Window painted in Whimsical Watercolor Compositions Class

Yesterday I took a very good class with Barbara Roth called, “Creating Whimsical Watercolor Compositions”. It was a relaxing environment, with just five students and the instructor in a nice intimate classroom. In the morning we did a directed exercise. We went through all the steps together and started off with the same basic drawing – a window – and all of us ended up interpreting it differently. It was interesting to see how differently the same instructions were interpreted, and it was fabulous. To the right is my interpretation of the window.

Ponte Vecchio painted in Whimsical Watercolor Compositions Class

In the afternoon, we were able to choose one of her pre-designed compositions or our own. I chose one of hers, but instead of tracing it (which was an option), I decided to give it my own twist by drawing from her image. She had us draw in pencil, which was good, since I could go back and remove things as I was going along. However, when I picked up my Pigma Micron, I chose the wrong one – one with a wide tip and so the lines are a bit more pronounced than I would like. This is from an image of the Ponte Vecchio in Firenze, Italy. I hope to go there some day… The class was a great way to see things in my photos that I can now do some work to create for myself.

After class, I was able to meet up with Joanne, Angie, Shirley, Kara (no blog, sorry!), Lorri, and DJ (even if just for a quick hello!). We were going to just have a quick dinner, but it turned into a nice long catch-up time. It’s always so awesome when friends from all over and online become friends in real life! I had a lovely evening and came home tired, but energized at the same time.

Today I have, for the most part, a resting day at home. I need to recharge! This afternoon I have a dermatology appointment to see about this hair loss and a rash I’ve been unable to get rid of. We suspect it is all from the medications, but it never hurts to have it checked.

After the appointment, I am meeting up with the group again for “happy hour” at the hotel. And then I have class with Judy Wise. I met Judy last year at AU and I couldn’t resist owning some of her prints (which are proudly sitting in my studio!). She’s been making a living with her art for a long time and the class I’m taking is on selling and marketing your artwork. I’m excited to learn more.

And now I am off to actually get moving on my day, starting with unpacking from yesterday’s class and making sure I have what I need for tonight.

Painted quilt - Female Desert Tortoise

Jane is a very relaxed instructor who gently guides people without being pushy. That’s a rare gift in an instructor and one I celebrate. We created the tops for two small quilts. One of an animal and another a “faux” landscape. Many people used photos of their pets as the “models” for the animal quilts. Others of us chose another animal. I used a photo I had from the wildlife rescue of a female desert tortoise. I liked the photo and really thought that I could go to town on the tortoise’s shell. I did!

Landscape quilt in process

For the landscape, I had considered using one of my pictures from France, but it was not meant to be. I forgot to print it out and decided to just roll with it! I used almost all batik fabrics for the landscape and just created layers and a mood. It will need a lot of stitching and embellishing to really “be” a landscape, but it’s on its way.

And, of course, today I am paying for yesterday’s long and busy day. I’m very tired and a bit off balance. I am quite glad that I scheduled just two full-day classes and that I have time off in-between. On Thursday evening, I also have a class, and I’m meeting some friends for happy hour beforehand. I really wanted to be there at the retreat location all the time to enjoy the retreat and spend time with friends, but I know that it would have really put a strain on my health. Next week is my treatment and I know that the medication is starting to diminish in my system.

Anyway, today I plan to stitch and embellish quite a bit. It’s relaxing and I can get

Today, however, I sat in the studio with my watercolor pencils and some copies of Smithsonian Magazine. I opened to a two-page photo ad of a Tibetan boy. I was immediately compelled to draw him. And this was what I did, to the left. I’m fairly pleased with it. I didn’t want to overwork the face, so I erred on the lighter side with a focus more on the values than the colors that the photo showed. It was more important for me to get the shading and shape of the face right. I also challenged myself to catch the shape of the fringe on his scarf. It was a good challenge. It took about 90 minutes for me to complete.

As you’ve seen the past few weeks, this is part of Cathy Johnson’s watercolor pencil class. We’re already on week 5! I cannot believe how time has flown! I plan to continue to draw regularly to keep my skills up. I’m back in the habit of carrying a journal with me at all times, and that feels great. There’s no such thing as being bored when you have things to observe and draw!

And now I think it’s time for a nap and some more anti-nausea medication!

To the left is my depiction of a photo I took at The Beach House on Kauai. The Beach House wasn’t the best food I’ve ever had, but it sure did afford us some awesome sunset views! The photo this is based upon is here.

To the right is a Kona Sunset. It’s from a photo of the sunset on from our hotel room. We were on the water and each evening we could just sit outside and watch the sun set from our lanai.

Tomorrow I pack our suitcases and I will also visit Angie at her Bible Study group to see what they’re all doing. I’m not sure if I’ll get any art done, but I do, however, feel much better having done quite a bit today. I’ve packed up some watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons to bring along with some small watercolor paper pads for our short trip to Santa Barbara for a little vacation.

And, to the left, is an inlet from Nawilliwilli Cove on the island of Kauai. I’ve edited out the condos in the background. I don’t think this one is finished, but it’s in process. I think it needs some pen work for more of a mixed media look. The colors, upon scanning the painting, appear much lighter and less intense than I see them in person. I am glad I stopped because I was afraid that if I’d gone any further, I’d have muddied it up.

I’m working on another water scene, which is wet right now. Water and, in particular, the white foam of the waves, appears to be a challenge for me. But I will continue to try.

• Beverly
• Toni
• Bethel
• Nikki
• Diana
• Katie
• Jamie

It’s an embarrassment of riches! So many people gave more than one thing away, and I clearly benefited from that! Thank you all for your generosity. I will be sending something to each of my lovely hostesses to thank them personally!

And I have spent the last two days working on my watercolor pencil class. I’m really enjoying this class and the way Kate has of giving us good feedback that we can use. I uploaded both of these paintings yesterday and Kate gave me feedback. I followed her advice and I’m much happier with them now. To the left is a desert landscape loosely based on some photos I’ve taken and a photo I found in the Image Library at Wet Paint. To the right is a painting based on another image from Wet Paint (nope, no snow here in AZ!)

If you’d like to see the original paintings before they were “fixed” with Kate’s suggestions, you can take a look in my Watercolor Pencil Class flickr set.

I’m working on another painting today. I’m hopeful that I can complete the second week’s lessons today so I’m ready for next week’s new lesson!

As many of you have already commented, I know you’re aware that tomorrow I’ll choose the winner of the One World One Heart blog event here on my blog. If you haven’t already joined in the fun, please do! All you have to do is to sign up here by 9 am Pacific Time on Feb. 14th.  As part of this event, I’ve met some amazing artists who have very interesting blogs to which I am now addicted!

One such blog is Terisa‘s. She is participating in the Pay It Forward program. Here’s how it goes: The first 3 people who comment on this post will get a prize from me. I’m not sure what, but probably something handmade and maybe some vintage goodies. All you have to do is to agree to Pay It Forward on your blog and link to it! Simple as that. Are you game?

On a side note, I did have my treatment here in the comfort of my own home yesterday. It was MUCH more relaxing and comfortable. I’m fatigued, but I’m sitting in the studio trying to get through some of the exercises for this week’s Watercolor Pencil Workshop.

Here is the landscape I alluded to in the last posting. I have three or four others going, but I liked the way my new Derwent Graphitints worked to create this Sedona landscape. The perspective is a bit off on the farmhouse, but this was an exercise more in the coloring than the drawing, so I just went with it. I have decided that the picture I used as the source photo will be one that I will rework as I go through this class and learn more.

I’m so excited that many of you are still taking a look at the One World One Heart giveaway! Since this has become so popular, I do hope to do more giveaways.

On another subject – my health – we’re trying something new this month. We’re going to have the treatment done here at the house with a home infusion agency. They can’t spare a nurse on Monday for five hours, but they can on Tuesday, so I’ll be infused here in the comfort of my own home, Tuesday afternoon. They’ve already delivered the medication and the IV pump to regulate the flow. I’m hopeful that this will go well and that I can have the treatment while relaxing at home going forward. I will report back!

While I was working on it – layering color, adding watter, laying color, adding water, etc. – I found that I did not have the array of earthy tones that I would have liked. In the past, I’ve not tried to do anything with my watercolor pencils but to add detail or to color in a rubber stamped image. So, I found that I was in need of some more earthy tones. It was a perfect excuse to leave the house for my first driving excursion since all this health stuff happened. I went to Arizona Art Supply and picked up a small set of Derwent’s Graphitint pencils. The set of 12 came with several browns and other earthy colors. I added one more brown that I knew I would need for the ostrich.

I have to say, making this purchase was a very good choice. I used to work for Lyra, so I do have an affinity for their products. However, finding that this was missing and trying out the Graphitints was a useful thing. I was able to complete this drawing and I also have been working on a couple of landscapes that will take a bit longer.