Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year

Wow ! Did this year fly by or what ? I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you all for your kind words of encouragement to me . I know some of you now have your own websites, have entered into shows , are showing your work , making your own cards and sketching as well . It warms my heart to know I  may have helped you all a titch to get out of your comfort zone and grow. I do hope you also use what God has given you to encourage others as well.

The Christmas season is in full swing with everyone hustling and bustling about shopping , baking and decorating . I am trying to purposefully make time to be still , read God's word and sketch . This sketch was done with a sharpened stick and ink and then a watercolor wash was added. 

In this last post of the year I thought I would share other Christmas sketches and Cards I have done over the years. If you haven't already given it a thought this is a great time to make next years Christmas card. 

 The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center is always a delight to visit . I have played tourist the past few weeks with out of town company and have seen the lights of this years tree a few times . It always puts a smile on my face no matter if you see it during the day or at night.

                   

                      Everywhere you look through out the city there are lights and decorations.

                               The  best light of the season is Jesus Christ , our living hope.

 May you and your family take time to be still and take in the wonder of Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth of The light of the world .

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy . Matthew 2:10

Till next year " Keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side "   I do have a few spots open in the Maine workshop in July and will be teaching in Old Forge NY in August . I will let you know when those dates are firmed up as well as dates in Litchfield , CT. in the Spring. 

Fun with Stick , Ink and Watercolor

  Stick and Ink are becoming quite the thing , I am now seeing  many other artist using this technique in their online postings .
I first learned about stick and ink while studying the artwork of Edward Wesson an English painter  1910-1983. His work was introduced to me by  UK artist Steve Hall .  I don't believe in coincidences  so I am always grateful when God leads me to one thing which then leads to another and another. I now have many books about Edward Wesson in my book collection and study them often . His watercolors  are fresh and transparent; and many of his works were in stick and ink with a watercolor wash.
      A simple old fashioned idea right ? a stick , who would have thought something so simple could be so much fun . It really has a way of freeing you to experiment and have fun with your drawings and color washes . It is not for the realist as you don't have the control over the stick and the amount of ink on it but if you want to have a fun afternoon head out and find some sticks , sharpen them with a razor blade or knife and dip them into permanent ink and go for it .

 Make sure your ink is really dry before adding your watercolor . I like to use DeAtramentis archive Ink

 I always blot my paper with a paper towel before adding color just to make sure it is dry as if it is wet , it  will  surely makes a mess.

Draw quickly as you will never get exact lines depending how you cut your stick . I just love the changing thicknesses of the lines as well as the texture you get sketching this way .

 I took some of the paintings that I have done in the past and  did 6"x8" sketches this week after the flowers bit the dust.

 I hope you have enjoyed seeing these and feel inspired to clean up your yard and get a stick collection of your own going.

                           If you don't know where to start , buy yourself a bouquet  of flowers

                                                         or use your old paintings

                                                                        photos

                                                     or sketches from your sketchbook

                                                                         Have Fun

                            Till next time " Keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side  "

A Coney Island Wedding

I wanted to share with you some ways I  use my sketchbook . Family outings , holidays, vacations , sight seeing , coffee shops ,at home in front of the tv , on airplanes, buses and subways or just walking around the neighborhood.     Todays post is A Coney Island Wedding

    I attended a wonderful fun wedding in September , here are a few samples of my very quick sketches of that day .

     When you do quick sketches of your day your first impressions come out and you notice things you never saw before .

                                             You remember  colors , shapes , and sounds

smiles and feelings 

After the ceremony we of course went on the rides , I stood on the street corner to catch this one of the train and Cyclone .

Fun rides in the children area , lots of laughter , color 

 screaming 

and excitement 

At the reception I tried to capture people chatting and having a good time , impressions of  the moment .

     

Simplify and sketch what you think you need to capture the moment of the day and don't worry about getting a likeness.

                                                      The laughter excitement and sounds

                Impressions  , conversations , smiles , love and sharing with one another .

                        It indeed was a wonderful wedding, I know from experience overtime when I look at back at these  quick sketches all the sights and sounds of that special day will come back into my memory like I was seeing it for the first time .  I did want to say these sketches were quick , a minute or 2  just your impression. Take photos for reference and put a color wash on when you get home as you are at the event to socialize and have a good time .
         I hope you are able to give special events in your life a try, family get togethers , recitals , concerts , graduations or just hanging out with friends . I will look forward to seeing  your sketches.

NYC Subway and Bus sketching

     Hi, Hope you are all painting and sketching as time permits in your life. I wanted to share a few more posts on quick sketching with you , this is the first of 3 , hoping that you all get out of your comfort zone and give it a try as the weather is still nice . I know you will be encouraged and surprised that you had the boldness and confidence to " Do It"  and will feel a sense of satisfaction , '"I did It "
     This post contains sketches I have done over the last week and half . My trip to the dentist to get a crown and our trip downtown on Saturday to play tourist .

    All sketches were done in a Cachet journal  by Daler Rowney with pretty thin paper  and with a Ultra Fine Sharpie Marker ( so I can't  erase ) . On the # 6 Train those sketches were done with a Pilot Brush Pen  I was trying out and need to work with it more so I can get both thick  as well as thin lines.

   The challenge is sketching in public while moving and staying focused and keeping your body balanced.

 These were done to and from downtown. I found it most helpful to lean my sketchbook on the pole in the middle of the train . The hard part was keeping my balance as the train is moving.

Stay focused and ignore the people that are watching you , most of them wish they had a sketchbook with them to give it a try . 

                                          The color washes were done back at our apartment .

                   It is amazing how many people you will meet that want to learn how to sketch.

                          On our return trip I was leaning on the poles by the subway car door.

           Sketching on the bus is much easier as the ride is smoother and one is or can be sitting down .

Sketching on the subway or bus will teach you to sketch fast as your subjects don't stay long  and people are constantly move around .

I do encourage you to make an artist date with yourself and head out with your sketchbook . Coffee shops and malls are a great place to sketch people .  If I can help you in any way on your own art journey please don't hesitate to ask . Sketching has been a quick way to keep seeing and recording the world around me , especially when life gets busy . It has been such a blessing to me to see my students out and about with their sketchbooks.  I will look forward to seeing yours .

Just Back From Utah's National Parks

What was after Maine's blues and greens .... Utah's red rock , varied  landscape and pine trees.

What a feast for the eyes. We just came back from 4 National Parks in Utah , what a beautiful state .  We hiked and I sketched the beauty of the land that God has made . Wow!  If you haven't been to these  National parks I would highly recommend them , Zion, Capital Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Here are a few sketches from my sketchbook .

   On this very hot day in NYC I am sitting at the kitchen counter next to the air conditioner. Lol !

These were all done with a ultra fine sharpie marker in a Stillman and Birn Beta soft covered sketchbook . It was nice and light to carry in my backpack. I met many  people on the trails we were on wanting to try sketching . I spent time talking and encouraging each of them and if you haven't given it a try please do . I will be glad to help you any way I can.

All of these sketches were done quickly and simply , no more than 15 -20 minutes on each and some way less as I tried to not make my husband wait too long for me.

I did manage to find a scruffy tree to sit under while I sketched . I was grateful for it as it was so hot and the sun was glaring even with my hat and sunglasses. If I could put my whole book on here I would , seeing the world through your sketchbook is a fabulous experience as you look back you will remember all the details of your day and your trip. Until  next time , enjoy this beautiful day .

After the Workshop in Tenants Harbor, Now What ?

I know how hard it is to get back into a routine after attending a workshop . How do you  put into practice all you learned? The only way I know is to ..... Yup ! you guessed it , Practice ....

Here is some of what I have practiced this week along with putting some color  washes on my sketches.

This is a 1/2 sheet which I divided off with masking tape and focused on shapes . I used my sketchbook as a reference as well as my photos. No drawing just focusing on shapes ( whoops! I did draw on the sketch on the far right) 

I know this one has nothing to do with Maine it is just what I felt like practicing today , again thinking shapes and not things.

               

 I also put some color on my sketches .

 Remember to always go back to what you know .  Sketch simply ,  Use a limited palette , practice brush strokes (learn what your brush can do ) Think focal point , values , composition and HAVE FUN while you are practicing and  paint what you love and love what you paint . 

If I can help you in any way please email me . I can help you via email, Skype or FaceTime .  Till Next time " Keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side "

                                                                        

A Joy Filled Workshop held in Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde, Maine

    What a joy to teach these hard working ladies , I am so proud of all them .  It was a wonderful three day experience for all of us.

 We started each day sketching and then moved into studying and practicing fundamental art principles and doing practices in the afternoon. We even took a field trip to Port Clyde where I demonstrated how to sketch  with a sharpened stick and ink. 

  Barbara Aras and I planned a small workshop group to ensure everyone received the  personal attention they needed to enable them to improve their own artwork and way of working.

                   We had fun sketching in and around Tenants Harbor as well as Port Clyde

Looking forward to teaching The Joy of Watercolor and Watercolor Sketching  in Tenants Harbor again next year.  

Workshop will be held July 24-26, 2018 from 9am-4pm . Cost $175  We will once again limit the number of students to ensure individual attention. If you are interested please email me at my website Dianeklock.com  A deposit will hold your spot and will be refundable till April 1, 2018

Till Next time " Keep your brush wet
and your sketchbook by your side "