i did my best. that's all i can say. sketching in a crowd of people is difficult. sketching in a crowd of people with other people looking over your shoulder is more difficult. and doing all of that while your sister is taking a billion photos of you is the absolute worst. but i persevered.
oh. um. wa WOW na. total accident.
sketching the swinging bridge was much more enjoyable. i sat alone on a bench under a grove of trees. a few people smiled at me, but no one approached. i am totally out of my element in the watercolor sketching landscape cityscape department. but i don't let my lack of skill dampen my enthusiasm. don't ask about the bonfire that's not a bonfire or the person with no feet.
skill schmill.
i feel much more capable drawing individual parts or objects. but i want more than parts in my umbria travel journal. i want some wholes too. know what i mean, jellybean?
i've been resisting the urge to buy some daniel smith watercolors. i'm just going to keep using my little sakura koi travel set. i've had it a year and it's getting a little ragged, but produces some rich colors especially when i mix my own shades.
i've had the tombow markers for a long time and only just realized i could put a wet brush over them and get some nice watercolory effects. i'll be taking a few of those to italy along with some other watersoluble pencils and pens i got recently. when i pack up my supplies i'll show you every single solitary thing i'm taking with me. i'll also show you the signatures when i finish prepping them. not exactly sure what i'll do, but i know when sit down with the pages in front of me the mental circuit board in my head will start lighting up. or blow a fuse. either one.
robin just posted THIS article (in the comments) by our beloved Roger Ebert on why we can all draw. oh it is a GOOD read! an excerpt below…
"I found this was a benefit that rendered the quality of my drawings irrelevant. Whether they were good or bad had nothing to do with their most valuable asset: They were a means of experiencing a place or a moment more deeply. The practice had another merit. It dropped me out of time. I would begin a sketch or watercolor and fall into a waking reverie. Words left my mind. A zone of concentration formed. I didn't think a tree or a window. I didn't think deliberately at all. My eyes saw and my fingers moved and the drawing happened. "
You must try Peerless Watercolors. They would’ve perfect for your adventures. Check out this video on YouTube from Jane Davenport: http://youtu.be/1fPiVfilRdA
WOW…I finally got back to read this article with Roger Ebert…..I had to post it on facebook for more people to be able to read….thanks, it was fabulous!!! I will read it again and again ….and try to teach or encourage that with my grandchildren who do art with me…..or anyone for that matter!!! Your blog is so informative!!
I CANNOT wait to see your images from your trip. I’m headed to Mexico in June. My first time. And I fully intend to travel super light. No giant suitcase this time. I’m already wondering what my art supplies will be. This is the first time I’ll be mostly staying put so will have more time to do art than I usually do when I travel but I want to keep it simple. You are so inspiring woman.
I remember being on a photo safari with a bunch of relatives… I started to sketch and suddenly ALL THE CAMERA WERE ON ME! Mortifying! I felt like a zoo animal. Or an exhibit. After that, I’d sketch really early in the morning or when they were all busy IDing birds. I also sat in the way back of the vehicle so they couldn’t see what I was up to.
LOVE the lady on The Google (or The Yelp?) with the dialogue balloons. So funny!
The Ebert quote gave me chills. So true.
You know that you can fill in the pots of your Koi set with whatever tube watercolor paints you want to use, right? So as they empty out I would recommend trying some better paints. I have both Winsor and Newton Artists Watercolours which are a step up from the student grade Cotman and some Daniel Smith colors. They are all fabulous-the density of the color is amazing and a little goes a long way. You know that old adage that you get what you pay for? So true with watercolors. The cheapest way to get some Daniel Smith colors to try, is to buy one of their triad sets that run $20 for a set of 3 colors, free shipping, direct from their website. I have gotten some super colors that way with not a huge investment. I got a few Primatek colors that are just fabulous! Daniel Smith also has a super cheap plastic portable travel watercolor palette that I really like.
Aloha, Kate
While you were there did you get to stop by the Sugar Pine Rail Road or Bass Lake? Bass Lake is my favorite place on earth!
hey, you are lovin’ what you see in Nature and sketchin’-paintn’ exactly perfect, ENJOY every minute!
see if you can sample Lukas Watercolors, they’re awesome! waiting to see your signatures…..and thanks for describing the pens, where was the store in Venice? or its name? 3 weeks from today, I will be there, yay!!! Holly
Oh Mary Ann, how I love this post! I so needed to read those words written by Roger Ebert, however, I am most thrilled with how you have repeatedly demonstrated this philosophy since I have read & enjoyed your blog & your classes! It has renewed a desire for growth & exploration through the process, not the end result! I always have fun reading your posts, watching the videos, taking your classes. That’s what it’s about right-the fun, the laughter!? I’ve said thanks in my comments in the past, I really wish there was a way I could express how deeply I mean those words. For now, without an eraser, I simply say it again- Thank You!
I love your sketches,and along with that wonderful quote from Roger Ebert it’s just perfect.
I also read the comment Susie LaFond left here and I have to totally agree!
Roger Ebert articulated so well the experience of drawing….but, more important to me, he makes me think about my own attitudes to my work. I’m so self-critical that it’s amazing I haven’t just given it up! Only the deep rewards have kept me going, but now I will try to revise my interior dialogue! Your bold example shines the way! Thank you!
Love your art attitude. Perfect for creativity. (Humor helps too.)
I like your study of the evergreen foliage but my very very favorite of all the sketches is Dottie on the bed and her mouth and the hand on the keyboard and the other tucked underneath her leg. PERFECTION! Where did you decide to go? I would have voted for chicken chipotle pasta too.
you’ve made my heart and soul very happy today. Did you know that a slice of sunshine follows you everywhere? it does, even during times you might not really see it or feel it…it really is there. Hello Sunshine!!!! Did you know that the afore-mentioned sunshine, casts lovely and brilliant cascades of color and light within the words and images on your blog? That it brings us here…just basking in it for a few minutes is quite wonderful and did I mention that one does not require sunscreen when sitting in your special brand of sunshine. That there is no safety risks, unless that might be, becoming overly happy or smiling too much…..xxxoooxxx
just lovin’ it. that’s all…..xo
I love your sketches Mary Ann. These are awesome! I love that you are out there DOING it! You inspire me!
I, too, take watercolors with me when I travel. I do horrid watercolors but the act of painting with the watercolors makes me really ‘see’ the place, the thing, the view. It’s for the ‘seeing’ that I travel.
Buy the Dan Smith watercolors. You won’t regret it.
The late Roger Ebert is the one who really encouraged me to draw. After reading his post in the Sun Times – where he made a very reasoned case as to why we can all draw – I gave it a go. He was right! It’s a good read. He will be missed! http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/02/you_can_crtainly_draw_better_t.html
Really enjoyed reading this posting. Your sketches are great to look at. I am really happy that you keep working on it everyday and are improving. you will be happy to know that I made a 5 signature book. I just keep staring at it in disbelief. I used a cereal box for my cover. You my friend have been my inspiration. Thank you forever for your wonderful sharing.
Toddlers don’t let stumbling stop them from becoming walkers. I am delighted with your joyous abandon and gleeful exploration. You are successful because you never stop having fun.
What a treat you are
Resist the urge! I have spent big pennies on expensive watercolors and find that my cheapie favorites give me as much pleasure. But then maybe I’m just simple that way…
Love what you share with us!
I just recently found your blog and I LOVE your journal of WHOLE sketches!!! Plus I love your humor and comments along the way. I have purchased the Sakura Koi set and just love it to death!! You have inspired me!! Thanks…
You keep sketching…the only way to get better is to keep at it! I remember when I started, all those years ago, and almost let myself get discouraged….but I kept going, drawing, sharing; the cheapest and best art class you’ll ever take!
I love my tombow markers for watercolor effects, and they are a travel staple. I also make my own travel watercolors with my favorite shades…it went okay, and I love using them, now!
Loved yesterday’s post, too! You’ve got me itching to travel!
Love the conifer leaves and how you colored those little pages! I know you prefer painting the whole picture but you are very good at painting the parts too!