire process of planning a painting by using a value plan.
The purpose of a value plan is to reduce a composition to the barest essentials, concentrating on arrangement and simplification.

Three possible tools:

1. Sketchbook and pencil
2. Sketchbook and markers
3. Watercolor sketchbook and black watercolor

Value Plan

Digital value plan with markers
in Paper by 53 app

Personally, I like the feel of the implement in my hand and the "drag" that comes from using real artist's materials on real paper.

However, you will never run out of ink, paper or pencil if you choose the digital app, Paper by 53.
The rewind feature is one I wouldn't mind using on a few of my paintings. :)

For a "real" planning sketch like this, I use Prismacolor or Copic Markers: 30% warm grey, 60% cool grey and black in my Robert Bateman sketchbook.

Fall Classes Begin on September 19 at A Guilded Gallery, Stanwood

It looks like summer isn't quite finished with us just yet! Our Pacific NW "heat wave" is on for this week, but back to school weather is up next week. We'll be back to comfortable temps and a little rain by then....Just in time for the beginning of my fall watercolor classes at A Guilded Gallery in Stanwood.

If you've been meaning to sign up, now's the time. Just click the leaf badge on the top of the right column for more information and contact the gallery to sign up. Email: aguildedgallery@gmail.com , or call the gallery during office hours at 425-493-4422
Hope to see you there!

Plein Air Workshop - Day Three

My Demonstration

Ben settles in to paint the tidal marsh.

We're on location on Camano Island. We spent all day here, painting, sketching; a picnic lunch and ice cold watermelon at the end of the workshop day.

It's not often that a location provides clean facilities, picnic tables, shade,  an inspirational subject, AND a comfortable bench. My intimate knowledge of the location and several scouting forays paid off!

Jeanne working in the shade.

Plein Air Workshop - Day Two

 "It's all downhill from here"
Original Line and Wash Watercolor
by Michele Cooper

One of the two quick sketch methods covered in our 3 day workshop...Line and Wash. If your time is limited, or you just want a way to quickly get the essential character of your subject, line and wash is one method that works.

These scenes are all over the territory we covered today in our plein air workshop.

In a Private Garden

John's Irish Shed
Line work with Micron Pen
by Michele Cooper


 We were working on thumbnail sketches at a viewpoint over the ocean, when the owners, John and Helen, invited us into their private garden next door. It is a prime example of what skill and loving care can accomplish.
John built the shed. Helen is a notable fine artist in her own right. Visit her website here.

My plein air workshop students and I were captivated and inspired by John and Helen's kind invitation and stunning garden. You could paint for a lifetime here. Thank you, John and Helen.

Plein air between the raindrops

Here's my demonstration from this afternoon, the first day of our 3 day plein air workshop.

In the afternoon, I took everyone to my secret spot where it doesn't rain when I'm there to paint. Evidently, it was the only spot in the entire vicinity that was dry. It was perfect: lots of NW atmosphere with mist on the distant purple hills, a vast panorama of golden summer fields, a skein or two of Canadian geese flying over, and a flock of swallows skimming back and forth over the field.

Dragonfly

As I was watering the garden, I caught a brief flutter of movement out of the corner of my eye and I thought the hydrangeas were moving!

Look closely and you'll see how perfectly matched the dragonfly is.