Playing and Practicing with Values on Fifth Avenue and Adirondack Workshop August 5-6, 2019

 I am fresh off a few intense workshops  and today I practiced and played with values which I have been concentrating on for the last few months .

Here is my value study using neutral tint .  I started the first one with a light under  wash and added the middle value when it was dry .

 I then added the darks .

I decided to try it again as I wasn’t crazy about the results so I tried it again without wetting the paper or putting on a light underpainting .  I like the second one better as I like the sparkle of the white paper . What do you think , which one do you like better ?

 Here is the painting I liked better with the value study.

 I will be teaching a two day workshop August 5-6 , 2019 at The View Arts Center  in Old Forge, NY  sponsored by the CNYWS. Please check my website for the links to sign up if  you are interested .www.Dianeklock.com

Back to my easel " Keep your brush wet and you sketchbook by your side "

Plein Air and Playing Tourist in NYC

I have been a City Mouse lately as my husband and I have had commitments in the city . I ventured out alone on Friday to paint in  Plein Air at The Sailboat Pond in Central Park.

 I started with a watercolor sketch in my new sketchbook which is filled with watercolor paper . I then ventured into my favorite painting of the day ,The Value Painting . I know students don't like doing these but I really encourage you to give it another try if you shy away from them. 

   I did the Value painting with a couple standing behind me watching , talk about nerves but I am thrilled with it . The trouble comes next when I did not really follow it too much . Lesson learned , keep at it . I can surely say I know my subject at this point. I also did another version when I returned home as I thought these might be a bit dark .

So there you have it , if at first you don't succeed , try , try again and again and again. Lol ! I have a feeling I will keep at this motif for a while . 

Classes are set for my class in Old Forge ,  August 5-6 ,2019  Here are the links.https://www.viewarts.org/workshops/fine-arts/cnyws-series-the-joy-of-watercolor-sketching-with-instructor-diane-klock/

Link 2 

I am doing two days , one will be on Sketching and the other on Watercolor Painting .https://www.viewarts.org/workshops/fine-arts/cnyws-series-the-joy-of-watercolor-with-diane-klock/

Plein Air Painting in Essex UK and Central Park ... Still a city mouse /country mouse.

    Hi, I am just back from a two week Plein Air Painting Marathon . I spent a week painting the English Countryside in Essex and then back to NYC painting Central Park , Bryant Park , Times Square , Brooklyn and other bustling city locations.  I am tired but a good tired and did learn to travel light.
    I will post those paintings as soon as I have photographed them . In the meantime I am trying to learn how to use Instagram , I was encouraged to give it a go by Jim Morgan an English artist and new friend . You can find him through Jim Morgan Watercolouraddictsgallery.com
     I posted the painting below as I am putting down my paintbrush this weekend as we are having a houseful of guests . I hope you enjoy seeing The Chefs

I did manage to post this to Instagram but it did involve a learning curve so I will keep at it . I now need to work on hashtags and getting followers . If you guys have any advice please feel free to pass it along .

Workshops in Old Forge , New York

 Don't ask me where the time goes but it does fly by . I was surprised I haven't had a blog post since November .
     I wanted to let you know I will be teaching 2 one day workshops at The View Arts Center in Old Forge , New York ; a beautiful spot to paint in the Adirondacks .

The Joy of Watercolor Sketching  Monday , August 5, 2019

The Joy of Watercolor  Tuesday , August 6, 2019    

I hope you can join me for one or both of these fun classes this summer. You can find more information on my website Dianeklock.com  or call the View at 315-369-6411


The good news is I have been practicing, painting and learning new skills in my absence . I am off on a new adventure the end of this week with my paint brush in hand and my sketchbook by my side.

You still have plenty of time to create your own cards and calendars for gifts.

              Just a little encouragement for you , it is not too late to make your own cards and calendars to use for gifts .
               Thanksgiving is not even here yet and I can already see the stores are getting geared up and ready, and one even having Black Friday sales .Whats up with that ? The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is even being lit a week earlier this year . What ?
              I love Thanksgiving and we all have so much to be thankful for, so for one I am slowing down and trying to Be Still for a time each day and reflect on the meaning of both Thanksgiving and Christmas before doing all the day to day things that need to be done before our celebrations .

I do want to share some encouragement for those of you who have artwork and want to make gifts for Christmas this year , you  still have plenty of time . Here is what you need good photos of your artwork . You need a minimum  of 13 pics for a calendar but of course the more you can choose from the more fun it is . You can make your own calendars , cards and so much more today with sites like Moo.com , Shutterfly , Cafe Press and Zazzle.  Here are a few pics to get some ideas.

This is a wonderful desk calendar I ordered for this year from Shutterfly that comes with a cute little wooden easel .

Here is my traditional desk calendar that I also make from Shutterfly ( no Shutterfly has no idea I am recommending them . I am just passing along products I love.

I have also made lots of note cards from Shutterfly to use through out the year . Here are some I made from Moo.com . They are a smaller size that the ones I make from Shutterfly but I do love them .

I do hope you will go through your own art work and make some of your own gifts this year . You still have plenty of time and if you don't have art work ready for this year start in January and by next Fall you will be ready to go .
      I have spent my morning with The Lord and now I am headed to my easel . You have a wonderful day and I will talk with you again soon. Of course if I can help you in any way please don't hesitate to contact me.

News for November and posted Tenants Harbor Workshop for 2019

Hi , here we are in November already, time is flying by as I continue to travel, teach, paint and fill sketchbooks. You all remember " Keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side" right ? Lol!
 
  I just posted my Tenants Harbor Workshop 2019 on my website Dianegklock.com We have had a blast the last two years in this class and would love to have you join us.

I have been spending a lot of my time studying values,  everyones favorite thing , right ? Lol ! and doing a divided 1/4 sheet during my practice time before attempting a full 1/4 sheet painting to get my juices flowing.

I got hooked on doing these during a recent workshop, Who knew I would develop a love for Windsor Newton Paynes Gray. Those who know me know I never liked that color before but it is fabulous for value sketches along with Holbein TitaniumWhite or gouache.

Here are a few of my sample quick studies to get warmed up . I don't spend more than an hour of the whole sheet and work on them all at the same time , letting things dry and moving on to the next.
Remember to set your timer .   Till next time " Keep your brush wet and your sketchbook by your side and keep practicing as practice will improve your work .

Time Flies and now it is October

Wow ! Where did all the time go. I had a busy summer traveling , painting and teaching . making new friends and getting re in touch with old ones. It was all good busy and I loved every minute of it .

I am heading to CT in october to drop off this painting which was accepted into this years Northeast Watercolor Society 's International Show . It will be on display at The Kent Art Association located in Kent , CT.  October 14-October 28 If you are nearby please stop by .

What have I done this summer besides spending time with my family, practiced and sketched, taught in Litchfield CT, Old Forge NewYork and Tenants Harbor , Maine . Here are a few pics.

   

and here is a hard working class from Old Forge

finished off my summer teaching at my studio the end of August .

 Now I am off to an intensive week long workshop this week here in NYC ( actually I just finished Gary Tucker's workshop as I post this, great class, I  will need a few more days to re group  ) Chat soon but did want to let everyone know Barbara and I will once again teach a workshop in Tenants Harbor , Maine 
          July 23,24,25 2019    We would love to have you attend . A $100 deposit will hold your spot till April 1, 2019. Please contact me if interested . I will have information on my website soon.